lemme ask the question you didn't ask.

what's the price difference between the 300 and 350 you found?

cuz 350 is usually a no brainer unless you got a killer deal on a 300 and are willing to sacrifice something

lol... it's more fun to answer these questions as if they were never asked though =]

For me it comes down to price. I really would like the 350 but my budget will only allow a 300. Since I've loved the look of the 3rd Gen GS since it came out - I'm still getting something I want. I'm trying to convince myself that the 300 will be fine simply because I want the better mileage since my commute has doubled compared to a year ago.

I'd like some opinions - would a higher than average mileage GS350 be worth getting instead of a low to average mileage GS300? This is assuming the prices are pretty close.

(Higher than average mileage to me is like 70k miles and up)

i wouldnt say so. i own a 300 and i would say get the 350. theres much more advantages to the 350 then there is the 300.

The 350 is obviously better than the 300, and the 460 is obviously better than the 350. The only real argument is if the 450H is better than the 460. :P

It all boils down to the price. In some markets the 350 is a clear choice, in others, like here, the 350 is priced far higher and budget or not right now it makes more sense to go with the 300 in terms of bang for the buck especially if you're more interested in fuel economy, ride quality aesthetics and amenities than just absolute performance.

Do I wish I had a 350 instead? Sure, of course, I'll take the drop in fuel economy since I don't do a hell of a lot of driving but when I was shopping around there was just way too large of a void in pricing and frankly, the 300 is a lot more machine than I'm used to in the past to begin with. I never get out of the car feeling like I got robbed for performance, for around-town driving it goes like stink (to me). I won't make the mistake of test driving a 460 any time soon. Ignorance is bliss.

For the record, price difference for me comparing cars for sale by lexus or toyota, was probably on average 8-10K difference. Slightly smaller difference if including the "i'm not so sure about this dealership" listings. Working with Toyota on the sale of my car was a good experience, as they gave me a 30 day comprehensive to check everything out and they fixed a long list of niggling little things with the car that I know that a non franchise dealership would have wiped their hands of so I feel like I got a great deal on something that was pretty much fully refurbished.

When I started shopping for a replacement car, I was looking at things like Subaru Legacy etc. So I definitely even went slightly above what I was originally looking to spend even with the 300. In retrospect it's easy to say, damn, I should have just spent the extra money and got an 07 but really at the time I felt like I was spending more than I wanted to on a car in the first place. :P

I hear what you're saying Jay. Naturally the cars that I've purchased have always been more powerful than the one before. The punch that the V8 has in the LS is great - more so than the 3.5L V6 in my '02 Maxima SE that I had before it. Both of them get around the same MPG too.

I'm partially afraid that the 300 will be lacking too much (in the performance dept) compared w/ the LS I have now. Even though it has some miles under it, it continues to impress me.

Other than the engines and next-gen Nav on the 350, is there really much of a difference between the 06 300 and 07 350?

I'm trying not to over extend myself when it comes to payments so I know I have to compromise somewhere. I think the 06 300 will be such a step up as far as amenities and interior design (which is where you spend your time in the car!) that I think the difference in power won't matter as much.

Regardless of which I end up with, the real speed demon in my garage will always be my motorcycle, which sees commuting duty as much as possible.

The only big differences are next gen nav, half liter larger displacement, and bigger brakes. I find the braking fine in mine, so I can't really comment on how much that matters to you or the average person. For me, if the brakes stop the car when I want it to stop that's good enough for me. Actually the big difference, to me, is psychological with that badge on the back that says 300 instead of 350. Regardless, the 300 is a faster car than the vast majority out on the road. As for the nav, I like using portable garmins in the rare cases that I actually need the nav anyway but that's another topic that has already been discussed.

I also have a motorcycle, so I get my speed needs from that as well. Honestly, every car feels like a bus after riding a sportbike for any length of time.

If you're mainly interested in saving some money while still having a posh and attractive ride inside and out then I don't think you can go wrong with the 300 as long as your ego can handle that badge on the back.

Well I can always do what I recently saw on eBay the other day - an 06 GS300 with 350 badges on the trunk. I even emailed the guy asking why (no mention of it in the ad clearly for a 2006 GS300) but he never responded back.

Kidding of course - I'd never go the poser route.

get the 350. 300 is weak. two of my friends have 300's and they dont like how its underpowered compared to 350. plus, the nav map is older in 300.