Hi fellas.
Lost my truly beloved 2013 GS 350 a couple weeks back in an accident. I live on Maui and was unable to find a single GS for sale on my tiny rock. Took a day to fly to Oahu to check out several similar vehicles, but none of them was a perfect fit and they were all quite expensive.

The best one I came across was $27K after all the paperwork and bull**** with the DMV (2015 RWD F Sport with 65K miles in excellent condition). The car was great, but I was not overly impressed with the somewhat rougher ride of the 2015 year F Sport and also didn't feel an immediate connection to the 8 speed transmission. For that price it needed to be perfect, and it just wasn't.

Best car I came across on Maui was the pictured 2015 XSE Camry with a V6 engine. Car is in pretty good shape, had 1 owner, and has 90K on the clock. Picked it up for $11800 which I thought was a very fair price. The car drives damn nice, and the pedal response and acceleration feel very similar to the GS. It actually has a few advantage IMO over the GS: Regular gas not premium, cooler AC, longer lasting and less expensive wheels and brakes, and it has a sunglasses holder! Obviously it falls short in seating comfort, stereo quality, isolation and quiet, smoothness of ride, and comfort. When I sat in the GS I felt so comfortable and lucky, and the feeling just isn't the same in the Camry.

I just couldn't see paying more than double to buy a car that I didn't love as much as my dearly departed 2013, and I know if I don't like the Camry it will be a pretty simple proposition to sell the car because the Camry has such a good rep. I drove a couple Accords and the 2.0 turbo was a rocket ship but I didn't like the noisy engine and the looks of the car. Honestly if not for the Camry I would have bought a CRV because I know several people with them and they're solid.

I'll be keeping an eye out for a GS to pop up over here on Maui, but I'm not holding my breath. Based on my test drives, I'd only be happy with a true twin of the car I had.

I'm sure I'll keep looking on this forum and putting in my own $0.02 now and then. This community is quite small but it's entertaining and illuminating.

 

Nah, ain't no way....

JK. I agree! The Camrys have always had killer AC IMO.

Glad you at least got a good, reliable, and good looking car to boot!

I was looking at Camrys way before the GS. Only downside was the VVT rattle on startup some of them get, but it's an O-ring that competent folks can replace DIY.

Best of luck with the new whip! I miss Pearl Harbor sometimes... but not being called a haole, that's for sure

 

Funny enough I got my GS450h as a stopgap for a year or so until I can figure out what I want next. After driving it for 6 months, I'm rather smitten with it. It seems to do everything it's supposed to do, well. Which is saying a lot.

I think I'll keep it 2 years instead of 1, but to be honest, the new or recently new offerings out there just don't impress me. You did good, the Camry is always a solid choice. We always have one in the family and I enjoy drives with it. When the road gets twisty though, I'm reminded it's a family hauler (compared to a RWD car like the GS) and tend to pull back a bit from the fun. Maybe that's what makes the GS so unique... being able to be a calm and quiet highway cruiser, but in SPORT+ being able to transform it into a relatively competent canyon carver. Like having 2 cars in 1! However, let's be honest, that's maybe 1% of my driving, so I'm in cruising mode most of the time which would be just a nice in a Camry.

How are you the sound levels at speed though? I find our camry to be a bit loud (compared to the GS).

 

That's really the achilles heel of this car. It actually has 18" wheels (why?) so the ride is pretty bumpy and the sound insulation is non-existent compared to the GS. Oh well I'll just listen to the mediocre stereo louder.

JK really. The car is definitely above average, and I think it could definitely give the GS a good race off the line. I feel like I'm going to keep looking for another GS, but if I wouldn't be surprised if I settle in and keep the camry long term. Either way there are more important things to worry about in life I suppose.

 

The Camry is way quieter at starter than the GS - that DI noise was not my favorite thing about it.

I've lived here for 23 years so I'm used to being a minority. I have had very few problems here with other people, and in my experience, most people I have known who struggle with the locals are *******s themselves.

 

Kinda sounds like your trying to convince us and yourself that you made a good decision 😜. If you bought a bicycle instead you would have said, its lighter with less parts to break, only "2" tires to replace, energy efficient with less rolling resistance with a lower coefficient of drag and way lower maintenance costs and who needs a roof when you have island breeze in your face 😉. If you have to justify your decision on minor difference's along with the exit strategy planned already after just purchasing something....... You know what you want and just bought something because you needed something. Keep looking for the right GS that you know you want, and flip the camry for around what you paid for it when you find it. You will never be happy with just settling for something when your mind and heart is wanting something else. I dont mean to sound offensive or like an ******* if thats how im coming across... Ive just lived your exact predicament twice and have kicked myself in the *** for settling for something else. Glad your alright after everything thats happened to that beautiful island you live on. Find that GS!!!!

 

Most don't know how good that last Gen 15 Camry is in the V6. Enjoy it. The Camry is what it is in that class and damm good at it. Ignore the haters. lol! Congrats!!

PS: Did you GS have frame damage? If not, you could buy it back cheap.

 

You're about 80% right. At the moment I really do feel like I want to flip the Camry. I already washed it and polished up the headlights and chrome so it looks decent if not perfect. I feel like I could probably sell it for around $13K and use that money toward a new GS.

Chances are I'll get used to the toyota over time and just keep it though. Time will tell.

 

Weren't you considering a similar car as a daily driver?

 

.
I also understand the "Just be happy with what you have and dont worry about the things you dont" saying 😉. You sound like me with all the polishing and waxing after i just get something new. Either way, enjoy 👍🏻. GS! 🤣

 

Yep I'm still looking for one. 15 Camry V6 XLE.

 

Yeah that's probably the way to go. Mine's the XSE which is ok but the 18" wheels are a negative on a car like this. Guarantee the 16's ride nicer on the XLE. Come to think of it that's probably the same as with my GS. An AWD would be more sensible than the staggered setup on the RWD. AWD is going to be very rare here in Hawaii here though.

 

ain't no way

 

What kind of brand tires are on it now? Also have you checked the tire pressures? For what you paid with the miles and condition in Hi, you got a good deal!

 

This made me LOL haha

@gs350noob The Camry is a great car. I had an 07 V6 prior to my GS. Enjoy it maybe we'll see you in a GS again someday