I finally got a chance to check out the car though a long-term drive is still in the future. That said some quick comments:

Likes:

1) I like the exterior styling of the F-Sport model a lot and it looks great in red or gray
2) The interior design, with a single major caveat, is fantastic
3) I like the color options available on the interior
4) Quality/Look/Feel of leather and wood (non F-sport) are nice
5) I like the wheels. Nice choice for "stock"

Dislikes:

1) Still sits too high. It should be illegal to have brochures/ads with the car lowered beyond what you actually get. This car screams to be lowered especially the AWD variants
2) No GS-F (well duh) but no GS450H either (boo)
3) The F-Sport "metallic" interior trim looks poor. Give me wood option.

Deal breaker(?):

1) There is only one but I was blindsided by it. The way the Enform screen is integrated into the dash looks just awful in person to my eyes. In pictures it didn't look too bad (though I always thought the screen was a bit too big) but when I was sitting there "in the flesh" it just seems like a gaping cut-out of the dash to house the system. It's the empty space on the "flatter" part of the dash that I'm talking about. Made me I know it is hard to integrate these new MMI screens as they get larger into the cars but I'm not sure I don't prefer a) smaller screen b) different implementation (aided by smaller screen?). I might be able to get over that with more time in the car but since that's where I spend most of my time

Random comment:

The Lexus web site has actually gotten worse, which I didn't think was possible, for building out a car. Never mind they still refuse to link up dealer inventory. Lexus, get your act together. I'm tech savvy and still hate your configurator. I can't imagine what Mom and Pop (Grandma and Grandpa?) would think.

 

Holly Batman! It's the return of Mr Johnson.

How would you compare it to your GS (minus the SRT parts)?

 

Much respect Mr. Johnson! Thanks for the review.

 

yup, one of the legends

so the car does look high. i think so too, just didn't want to say it

 

Take some pic to better understand what you can't see on screen

 

Next time I have time with the car I will. As I said the pictures I've seen don't seem to show off the problem as much but I'll try and grab a still that shows what I mean.

Pretty much better in every way. I never really warmed up to the 3GS design (stock) and was disappointed by the cramped rear. In my brief time with the car I feel like they made the car better than the 2GS (even with the V6) in ride and handling and also adding the tech gizmos that were so lacking in the 2GS.

Hoping for a GS-F hopefully without Audi RS-like pricing.

 

is it possible you had version without nav? it is 8" screen then, and yes, there is black plastic covering the difference between 12.3" and 8" screen...

 

I too was bummed about the lack of wood in the F-Sport, since they have made a serious upgrade in the quality with the 4GS. However, the F-Sport is "sporty"...after owning the car for going on 2 weeks now, the aluminum/steel/metal goes with the theme of all the other "sport" options.

You don't wear a Rolex on the basketball courts.

 

I would love to see a GSF (V8) myself "or" a V8 in general.

I also was never a huge fan of the 3gen GS but it was a nice car. I was always a fan of the 2gen styling and fit & finish. Driving wise I enjoyed the IS as a sportier car to drive. I helped Urmil pick up a used IS this past week and made me regret trading the IS for the GS but we did need extra room in the back seat for kids. I could picture picking up an ISF now that we don't need the extra space and maybe get rid of the toy.

I think they are heading in the right direction with the GS and the target client in this segment. I have yet to make it out top drive one to experience the difference.

 

No, haven't had a chance to snap a pic of what I mentioned above but found this in a recent C&D test.
So I'm not the only one that noticed it. Still plan to grab a picture when I get back in one but it may take a while.

 

+1 ...thus the reason I opted for the Premium...

 

Oh hell, I hope nobody buys the one with the 8in screen. I can see how silly that would look with a 4in area with nothing in it.