My GS quandry

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Dec 13, 2013 | 02:04 PM

#16

mrphelps01

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From: md

I noticed a major difference between sports and sports+ in the 450h which is rwd. Maybe the difference won't be as pronounced in the awd since (as I understand it) the suspension in an awd vehicle is a bit beefier in order to power all four wheels.

I am going to go back and re-drive a couple. I can't make it 'til Monday with all this holiday stuff and supplies are dwindling...But as I learned long ago, there will always be cars....

Any thoughts on my rwd v. awd theory?

Dec 13, 2013 | 03:40 PM

#17

sydtoosic

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From: GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrphelps01

depends on your preference... RWD or AWD. i would get the AWD, even if i were in a warm climate state.

Dec 13, 2013 | 04:20 PM

#18

Hoovey689

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From: California

F-Sport and Luxury seats are the same save for F-Sport is 16-power way and Luxury is 18-power way with extra articulating on the vertical cushion.

Dec 13, 2013 | 04:21 PM

#19

Hoovey689

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mrphelps01

Hi all. Here's my deal. I own a 2010 LS 460 sport. I just had a GS 450h as a loaner from my Lexus dealer and was really impressed. It didn't have the luxury package and I found the seats very comfortable. So, liking the idea of an awd vehicle, and to save some cash, I test drove a loaded GS 350 awd. Great. Except I found the luxury package seats uncomfortable. So I tried the same car without the luxury package and the seats were good, but the lack of avs and sport+ really stood out. Seems like they make it a whole different car. Do people agree?

I know there is a suspension forum, but just generally, is there something I could do aftermarket to make the base GS-350 drive more like the GS 350 luxury package? (Mainly suspension/steering-wise. I'm not that worried about the altered shift points because I can deal with that by using manual shifting.)

My other option would be to buy a base 450h, which would restrict me to buying a used one because of the price. Plus I'm not sure how much I'd miss the awd in the snow and the standard/non-cvt transmission.

Some pretty general questions, but any feedback would be helpful.

GS450h is only RWD

Dec 13, 2013 | 07:12 PM

#20

mrphelps01

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From: md

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovey2411

GS450h is only RWD

Thanks. I knew that. To be clearer, my question was whether a base awd GS 350 would ride firmer and turn flatter than a rwd GS 350 by virtue of a somewhat beefed up suspension.

Dec 13, 2013 | 08:34 PM

#21

SW17LS

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From: Maryland

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrphelps01

Suspensions the same AWD vs RWD. AWD models have a little higher ground clearance, but I'm not aware of any different components.

Quote:

Any thoughts on my rwd v. awd theory?

In most situations you won't notice a drivability difference RWD vs AWD. When you really drive it aggressively I can feel the power pulling a little at the front wheels (the default is 70% torque to the rear, 30% to the front, the AWD never goes 100% rear).

If you don't have winter weather to worry about I'd get RWD. Lexus will make this choice for you though, they don't sell the RWD in MD in anything but the 450h. RWD would be a special order.