Hit 1,000 miles
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 201
From: US
Could it be your expectation was a bit too high? Did you buy the car in a hurry? It seems like most of these "unhappiness" are not surprises. What did you have before Lexus GS? I test drove and test drove the other guys in the group and still feel GS is a great car for its price range. If you feel the car has trouble finding gears, why not drive in M mode where you can somewhat control your own gear? After 25K, I'm still a happy owner. A little here and there could be better but overall it's a great car for the money IMO.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 3
From: tx
I do have an 8 speed in my new Jeep, and can compare it to my previous Jeep which was the same engine with a 5 speed. The 5 speed was woefully under-geared with the MPG tuning they had programmed into it.
The 8 speed is a HUGE improvement around town. It really feels like an entirely different vehicle. Better pickup, more nimble. On the highway though when downshifting to pass or something like that, it's a little awkward, hangs up a split second, has to drop down 2-3 gears to get the oomph it needs. It does loaf along at about 1600 RPM at 75 MPH...
I think 6 speeds is about the sweet spot...
This is all what you're used to. I never have to look at the book on a Lexus because I know how everything works because I've had them for so long. Nav, menus, everything is just second nature to me. Comparing it to the Jeep, much bigger learning curve but the Jeep's infotainment can do a lot more.
The 8 speed is a HUGE improvement around town. It really feels like an entirely different vehicle. Better pickup, more nimble. On the highway though when downshifting to pass or something like that, it's a little awkward, hangs up a split second, has to drop down 2-3 gears to get the oomph it needs. It does loaf along at about 1600 RPM at 75 MPH...
I think 6 speeds is about the sweet spot...
This is all what you're used to. I never have to look at the book on a Lexus because I know how everything works because I've had them for so long. Nav, menus, everything is just second nature to me. Comparing it to the Jeep, much bigger learning curve but the Jeep's infotainment can do a lot more.
When I start the GS, before even the screen appears, I shift to R, and I have to wait 3-5s before the rear camera apears. In Acura for example, the Rear camera appears as SOON as you shift. No need to wait for the screen to populate.
Lexus infosystem is just slow, compare to Acura.
Could it be your expectation was a bit too high? Did you buy the car in a hurry? It seems like most of these "unhappiness" are not surprises. What did you have before Lexus GS? I test drove and test drove the other guys in the group and still feel GS is a great car for its price range. If you feel the car has trouble finding gears, why not drive in M mode where you can somewhat control your own gear? After 25K, I'm still a happy owner. A little here and there could be better but overall it's a great car for the money IMO.
Last edited by FastTags; Jun 6, 2014 at 11:14 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 204
From: New York
I just wanted to vent out. I find that auto makers always miss something as if they don't ever listen to the buyers, or previous owners. They have all these surveys yet they do what they think its good, not what the majority wants.
I bet every each and one of you can easily make 3-4 changes to any car, and it will be well desired!
Think about how many people, black out the chrome, how many people would love to change the rear cover from yellow to red. etc...
I bet every each and one of you can easily make 3-4 changes to any car, and it will be well desired!
Think about how many people, black out the chrome, how many people would love to change the rear cover from yellow to red. etc...
Sorry about your unhappiness with the car.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 235
From: #BBNine
Did you lease, or buy?
Have you thought about getting out of the car, whether it's a lease takeover, or selling the car? Obviously you stand to lose a LOT of money at this stage in depreciation. If you're truly not happy, why keep fighting it? Just go get the car you really wanted...sounds like Acura.
Good luck.
Have you thought about getting out of the car, whether it's a lease takeover, or selling the car? Obviously you stand to lose a LOT of money at this stage in depreciation. If you're truly not happy, why keep fighting it? Just go get the car you really wanted...sounds like Acura.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 3
From: tx
Did you lease, or buy?
Have you thought about getting out of the car, whether it's a lease takeover, or selling the car? Obviously you stand to lose a LOT of money at this stage in depreciation. If you're truly not happy, why keep fighting it? Just go get the car you really wanted...sounds like Acura.
Good luck.
Have you thought about getting out of the car, whether it's a lease takeover, or selling the car? Obviously you stand to lose a LOT of money at this stage in depreciation. If you're truly not happy, why keep fighting it? Just go get the car you really wanted...sounds like Acura.
Good luck.
I wish Acura spent more time understanding its customers, instead they choose to pick their nose. I like How Acura drives and its easy use of Infosystem that works, but they lack of interior design and quality materials, and of course lack of HP.
Even the new RLX is not near as good when it comes to design and quality materials. It Still is missing the HP, they do however have a HYBRID coming out this year, which should have more power, still lack of Luxury feel
Last edited by FastTags; Jun 6, 2014 at 11:55 AM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: AL
I own an 14 GS and I dont think the transmission is that bad as you said.
I always drive in S mode with the paddle shifter and that works totally great for me!
You can try S+ mode and that makes the downshifting a littble bit quicker.
My Nav works very good compared to my friends mini cooper and never makes me lost.
I always drive in S mode with the paddle shifter and that works totally great for me!
You can try S+ mode and that makes the downshifting a littble bit quicker.
My Nav works very good compared to my friends mini cooper and never makes me lost.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 384
Likes: 5
From: TX
I own an 14 GS and I dont think the transmission is that bad as you said.
I always drive in S mode with the paddle shifter and that works totally great for me!
You can try S+ mode and that makes the downshifting a littble bit quicker.
My Nav works very good compared to my friends mini cooper and never makes me lost.
I always drive in S mode with the paddle shifter and that works totally great for me!
You can try S+ mode and that makes the downshifting a littble bit quicker.
My Nav works very good compared to my friends mini cooper and never makes me lost.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 472
Likes: 14
From: SoCal
one thing i gotta agree with is the infotainment system and the NAV. My nav randomly froze one time on the free way and ive always made wrong turns of ignored a turn because of the design of the nav. Really needs to be improved but sadly it probably won't anytime soon
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 3
From: tx
Also, it wont always finds the best route.
I shift manually when passing now, car seems to like to stay in one gear.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 3
From: tx
To me one of the worst parts is when I make turns, I notice it shift to 4th gear when I make turns, which makes it very hard to speed up right after and ready to hit GO, and instead it just playing catchup.
Driver
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: PNW
In sport mode, mine rev-matches and downshifts automatically. If anything, it's actually too aggressive down-shifting. This is with a 6-sp though so it's not a straight up comparison. Maybe you should have Lexus take a look at yours.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,822
Likes: 1,065
From: California
6 speed is no problem, it's the new 8 speed I think is too many gears for a V6. Maybe the V8 in the ISF can handle it better.