Exactly. What's aesthetically pleasing is very personal. Why bother considering a car that, inside out, you don't like the looks of?

 

I agree styling is very subjective, but people's minds and opinions do change.

I actually didn't like the exterior of the 4GS at first. I thought the spindle grill was fine, but felt the lower "jowls" on either side of it looked wacky. I also thought the sides and rear end looked too plain and boxy. I loved the interior, but the exterior was a deal breaker. I wrote it off and was SURE I was going to get an Audi A6.

Then I got a ride in a coworker's 4GS and it really impressed me. So I started researching it, read the great reviews, looked at a TON of pics from various angles, and saw how CL members' modest mods really upgraded the look of the car. That research helped me appreciate its exterior design and changed my mind about it. Now I love my 4GS.

 

Its not our job to sell you something. 3Gs in my opinion is more trend resistant. New external design could age very fast. I have growing to love the new look that 4GS offers. I still miss some looks from my pervious 3GS when it comes to gages. But buttons wise and placement, its an upgrade.

 

I love my car.

 

I've never owned a GS before, but the GS has never appealed to me before quite frankly. When I bought my first Lexus, a 2003 ES the GS was clearly a step above. I went with the ES then, but the issue really was cost...I was in a better position to afford the ES, and since the GS then was RWD only and it was to be my only car the FWD appealed to me for winter driving.

Fast forward to 2010 and it comes time for me to replace my aging 2003 ES. Again, looked at the 3GS...at this point it wasn't a question of affording the GS, and the GS could be had AWD, it was just that sitting in and driving the 3GS vs the 2010 ES I just did not see/feel where the GS was worth $10-15,000 more than the ES. I liked the styling of the 3GS, but the interior quality to me seemed very comparable to the ES, and while the GS was a little bit better handling car, the difference was not significant due to the 3GS's loose feeling chassis and steering.

Now, for 2013...the GS blew the ES away. The interior of the car is heads and shoulders over the 3GS (one of my managers bought a CPO 2010 GS the same day I bought the 4GS...having ridden in his back to back with mine...there is no comparison and he admits this as well). This is without a doubt my favorite car I've had.

At first I didn't like the style of the dash, and preferred the style of the 2013 ES dash from a look/pictures perspective...but the reality is this is a VERY nice interior. Won Ward's 10 best interiors in 2013...I don't think the GS has won that before.

When it comes down to it though its your car...and you have to buy what you will like.

 

Funny you mentioned that. My last car was a 2004 Infiniti G35 sedan. I loved it, fantastic car and transmission but ancient interior. I took my 2013 GS F Sport up to visit my sister, and her stepson was checking it out. I said "this is the best car I've ever owned" and he said, "that's what you said about your last car". His dad laughed and said, "well, he keeps moving up the ladder".

 

Haha, point well taken!

 

My GS is also the best car I've ever owned, but that is because so many improvements are continually being made in today's cars. The way cars are improving and automakers are introducing more competitive products I would hope to be able to say that about my next car as well.

OTOH, while our G37 Convertible is a nice car, it isn't one of the best I've ever owned. I'd take an Audi A5 Vert over it any day, but my g/f is totally happy with it and she just wants something that is low maintenance so it fits the bill. Driving top-down on the highway, it could be one of the best cars I've ever owned, but that's the extent of it.

 

Yes, the best one YET! Until the next one comes out.

 

I love my GS F Sport but I want something smaller (that also has fold-down rear seats to accommodate more cargo) so I'm seriously considering the new RC350 F Sport or NX F Sport. Never thought I'd go back to a crossover but the NX looks pretty sharp.

 

The NX looks crazy, but I'll need to see it in person before I judge it. It's a competitive segment and Lexus is late to the party, but the RX has sold so well for so long, I'm sure they know what they're doing. Also to stand out in that crowded market, you have to be recognizable.

I would suggest you drive the CT but the loaner I had was just awful. I couldn't imagine any major improvements with options that would bring it anywhere near the comfort and quality of the GS. I'm also looking at the RC for my next car, I think it's pretty sexy minus the super predator grille and IS LED strips. It'll be in showrooms this fall and I have 2 years to wait anyway, so plenty of time to consider it.

 

I have decided to get the 4G... I am still looking for the right color combo. Also debating on the F Sport but the $$ seem to be much higher for this package. What is the biggest difference with the F Sport? Is it a much tighter feel? Hopefully I will find something in the next week or so..

 

The F Sport is by and large an appearance package. Do the appearance changes in the F Sport appeal to you? Bigger wheels, different front bumper, metal trim inside?

I assume since you say the F Sports are more you're comparing them to Premium models not Luxury models. If so then the big difference is the AVS. That's a huge upgrade.

 

I suggest the F Sport is so much more than appearance with the AVS Sport + mode. It transforms the car into a true sports sedan but without a constant harsh ride - when you're done your high performance driving, you put it back to Normal and have your luxury sedan back. And, IMO the F Sport appearance is a much better looking car inside and out.

 

I agree about the AVS suspension (and brought that up in the post you quoted), but the point is the Luxury model also has the AVS suspension. If one is comparing the F Sport to the Luxury model its more an appearance package.

Appearance is a matter of taste. The F Sport doesn't appeal to me personally. I prefer the standard bumper, and I like wood vs metal trim.