For May, the GS sold only 611 units, down 46% from a year ago. This is really bad, it is now in the LX and LC category with nearly doubling in price. Remember when the GS used to be a slow seller, now it's slower than slow, only 1/3 of the IS and forget about them ever competing with E or 5-Series.

Anyway, it frustrated me because we're been shopping for GS for my brother and Lexus doesn't care to make a deal (not a steal!).

Is the GS margin that really slim? Does Lexus too proud of their GS? Or they just don't care. Btw, one of the salesman even argued with me when I said GS is a slow seller.

 

You're off by 4. They sold 615!

 

My bad!, now they're hot seller! Lol

 

My guess is Lexus doesn't want to devalue the GS anymore than it already has. Salesman will say anything to try and sell a car at a higher price. The 4th gen is on it's 5th year, so I'm sure a lot of buyers will want to wait for the 5th gen. I know I'm waiting to see what the 5th gen brings to the table before I trade in my 2013.

 

This gen GS will most likely go for a 7-year cycle, remember last gen 2006-2012 (yes, 2006 was GS300 but the body was the same). GS always goes longer than ES/RX

It's not like they have to recoup development cost on the GS. Besides the cosmetics and all the safety features (which is now standard on most Toyota models), the heart (and most expensive) component is still a 3.5 V6 that was developed 10 years ago.

 

I planned to keep my car 6 years or more. Looks like I'll be keeping it 7 years now. And yes I agree. Lexus is way behind when it comes to engine choices. With gas prices being this low, people are begging for more power.

 

GS is definitely one of the most underappreciated cars out there.

Around here, used IS350's go for practically the same price as used GS350's of the same year - how does that work? Yeah I get the IS350 is smaller/lighter and supposedly appeals to the younger crows, but the interior luxuries, build quality, are night and day. Same make, same price, same engine, yet more people still prefer the IS over it. To each of their own I guess... I'm not complaining as it just makes mine that much more unique from the rest.

 

This topic has been discussed before, the GS had issues from the get go, mainly with its own competition and the 2016 never addressed the issues and shortcomings.

Problems with the GS

-No affordable V8 option anymore
-306-311hp carryover 6 cylinder is regular top engine, how can you have performance credibility with just a 6 cylinder that is not much quicker then a 6 cylinder Camry or ES. It is more or less the same problem with the Mazda 6, good performance but only weak engines with no 6 cylinder.
-Hybrid that is way too expensive that nobody wants or buys.
-Too expensive for what you get especially compared to a ES that is just as roomy, similar looking, same basic luxury and features for much less.
-Styling not distinctive or unique enough for price premium, F sport and luxury package way too expensive and F sport did not add any power.

2016 did nothing to address any of problems and actually made the GS less desirable with
-ugly odd front end styling.
-crappy 4 cylinder nobody wanted or was asking for now standard which caused the price of the 6 cylinder to go up even higher.

 

Yeah, I love my GS450h but UDel's really on point there. Much of the GS's problems are of Lexus' own making. Releasing something like the GS200t is frankly insulting for a car in this class and price range.

 

same thing can be said about E300 and 530i with 2.0T that starts around $52k and that's why I never seen any on the road.
I think they are targeting old folks that just want the large luxurious sedan but can care less about power

 

Please throw in a 3.0 or 3.5 twin turbo!! I know we Lexus owners always brag about long-term reliability and low cost of ownership, but when these have to come at a cost of outdated engine technology, compromised performance and sharing too many parts with Toyota, people don't really care! BTW I just had an opportunity to drive a 2016 Infiniti Q50 with 3.0 twin turbo, and all I can say is that I really had to be careful with my right foot or I'll end up with more speeding tickets. It could be because it is my first time driving a turbo car, but that car only had 300HP but it felt MUCH quicker than GS 350. With GS I really have to resort to sport mode to get close to that throttle response I get in the Q50.

Also I personally think Lexus needs to tune down the exterior styling a little, sure lots of people like the newly designed aggressive exterior but more people don't. The non-F-Sport GS without triple beam headlights is... not very good looking, at best, IMO.

 

I do think Lexus addressed the look department in 2016 F-Sport. I know it's controversy but I think the reason why IS350 F-Sport holds value well to GS350 F-Sport because of LED tachometer, modern taillights, LFA inspired F wheels, and to some, bigger grill

Can't blame Lexus for starting GS200t, MB started doing it, and BMW and Audi has done it for years.

I used to drive BMW 535i, 3.0T with 300HP, yes, they are way more responsive and powerful than 3.5 V6 NA at 306HP. I too hope Lexus will follow Infiniti on this. I think next gen GS will use the 3.5 turbo on the new LS

 

a performance GS is out already.... the GSF

 

But GS F is really in another category, both defined by its target customer and its MSRP (almost $30K more than a regular GS!). I wouldn't say GS F is in the regular "midsize luxury sedan" segment.

I mean if a car requires that much of a $ premium to become competitive, it is not really competitive.

 

the GSF is not selling at 89k, most are able to negotiate 20k off. So in reality it's very competitive and even considered a bargain in that segment