GS vs ES

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Aug 12, 2019 | 12:26 PM

#46

JDR76

Lexus Champion

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 13,282

Likes: 1,890

From: WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by bclexus

Just to be clear on the discussion of Drive Modes - this link reference to Lexus' GS 350 web page is for model year 2019: http://www.lexus.com/models/GS/performance (Click Drive Mode Select > Click Learn More)

It should be noted that the information pertaining to 'Drive Modes' in the above link (GS/performance) has not changed in any year since it came out in 2012. In other words, the link address has not changed, however Lexus just updates (changes) the model year date on the web page to the current year.

From the link:

Quote:

SPORT S/S+ MODES

Sport S mode changes the gauge-cluster lighting to a fiery red and alters the powertrain for faster gear changes and more dynamic throttle mapping.

I don't really want to get into the drive modes argument, but this one really shows how they have not updated it. The gauge cluster hasn't turned red in Sport S mode since MY 2015. Now it changes the tach to a white ring.

Edit: I may stand corrected on this as it may be referring to the non F Sport model, if that gauge cluster turns red in Sport S.

Last edited by JDR76; Aug 12, 2019 at 12:31 PM.

Aug 12, 2019 | 05:10 PM

#47

bclexus

Lexus Champion

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 13,614

Likes: 2,921

From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDR76

I'm surprised Lexus didn't drop the wording 'changes the gauge-cluster lighting to a fiery red' and instead just described how the Sport mode alters the powertrain for faster gear changes and more dynamic throttle mapping. I suspect whoever was proof-reading just missed it, or the proof-reader didn't know that Lexus made a change to the gauge-cluster for the F-Sport.

Aug 12, 2019 | 10:08 PM

#48

drgrant

Instructor

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 780

Likes: 120

From: MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by artbuc

Actually, I just detailed the Avy interior yesterday. I swear it looks brand new. Wife and I agreed to keep her. As I posted, the ES is too long for my garage so that is why I was curious about the GS. From your description, I will not like the GS. I do not want a stiff suspension and I do not want to feel the road. Many of the residents here have lots of bucks since they sold very expensive homes to downsize here. You see quite a few flagship BMW’s, Mercedes and Lexus vehicles parked in the driveways because they won’t fit in the garage. In our case, the steps from garage going into house are not centered which effectively makes a short garage even shorter. We looked at smaller cars such as Mazda6, Kia Optima and Audi A4 but did not like any of them. We also drove the Lexus IS and thought it was junk. I hate a 4 cyl turbo.

Well, not every IS has a 4 cyl turbo, they make it with the same motor the GS has in the IS350. The only problem I have with the IS350 is if you're looking at CPO cars, it's almost stupid to buy one because you can
get a CPO GS for marginally more cash, it's more comfortable (especially for rear seat passengers) and is just as fast. The IS sort of has an identity crisis going on there.

Now, in saying all this, the firmness of the GS suspension is far more noticeable around town on ****ty roads. If your roads are mostly decent where you live, the differences I think will be less apparent. The GS still has plenty of damping, but you notice the lack of softness over effed up roads at slow speeds a lot more than you would an ES or LS. I just think if you're not into taking hard corners or driving the car hard at all, the whole value of the GS would be kinda lost. I don't go crazy with the GS all the time but the reason I bought the thing was because it was fun to drive. If you're not pushing the GS from time to time it's just going to read out as "why is this car ride this hard" etc. If I was more boring I would have bought a 17 ES350 and been done with it. Hell when I burn up my 05 ES330 I might replace it with a 14-15 ES350. I use that 2nd car for "work" (I keep it loaded with tools/parts) and other boring driving where there's enough traffic that there's not really much fun to be had, and driving the GS is literally a waste of gas.

If I had your avalon and it was in as good a shape as you describe, I would keep it too, although I'd probably get a bluetooth thing put in it to use with my cell phone and mp3 player. That car is probably good for 250K easy.

-Mike