I've scoured the forum about owner experiences with GS F-SPORT RWD in rain and cold weather areas. Some of the threads are older and focused on other related topics so thought I would create this thread to get additional input.

What I've read is that as long as you have good tires (winter preferably) and drive sensibly, that RWD is fine esp with the traction control features of the GS.

I'm considering buying a RWD F-Sport and live in an area where the winter is generally mild in 40s and rainy. I also have an AWD SUV for the snow/ice so wouldn't be using the GS during those times.
I assume I would be fine but definitely would appreciate the real world experience of GS RWD owners.

 

You'll be fine. This car doesn't behave like a sports car with RWD. Proper tires and attentive driving will get you around.

 

As long as you're not deep in the throttle you'll be ok. I've driven the car at 90mph in heavy rain with no issue but that was gradual acceleration and slowing down when needed i.e. crowded traffic or puddle spots n the road.

 

I do believe you'll be fine. I went with AWD because we take the car up to the mountains and I do like the extra grip in the rain, but for me, it's a luxury, not a necessity.

 

I used to own a RWD GS430. It was not great in snow or icy conditions. I used to run All-Seasons but the best setup would have been getting a winter tire set up with dedicated winter tires, potentially tires that make a smaller contact path and putting some weight in the trunk. I was lucky that I didn't really NEED to commute during bad weather conditions.

Others have had better experiences but I personally wouldn't recommend a RWD vehicle to anyone that sees decent amounts of snow/icy conditions. BUT, if you already have an AWD SUV and your climate is fairly mild where you live, a set of good All Seasons will do the trick on a RWD GS.

@fugee Are you seeing a better deal on a RWD GS or are there no AWD GS's around your area?

 

I live in Rainy Vancouver and the GS450h holds perfect in the rain. Running Continental DWS06 tires. You'd have to be using bad (for rain) tires or doing something very silly (that would cause problems even with AWD) to throw a GS off track in mere rain.

 

There's not much 16+ AWD GS F sport in my area that meets what I'm looking for in terms of color, features and pricing. In my area (Seattle), there's probably about avg 2 weeks on (at most) where we might have snow or icy conditions. Definitely not like the Northeast winters. Or maybe i should just sit tight and wait for AWD deal.

 

I drove my 15' FSport thru a very heavy rain going thru Mt. Shasta and to Flagstaff Arizona in November cold weather and had no issues. I doubt snow will be much of an issue given good tires. Here's a few YT videos of 4GSes in the snow:

 

thanks for the tips and videos. in the seattle area, we have to deal with steep hills when it snows. And usually when it snows, the city and surrounding areas shut down.

 

yeaaaahhh, there are no hills in these videos; you might want to get the AWD :/

P.S here's a detailed review of the 4GS AWD system, it has more in common with a AWD truck than a "AWD" car lol; good on Lexus for using a quality system

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...e-germans.html

 

I'm 55 and live in the rust belt in Illinois. I specifically wanted RWD when I bought my 18 new. I grew up driving RWD cars and really never had an issue with it. I also have a 14 RX and don't even know if the AWD works because I've never tried it.

 

If you have steep unplowed hills that you have to stop in the middle of, then AWD + snow tires may be necessary (and sometimes inadequate even then).

I've dealt with medium hills just fine in my RWD but there are limits when you don't have the option to keep your car in motion.

 

What's the ratio on the AWD, in terms of back to front spin, by default? 70/30? Seems like hitting the "Snow" button engages 50/50 along with starting the car in 2nd gear instead of 1st.

 

Correct, default is 70% rear, 30% front. with the ability to go 50/50 as required. Not sure about the 8 speed/RWD models, but in both my 15 and my 19 AWD models, snow mode still starts in 1st gear.

 

I just have to chuckle a little with you all talking about snow and RWD, where in Florida, I am still waiting to use the heated seats and steering wheel. Mid to high 80's over the next 10 days, with the lows in the high 60's. I do not think I will have to worry about ice and snow with my GS 450h. Not making fun of anyone here having to deal with snow, just giving an alternate perspective of what I am waiting for in using the GS.