Hi All,

I hope to buy my wife a GS350 AWD in the next month or so as a surprise. In my research and price range I am targeting 2013 - 2015 (I like the front grill/bumper better). I rarely see them on the road (plenty of IS's).
I hope to gain as much knowledge before I buy one so forgive my many (some dumb) questions

Is there any reason to target a specific model year (2013-2015) or are they relatively the same?
Are there any inherent issues with those model years?

Thanks,
Tom

 

All those model years are relatively the same.

I think there were some minor changes to infotainment in 2014 or 15. But the infotainment is kinda dated in all these cars anyway.

I think they switched to flat parking sensors in 2014, which I much prefer to the ones that extrude. Very minor point, but just something I thought of.

I’d say look for a luxury model or an F-Sport (lux is/was the sweet spot for me, I still miss my adaptive headlights).

 

I bought a 2013 GS350 awd in October of 2019. It was a Certified pre owned so I still have a Lexus warranty, but not that I needed it. One thing I would recommend is to look up the vin of what ever vehicle you are contemplating on https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/ . If the vehicle has been serviced at a Lexus dealer the history will show up there. It will also show you what packages the car came with and any open recalls.

As far as issues, they all suffer from a rattling sunroof as they age. This can be fixed by lubing the seal (short term fix) or replacing the seal (long term fix). Also check the brakes for irregular wear, as they will denote replacing the pads, rotors and new hardware (not that expensive if you can do it yourself). And the key to any Lexus is Maintenance, Maintenance, maintenance.

These are great cars, sporty and surefooted in any weather. The gas mileage isn't the best but I love the car. I highly recommend the cold weather package (heated steering wheel and heated lower windshield area for the wipers)

 

Welcome to the forum Tom! I think if your budget allows, the 2015 is the one to target. A few helpful threads in case you didn't get a chance to go through them yet:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...d-you-buy.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...at-matter.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...and-media.html

There is an ongoing fuel pump recall but not all GS's are affected (you can put the VIN of a car you're interested in buying to see the recalls here: www.toyota.com/recall). There are minor package updates and infotainment/nav updates that might make the 2015 the best choice.

However, for the best overall bang for you buck, an AWD 2013 Luxury package that adds tons of nice options is my personal recommendation (like this one: https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/1621522):

LUXURY PACKAGE (Available on GS 350) (Includes all GS Premium Package equipment) + Drive Mode Select adds Sport S+ mode // Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) // 18-inch split-nine-spoke alloy wheels7 with Superchrome finish // Semi-aniline leather interior trim // Linear Espresso wood interior trim // Wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel // 18-way power front seats // Lexus Memory System for front-passenger seat // Three-zone automatic climate control // Rear-door manual sunshades // Adaptive Front Lighting System

 

so far it sounds like the big difference is the NAV system and the posts provided were dated, so in 2021 does it even matter which one to get?

Also the F sport, does it come in AWD and what are some of the features with that package?

 

Fsport does come in awd, cold weather package is nice if you're in one of the states that get snow/cold in winter.

 

Yes you can get the fsport in AWD but keep in mind it has 19" wheels so there is a little less sidewall on the tires.

 

I'd go for a 15 if you can. The nav is significantly improved, and you'll get free traffic and weather whereas on a 13 or 14 you must pay a small subscription fee if you want it. 15 also introduced the app based remote start, if you are interested in that.

On an AWD model, F Sport will add the different front fascia and exterior F Sport badging, F Sport spoiler, and 19" wheels. Interior you'll get a black headliner, you swap out the 10 way driver's seat for 16 way, you get different trim (aluminum vs wood) and a perforated steering wheel. Mechanically you get AVS (the Adjustable Variable Suspension). That's everything I can think of off the top of my head for the AWD F Sport. I'm sure I'm missing something.

 

Make sure you have the whole car inspected. Especially look for leaking Struts that need replacing especially if you get one with the Adaptive Suspension.

 

A new sunroof seal is $50, DIY.
Throw in a new set of KYB Gas A Just shocks for $400 plus labour and you're good to go!
The year model literally doesn't matter. As the US pre facelift GS350s aren't fully optioned, options are going to be the deciding factor over year model.
Dynamic range cruise control, heads up display and four wheel steering (forgot the Lexus name for that) are the options you'll want to keep an eye out for. I don't think an LSD was available until the face lift. Mark Levinson radio if you like music presented accurately but I'm told the base Pioneer stereo is also excellent.

I hope you're aware that the pre facelift GS350 isn't a cushy or luxurious ride. It's sharp, nimble and accurate but it's not what you expect from the badge.
As for common problems, there's quite a number of items. Minor Lexus type problems though, not European type problems. Just check everything works, mainly the radio - amps have a habit of blowing up.

 

I have a 2013 AWD Lux /cold weather pkg / remote start w/ 115K on the clock.
No issues to date!
Just tires/brakes/fluids.

Never get tired of driving this car!
No regrets and plan to keep going with it.

 

I want to stick wit a dealer purchase. A good friend of mine know a toyota exec.....

thoughts on this with 101K miles...

https://www.prestigelexus.com/used-R...CL5EF3D5016022

I know its not a 350, but as I go through the dealer inventory...Is $20K or so a good price or am I looking for trouble?

AWD and F sport...hmmmm

Tom

 

Certainly a total different class of car if you're stepping up the LS - longer, wider, quieter, more of a cushy suspension, more luxury, more $$$. I personally wouldn't buy an LS with over 100k miles (or maybe any car for that matter) as that's the point when more can go wrong.

Also, important to drive both the GS and LS and decide what is more akin to what you / you're wife are looking for in a sedan. A 2013-2015 F-Sport GS will be a "rough" ride compared to any LS, even an F-sport LS.

 

Had two LS, three GS’s, GS waaay more reliable and I loved my Ls’s.

 

The LS with !00K miles caught my eye and being a toyota it can go for another 100K. I could imagine the cost of some inevitable repairs....I'll stick with the GS