How do you guys feel about the GS’ performance?
It's no straight line rocket but u can have a lot of FUN in this car and still feel very safe and keep everything well under control. Not a lot of cars feel like this.
And not to mention u can still break all kinds of laws in this thing if ur not careful and u don't even know it.
And not to mention u can still break all kinds of laws in this thing if ur not careful and u don't even know it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,272
Likes: 1,889
From: WA
A good time to bring up my favorite comparison test from Motor Trend. They describe the GS350 perfectly:
Full article can be found here:
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/s...luxury-sedans/
Nimble, balanced, precise, and quick, the GS is a (retired) BMW cloaked in Lexus steel. At 3834 pounds, the GS is the lightest of the four and it feels it -- turn-in is sharp and accurate, and weight transfer, whether lateral or longitudinal, is neutral and composed. The Lexus proved the most entertaining, rewarding, and confidence-inspiring up, down, and along our demanding Malibu road loop. Ultimate driving machine? Oh, yeah.
Lieberman: "Great steering. Balanced, communicative, properly weighted. Just a joy to drive. Neutral without being leaden. Very Mazda-like, in fact. And I say all this having driven the car in Sport instead of Sport Plus." Evans: "This is a Lexus? Really impressed with the handling and confidence in the car. Holds the road much better than expected. Can really fling it at the corners." Martinez: "The Sport Plus algorithm allows for a proper testing of its grip thresholds, and on the loop's tight technical zigzags, it was just right. Only once did any traction control light flash, and, unlike the Infiniti, shifts were clean, fast, and when you wanted them. Also unlike the Infiniti: The Lexus felt way smaller than it was. Like, really smaller."
In driving feel, the Lexus does exactly what you want it to do -- it shrinks around you. Yet, when it comes to pampering, it opens up, inviting you into the richest, most aesthetically pleasing cabin in its class. Lieberman: "Gorgeous interior. Love the metalwork, especially the volume and tune *****. Feels like they're off my old Marantz Quadradial. Extremely solid and finely made." Martinez: "From the classy analog clock to the soft leather lining the seats, center console, and doors to the near-perfect sport steering wheel and massive and clear multimedia display, this Lexus oozes modern sophistication." Evans: "This is my favorite Lexus interior ever. So refined and stylish. Not boring and not overdone."
Lieberman: "Great steering. Balanced, communicative, properly weighted. Just a joy to drive. Neutral without being leaden. Very Mazda-like, in fact. And I say all this having driven the car in Sport instead of Sport Plus." Evans: "This is a Lexus? Really impressed with the handling and confidence in the car. Holds the road much better than expected. Can really fling it at the corners." Martinez: "The Sport Plus algorithm allows for a proper testing of its grip thresholds, and on the loop's tight technical zigzags, it was just right. Only once did any traction control light flash, and, unlike the Infiniti, shifts were clean, fast, and when you wanted them. Also unlike the Infiniti: The Lexus felt way smaller than it was. Like, really smaller."
In driving feel, the Lexus does exactly what you want it to do -- it shrinks around you. Yet, when it comes to pampering, it opens up, inviting you into the richest, most aesthetically pleasing cabin in its class. Lieberman: "Gorgeous interior. Love the metalwork, especially the volume and tune *****. Feels like they're off my old Marantz Quadradial. Extremely solid and finely made." Martinez: "From the classy analog clock to the soft leather lining the seats, center console, and doors to the near-perfect sport steering wheel and massive and clear multimedia display, this Lexus oozes modern sophistication." Evans: "This is my favorite Lexus interior ever. So refined and stylish. Not boring and not overdone."
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/s...luxury-sedans/
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 873
Likes: 53
From: NH
Where the GS excels is blending a high amount of luxurious quality with a respectable amount of performance with excellent build quality/reliability. I’m not aware of any other manufacturer that accomplishes this in a luxury fullsize sports sedan, It’s not the fastest…it’s not the most luxurious…but it is the most reliable and blends the former two very well into the fold.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 408
From: Kentucky
I own a much faster car and I've driven much slower cars. The '13 GS 350 AWD is still a better daily driver than most that will go long distances comfortably. Despite current gas prices, I'd still rather drive the GS cross country than an EV.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 100
From: Coarsegold, CA
I’m satisfied. My previous cars were an 06 Corvette soft top and then a supercharged STSV Caddy. I’ve also owned several very fast motorcycles and currently own two, a Kawasaki Z900RS and a Hayabusa. If I feel the need for speed the Hayabusa delivers in spades. I’m also satisfied with 27.5 mpg. I rode the Hayabusa 148 miles today getting 39+ mpg and still paid $24.69 for just 3.799 gallons of 89 octane. My Caddy got 17-22 mpg. Yep I’m satisfied with my ‘15 GS 350 F Sport.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 886
Likes: 32
From: MN
I do wish it had a bit more power, I’m on my 2nd 4GS a 16 f sport after owning a regular 14. Prior to that I had a very rare 3rd gen GS460 and so coming from that the performance is slightly worse in the 350 especially at higher speeds. I’ve owned 4 Lexus and that was by far my favorite. I also think the 16+ f sports look so aggressive from the front end where people try to race and really it’s not as fast as it looks, I liked my 14 because it felt like more of a sleeper, people who didn’t know cars assumed it was just some boring lexus sedan. I considered the Q50 because you could even find red sports for the same price as 16+ GS but the interior was definitely lacking compared to the GS, and the Germans is such a gamble with reliability
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 482
Likes: 190
From: Illinois
I was passenger in the model X plaid yesterday again for about 5-6 launches. I can’t stress enough how insane that feels and how completely unnecessary it is lol so much fun tho. Going back to the GS, I also love how it handles for a heavy car. Part of it is I’m lowered on coils and have a strut bar with good tires. Still have body roll but car always feel planted no matter what. Mine being AWD helps too, even in pouring rain or bad snowy conditions it always drives amazing. And we of course are all familiar with the great ride quality. There’s more to a car’s driving experience than 0-60 times, most don’t understand that and that’s why many people think Lexus is completely boring lol
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 594
Likes: 175
From: TX
It's more than enough, but I wish it had more on some days. The 3.5 doesn't wake up until like 4K rpm.
Imagine a GS with the V8 from the IS F, that would've been the perfect medium between the 350 and F.
Imagine a GS with the V8 from the IS F, that would've been the perfect medium between the 350 and F.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 176
Likes: 112
From: FL