Checked out the new GS today
#31
...Yes, I understand that. But lets be honest, the reason most of us are here is that we already own a current generation GS - and that was really my point. But don't get me wrong, the new one is likely to appeal to me even more. I'll be getting a new car later this year as my lease will be up. The other cars I'm considering are a BMW 535 Sport (or 550 if my money tree bears fruit), a Audi S4 or S5, and the F-Sport Lexus....
i was originally considering a 535, or even the new 335....but i'm drawn to Lexus' reputation of highly reliable cars vs. the problems i've read about the F10, as well as it's departure from a "sporty" car to more luxurious oriented...and i'm still looking forward to hear what actual owners say about the upcoming F30
#32
then i must not be like "most" here, since i'm only here because of the positive things i've heard about the driving dymanics of the new GS...otherwise, i would not be looking at a Lexus
i was originally considering a 535, or even the new 335....but i'm drawn to Lexus' reputation of highly reliable cars vs. the problems i've read about the F10, as well as it's departure from a "sporty" car to more luxurious oriented...and i'm still looking forward to hear what actual owners say about the upcoming F30
i was originally considering a 535, or even the new 335....but i'm drawn to Lexus' reputation of highly reliable cars vs. the problems i've read about the F10, as well as it's departure from a "sporty" car to more luxurious oriented...and i'm still looking forward to hear what actual owners say about the upcoming F30
Also the F10 can be very sporty - but you have to order the M-Sport Package with Dynamic Damper Control, Active Roll Stabilization, and Integral Active Steering. With this config, it is the most enjoyable and sportiest car I have owned, even more so than my E46 M3.
#33
Pole Position
then i must not be like "most" here, since i'm only here because of the positive things i've heard about the driving dymanics of the new GS...otherwise, i would not be looking at a Lexus
i was originally considering a 535, or even the new 335....but i'm drawn to Lexus' reputation of highly reliable cars vs. the problems i've read about the F10, as well as it's departure from a "sporty" car to more luxurious oriented...and i'm still looking forward to hear what actual owners say about the upcoming F30
i was originally considering a 535, or even the new 335....but i'm drawn to Lexus' reputation of highly reliable cars vs. the problems i've read about the F10, as well as it's departure from a "sporty" car to more luxurious oriented...and i'm still looking forward to hear what actual owners say about the upcoming F30
I really love my 2012 F10 550i. The car has tremendous power and handling. I don't think Lexus has anything which can meet the value proposition of a car that is supremely luxurious and offer fantastic performance.
Also the F10 can be very sporty - but you have to order the M-Sport Package with Dynamic Damper Control, Active Roll Stabilization, and Integral Active Steering. With this config, it is the most enjoyable and sportiest car I have owned, even more so than my E46 M3.
Also the F10 can be very sporty - but you have to order the M-Sport Package with Dynamic Damper Control, Active Roll Stabilization, and Integral Active Steering. With this config, it is the most enjoyable and sportiest car I have owned, even more so than my E46 M3.
Caveat : that's assuming all these car reviewers were unbiased and gave the 535i a fair assessment. Which is why I'm so eager to test drive both the 4GS and the F10 5 series and see for myself.
#34
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
Natnut,
Can you send me the review that states the base version GS beats the 535i since I keep reading how good the F-sport is compared to the base 535i. I had the 2011 F10 for 1 year and sold it last week due to slightly wallowy and poor ride on highways which improved a bit but not perfect while going to good all season non runflat Michelin tires. Otherwise the car handled very well and had no electronic issues other than poor transmission lag that was reprogrammed and 4 defective rims from factory which was replaced in first month due to bad vibration throughout the car. The F10 suffers from some highway road vibration felt in the car seats in the US and other countries that is small but still disappointing and was blamed on issues related to bad rims, out of round runflats, etc. However most people including me had it fixed with a slight vibration at speed on highway attributed to the road irregularities and the poor damping of the softer F10 suspension as compared to the older 5 series and our 2008 BMW 335xi coupe. While the F10 is great around town and absorbed bumps beautifully with the regular Michelin tires it didn't feel surefooted, planted, or smooth at certain speeds 70-75 or so zone and became hypersensitive to the road textures and irregularities even on smooth asphalt and new roads. Some reviews blamed the standard suspension on the F10 being poorly tuned for this heavy car and the dynamic handling package is necessary and I agree now. The F10 weighs the same as my father's 2006 Audi A8L so its significant.
Can you send me the review that states the base version GS beats the 535i since I keep reading how good the F-sport is compared to the base 535i. I had the 2011 F10 for 1 year and sold it last week due to slightly wallowy and poor ride on highways which improved a bit but not perfect while going to good all season non runflat Michelin tires. Otherwise the car handled very well and had no electronic issues other than poor transmission lag that was reprogrammed and 4 defective rims from factory which was replaced in first month due to bad vibration throughout the car. The F10 suffers from some highway road vibration felt in the car seats in the US and other countries that is small but still disappointing and was blamed on issues related to bad rims, out of round runflats, etc. However most people including me had it fixed with a slight vibration at speed on highway attributed to the road irregularities and the poor damping of the softer F10 suspension as compared to the older 5 series and our 2008 BMW 335xi coupe. While the F10 is great around town and absorbed bumps beautifully with the regular Michelin tires it didn't feel surefooted, planted, or smooth at certain speeds 70-75 or so zone and became hypersensitive to the road textures and irregularities even on smooth asphalt and new roads. Some reviews blamed the standard suspension on the F10 being poorly tuned for this heavy car and the dynamic handling package is necessary and I agree now. The F10 weighs the same as my father's 2006 Audi A8L so its significant.
Last edited by Rexus300; 01-25-12 at 09:22 AM.
#35
then i must not be like "most" here, since i'm only here because of the positive things i've heard about the driving dymanics of the new GS...otherwise, i would not be looking at a Lexus
i was originally considering a 535, or even the new 335....but i'm drawn to Lexus' reputation of highly reliable cars vs. the problems i've read about the F10, as well as it's departure from a "sporty" car to more luxurious oriented...and i'm still looking forward to hear what actual owners say about the upcoming F30
i was originally considering a 535, or even the new 335....but i'm drawn to Lexus' reputation of highly reliable cars vs. the problems i've read about the F10, as well as it's departure from a "sporty" car to more luxurious oriented...and i'm still looking forward to hear what actual owners say about the upcoming F30
I really love my 2012 F10 550i. The car has tremendous power and handling. I don't think Lexus has anything which can meet the value proposition of a car that is supremely luxurious and offer fantastic performance.
Also the F10 can be very sporty - but you have to order the M-Sport Package with Dynamic Damper Control, Active Roll Stabilization, and Integral Active Steering. With this config, it is the most enjoyable and sportiest car I have owned, even more so than my E46 M3.
Also the F10 can be very sporty - but you have to order the M-Sport Package with Dynamic Damper Control, Active Roll Stabilization, and Integral Active Steering. With this config, it is the most enjoyable and sportiest car I have owned, even more so than my E46 M3.
You're not alone. I was disappointed by the 3rd Gen GS and was contemplating a F10 5 series but I was turned off by the fact that it had gained 400 pounds from the previous generation 5 series essentially negating all that was attractive about BMW to me. For me, Lexus' reliability was a given, what renewed my interest in the 4GS are the reports that it arguably is the best handling sedan in its segment (that includes the 5 series, A6, E-class and Jaguar XF).
I agree that currently nothing in the 4GS line-up can match the F10 550i for power but do note that the 535i that was beaten in handling by both base and F-sport 4GS( as reviewed by many different sources) was equipped with the M-Sport Package. If a lighter, more agile M-Sport 535i with less mass in its nose can't outhandle a 4GS, I'm not sure a M-Sport 550i with a heavier V8 will do better....
Caveat : that's assuming all these car reviewers were unbiased and gave the 535i a fair assessment. Which is why I'm so eager to test drive both the 4GS and the F10 5 series and see for myself.
I agree that currently nothing in the 4GS line-up can match the F10 550i for power but do note that the 535i that was beaten in handling by both base and F-sport 4GS( as reviewed by many different sources) was equipped with the M-Sport Package. If a lighter, more agile M-Sport 535i with less mass in its nose can't outhandle a 4GS, I'm not sure a M-Sport 550i with a heavier V8 will do better....
Caveat : that's assuming all these car reviewers were unbiased and gave the 535i a fair assessment. Which is why I'm so eager to test drive both the 4GS and the F10 5 series and see for myself.
I've been reading car magazines for 47 years (and still have every one of them). It's very common to see them react very positively from the press introductions, but then the cars don't do so well in comparison tests. I'm not saying I think that will be the case, I'm just saying that we just don't have what I consider to be good information yet.
#36
Natnut,
Can you send me the review that states the base version GS beats the 535i since I keep reading how good the F-sport is compared to the base 535i. I had the 2011 F10 for 1 year and sold it last week due to slightly wallowy and poor ride on highways which improved a bit but not perfect while going to good all season non runflat Michelin tires. Otherwise the car handled very well and had no electronic issues other than poor transmission lag that was reprogrammed and 4 defective rims from factory which was replaced in first month due to bad vibration throughout the car. The F10 suffers from some highway road vibration felt in the car seats in the US and other countries that is small but still disappointing and was blamed on issues related to bad rims, out of round runflats, etc. However most people including me had it fixed with a slight vibration at speed on highway attributed to the road irregularities and the poor damping of the softer F10 suspension as compared to the older 5 series and our 2008 BMW 335xi coupe. While the F10 is great around town and absorbed bumps beautifully with the regular Michelin tires it didn't feel surefooted, planted, or smooth at certain speeds 70-75 or so zone and became hypersensitive to the road textures and irregularities even on smooth asphalt and new roads. Some reviews blamed the standard suspension on the F10 being poorly tuned for this heavy car and the dynamic handling package is necessary and I agree now. The F10 weighs the same as my father's 2006 Audi A8L so its significant.
Can you send me the review that states the base version GS beats the 535i since I keep reading how good the F-sport is compared to the base 535i. I had the 2011 F10 for 1 year and sold it last week due to slightly wallowy and poor ride on highways which improved a bit but not perfect while going to good all season non runflat Michelin tires. Otherwise the car handled very well and had no electronic issues other than poor transmission lag that was reprogrammed and 4 defective rims from factory which was replaced in first month due to bad vibration throughout the car. The F10 suffers from some highway road vibration felt in the car seats in the US and other countries that is small but still disappointing and was blamed on issues related to bad rims, out of round runflats, etc. However most people including me had it fixed with a slight vibration at speed on highway attributed to the road irregularities and the poor damping of the softer F10 suspension as compared to the older 5 series and our 2008 BMW 335xi coupe. While the F10 is great around town and absorbed bumps beautifully with the regular Michelin tires it didn't feel surefooted, planted, or smooth at certain speeds 70-75 or so zone and became hypersensitive to the road textures and irregularities even on smooth asphalt and new roads. Some reviews blamed the standard suspension on the F10 being poorly tuned for this heavy car and the dynamic handling package is necessary and I agree now. The F10 weighs the same as my father's 2006 Audi A8L so its significant.
What's perfect about he F10 suspension is the dynamic range. At the sporty end (Sport+) - it is fun in the twisty roads. But it has a Lincoln mode (Comfort +) where you can drive down a pothole ridden broken road in comfort. That degree of dynamic range I haven't seen anywhere else. With my GS460 I could not tell difference between normal and sport, here I can tell differences between all 4 modes.
I do think that 4 wheel steering is a necessity to make the F10 sporty - and this is why they don't do as well in reviews. When I was buying my car, over a 6 month period I could not find a single car equipped Integral Active Steering to test drive at any BMW dealer! But I have no doubt that my particular F10 will trounce anything except the CLS550 AMG Sport Package in a handling test.
#39
#40
So my impressions -
Let's start with the exterior... sleak, sexy, stylish and a great update to the vehicle. Until you get to the front. Lexus toned down the gaping mouth a bit, however, it still looks like Darth Vaders mask. Like was said above, big chrome fangs. The foglights are also surrounded by a thick chrome bezel which I think it way overdone. But if you can get past that it is a very attractive car. I especially like the 3/4 ***-end view point. The lines flow forward and the dual exhaust reminds me of an LS460 with the satin silver treatment. The windhield slopes back... well... like one of those nifty bikini models posing on the beach. Awesome. But I still saw Vader when I looked at it from the front.
Interior - what can I say? I could not find one thing I disliked about the interior. Controls were well thought out, ***** were soft and firm to the push or turn, visibility was superb (front, back, sides) and the seat boltering was supportive but not overpowering. You knew you were in a luxury car... just one that you can toss around a bit without worrying about slamming your rotator cuff into the door jam. There is contrasting stitching on the dashboard that exudes plushness with the soft rich texture used on the door pulls on the ES and RX.
For $55K it's a hell of a car. And with AWD I think it will hold it's own in the segment but let's not forget Lexus isn't primariy a "performance driver's" car. It's a "luxury driver's" car and this update provides you some performance which will not beat out the BMW benchmarks but will make people think twice about whether or not the Germans are making backwards progress compared to Lexus.
Let's start with the exterior... sleak, sexy, stylish and a great update to the vehicle. Until you get to the front. Lexus toned down the gaping mouth a bit, however, it still looks like Darth Vaders mask. Like was said above, big chrome fangs. The foglights are also surrounded by a thick chrome bezel which I think it way overdone. But if you can get past that it is a very attractive car. I especially like the 3/4 ***-end view point. The lines flow forward and the dual exhaust reminds me of an LS460 with the satin silver treatment. The windhield slopes back... well... like one of those nifty bikini models posing on the beach. Awesome. But I still saw Vader when I looked at it from the front.
Interior - what can I say? I could not find one thing I disliked about the interior. Controls were well thought out, ***** were soft and firm to the push or turn, visibility was superb (front, back, sides) and the seat boltering was supportive but not overpowering. You knew you were in a luxury car... just one that you can toss around a bit without worrying about slamming your rotator cuff into the door jam. There is contrasting stitching on the dashboard that exudes plushness with the soft rich texture used on the door pulls on the ES and RX.
For $55K it's a hell of a car. And with AWD I think it will hold it's own in the segment but let's not forget Lexus isn't primariy a "performance driver's" car. It's a "luxury driver's" car and this update provides you some performance which will not beat out the BMW benchmarks but will make people think twice about whether or not the Germans are making backwards progress compared to Lexus.
#42
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Interior - what can I say? I could not find one thing I disliked about the interior.
For $55K it's a hell of a car. And with AWD I think it will hold it's own in the segment but let's not forget Lexus isn't primariy a "performance driver's" car. It's a "luxury driver's" car and this update provides you some performance which will not beat out the BMW benchmarks but will make people think twice about whether or not the Germans are making backwards progress compared to Lexus.
it's nice, but imo really nothing special. the best part though is the interior.
#43
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
#44
#45