Sold my GS350 F-Sport after 6 months (5K miles)
11-05-12, 09:14 AM
#1
Sold my GS350 F-Sport after 6 months (5K miles)
This was a tough decision. I have not owned any other brand of car since I was 16 years old. I have had an 94 pickup, 98 Supra TT, 03 IS300, 07 GS350, 09 IS-F, and my 13 GS. Before I list a few reasons why I was not happy with the car, I want to say that in the end, the car just wasn’t for me.
Few issues:
1. Lack of power/acceleration. I knew coming from an IS-F that the power wasn’t going to be there. Not sure if it was gearing, but the new RX with the same engine seemed to be quicker and more responsive than my GS.
2. Enform entertainment system. Yes, the display is ginormous, and the ML system sounded amazing! Everything else was just OK. I think Lexus could have done a better job on the user interface, graphics, app, etc. I think it will get better over the next few years. IMO - Add the "apps" are worthless.
3. Loud noise at startup. Not sure if anyone read my post or watched the video. There seemed to be a loud slam or interference noise during hot starts. The problem was well documented by me and presented to the Lexus corporate technician and then to the local dealer. The techs were never able to replicate the problem. I was told to “try a different gas station”. I was floored by that technical recommendation. Not being able to resolve this was really disappointing for me.
Before making the decision to sell the car, I tried to make some small changes to see if that would change my mind. None were performance modifications to the engine. I ended up tinting the windows, adding the JP spec fog lights, lowering the car, and adding some VVS CV7’s. Those upgrades made a huge difference in appearance and handling (less floaty). In the end I was missing the IS-F feel, handling, performance, and styling. Maybe if/when the GS-F ever makes it to production I might be interested in that. For now I will just stick with my other car.
Again, I am not dissing Lexus or the GS. I think it was a case of the car not being what I wanted. I have my wheels/tires/springs posted in the classifieds. I am open to reasonable offers.
Few issues:
1. Lack of power/acceleration. I knew coming from an IS-F that the power wasn’t going to be there. Not sure if it was gearing, but the new RX with the same engine seemed to be quicker and more responsive than my GS.
2. Enform entertainment system. Yes, the display is ginormous, and the ML system sounded amazing! Everything else was just OK. I think Lexus could have done a better job on the user interface, graphics, app, etc. I think it will get better over the next few years. IMO - Add the "apps" are worthless.
3. Loud noise at startup. Not sure if anyone read my post or watched the video. There seemed to be a loud slam or interference noise during hot starts. The problem was well documented by me and presented to the Lexus corporate technician and then to the local dealer. The techs were never able to replicate the problem. I was told to “try a different gas station”. I was floored by that technical recommendation. Not being able to resolve this was really disappointing for me.
Before making the decision to sell the car, I tried to make some small changes to see if that would change my mind. None were performance modifications to the engine. I ended up tinting the windows, adding the JP spec fog lights, lowering the car, and adding some VVS CV7’s. Those upgrades made a huge difference in appearance and handling (less floaty). In the end I was missing the IS-F feel, handling, performance, and styling. Maybe if/when the GS-F ever makes it to production I might be interested in that. For now I will just stick with my other car.
Again, I am not dissing Lexus or the GS. I think it was a case of the car not being what I wanted. I have my wheels/tires/springs posted in the classifieds. I am open to reasonable offers.
11-05-12, 09:50 AM
#4
hey if you weren't happy, you weren't happy... bottom line. why drive and or own anything you are not happy with.
you added mods which made it your own and that still didn't work. the 09 GTR is a beast which has more than enough get up and go. maybe another ISF in the near future? i really don't think there is going to be a GS-F anytime soon... if any. good luck, hope to see you back soon with another Lex.
you added mods which made it your own and that still didn't work. the 09 GTR is a beast which has more than enough get up and go. maybe another ISF in the near future? i really don't think there is going to be a GS-F anytime soon... if any. good luck, hope to see you back soon with another Lex.
11-05-12, 10:01 AM
#5
hey if you weren't happy, you weren't happy... bottom line. why drive and or own anything you are not happy with.
you added mods which made it your own and that still didn't work. the 09 GTR is a beast which has more than enough get up and go. maybe another ISF in the near future? i really don't think there is going to be a GS-F anytime soon... if any. good luck, hope to see you back soon with another Lex.
you added mods which made it your own and that still didn't work. the 09 GTR is a beast which has more than enough get up and go. maybe another ISF in the near future? i really don't think there is going to be a GS-F anytime soon... if any. good luck, hope to see you back soon with another Lex.
11-05-12, 02:49 PM
#7
In all honestly, the car looks better stock in F sport form with the lexus wheels. Sorry to hear about your troubles, but maybe only a supercar will make you happy. The GS350 blows me away.
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11-05-12, 06:51 PM
#8
This was a tough decision. I have not owned any other brand of car since I was 16 years old. I have had an 94 pickup, 98 Supra TT, 03 IS300, 07 GS350, 09 IS-F, and my 13 GS. Before I list a few reasons why I was not happy with the car, I want to say that in the end, the car just wasn’t for me.
Few issues:
1. Lack of power/acceleration. I knew coming from an IS-F that the power wasn’t going to be there. Not sure if it was gearing, but the new RX with the same engine seemed to be quicker and more responsive than my GS.
2. Enform entertainment system. Yes, the display is ginormous, and the ML system sounded amazing! Everything else was just OK. I think Lexus could have done a better job on the user interface, graphics, app, etc. I think it will get better over the next few years. IMO - Add the "apps" are worthless.
3. Loud noise at startup. Not sure if anyone read my post or watched the video. There seemed to be a loud slam or interference noise during hot starts. The problem was well documented by me and presented to the Lexus corporate technician and then to the local dealer. The techs were never able to replicate the problem. I was told to “try a different gas station”. I was floored by that technical recommendation. Not being able to resolve this was really disappointing for me.
Before making the decision to sell the car, I tried to make some small changes to see if that would change my mind. None were performance modifications to the engine. I ended up tinting the windows, adding the JP spec fog lights, lowering the car, and adding some VVS CV7’s. Those upgrades made a huge difference in appearance and handling (less floaty). In the end I was missing the IS-F feel, handling, performance, and styling. Maybe if/when the GS-F ever makes it to production I might be interested in that. For now I will just stick with my other car.
Again, I am not dissing Lexus or the GS. I think it was a case of the car not being what I wanted. I have my wheels/tires/springs posted in the classifieds. I am open to reasonable offers.
Few issues:
1. Lack of power/acceleration. I knew coming from an IS-F that the power wasn’t going to be there. Not sure if it was gearing, but the new RX with the same engine seemed to be quicker and more responsive than my GS.
2. Enform entertainment system. Yes, the display is ginormous, and the ML system sounded amazing! Everything else was just OK. I think Lexus could have done a better job on the user interface, graphics, app, etc. I think it will get better over the next few years. IMO - Add the "apps" are worthless.
3. Loud noise at startup. Not sure if anyone read my post or watched the video. There seemed to be a loud slam or interference noise during hot starts. The problem was well documented by me and presented to the Lexus corporate technician and then to the local dealer. The techs were never able to replicate the problem. I was told to “try a different gas station”. I was floored by that technical recommendation. Not being able to resolve this was really disappointing for me.
Before making the decision to sell the car, I tried to make some small changes to see if that would change my mind. None were performance modifications to the engine. I ended up tinting the windows, adding the JP spec fog lights, lowering the car, and adding some VVS CV7’s. Those upgrades made a huge difference in appearance and handling (less floaty). In the end I was missing the IS-F feel, handling, performance, and styling. Maybe if/when the GS-F ever makes it to production I might be interested in that. For now I will just stick with my other car.
Again, I am not dissing Lexus or the GS. I think it was a case of the car not being what I wanted. I have my wheels/tires/springs posted in the classifieds. I am open to reasonable offers.
Anyway, life is to short man, if you can control easy things that make you happy, like the type car you drive, then by all means you should do it.
11-06-12, 07:37 AM
#11
Pole Position
How is that possible? The GS350 has better 0-100mph and 1/4 mile times than the 328i.
11-06-12, 07:49 AM
#12
Pole Position
11-06-12, 09:10 AM
#13
Lead Lap
11-06-12, 09:38 AM
#14
I was not saying the GS was under-powered in any way. I knew compared to an IS-F there would be no comparison. I just didn't realize how much the power factor mattered to me until I had already gotten into a new GS. It all comes down to personal preference. It might have been a lack of research on my part before making such a big purchase.
11-06-12, 10:57 AM
#15
Pole Position
You should look at the GS450h.
I've test driven both and trust me, the low down torque and high end pulling power of the GS hybrid blows the GS350 away. The small difference in numbers are misleading : in reality, the GS hybrid is a different animal compared with the V6. Some have described it as the performance of a V8 with the fuel consumption of a 4 cylinder -- sounds about right...
I've test driven both and trust me, the low down torque and high end pulling power of the GS hybrid blows the GS350 away. The small difference in numbers are misleading : in reality, the GS hybrid is a different animal compared with the V6. Some have described it as the performance of a V8 with the fuel consumption of a 4 cylinder -- sounds about right...