I just wanted to say hi, and show my new car. I am usally in the 2GS forum, but now I guess I can hang out in both. I had to keep my 2GS430, as it will always have a warm place in my heart.

Grey on Black
70,000 kms
2007

 

Welcome. As a never ending student of design, I appreciate that side-by-side head shot.

 

Cars are both clean and welcome to the 3gs side! Maybe someone will cut you a deal when you buy 2 sets of wheels and coilovers!!!!

 

congrats!! how do you find the performance difference/similarities between the two?

 

Thanks, I really take pride in keeping my cars clean, the 2GS430 is a 2002 with 325 000 kms on it, more pictures here if you are interested:
I actually own two sets of rim (winter and summer) for both cars, so I think I have that covered.

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii9/hacker_720/

 

I’m glad you asked:
The performance of the GS450h has been a point of debate for some time, some think it’s a great combination, and some think it’s ridiculous. Most people have been very surprised by the performance of my 2GS430, either in it, driving it, or losing to it. My 2GS430 is completely stock except for wheels and breaks. I found the tires were not wide enough for the torque of the engine and I was burning through tires quickly (50K/year lots of city driving). So I put 275s on the rear with nice sticky tires, and it solved my ‘problem’ I can still spin the tires, but I have to try hard.

My wife also enjoys driving spiritedly from time to time, so on the way home from the dealership we lined up at a set of lights, at night, in a commercial area, I had the GS450h, and she had the 2GS430. When the light went green, she killed me! She had almost 0 wheel spin and is very familiar with the car. The problem was I was not familiar at all with the GS450h, and I did not understand the traction control or ‘sports’ mode, or how the engine starts.

Now that I have been driving the GS450h for some time, I will say this:
It is much-much faster than the 2GS430, now when I drive the 2GS430 I feel that it is ‘sluggish’ and maybe something is wrong with the engine.

The GS450h is a very unique car that takes some getting used to, especially with the engine start/stop feature and the traction control. The combination of the electric motor, combustion engine and CVT is brilliant and I think Lexus deserved a lot more praise for this car.

The real world performance (40mph - 80mph), while considering most cars will have to down-shift at least one gear, is incredible, I would say the only car that I have driven that is faster as a daily driver is the BMW M5.

One note: The tire and breaks combination on the GS450h is no where near as good as the 2GS430. Its really the only time I can feel the weight of the car.

 

Welcome to the the 3GS side bro

 

Both look great and I love the wheels on them. In your opinion, which one has the more luxury car ride? I think the second gen is more cushy.

 

welcome, another hybrid!

 

Thanks for the complements – the GS450h rims are the stock hybrid rims.
If they were both brand new the 2GS430 would have a more luxurious ride, but the 2GS is getting a little worn out, I replaced all the bushings with the poly ones and it made it much harsher. Today the GS450h is more luxurious because it’s so smooth and tight, but I do find it a little stiff, I wish the ‘normal’ mode was a littler softer.

GS450h feels like it handles better (flatter), but I would put my money on the 2GS430 in the corners because of the weight, breaks, and the nice tires I have on it.

 

Don't forget the APSSS option on some 450h

SGM is such a nice color. I have the same color combo

 

very nice, love the license plate covers!

 

Welcome and Congrats! I also have both in black

 

you guys are ballin!!!!!! 2 gs's danm

 

.... and a range rover....