I am trying to decide on what to buy to replace my old Mercedes. I've been looking at a slightly used 07-08 IS350. I drove one car and liked it. However, it feels a bit too small and a little too sporty for my age (45).

Lately a've been looking at some 07-08 GS350. Looks nice. The prices are about the same, around $35K, give or take couple grand, for a pretty loaded car. So, what do you think?

I will post the same question to a GS crowd, so I can get both sides.

 

i think it comes down to whats important for you. i was thinking about getting an gs350 also before i got my is350. my only reason for wanting a gs350 instead of an is350 was more backseat space and inside room. after i realized that i almost never have anyone in my back seat, plus that in the end i wanted the best performing car possible i got an is350. a lot of people say that the is350 is small, but again im 6'1 and im used to the amount of room now. when you drive the car hard you will appreciate that everything is close to you. my only concern now is if there is headroom when i put on a helmet for racing, but thats another story.

 

Thanks, AM1. No, I am not planning on racing it.

 

I believe a GS350 will suit you better. It is more refined, luxurious, and more geared towards your age. But I do not think a car can be too sporty for someone's age... take exotics for an example over 80% of the people who own them are old wealth retired folks.

 

if you have a family + kids, the GS350 comes handy..if you are single, unmarried like me, then IS350 is your car .

 

go IS350 you won't regret it!

 

Careful on the age thing--I'm 42. I just "handed down" my ES 350 (07, 17K mi) to my wife, and got an 08 IS 350. I was quite concerned about moving down in size, but as someone says, although I live out of my car, I rarely have people riding in the back seat.

We do have small kids, but we're also keeping our Sequoia for the family car. So now I feel like I've got the best of everything. IS, ES, and tank.

Haven't had the opportunity to drive my IS too much--getting electronics put in (I'm not good at it), tinting, hood painted, etc. but I think it's going to work out well. The funny thing is that I feel much more comfortable mod'ing this baby than I would the ES. I got really used to the luxury, size, and ease of driving (almost didn't have to think about it, ie multitask). Now I'm back to the fun of driving. I had a Mercedes C230--love the styling but hate the service experiences; BMW 3-series (sport package too tight for my "age"); BMW 5-series, car fell apart 2 months post-warranty expiration. Then I found my favored car company with the ES. I'm telling you, you'll never want to go back to any other manufacturer.

Sorry probably none of this helps you but I felt like telling.

 

forget all the above lolz , get the IF lolz

 

Just out of curiosity, what's the 0-60 time of the GS350? Are there any aftermarket mods that you can do to the GS, or is it like the IS (with little availability)?

 

GS isn't that much bigger than IS. Styling of IS is much better IMO.

 

well i am an SC owner so im not bias at all. im more familiar with the 1gen IS300, cuz i almost bought one and i am also more familiar with the 1gen GS300 cuz my dad has one, but, I know a lot about the newer ones aswell.

IMO the IS is a better looking car. there are also a lot more options for it than the GS, like the F-Sport options. it is also a quicker car. i read that Car and Driver got the 2007 IS350 to go 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. It also looks more fun to me. i test drove an IS250 6spd manual and the interior features were great. its also a very comfortable car to ride in.

The GS is more of a family car i would say. its a lot less sporty and a little more luxurious. nontheless a very smooth driving and looking car that does have great performance.

this is just my view though, i dont know if your looking for speed, luxury, family traveling, or all three, but i do know that Lexus is the right company for all of them.

Good Luck with your car shopping.

 

Amen! Our family always prefers Honda/Acura/Toyota/Lexus; big reason why I got the IS350 (really wanted the TL-S) is because the closest Acura dealership is an hour away from me.

As far as IS350 vs. GS350, I would go with the GS350. Had one of those as a loaner and it was a really nice car to drive for its size; I'd go with one of these if you want to sacrifice "sporty-ness" for a bit more room.

 

i would go for GS if i got the bucks right ricky???..

 

two sets of car dude.. either your single or you need room. gs350 tends to both.. an IS can be a little cramped for a family guy or someone who has friends carpool to places and such

 

Get the gs. Its a more respectable car and for your age, i assume thats what you want.