Long story short, my 2010 GS 350AWD is nearing its rust death (thank you Canadian rust! - Car actually runs perfectly, but at this point is becoming serviceable since everything is rust and seized up)

So I am starting to keep an eye out on cars and am currently looking at anything from a TLX A-spec SH-AWD, to an M3 Comp... I loved the driving feel of my GS and it would rip full speed through deep snow, that car was planted and solid and I would like to stick to rear wheel bias AWD system. I wish it was faster... and I like the serviceability/quality of Lexus/Toyota (also owned an NX200t that got totaled in a rear end, and now a RX450h)

I am very open to (and would actually prefer) another Lexus, but what car exactly fits this slot? I can't find any recent year GS on the market - and if I could... a little more "oompf" is nice... Recent year (2022-2025) IS350 AWD F-sport is more readily available and I will test drive and compare - my concern is I am a bigger dude at 6'2 and the GS already felt kinda small.
Also, supposing I am willing to give up the AWD, what are the thought son the IS500, seems like a fun car... I've moved to Texas so now I have cheap gas and no more stupid snow.... and the RX is AWD for longer road trips/ski trips.

What are best/good years or common issues I should be on the look-out for? Do people have a preference/comparison alternatives to suggest. I hate OCDing about every stupid little wire, but I do... so I prefer the least fussy car that doesn't need constant maintenance or weird swaps/exotic fixes (highly averse to M3 for this reason and may go to x-drive 340i

 

You do know that a 3IS is actually a GS from the B Pillar forward, don't you ...

 

I assumed some level of similarity, is that to say I can re-use my wiring diagrams?

 

>I assumed some level of similarity, is that to say I can re-use my wiring diagrams?

No, probably not.

I didn't know the IS ad GS were related until someone told me. Then, when I saw a parked GS, I parked next to it and realized that it was true.
The IS/GS is certainly technically superior to the ES. A longitude V6 on a native RWD frame. Totally unique from any other Lexus/Toyota designs.
Cool!

 

As an owner of an IS350 F-Sport, I can tell you the IS is going to definitely feel smaller than a GS, especially in areas like the seats and center console (drink holders).

This may sound like a weird suggestion, but have you considered an LS? I know most of them right out of the box don't have the "sporty" look to them, but the F-sport models, paired with some decent wheels look fantastic....and you've got a ton of room.

 

I've taken a quick glimpse at the LS specs and size wise, but haven't driven one. I don't care for the appearance of the car that much... I did go for a test drive in an IS350AWD to check the size and general feel, pretty much the GS with a little less back room and less buttons (like folding mirrors and that)... also test drove an M340i xDrive... the BMW certainly drove nice, but the seats were terrible and getting in and out is ridiculous since it is a small car and the wheel doesn't auto telescope. Felt like I am driving two laptop screens around but that was about it for the creature comforts of the car.

It is back to the drawing board and I am now thinking the final year run GS might have to be it, either a 2020 350 AWD (if one shows up - the AWD is not very popular around here in Texas), or if I go with the RWD i'll scoop up a GS-F with a V8. I just want a hassle free car that isn't a pissy diva and needs constant attention. My 2010 GS is/was a tank - The mechanic was able to fix it up by re-building the CV axle out of from the stuck shaft that didn't come out. Basically the force to pull the rust seized up carrier mid bearing would probably also rip out the transfer case.