The GS is a no brainer for someone that is 19... I love the LS but now also own a 2006 GS430 which is more sporty but also has all the toys. In the long run you will enjoy the GS much more then you would the LS... Guys, I am saying this because he is 19 years old not 50.

 

Speaking of GS. We have a second kid getting her license. Thinking of shifting one of our existing cars to her.

https://www.lutherfamilybuickgmc.com...f55f9a1928.htm

This is for sale. 2011. My wife loves her LS (it would move to me) but she complains about the RWD when the roads are snow covered.

Adding an AWD GS to the stable of cars would maybe be a win-win.

 

Idk my LS is deffinetly not meant for a 50 year old but you have a a very valid point.

 

Wonder how come seemingly so many end up at Buick GMC (my LS came from one). Is it a natural place to trade a Lexus in?

Yeah I am almost glad my LS got stuck in the mud last year, it made me aware of the handling factor, since the snow was very mild '16-'17. Yesterday was icy, Michelin X-ice Xi3's must have been better than all season, no doubt, but still, not good at all in the LS...car was all over without driving like a granny lol And people seem to get particularly upset when they see a car like this driving the speed limit.

 

I get a kick out of the "flagship." And driving one. That guy Tavarish loves his S600, but even though the performance doesn't scream "I am retired and living in West Palm Beach," the price tag would have and it has an image that it's an older person's car. My buddy showed his phone to his teenagers when I texted him that I bought the LS430, and they said no thanks that looks like a grandparent's car. I know it doesn't bother anyone here, but we have to be realistic sometimes on what others perceive.

 

I'm going to have to agree here. For a 19 yr old in college I would go with the GS since it's much more sporty. The OP will have to research more as to the best year vs price but I bought a GS for my 16 yr old for that reason. Though the LS would work for him and probably be safer, I know that the GS is much more of a cooler car. Personally I like the looks of the 2nd Gen GS a little better than the 3rd Gen but the 2nd Gen is showing it's age with the lack of technologies and features. Never the less, great first car that should take him through college if something doesn't happen to it.

My middle son will be driving in a little over a year. I would love to move him into my LS430 and I would go get a LS460. The 430 will only be worth $6k - $7k by then and still be a safe reliable car. Part of me says give it to him anyway because he should be lucky to just have a paid for car period but the other part knows what it was like to have a cool first car. I got a '69 Camaro when I was 15 and drove it daily through high school. Looking back I'm not sure what my parents were thinking but I survived, never wrecked the car (tickets were another thing), and I still own it to this day. I would like to do something similar for my kids as well. GS or IS would be a good compromise. Actually, an RC would be the ticket but will still be priced out of my budget in another year or so.