Help! I'm having difficulty selecting the lexus model to lease. my dillema is between a GS460 vs similarly equipped SWB LS460. Interestingly, due to the higher residual of the LS, the total cost of ownership over a 3 year lease is roughly the same (~$100 per month difference).

I've previously owned a GS400, and drove my father's LS430 long enough to realize that these are two very different cars. But at the same cost, I'm having difficult justifying the lease of the GS.

The car's primary use would be for pure solo commuting, with 80% of miles on the highway. Please share your decision process if you've gone thru a similar experience. thanks.

j

 

highway miles cant be beat with an LS. plus, the LS is a new model change, versus the GS which has been out for 3 years. so in the long run, the LS is your best bet.

 

GS is fun and sporty but older in stlye
LS is comfortable and relaxing and brand new in design

wich do you want? Both great cars...

 

if you want slightest bit of "fun" in driving (sport), get the gs. otherwise, the ls460 will give you the luxury. the ls460 really doesn't have much fun in driving. our gs350 is a lot more fun to drive, so i can imagine the gs460

btw, 100 difference in lease payment per month is actually quite a bit right? that's 3600 over 3 yrs. considering the msrp of gs460 at 59k and ls460 probably around 70k, that sounds pretty "normal" (meaning payment wise i wouldn't say the ls460 is that much more spectacular)

 

if i where u, I would take LS. Recently, when I got GS as service car while ls has been serviced, it was all okay, but when I got back into LS I understood, how better it is in all conditions. Easier driving, better looking, better quality and so on and on..

 

i was in the same boat as you. picked up L460L and loving it =)

 

Well, I ended up getting a LS460 when I went to get a GS... I test drove both back to back. GS handles better, but a bit bumpy. LS is soooo comfy. I suggest you go to a dealer and test drive both. Everyone has different taste. I also had a '06 LS430 and LS460 is totally different from the LS430.

 

wow

you read my mind.....im in the exact same situation.......that's why i love these boards

anyways, people are correct about the sport vs. luxury

i went the the taste of lexus and first drove the GS hybrid.........very sporty interior.........stiffer handling..........

the LS600h was just a work of art...........interior was very wide and plush..........dash was amazing.........steering was smooth as butter.........

if you have a family........def go with the LS.........the backseat (someplace i will NEVER ride) had plenty of room and gadgets for the rugrats

 

I'd go for the LS460 !

 

now the lwb is a lot more, but that would be my pick for sure

 

I would go for the Gs460 iso the ls460 especially since you will be driving mostly alone.

 

Well, i'd personally go with the GS, just because I would love to have a sportier sedan, but the LS460 would be better for you as a commuter.

 

It really depends on your personality. I like to drive sportily, and I found that the LS was not for me.

I had (and ultimately sold) the LS460L, and although it intrigued me, it just did not excite me.

I have had reservations with the 3GS, and I have not test driven the GS460 yet. The GS350 is too soft on corners compared to its competition but that can easily be changed. There are a lot of mods out there for the 3GS, and I think that will significantly help making it more sporty if you want.

So, if you're looking for luxo-comfort versus luxo-sport, you've got two great cars no matter what. It's then a matter of driving-dynamic preference...

 

I used to own as GS 400, so when it was time for a new one I test drove the GS 460 -- Wow! Power and handling were great, but the car seemed kinda small in side and I was not impressed with the ML in the GS. I'm sure the GS 460 is awsome, BUT I chose and LS 460 SWB because I too drive 80% highway and because of a larger cabin the ML system is awesome! If you're on the highway a lot, you want comfort and luxury. The LS does very well in those highway cloverleafs too, if you want to get aggressive. If you're going to keep the car after the lease you might want to consider the LS, otherwise you can't go wrong with a more sporty ride with the GS.
I also think you'll get treated better at the dealership and turn more heads with an LS. Good Luck.

 

I really do appreciate everyone's input. Thanks.

Yesterday afternoon, I test drove the GS460 and LS460 back-to-back at a local dealership.

I really wanted to like the LS - because of its agressive style, superior ML audio system, and higher-resolution NAV display. But the GS's smaller, nimbler feel really sold me.

BTW, The salesperson knew less than the average CL member about the two cars, and added very little value. Maybe it's the lack of qualified salespeople in the Bay Area, but it was frustrating. If Lexus truely values customer satisfaction during the purchase process, they should get rid of all the sales people and just provide test drive showrooms, and purchase orders on a website. Then again, this is not how the real world works.

I'll probably end up buying the car through a broker like my previous two vehicles.