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Have never owned a GS, but have drove many of them. I love my LS. If you want serenity and quiet comfort, the LS is the way to go. But that quietness comes at a price and with a sacrifice of agility. The GS feels and handles like a Miata compared to the LS IMO. If I could afford both a GS and LS, that would be perfect. The LS for long highway drives and the GS for city/twisty back roads.
I've had 2 GS350 F Sports. Crossed over to a 2013 LS460... Let's just say, I never looked back. I would get the 2010 if you're looking for 09/11. Love the LS, although you can't drive it like a GS, but it does shine on twisty back roads, I've tried it . Go for it is all I can say. Totally different experience.
I owned a 2006 GS430 and recently bought a 2010 LS460 SWB. The thing that has struck me the most about the LS is the feeling of roominess. The GS feels more agile and drives great, but the LS rides amazing and is as quiet as a bank vault inside. I live in Southern California so AWD would not be appealing to me due to the added weight and mechanical complexity, but my feeling would be different if I lived in a cold climate. I did a lot of searching for the right LS for me and settled on a 2010 versus an earlier model as I liked the slight cosmetic changes that came with the facelifted 2010 and later cars. The GS is a great car but the LS is the flagship, the best Lexus has to offer. I don't think you can go wrong with just about any clean LS you might choose.
I came out of a 2008 GS into a 2008 LS. Very different cars, loved the GS but the LS is on a different level. I had AWD drive in the GS but not in the LS, I would like the AWD but at the time I could not reach for a 2010 or 2011. Make the move you will not be disappointed.
its a no brainer, just set your expectations of the size of the vehicle will feel different
meaning the gs is a small interior car for the size of vehicle i own a 430 and the car is medium big
someone i work with has a 460 its a big car make sure your comfortable with the transition,
also the older gs was a good car the ride is completely different on the the ls some owners would miss the choppy ride of the old gs i wouldn't i would welcome a ls and enjoy it