Purchased 2014 GS 350 AWD F-Sport.
Driver
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 149
Likes: 4
From: CA
First is the Xenon headlights don't auto level. Never realized how great the auto-leveling Xenon's on my old SAAB were until I drove a car that doesn't seem to have them. Driving downtown, every time I cross an adjacent street with the hump, the headlights would raise with the body and light up the interior of the car in front of me. My 14 year old SAAB the lights adjusted and never even bounced. I had no idea how good that system is until driving this newer Lexus that doesn't seem to have this feature.
Second, very numb steering. The car has very little road feel plus the steering is very sensitive and doesn't seem to track on-center. Likes to drift so I'm always correcting. Certainly can't take eyes off the road for more than a second or two. Wondering if toe-in is incorrect or set near zero for efficiency?
Third, the road noise is crazy. I noticed the road noise during the test drive but now driving on highways and town, the road noise is excessive to me. The Dealer said the road noise is caused by the F-Sport package and the 40 series tires. The current tires are Continental's with 70% tread. I head the choice for 19" tires is very limited. They loaned me a ES-350 and it too had road noise but less than my car. Would I give the car back if I could? NO!
What I like is everything else. And the build quality seems very good. I am certain I am going to enjoy and reliability and will likely get hooked on the car once I driver it a while. I've only put 150 miles or so on it thus far.
Second, very numb steering. The car has very little road feel plus the steering is very sensitive and doesn't seem to track on-center. Likes to drift so I'm always correcting. Certainly can't take eyes off the road for more than a second or two. Wondering if toe-in is incorrect or set near zero for efficiency?
Third, the road noise is crazy. I noticed the road noise during the test drive but now driving on highways and town, the road noise is excessive to me. The Dealer said the road noise is caused by the F-Sport package and the 40 series tires. The current tires are Continental's with 70% tread. I head the choice for 19" tires is very limited. They loaned me a ES-350 and it too had road noise but less than my car. Would I give the car back if I could? NO!
What I like is everything else. And the build quality seems very good. I am certain I am going to enjoy and reliability and will likely get hooked on the car once I driver it a while. I've only put 150 miles or so on it thus far.
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 21
From: TX
Drove an Audi A4 before switching to the GS350 and agree the Japanese have not duplicated the handling and feel of German cars. Also agree that road noise is definitely louder, perhaps because of the F-Sport package however I also notice that even when I open the sunroof cover I get a significant amount of wind noise and that has nothing to do with the F-Sport package.
That having been said, the Audi was a pain to maintain, oil changes took twice as long because of the way things were laid out. Reliability also poor, display LEDs on dash didn't work, rear window didn't roll down etc. etc.
Overall I'll take reliability over driving feel until I'm independently wealthy and can afford to pay someone $500 for a service.
That having been said, the Audi was a pain to maintain, oil changes took twice as long because of the way things were laid out. Reliability also poor, display LEDs on dash didn't work, rear window didn't roll down etc. etc.
Overall I'll take reliability over driving feel until I'm independently wealthy and can afford to pay someone $500 for a service.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 122
Likes: 4
From: Oregon
Main motivation for choosing Lexus brand.
Mryeh17, you have a good point regarding reliability. My SAAB has been great and super easy to work on. The car I really wanted was a BMW (never owned one) but never talked to a single owner that said they were reliable. Engine is shoe-horned in and pushed back. Weird electrical issues as well as mechanical. Family members have gone away from European to Lexus and never looked back. I hope I do the same.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 122
Likes: 4
From: Oregon
18017, that is awesome!
Funny last summer we were at a Rod Run and I drove my SAAB to get there. Driving down the main street with all the hot-rods, traffic was stopped. People we commenting - yuk, a SAAB. Then I started speaking to people. I asked how do you like heated seats? SAAB was the first manufacturer to have them. Do you like active head restraints to reduce whiplash? SAAB invented those too. And the list goes on. These used to be a website with SAAB firsts. But the Lexus is certainly quality but fake leather on the doors seems tacky. lol. Again, 14 year old SAAB real leather on door panels. FWIW.
Last edited by kitra; Oct 1, 2016 at 09:39 PM.
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