also flip btw , i like john had a is300 on loaner for almost 2 weeks and i ripped the hell out of it and i will say this , in the tight cornering at moderate sppeds the is was more agile because of its lighter weight but in high speed manuvers and i do mean high speed manuvers the is did not inspire total confidence like my gs does

 

No, but a day gives me a true sense of how much enjoyment I can/will experience driving a particular vehicle... and the IS didn't do it for me. I liked the feel of my Maxima more than I did the IS. The IS is a very solid car and feel for it's size but it isn't awe inspiring to drive either, at least not in Auto trim... Hell, at this point any manual tranny I could drive would be a welcome change. The GS at 3800lbs is suprisingly fast and fun to drive especially when the stock suspension has been improved to eliminate float and give the confidence needed for higher speed spirited driving.

I am not sure what point you were trying to make about FI. I want the SuperCharger for it's show value and uniqueness not really for the performance boost on the street, (although nice) the GS acceleration is more than enough for the street (legally that is), the SC will just allow me to have more fun at the strip on the few occasions I make it out and will look nice once I get my car where I want it to be looks wise. I don't want to mod the looks of the car the way I intend unless I have the HP to back up the theme...

 

Again, I think the spirt of the thread was street driving not what the cars would do entering or exiting the Fangio Chicane at Sebring.

 

Come out to Cali and the West Coast CL guys including myself can show you around some nice twisties.

 

Still, you're only driving on those flat asphalt/seashell highways that are mainly flat and straight. Of course you're not going to feel true characteristics of a chassis going 100+ down I-95 zig zagging lanes, or making quick turns/stops on highway offramps. You will never feel the full potential of your suspension upgrades with that kind of driving. It's actually more dangerous going those speeds trying to make maneuvers, because your momentum is so fast, if your tires break any traction, you're literally dead. No amount of suspension stiffness will save you if you lose control of your car going 100+. You can't defy physics, especially with a big car.

It's only you 2 that continue to argue the same points over and over again...where there have been 3 ClubLexus veterans that have already said otherwise. Even one of them is a personal friend of mine...a Moderator with about every single chassis upgrade you can buy for the GS. He's seen, driven, rode in my car from day 1 when I had the car brand new all the way to this point. We've gone through many 450+ mile trips from cruising to high speeds, canyon carving, actual race track driving and regular city cruising. The most memorable one was driving a canyon road going high speed 100+ on our way to NorCal on a moderately twisty, but hilly part of freeway. 3 IS300's, mine was bone stock at the time IS and the others were modded with Tein HA and Tein Flex. Of course the modded LXOGOOD was the only GS with us, but he can tell you how it went. Again your guys' experience with an IS is limited to the flat roads you guys have out there. Until you've taken it through some real uphill/downhill twisties or even a technical road course, then you can further appreciate the handling dynamics and characteristics of the IS. Right now, your guys' assessment is limited to flat roads, high speed zig zags and just stop light sprints in and ouf the city. Period.

 

ryan i agree with you that the is could be a very good car on the twisties, i had one so i know very well. but i would ask, have you driven a highly modified gs and push it hard through the twisties and than a stock is3 through the same one?

i did, my gs4 fully modded, and my is3 when it was stock. it's clear, that my gs4 could hang in and pass the is3 if i want. especially with the right wheels/tires setup, the gs4 is no joke. glen once took the 152 at twisties at 110mph with me in his car.

so that's just my observations, that i have tried in both cars

 

I think we answered his questions...

1. Change the suspension of the GS (L-Tuned on the cheap side, Coilovers on the expensive side) and the car will be more fun and spirited driving will follow in the city and highway. Make sure you also invest in a good radar detector.

2. Yes, it is very possible to make the GS handle or out handle a stock IS according to members here that have owned both vehicles. Believe me once you get rid of the stock float you will appreciate the power and luxury even more as your confidence level of driving at speed increases.

3. If you go with a mild drop with either L-Tuned suspension or Tein adjustable Coilovers and EDFC. Keep a decent size tire setup I don't think you will experience the same issue you had in the LS400. Mine is dropped 1" with the L-Tuned combo and still drive and rides as nice as day 1. I am still running 17" wheels but even when I go to 18"s I plan on doing a Fat tire setup to maintain comfort. If you are worried about the ride getting harsh you should go with the Daizen sways... or at least that is what I have been told.

 

all i can say is wow what a writeup , with the mods and vet guys seal of approval i guess my assessment of my own car that i have built was completely wrong i guess the next time i am on the flats or on the turnpk weaving in and out passing a is or better yet a bimmer i will be sure and wave as i will also hold out a banner stating dont worry its not really a big lame heavy *** gs not passing you at this moment

come on bro , we know a modded is will outhandle a heavily modded gs but much of that is predicated on the driver. the gs is more forgiving .in the twisties as you put it imo the gs may have an advantage to exit corners faster with trq and enter just as late as the is without losing control


well that being said we florida gs owners are limited as stated before to hwy runs etc , here it performs with ease and thata all that matters


to the thread starter , i think you have gathered enough info to know with proper tuning a gs can be a formiableforce , can it outhandle a modded is , as you have seen in this thread THATS DEBATEABLE

 

Henry, you hit the nail on the head. the GS4 can HANG, not BEAT in terms of outhanding. Passing sure, theres extra hp and torque involved in that straight line stretches. Yes the high speed 100+ passes I took with Ken and the guys for EOS was that same stretch of the 152 going towards San Jose by the reservoir, but when we had to slow down for the tighter twists and turns, that's where the stock IS shined.

 

Lee,

You should have plenty of info here to make your own decisions as you own both vehicles...and both are stock. You've been here long enough to see the potential a GS has...and an IS on top of that. Go mod the GS already. But in the meantime, cherish your IS as long as you have it. I guarantee you will miss it even after modding the GS up to your likings.

-Ryan

 

Keep the GS, Mod the suspension, and sell the IS for a REALLY fun car to drive like a 350z, WRX, EVO, or the like...

 

I've been a ghost through all the posts..LOL.

Thanks for all the information!

I think the next thing will be the LCB's.