Lexus GS350 thoughts / opinions

[wdb]

Hang on a sec...



...okay, set.

I thought I'd ask this august group for their opinions on the Lexus GS350. Yes I know it's not the ultimate driving experience of, oh I dunno, a BMW 5 series. But other than that; has anyone owned one, driven one for an extended period of time? Thoughts on quality, reliability, yada yada, etc. and so on, gratefully accepted. (The inevitable shitstorm, well, this is a Bimmer forum after all.)

[F80Dreamer]

I was considering one a couple of years ago (F Sport model) and did an extended test drive. It really depends on what you want out of a car. First and foremost, it's a Lexus...so pretty soft ride, very luxurious interior, etc...OK driving dynamics. I was pleasantly surprised by it, but ultimately it was a bit too boring for my taste. Good luck!!

[overcoil]

When looking considered the GS, went with the 235. Also considered E-class and Cayman.

On the lot most of the GS's msrp'd close to $60. Very nicely made. On the forums in 2014-2015 people were discussing battery issues, very expensive batteries about $1000, but that problem was getting sorted. Not sure I remember any other forum issues, but interior wear may have creeped in. There was talk about rear end knock in the IS that may have leached over to the talks about the GS.

At the time I was looking at GS drove a Merceded E-class ( had owned 2 c-classes ) and the E felt superior to the GS, but the GS still was in the running. Then drove a BMW 435 that was a revelation, thought it as nice as an E-Class sedan.
Then I tested a BMW 5-Series 4 cylinder, pretty sure not a six, and it had the most appealing cabin, but there was some exterior b pillar trim I didn't like and went back to the GS.
Then drive a 235 and after two miles told the salesman I'd order one.

[KingOfJericho]

Funny that this thread should pop up now as I am strongly considering one for my next car. I test drove the GS 350 F-Sport AWD last week and found it to feel quite nice. The F-Sport is mandatory, IMHO. The dynamic suspension and engine tuning make the car much more enjoyable as most of us would find the GS too soft in standard form. I thought the car felt solid as a rock and nimble for its size. You could also drive it worry free for as long as you choose. The motor is tried and true.

One thing that did surprise me is that the rear seats do not fold down. Just seems like a weird feature to omit.

[Mike00]

I have a 14 GS 350 F Sport AWD and the car just before it was a 13 S4. Frankly I do have to admit that I miss the S4 when taking on-ramps or trying to blast through the highway ahead of a few people. It was just an absolutely great car to drive.

On the other hand the GS 350 handles pretty damn well and is incredibly comfortable to get to back and forth from work. I also don't miss dealing with engine lights going off and just having a car that will last. Also in F-Sport mode it's not a bad car just the engine is too small and the transmission sucks.

I leased this GS350 but what I will likely do is buy a 14/15 GS 350 in 8 months when my lease is up. I can get one with about 30,000 miles for $30k roughly. I'll then add a fun car (vette, porsche, camaro) as the secondary and get the bets of both world. Frankly the GS 350 will likely run 200k miles with no issues. I know plenty of execs with an LS who have done it.

The GS 350 is a great car but it's not a BMW/Audi by any standards. Frankly I'd compare it to the 535 when I couldn't handle having less then the 550. good handling but not enough engine. It will be vastly cheaper to own though. SO just understand what you are getting.

Edit: Two other key features I forgot to comment on. 1) you will absolutely love the massive lcd in the dash. I really don't want smaller in the future. 2) Gas mileage sucks. Frankly I got better mpg on my s4. It drives me a little nuts.

[wdb]

I had a used GS350 model on extended loan last week. Not an F Sport; all of the options were convenience and tech foo. It was surprisingly capable on the twisty country lanes around my area. I didn't feel connected to the car's dynamics but I never felt disconnected either. Somewhere in between. The suspension did a very commendable job of keeping 2-ton car where it belonged with confidence, grace and aplomb. On the highway it did everything I asked of it in effortless silence. Yeah, I was impressed. I guess I wanted to check in with some fellow gearheads to be sure I wasn't losing my motor mojo. From the sounds of the comments so far I'd say I'm not.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Mike00

On the other hand the GS 350 handles pretty damn well and is incredibly comfortable to get to back and forth from work. [ . . . ]I leased this GS350 but what I will likely do is buy a 14/15 GS 350 in 8 months when my lease is up. I can get one with about 30,000 miles for $30k roughly.

Those two things are on my shopping list as well; comfort for long commutes/road trips and value for dollar. Used GS' look to me to be a screaming bargain.

I hear you on the gas mileage too. I didn't flog our loaner and only managed 19.8mpg. From what I read the only time that might get better is on long road trips, when it improves considerably.

[TylerJohnson97]

I have driven most of the new Lexus line and I am personally not a big fan of the GS. It looks the best and is way more reliable than a 5 car but they ride the worst in the Lexus line IMO. I would opt for a LS or ES before I would get a GS.

[KingOfJericho]

Really? Aren't the LS and ES like riding on a easy chair?

[wdb]

Originally Posted by TylerJohnson97

I have driven most of the new Lexus line and I am personally not a big fan of the GS. It looks the best and is way more reliable than a 5 car but they ride the worst in the Lexus line IMO. I would opt for a LS or ES before I would get a GS.

I can't the word "camry" out of my head when I look at an ES. And the LS is overkill for me. And let's face it, having the worst ride among the 3 leaves a lot of room for the ride to still be pretty darn good.

[mremg]

I saw an F-sport version on the track not too long ago. It sounded nice and handled pretty well. If you like the test drive, you should go for it.

[Mike00]

Originally Posted by wdb

Those two things are on my shopping list as well; comfort for long commutes/road trips and value for dollar. Used GS' look to me to be a screaming bargain.

I hear you on the gas mileage too. I didn't flog our loaner and only managed 19.8mpg. From what I read the only time that might get better is on long road trips, when it improves considerably.

Couple things:

The F-Sport or Ultra Lux Package (which gives F-Sport adjustments) will make you feel connected. Honestly the handling/steering feel is one of the few things it does incredibly well when in Sport+ mode. So you'll feel even better with that model setup.

As for MPG it does only get better on the long highway runs. I can usually get the average up to 22-23mpg. realistically my mix of highway and local traffic commute puts me at 17-17.5 mpg regularly. It gets horrible gas mileage. I easily average 19-20 mpg on my S4.

Honestly the GS350 used is hard to beat. I'm going that route when my lease is up and then I'll get a fun car within a year. Right now I'm getting married and buildinga new home all in the same year + plus renovated my condo for rental. Frankly I need to take it easy for a year with all the upgrades we put in the house. GS 350 used is perfect for that.

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Really? Aren't the LS and ES like riding on a easy chair?

There is an F-Sport version of the LS now. Honestly lexus has done a good job to improve handling feel. The ES though is a complete luxu cruiser. Its a very nice car for what it is but I can't understand how anybody can say the GS rides the worst of the 3. Frankly I would say for sporty it would be IS, GS, LS, ES. But that's me.

[///WORK-F36]

Beautiful looking car

Daryl's GS Fsport. by Kyle Crawford, on Flickr

[hgtran21]

the new headlights (LCI if you would call it / mid cycle refresh look even better than then the previous version imo. It was adopted from the gS-F sedan

[KingOfJericho]

Yeah the refresh does look quite nice but the '14-15 is a screaming bargain in the used market. Lexus also just started offering leasing on certified cars as well. A car of this caliber in the low $30s is a steal.

[okusa]

My dad picked up a GS350 F Sport last year. I've been in it a few times and it's pretty nice. Not 7 series nice, but fine for the 3500 miles he drives per year. I think it would make a nice service loaner car, but I think you will get sick of it really fast. It's a solid, boring car which doesn't do anything particularly well.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by okusa

My dad picked up a GS350 F Sport last year. I've been in it a few times and it's pretty nice. Not 7 series nice, but fine for the 3500 miles he drives per year. I think it would make a nice service loaner car, but I think you will get sick of it really fast. It's a solid, boring car which doesn't do anything particularly well.

I guess we'll see. It joins the fleet tomorrow! I got it at a good price and the certified/warranty foo is transferable so if you turn out to be right I expect I'll be able to come close to breaking even.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Skhmund

Any thoughts on the GSF?

I saw one in midtown Manhattan on a flatbed (being delivered) last week. Great looking car! Looks like it has a real exhaust this time as well.

[Blackraven]

GS350 F-Sport is great. It sure is better than any equivalent F10 5 series with a six cylinder engine.

GS F is also great. Solid car and probably one of the last N/A V8 cars in this segment

Sure it won't beat an F10 M5 in any race...........but it is a damn solid car.

[dkhm3]

We have one. '15. bought new, loaded f sport, it is my wife's car.

7k miles so far.

+
handles very well, needs better stock tires, but the chassis feels strong
lexus quality- feels like the car will last the test of time
adjustable suspension on the f sport makes a nice difference
I love the lexus ultra white- it is a metallic super brite white

-
transmission is not even close to being as responsive as a zf 8 speed on the 5 series
NA engine needs to be rev'd to get to the power band
so-so mpg
interior quality is nice, but i feel the germans have better built interiors
nav/interface- not as good as bmw i drive

[///WORK-F36]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

We have one. '15. bought new, loaded f sport, it is my wife's car.

7k miles so far.

+
handles very well, needs better stock tires, but the chassis feels strong
lexus quality- feels like the car will last the test of time
adjustable suspension on the f sport makes a nice difference
I love the lexus ultra white- it is a metallic super brite white

-
transmission is not even close to being as responsive as a zf 8 speed on the 5 series
NA engine needs to be rev'd to get to the power band
so-so mpg
interior quality is nice, but i feel the germans have better built interiors
nav/interface- not as good as bmw i drive

Attachment 1413063

something tells me you're a fan of the color white lol

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by ///WORK-F36

something tells me you're a fan of the color white lol

I admit I have a problem.

I need to go to meetings.