2013 Lexus GS 350 Long Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

2013 Lexus GS 350 Long Term Road Test

Read daily updates on our long-term road test of the 2013 Lexus GS 350 and follow along as our editors live with this car for a year.

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tpsinha

I am seriously looking at the GS350 with the F-sport package, but am trying to decide whether I should get the LDH option or not. Is it really worth $1600-$1700?? Plus, not sure if Edmunds had to order the car or whether Lexus was able to find one from some other part of the country, but there are no cars with LDH available in Southern California. I would have to either order one (and wait ~3.5 months) or see if the dealer can locate one for me. In both these cases, I think I will have to work harder to get a better deal, compared to just picking up a car that is available on the lot. The fact that I also cannot see the inventory online makes it hard to locate a car I would consider. Not sure if yourlexusdealer.com gives the most updated results. Sigh...

actualsize

The one thing to consider with the RWD F-sport with or without LDH is this: are you a skier? Will you drive it to Mammoth or the local mountains in winter? The RWD F-sport is the only version with summer tires, which are great for 3-season wet or dry stick but truly awful with a dusting of snow or even frosty-cold mountain asphalt. The AWD F-sport has all-season tires but you can't get LDH and it doesn't have the quicker variable-gear ratio steering

If that's not an issue, then the RWD F-sport is a good choice. We're still exploring the virtues of LDH, but so far the handling is winning lots of praise. See the comments from our recent track test:

http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/track-tests/2013-lexus-gs-350-f-sport-track-test.html

"What feels like an LSD" may in fact be LDH at work because I find no mention of an LSD in the specs.

natnut

Hi!
Can you comment on the difference in slalom speed for the GS350 F-Sport when Edmunds first tested it (69.7mph) vs the 66.7mph for the subsequent track test?

How can there be a big difference in slalom speed for the same slalom course?

Was there significant differences in the test cars or tires used?

Thanks