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Comments
Also it is interesting to note the GS350 in Japan has more HP than the GS430 but quite a bit less torque. I don't think they would allow that kind of cross over in power measurements when they bring the 350 here.
Thanks!
Aaron
Yes, I am biased, but I looked at both cars. I have three kids (one still in a car-seat), and the back seat is great.
The DVD is a drop-down, and you can watch it on the front display as well when the car is in park and the emergency brake engaged.
Aaron
Also, if you buy an M35, you're going to have a goofy looking car
As to looks, I find that most women like the GS while most men like the M (but that may be biased because of performance). So it really is whatever floats your boat. Aheck's wife obviously likes the GS while Aheck likes the M (as a case-in-point). Although if people were honest, I would think they would say the cars look similar. I think the GS has a slight edge from the front (except for the grill on the M), but the bulbous-looking behind more than makes up for that.
Again, I certainly don't wanna turn this into a GS vs M discussion. But I am still curious to hear if anyone has put in a backseat DVD player into the GS.
Aaron
It has the toys that I had wanted- NAV, etc. Perhaps there could be more toys (rain sensing wipers, etc), but given the amenities I have in the 93 Toyota Previa, I feel like I have upgraded by leaps and bounds.
So far I am a very happy camper and feel good about the $ saved- particulary at the end of the model year with invoice pricing and 2.9% APR. Mileage so far is 30-35 mpg, much better than the Lexus RX400h and $20K cheaper. For Lexus devotees, the Accord Hybrid is worth a look.
Thanks to all for excellent advice and suggestions. Most
I guess for me with one in college and a senior in high school, I could not justify a Lexus at this time. Five years from now, when the high schooler is off the payroll, I'll take another close look at a GS.
My posting came from my quest to replace an aging minivan. I would love to have a Lexus, but with college expenses and a 30 mile commute one way to work I could not justify the expense.
I have learned a great deal from other posters like yourself. Maybe I'll be a GS owner in five years.
We need to respect minivanmama1's decisions based on her own personal preferences, and get back to our subject.
Enjoy your new ride, minimavanmama1 - it's good to hear that you found something that suits your needs. Have fun!!
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• How thirsty? GS 300 RWD is rated 22 miles per gallon in town, 30 on the highway. GS 300 AWD is 21/27. GS 430 is 18/25. Premium fuel is necessary to get advertised power. Regular is OK but cuts horsepower 2% to 6%, Lexus says.
I have to admit I really thought the back-up camera was a dumb idea, but I have to say it's been a really useful feature....
If you only want to see it when parking, then it's works fine for you - just put it in the reverse and activate camera.
I think LEXUS's obsession with the safety features in the car are. Examples: 1) The insane beeping of your seatbelt if you don't put it on within 2 seconds of getting in the car; 2) Phone calls that come in on the Bluetooth do not display phone numbers when the car is moving - if the number is not in your phonebook, it doesn't tell you who is calling; 3) GPS is totally locked down when driving; and 4) (my favorite) when you are low on washer fluid the car bings everytime it increases from 0 MPH, so when stuck in rush hour traffic, your car is a beeping nightmare; etc...
Since we only shopped cars in the daylight(as does everyone else), my husband and I were totally thrilled to see it in absolute darkness for the first time when the car lights up for you as you approach it. Outside, inside, everywhere you could want some light. Its just beautiful to see and makes the car all the more special.
Months later, its still a thrill. You'd never have known the beauty of this feature until you see it for yourself.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
On a different topic, with winter coming..Are snow tires needed?And what brand? From what I've read, AWD helps keep the car in control, but won't help shorten braking on icy roads, hence the need for snowtires. Since I didn't want to drive an SUV ( and we have a Van for family trips etc.),but still intend to ski driving my GS 300 occasionally to the ski hills, any adivce about a roof rack , or is that an insane idea on a car of this calibre? I am also afraid of scratching the roof...Unfortunately, the back seats don't pull flat,which is a shame.There is just a pass-through from the trunk
On the Bluetooth "Setup Devices" window on the Palm, clicking the "Phone Setup", "PC Setup", or "LAN Setup" buttons got me nowhere. BUT, when I clicked the "Trusted Devices" button and clicked "Add Device" the "HANDS FREE" entry appeared! I entered the passkey, and it paired! Holy crap!
Just to make sure: you have to setup the Bluetooth prefs on the Palm to make it discoverable, and go to the "Add a phone" screen in the GS for all this to work.
When I looked at the device details on the Palm, it said "HANDS FREE" was an "audio device". Hey - whatever - at least they're talking. That, and with the number of speakers in my ML radio, you're damn right it's an audio device!
From the Palm I then opened a contact and selected "Send Contact". I selected "Bluetooth" as the transmission path, and then "HANDS FREE" from the list of devices. I went to the appropriate screen in the GS, and it asked me "Overwrite" or "Add" - I selected "Overwrite", and then it said something like "Transfer phonebook from phone" or something like that. I released the hounds on the Palm, and..... it was unable to send. I did spy, however, a nice little button that said "Try Again". Try again? Well, I think I'll do just that! Bingo! My GS phonebook now had an entry.
Moral of the story: if it doesn't go the first time, try again!
I tried sending a second contact by going through the same steps and selecting "Add". No joy - in fact, it severed the Bluetooth connection. How rude!
I shutdown everything and started it back up again, except this time instead of sending a contact, I filed a couple of contacts under a "Lexus" category in the Palm, and selected "Send category". First time? Didn't work... but there is that nice little "Try Again" button. Bingo! All contacts in the "Lexus" category transferred. Make sure to select the category on the Palm first so only those contacts are showing in the list. If you don't, it will just send the whole list.
I don't know if this process will work with the other Bluetooth Palm devices (Zire, etc), but it's worth a shot. I haven't setup any one touch dialing, or dialed any of the contacts from the car yet, so I still may be in for a Big Disappointment, but it looks good so far!
No warranties expressed or implied. Your mileage may vary. Action figures sold separately. Discontinue if rash occurs.
:shades:
It may seem awkward at first (to open the panel and reset the meter), but after awhile I think you'll get used to the process and be able to do it without looking at the buttons. It would have been nice for them to have either the reset dial on the dash, or make it part of the touch screen - seems like a strange decision to have it in that little panel.
That being said, while I don't particularly care for it, it seems like a petty reason not to get a car
That being said, while I don't particularly care for it, it seems like a petty reason not to get a car
Actually ergonomics are a major consideraion for a lot of people. A car's controls (especially those used often) are a big deal that should enter into the decision. :shades:
But talking about turn signals, if they could arrange to keep you from turning the steering wheel without signaling when turning corners and changing lanes, but still allow you to follow curves without signaling, then that’s a safety feature I could wholeheartedly endorse!
I think the drive on the BMW is awful....you need to go the gym and lift weights in order to turn the BMW steering wheel
But to me, the fun to drive factor is first, second and third priority, which is why I could not bring myself to get the GS.
Prior to buying the GS300 I had a 2003 BMW 330i. I also drove and considered a 2006 BMW 330i. One of the reasons I did not buy the BMW 330i was I wanted the sport package but did not like the feel /firmness of the sport seats and without the sport seats I could not get the rest or the sport package including the larger sport wheels. I did not like the looks of the non sport BMW330i. Also considered the 2005/06 BMW 530i but to get the options I wanted the cost was too high and I did not like the limited features on the 525i for the money. I bought GS300 over the new BMW 330i based on the smoothness, features, quietness, size and reliability. I prefer these things over the louder "growl" and handling of the 330i. I am now more mature and my "back" appreciates what the GS300 has provided. I am very happy with my decision. The BMW 330i and GS300 to me are two great but quite different cars. If I were a few years younger with a back to match and took fewer long trips I might have chosen the BMW 330i again.
I am 6'4" tall, have the seat all the way back in my GS. I fit in this car better than any other car that I drove. Plus I had another couple in my car and they fit right behind me in the back seat without a problem. The hidden controls are not a problem for me as well. I like to reset my odometer all of the time, and simply press a button to lower the hidden control panel, press a button and push it back up.
This is a great automobile. My only issue is with the type and placement of the XM. I refuse to get an ugly box mounted to a side of my trunk. You can thank some idiot out there for the Navigation not working while driving and the phone. I'm sure someone had a wreck and blamed it on that feature. It just takes one person to screw things up for the rest of us.
Good luck
Why the extreme tire wear?