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They should make these tires a no-charge option.
I'd rather have regular tires that last 50K miles
Besides, changing engines is nothing new. Mercedes has already upgraded the E-Class from an E320 to an E350. The new BMW 5 Series (and 7 Series) just went from a 545i to a 550i. Even the current Lexus ES 330 changed from an ES 300 in only its third year.
From a marketing standpoint it makes perfect sense. When a car is new demand is high. If you don't make changes demand will drop fast. Changes, especially engine upgrades, keep cars fresh and competitive. Besides, I think it was no secret the GS 300 would not be around for long. But, don't forget, the engine change is still a full year away. With manufacturers changing engines all the time I think it has very little effect on resale value.
Also, the 2007 GS should get the 5th generation navigation system that's in the new IS250/350. The new IS is the first Lexus with their 5th generation navigation system which has a higher resolution screen. All of these things are probably going to keep me from getting the 2006 GS300.
This article says 2008: http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0505_lexus/index2.html
Question: Do you p-off the 25k buyers of a GS300 and bring out the more competitive GS350 next fall, or do you protect the relatively small crowd around the GS and wait an agonizing two years before actually catching up to the market's power expectations?
My thing is this whole "Passionate Pursuit" stuff, and mentioning BMW in press conferences and releases.
Not that Lexus needs more sales, but I, being "Passionate", would release the GS350 next year, and avoid the GS-cycle of 18 hot months followed by 3.5 years of frostbite. I'd like to think Lexus has learned something by now with this "Performance-Luxury sedan". :confuse:
You may burn the ones who bought early, but may be rewarded by the ones who waited. With the quality issues of the E, the controversial 5 styling, and the heavy-handed style and lack of cache of the M, this class can be gained on, with due dilligence.
The impending success of the IS350 may force Lexus' hand. Lexus wants to sell higher priced, $47k GS vehicles a little more than $37k IS350.
In their own way, they are playing a hand against themselves, so losing is more difficult.
Hopefully, the IS350 will be as huge a hit as I think it will be, and Lexus will suddenly realize that aggression is the better part of valor, and the GS will quickly benefit.
Prediction: The IS350 will score big, and the GS350 will move up to Spring 2007, hedging Lexus' bet.
DrFill
You seem sure that the GS350 will be out next fall. Have you heard or read something to that effect, or is that just your gut feeling? Others say it won't be out until fall '07, as an '08 model.
As I said, the engine is obviously ready now since it has been put in the new Avalon and new IS 350. Plus, it is already in the GS in Japan (check out www.lexus.jp). But one dealer rep told me that if the GS 350 were out with 300 hp, the GS 430 becomes meaningless since it also has 300 hp. So, Lexus is waiting until the new 4.6 V8 is available next year. Then, for 2007, the GS 300 will become the GS 350 and the GS 430 will become the GS 460.
BMW keeps the 525 around, right? They have had it for years, and has sold strong, right behind the 530. It is much more powerful than the 525, and even the 530.
While having 4 engines in one line may SEEM excessive, Mercedes has the E55/65, plus offer a Touring model, and BME has the 525, 530, 550, and M5.
Most GS buyers aren't power-hungry enthusiast, as this car in reality is a Lexus in a dressy wet suit. If 2000-2500 people a month are buying it, it must be good enough.
Lexus hasn't embraced the enthusiast, and probably never will. Dropping the 300 just because the 350 is available is wasteful.
And, I would like to add, this engine would be a nice addition to the IS line, replacing the 2.5 in 2007. That's assuming they can mate a MT to it.
But I'm not expecting Lexus to add fun to their portfolio anytime soon. Power without control? Fascinating! :confuse:
DrFill
How does having a 100HP chasm between models make any sense?
I would keep the 3.0 in the GS, that is selling very well BTW, and put it into the IS as a base engine for 2008, replacing the underpowered 2.5.
As I already stated, the 525 and 530 sell about the same amount, and the 3.0 is more powerful than either, so there is a market for this engine.
Put it in the RX. It's more powerful than the 3.3.
As the IS and ES creep slowly upmarket (good idea), use this engine as a bridge to the GS350. Not everyone, particularly the "Lexus buyer" wants or needs 275HP, or will have that be a factor in their purchase.
All I'm saying is a 245HP engine works nicely into the Lexus portfolio at this time, and for the forseeable future. Lexus isn't going to chase Infiniti/BMW for HP honors. And buyers seem to like the engine.
DrFill
Anyway, I'd like to get your guys' opinion on whether that's a big deal or not. Neither of us have driven a car that had BT build in, so I don't know if it's a useful thing, just a gimick, or what. I'm just curious, for those of you who have a BT phone, do you acutally use it handsfree in the car, or do you find yourself picking up the phone instead?
Thanks!
Aaron
Well, I took the car for service and they told me that it might be the V-Kool tints that I put throughout the entire car. These tints tend to block a lot more heat then normal tints and its like triple the price, but worth every penny. I have a clear tint in the front and they are telling me that its because of the silver components that these tints have that are causing the out of tune calibration of the navigation system....I told them that it couldn't be because I have had the tints for more that a month and this problem had risen a couple of weeks after the installment of the tints....
Anyone with a similar case please respond to see what should I do...I really dont want to take the front tint of b/c I live in Miami and it gets pretty hot here....besides I have black interior which tend to get a few degrees hotter then lighter interiors....These tints also help preserve the car's interior...
1. If someone calls me on the other line and I do not want to pick that phonecall...you are basically screwed...when the other lines stops ringing...its drops your call. This is a huge inconvinience.
2. If you do not have someone in your car's phonebook and you dial from the cellphone (since the car has the safety feature that doesn't allow you to dial while the car is in motion, you tend to dial a lot more often from your phone then your car) it takes like 5 seconds for you to hear the other person at the end of the line. What you dont know is that that person has already said hello like 4 times....sometimes they would hang up the phone even before you ever get to hear them yelling hello. In other words, the transferance of bluetooth signal to voice from your cellphone lags for 10 seconds. You dont even get to here the phone ring on the other end. Unless if you dial from your car, which doesn't lag.
3. When you recieve a call, the navigation screen has a caller ID feature....sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't...so you are contantly looking at your physical phone to see if you want to take the call.
4. It doesn't have the voice recognition feature to dial someone...Example: I want to call John, but I dont want to scroll over my phonebook so I create a Voice Recognition Command on my cellphone to just press a botton and say John's name. My phone automatically looks up John and Dials it. This car doesn't have this feature...
5. I had to transfer my phonebook one by one to the cars phonebook!!!!
But overall, the system is great....If they would update the software it would be phenomenal. If I missed any or if there is any solution for any of the Bluetooth mishaps...feel free to add them.... I would rate the Cellphone feature as a 8.5 out of 10... In comparison to the other cars such as the Audi A6, Merc E-class, BMW 5 series, etc they all have there mishaps...
The new IS might have 305, but its just .2 seconds quicker then the 430..After 60 mph...the 430's V-8 will out perform it.....Also, understand that the IS is a lot smaller in size and a lot lighter...its the same as comparing the 3 series with the 5 series.
Now for the avalon, those 280 horses doesnt compare close to the 300 for the gs430...When it comes to engineering, try to understand that transimission set up, mechanical material components for lighter, durable and more heat efficient parts play a huge part for a cars performance, amongst other things....The Drivability of an avalon to either GS's doesnt even compare. GS has stiffer everything, better and bigger brake system, better comfort, better everything. In comparison to the GS 300...the avalon is .2 seconds faster 0-60. Not that impressive when it has 500cc and and 35 more horses. They want the avalon to have more power so they would boost their sales. Avalon's have never sold that well in the states.
In the end, either GS are worth getting...but if you want more performance out of these GS, then u are going to have to wait a couple of years to get it. Now, the Infiniti is the new competitor for lexus, but in the end...Toyota have always delievered dependable cars that dont depreciate as quickly as many other cars. The infiniti and lexus rivalry is another story for me.....let me know if you wanna hear about it. Good Luck
Here's some news you can use: go to lexus.letstalk.com and enter your zip code under the GS, and it will list all the compatible Bluetooth phones. How cool is that?
The December to Remember wait would be a crap shoot. Lexus is intentionally vague, so you don't know what cars will be available at what rates. I might gamble it, however. The longer you wait after the car's introduction, presumably the better price you can get. At its launch it was selling for sticker. A lot of the action at Lexus now will be with the new IS. Also, it won't be long after the new year that the GS450h will debut, so possibly in December they'll try to push the GS300. My own guess is that you wouldn't pay more in December than you would now (aside from the small interest rate hike), but you might do a lot better.
Also-I purposefully waited until the IS came out knowing that would take away some of the buzz surrounding the GS hopefully resulting in a better negotiation process. At any rate, I think you are right-I will wait until after Thanksgviing to see what "December to Remember"has to offer. Thanks!
Like what? The interior is appointed very well, a class leader IMO.
The car accelerated too slowly... felt slower than a V6 Accord auto. The handling was too-overboosted and feedback was lacking.
The design of the interior is average... pretty generic. I like the white electro gauges though. Don't like the "flip console". Takes three steps to open gas door or trunk. 1) Open console, 2) Push button, 3) Close console. I'm too lazy.
Interior materials were very good, except the fake rectangular aluminum plastic in the center was tacky and cheap-feeling. Loved the feel and shape of the front seats.
Interior room was smaller than expected, and front headroom absolutely sucked.
The trunk opening is embarrasingly small. What were they thinking?
The standard audio system was disappointing. Maybe something was wrong with the model I drove, but the speakers cracked under some bass from a FM station. So much so that the salesman had to turn the volume down, and it wasn't that high to begin with.
Love the side profile, rear end is acceptable, hate the front end design. The front end of the IS is leagues better.
Well, there you have it.
Turns out, I waited for the morning sun and settled on the Flint Mica. Absolutely no regrets.
JROCK65's concern of slow acceleration is almost true, I noticed that after 800miles the accelerated quicker and was more responsive. A more noticeable difference in power came about 200 miles after my first service and oil change especially using the POWER/ECT button - maybe he did have it switched on? I my initial thought was that the POWER/ECT button was a just a "make you feel good" function, but there is a considerable difference. The car is a fun car to drive, yes there are some minor nuances (i.e. hidden controls and vibration noise from the interior trim when the radio is loud, Bluetooth lock down etc..) but you adjust to the design. I am starting to believe that the German cars are the pioneers of the latest and greatest auto technology, but the Japanese (Lexus/infiniti) perfect it.
Not saying the GS300 AWD is lacking, just that I could beat its downhill times, safely, with any RWD GS300 vehicle in the same conditions.