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Comments
Thanks for the note comparing the new GS with the old. Since you're one of the few to own both, your comparisons are valuable. I drove an AWD GS and then a few weeks later drove a RWD, and the RWD didn't seem to corner quite as flat as the AWD. Might have been my imagination. The suspension is the same on both. The AWD did have run-flat tires; don't know whether this could have made any difference.
Some people claim that the interior of the '06 looks cheaper than the earlier model, cheaper materials, etc. You don't agree, I assume.
What color did you get and what equipment? I assume you paid sticker or near it.
Thanks again.
The color is Flint Mica and the interior is Ash (light gray leather) with the Black Bird's-Eye Maple wood trim. We REALLY like the look. It is a little more "stark" than the cream colored leather we had in the '03 but both my wife and I are very pleased with the color combination(s).
Thanks for the input about your new 06 GS. I'm driving a 98 GS, which I have really enjoyed, but its time to replace it. I'm working on forgiving Lexus for the inadequate trunk opening by focusing on all of the car's great features. (The trunk in my 98 GS was already smaller than I would have liked).
I think you're exactly right about the interior appearing a little more stark then the cream color interior which I also have, but it was growing on me while test driving and light gray is the color I would choose, also.
I'm glad to hear about the good cornering, also. Having tested several cars in one day, now I can't remember exactly how the turns felt.
I'd be glad to hear any further impressions from you and your wife. I have a couple of weeks to work on my decision before my preferenced car comes in.
Thanks for more impressions of the GS300. The Flint Mica is also the color I'm considering. Very attractive. Let me ask whether you think the interior of the new model has been cheapened compared to the car you traded.
How do you like the rear camera? Is the NAV easy to learn?
I owned the '99 GS, my 4th of 6 Lexus'. In comparing it to the new GS, I noted that the quality of the plastic ('06) on the dash and upper door panels looks cheaper and there is less wood paneling on the doors. I'm also not sure of the aluminum trim on the center dash. That said, it is still evolutionary, a great car with Lexus' fine attention to detail and overall quality.
Over the last twenty years I have owned V-8 BMWs, Mercedes's, Saabs, Infinitis,and one lexus 470 suv.
I will tell you this, the Infiniti M35/45 is the only car I have been excited about in years. The new offerings from Daimler, BMW, Lexus and others leave me cold. (except perhaps the Scion Xb and the new mini)
Re the interior finish/color, we really like it. Although it's less "warm" than the tan/brown combination in our '03, we prefer the slightly more "severe" black/gray in this one. It wears well, too. Our Mercedes 32 AMG has a similar color combo and we've enjoyed it for 3 years without getting bored or tired of it in any way. Absolutely LOVE the Black, Bird's-Eye, Maple Wood trim. It's just great with the Ash seats and the black dash/console. A smashing combination!
Thanks
Re the mirrors, why would you want them folded when stopping? Just curious. In reading the manual about that feature I thought to myself, "Now that's something we'll never use."
Congratulations on your purchase. Enjoy!
Can you elaborate? I'm deciding between the GS300 and the new 330i. I'm disappointed that Lexus didn't put the 3.5L engine in this year and wondering what effect that might have on resale in the future. Plus it is underpowered compared to the competiton, as has been repeated time and again on this board.
Yet, to me, silence is golden, and there's no silence like a Lexus. The BMW is tempting, because of sheer driving pleasure, but repairs down the line are concerns, plus it lacks the creature comforts that I crave at this advanced age. What were your thoughts--and your experience with your BMWs?
"The amount of electronic meddling is astonishing..."
I completely disagree. In my opinion the GS interior is far nicer than the M's and has a much better layout. The M's orange lighting in particular has got to go. And don't get me started on the tacky "Infiniti" embroidered in the seats. You may like the M interior and that may be your opinion, but you can't say it is the industry standard. Not only is the Lexus interior nicer, but so is the Audi A6.
Just as your post represents your opinion.
1. Where I live, BMW's and Mercedes are as common as Chevy's. Therefore the dealerships are overcrowded and the service is flat out poor.
The Lexus dealer and their service is spectacular.
2. I had far too many problems with BMW and Mercedes.
Not a single issue in over four years with my Lexus. The car still looks and runs like it did when I first bought it.
3. The BMW drive is definitely "fun," but driving in my Lexus an hour-and-a-half a day is the most pleasant driving I've experienced. It's quiet, so there are no issues with the fatigue associated with road noise. The quiet cabin is also a perfect place to listen to the Levinson sound system which is hard to beat, even after spending thousands on custom stereo work.
4. I just changed brakes for the first time in 50k miles. Now that BMW pays for brakes (at least they were a couple of years ago) this may not be an issue, but when I had my cars I was paying a pretty penny far too often for brakes.
5. In 1998, getting BMW or Mercedes to deal was impossible. I'm not sure what it's like now, but for me these two brands are far from deserving a price premium any more.
1. GS brakes are some hi tech electronic thing, but are too grabby, can't be well modulated, takes a full car length longer to stop than M from 60 mph.
2. MT feels that GS stability constrols don't let you play with the car, unlike M. This is also the point made by James Healey of usatoday. I think the quote is 'somewhere deep inside GS lies a great car.' That's the quote from a GS only article, just prior to the comparo.
3. Despite being 160 lbs heavier, M outaccelerates GS at every distance, is faster in slalom, but only fractionally. I'm surprised that future 4.6L of GS only makes 315 hp, still 20 shy of M's 4.5.
4. MT says that in every driving category (body control, brakes, steering) M outshines GS. They also note M feels smaller, eventhough it's actually bigger than GS.
I hope they do a M45 vs 545i, that'll be for the champion of the luxury world.
I have looked at the Infiniti M35 & M45, test drove them, etc. I also have looked at the Lexus GS300 and test drove it also. In the New Orleans area all 3 of these models are doing very well and the dealerships I have visited have a hard time showing me certain models as they can't keep them in the showroom. I called my salesman at the Infiniti dealer today and he told me he just got a Black M35 with the Nav pak etc. and it sold within minutes of getting off the truck. I also called my salesman at the Lexus dealer today and he reported that the two GS300's I test drove were both sold and that was within the last 2 weeks. One of the cars the owner of the dealership was driving and it was a GS300 starter so to speak. I hope I answered your questions.
Driving a BMW is obviously fun, but being a passenger isn't anything special. Rode in the back seat of my brother's 325i last week on a 2-hour drive, and it was noisy, bouncy, and unexceptional. Blindfolded, you'd never know you were riding in a BMW. Could have been a Mazda or other small Japanese car.
This is no joke - almost everyone who rides in my Lexus comments on how comfortable it is. When I take the work crew out to lunch, I frequently have people joke that they'd like to stay in the car and sleep.
The GS430 is a nice car overall in typical Lexus fashion. It has muted responses and is quiet and comforting. The interior is nicely finished and it is easy to see that the car is well made. The car is pleasant looking inside and out. Possibly, the perfect car for the semi to non-enthusiast. The major problem that I have with the new GS is that it does not provide the driver any feedback what so ever. The car is too quiet and lacks road feel. You can’t hear what the engine is doing and you can't feel what the road is doing, by the response of the steering wheel. The brakes are touchy and the throttle isn’t very responsive. Overall, there is just way too much electronic interference between the driver and the car. Some people may like that, but as a BMW owner I despise it. BMW is in fact starting to go in this wrong direction as well. Mercedes has unfortunately already gone this route.
On the other hand, the M45 Sport was a true surprise. I have never really considered them as a brand before, but ever since the G35 debuted, Infiniti has been on my radar. The M45 Sport is a keen and responsive car to drive. You can hear the engine and feel the road through the steering wheel, much like what you would find in a BMW. But the great thing about the M is its different personalities. If you take it on the highway and it is almost as quiet as the GS, but when you step on the accelerator, you can feel that the car wants to run hard and fast. It is great to be able to test the limits of this car, because stability control can be turned off, which is a blessing unlike the GS. Also, I felt that the interior is just as nice as the GS. In fact, I think that the M has more style and is less bland than the GS. I am one of those few people who likes iDrive, so I like the way that the M's HMI controller works. I don't like touchscreens, which the GS has, because they get dirty and greasy looking quickly. I like cars with personality, and the M has plenty of it. The fact that it looks great on the outside doesn’t hurt.
I basically came to the conclusion that the M speaks to you and the GS doesn’t so much. The GS is a great car to get from point A to point B, but it doesn’t give you anything in return. It is just well thought-out transportation. The M can get you from point A to point B in the same fashion, but it will speak back to you and give you something to smile about. It can be fast and agile or quiet and serene. You can get the best of both worlds in my opinion.
M
M
Where did you get this information? I have never seen any power ratings for the 4.6.
My choices were the M35 Sport, the Acura RL & the GS300. Liked all 3. Bought the GS. It's the 3rd Lexus we've owned and if it is as good as the first 2, it'll be yet another winner. i.e. Solid, smooth, comfortable, problem-free, great dealer support, easy to live with, and an very adequate perfomer (power and handling-wise). In our opinions, the new 2006 is by far the best looking one we've owned ('90 LS, '03 GS & '06 GS). In truth, however, had we been able to get the same deal trading our '03 GS, for a comparably equipped/stickered M Sport, we'd have bought the M. It's faster, sportier and roomier. We also thought the interior of the Sport M was just as attractive as the GS's. Our only concern was, will the Infinity's "overall" performance/reliability/dealer service levels live up to those we've enjoyed from Lexus. We were afraid not but, still, would have taken a chance and given the M the nod. Our problem was that the lowest cost to trade for the Infinity (3 dealers in the greater Dallas area) was still over $2.5K higher than from Lexus. That made our decision pretty easy. We've owned the new GS for about 10 days and, so far, love it. Lots of ooo's and ahhh's from friends, neighbors and (even) strangers. And, as always, a Lexus is it seems still, well . . . . A LEXUS!
Hope this helps rather than further, "confusing"!
1. skimpy opening of the sunroof
2. incredibly narrow trunk opening-no golf clubs for this car!
3. I couldn't get comfortable with my left leg-it was leaning against the door.
4. I got to drive the M35 and M45 sport yesterday.
Worth a look.