My new Starfire Pearl GS 450h
08-28-07 | 06:37 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
My new Starfire Pearl GS 450h
Had to buy it out in California to get the active vehicle stabilizer option (other options -- pre-collision radar, XM, nav, lexus link, levinson, etc.). I just love the way this car handles, and I honestly don't miss my Corvette C6 (my only regret is that the GS doesn't have the Vette's heads-up display). Here is a pic taken at our home -- the car doesn't yet have the painted brake calipers, but I have purchased the G2 paint (black) and it won't be long....
08-28-07 | 06:42 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Second pic
I've only figured out how to attach one picture at a time. Here's one that's a bit closer-up.
I might add that the California dealer sold me the car so much more cheaply that even after shipping and all the options the car was much cheaper than the non-stabilizer, non-radar car available hereabouts.
I might add that the California dealer sold me the car so much more cheaply that even after shipping and all the options the car was much cheaper than the non-stabilizer, non-radar car available hereabouts.
08-28-07 | 07:22 AM
#5
EV ftw!!!
Congrats on the new car and welcome to ClubLexus! 
Car looks great! How is the handling with those Active Stablizers? Have you driven a 450h without the active stablizers? How does it compare? Big difference, just a gimmick?
Car looks great! How is the handling with those Active Stablizers? Have you driven a 450h without the active stablizers? How does it compare? Big difference, just a gimmick?
Trending Topics
08-28-07 | 08:11 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
I did drive a car (demo from a local MD dealer) without the active vehicle stabilizer, but only for about 25 miles, and only about 5 miles on twisty roads. I believe there is a noticeable difference now that I am driving my own car. This seems corroborated by a few car reviews I have read, and also by a long discussion with a Cincinnati car salesman (I scoured the country searching for the perfect car) who had been invited by Lexus to a racetrack to preview the GS 450h. He told me that the car with the stabilizer handled much better in near-extreme situations. My Corvette had the F55 suspension, which is the Vette's most sophisticated suspension and a somewhat primitive version of the active vehicle stabilizer.
The downside, I guess, is that the AVS takes up the spot taken by the mini-spare (thus, I must use run-flats or risk being left high and dry). I don't find the summer run-flats nearly as noisy as I feared I would.
08-28-07 | 08:40 AM
#10
EV ftw!!!
Hameed,
I did drive a car (demo from a local MD dealer) without the active vehicle stabilizer, but only for about 25 miles, and only about 5 miles on twisty roads. I believe there is a noticeable difference now that I am driving my own car. This seems corroborated by a few car reviews I have read, and also by a long discussion with a Cincinnati car salesman (I scoured the country searching for the perfect car) who had been invited by Lexus to a racetrack to preview the GS 450h. He told me that the car with the stabilizer handled much better in near-extreme situations. My Corvette had the F55 suspension, which is the Vette's most sophisticated suspension and a somewhat primitive version of the active vehicle stabilizer.
The downside, I guess, is that the AVS takes up the spot taken by the mini-spare (thus, I must use run-flats or risk being left high and dry). I don't find the summer run-flats nearly as noisy as I feared I would.
I did drive a car (demo from a local MD dealer) without the active vehicle stabilizer, but only for about 25 miles, and only about 5 miles on twisty roads. I believe there is a noticeable difference now that I am driving my own car. This seems corroborated by a few car reviews I have read, and also by a long discussion with a Cincinnati car salesman (I scoured the country searching for the perfect car) who had been invited by Lexus to a racetrack to preview the GS 450h. He told me that the car with the stabilizer handled much better in near-extreme situations. My Corvette had the F55 suspension, which is the Vette's most sophisticated suspension and a somewhat primitive version of the active vehicle stabilizer.
The downside, I guess, is that the AVS takes up the spot taken by the mini-spare (thus, I must use run-flats or risk being left high and dry). I don't find the summer run-flats nearly as noisy as I feared I would.
08-28-07 | 09:30 AM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Colorado
Had to buy it out in California to get the active vehicle stabilizer option (other options -- pre-collision radar, XM, nav, lexus link, levinson, etc.). I just love the way this car handles, and I honestly don't miss my Corvette C6 (my only regret is that the GS doesn't have the Vette's heads-up display). Here is a pic taken at our home -- the car doesn't yet have the painted brake calipers, but I have purchased the G2 paint (black) and it won't be long....
or is that standard with the pre colission radar?...
I don't remember.
Great lookin car. Congrats.
I've considered the new vette (the 08 larger engine one), but I don't think you will miss your C6, you have a great car.
08-28-07 | 09:31 AM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Colorado
WORTH EVERY PENNY.
More stable and flat in corners, and tighter handeling.
perfect for what it claims and it delivers.
08-28-07 | 10:15 AM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: VA
I've only figured out how to attach one picture at a time. Here's one that's a bit closer-up.
I might add that the California dealer sold me the car so much more cheaply that even after shipping and all the options the car was much cheaper than the non-stabilizer, non-radar car available hereabouts.
I might add that the California dealer sold me the car so much more cheaply that even after shipping and all the options the car was much cheaper than the non-stabilizer, non-radar car available hereabouts.
I live in Northern Virginia, and had to buy from New York dealer to get a great deal, which was a couple hundred under invoice.
