gveng

i'm looking for a DD and i can't decide between the two. my main concern is MPG. i'm looking for any pro's and con's about either.

for me, i like the ES interior a little more because of the woodgrain, but i def. like the GS lowered on some clean wheels. haven't really seen any clean ES330's.

thoughts? any help is greatly appreciated!!

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Well if MPG is your main concern, then the ES would be better in that department. Both are comfortable and reliable, and fit and finish is excellent. The ES will be a big more dull in the handling department as it is FWD to the GS's sporty RWD. Both are also roomy which is a big plus. My own personal preferences make me pick the GS between the two. I've driven plenty of both, and where I'm at in life I still love sport/luxury. I'd say go and test drive both and see which you prefer.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

It really depends on your priority. I drive both all the time, except mine is an older GS400. The 300s are not known for its gas mileage at all. The ES is quicker than the GS300, gets better fuel economy, has a much larger trunk, rides more comfortable, and a nicer looking interior (to me). The interior quality (material) is better in the GS. The leather feels nicer, and the wood trim is real where as the ES is questionable. The ES does have some neat features like vented and heated seats in multiple steps where as the GS has optional heated seats that operates in an on-off fashion. The backseat feels roomier in the ES than the GS. Then again, the GS rear space is not the car's strong point.

Fizzboy7

The ES330's interior is one of the best all-time interiors ever. I'd take it just for this, but only with a wood steering wheel.

lamar411

I'd go with ES because of the interior and the pretty decent mileage.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

Consider a GS430. In my opinion it is leaps better than the GS300. It doesn't sound like you're after turbo mods or big horsepower so just get a GS430. It's far better than both the ES and GS300. I could swear my GS430 gets better gas mileage than my 2001 ES300 or 97 SC300.

werewolf

Mpg --> es

gveng

thanks guys!! i have already test drove both. i like the ES interior a lot. i just didn't understand the difference between the GS vs. ES. i would like to stay away from a v8 since i currently have an esclade, lol... this is why i'm in the market for a DD that gets decent MPG, and no i won't drive a prius.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Will you be driving mostly local roads or the highway?

pbm317

You test drove both and you didn't feel the difference between the two?

ES is a FWD entry level car, GS is a RWD performance oriented mid luxury car. If the difference isn't apparent I'd say you're better off with the ES. Especially since MPG is also one of your objectives.

gveng

i'd say 50/50

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The only reason why I ask is because the GS430 may be a good option even though you're not looking for one. The EPA rating for both GS300 and GS430 in the city is the same at 18mpg. The GS300 beats the GS430 on the highway by 2 mpg (25 vs 23), but in the real world, they are essentially the same. My GS400 gets the same fuel economy as the GS300 that I took on a long trip a while ago. The V8 has has to rev less on the highway which makes up for the extra cylinders it has to fire.

ekc

iTrader: (6)

If your main concern is fuel economy you're probably also looking at fuel costs, which would make the ES more appealing since it only needs regular gas, while the GS requires premium.

The ES is listed at 21 city / 29 hwy, and the GS is listed at 18/25.

That being said, the GS does look sportier and cleaner when lowered with some nice wheels.

gveng

is that true? ES uses 87?