JoeJ

How does Lexus GS compare to other sporty luxury cars (such as Mercedes, BMW, and Jaguar)? What are the GS's advantages and disadvantages over those makes?

Lexus has been ranked #1 in reliability for many years, according to Consumer Reports. I wonder why anyone would buy any other car instead of a Lexus. The Lexus GS is similar in price to the BMW 3-series (a tiny cramped car in which I would feel unsafe in the event of an accident), yet seems to be similar in size and luxury feel as the more expensive 5-series. Hence, the Lexus GS seems to be a great value.

Those are just my observations. I am no car expert. I can't even drive stick-shift.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Your observations are dead on, and then add greater reliability, cheaper repair costs, and IMO overall better built quality and you get a great value.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The GS being a "sporty" luxury car controversial. There is nothing about the GS that indicate it being "sporty", except lexus' marketing. If having RWD and V8 is what makes it sporty, then I guess a Mercury Grand Marquis is a sporty luxury car With that being said, if you want the sportiness, you're better off with a BMW 5-series. If you want a luxury cruiser, the GS is great.

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Och

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GS not sporty? Drive an LS and then tell me the GS isnt sporty And I wouldn't compare GS to a Grand Marquis, even the LS is sportier than Grand Marquis. IMO the GS is just right about on par with 5 series - they are both "sporty" pigs.

GSteg

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which is why this is controversal.
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Och

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Well, the way I see it - if you want sporty, get an S2000. If you want luxury - get LS430. You can get a GS430 if you can't afford the LS

sbgs400

my opinion will probably be controversial on this board....but imho the only thing sporty about the gs400 is that it's got pretty good acceleration below 80mph and decent brakes. above 80mph the acceleration is not that great. handling is not that good, too much body roll/flex and understeer. nevertheless i still like my gs4.

Och

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I don't know, mine pulls to 120 with ease... cant complain at all.

sbgs400

oh it'll get to 120 just fine, it's just not fast getting there. consider this, the 0-60 time for the gs400 is in the mid 5s, that's pretty quick, but the 0-100 time is over 15 sec, that is not what i consider sporty performance. of course i'm probably biased because i've owned several sports cars that were considerably quicker.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Thats' what I've noticed too. while it's damn quick, the top end isn't as great. The V8 seems to be mostly about midrange power. I believe the IS350 has more top end power than the GS' V8.

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Alexusoftime

I dont think sporty always has to refer to the engine, I think its all about the handling and out of the box the bmw 5series has better handling then the gs, I think ever1 would agree on that. Driving it like a sport car doesnt mean gunning on a straight away. If it is might as well called it a muscle car.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

BMW sets the bar for luxury sports sedans (out of the box hands down). Lexus needs a lot of work in the suspension and weight distribution department to meet or exceed BMW.

skeet94

Weight Distribution is supposed to be as good as a 5 series, it's just the fact that the GS has a very soft suspension from factory, with ALOT of body roll and lack of feedback.

Then again you can also go and buy a GS cheaper than the equivalent 5 series, have better reliability and money you save can be used towards coilovers and braces and it'll out maneouvre a 5 series for the same money .

Although technically not a apples to apples comparison, price-wise it definitely is with the above mods!! Not to mention stick some nice wheels on the GS and a nice drop is all it needs to look drop dead gorgeous!! If only Lexus had done these mods from the factory or given it as a Extreme Sport Tuned version it definitely would've stolen sales from BMW. The best of both worlds - reliability of Lexus/Toyota with the Handling/Feel of a BMW.

Och

iTrader: (3)

15 seconds??? no freaking way, should be much quicker than that. Doesnt it go 1/4 mile in mid 14s at over 100 mph?

chuckb

I'm a bit confused by this statement unless you're talking about a 300. my 430 is beast on the interstate! from 80 to 130 takes little time and effort.