JimB

I can't find any recent (post-'98) reviews of the GS series in any of the popular rags? All I seem to see are IS300 reviews/comparos. And not a single lexus is on the nomination list (about 30-40 cars, including Mercedes, BMW, Infinit, Jag, Honds, Toyota, etc.) for Car&Driver's Top Ten Cars list. Hmm?

INHOCJP

Jim:

There have been a number of reviews in the past. But since the GS has been around for 6 years or so, magazines just don't include it in many recent cpmparison tests. Out with the old, and in with the new. If I looked through my piles of Car and Driver and Motor Trend, I'm sure I could find some articles about the GS. If memory serves me right, the GS won its first C&D comparison, but has since placed second or third in later tests (the BMW winning). With the introduction of the new E-Class and the upcoming 5 series, I wouldn't expect any more high finishes until the GS is redesigned.

Regarding the C&D top ten, remember that the GS was on the list for three straight years.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yeah it kinda makes sense. the gs has been OLD if yout put it that way. it's been in its 6th yr, and pretty much there is nothing new about the car except some little stuff. so it won't generate as many interest as when it first came out

APLUS

I have a copy of car and Driver where they did the top seven luxo sedan shoot out when the new Q came out. Contenders where
1. E-Class
2. 540I
3. Audi A6
4. Cadailac Deville (explain later why this was included)
5. Jag S-type 4.0
6. Infiniti Q45
7. GS430

The Lexus finished second behind the BMW.

The Caddy Deville was included (some might asked ....Why not the STS?) because it is not Cadailacs top of the line car. The STS is. They (Car and Driver) had previously tested a STS against a S-Class, Audi A8, Jag VDP XJ8, (another) Infiniti Q45, and LS430 for Lux appeal and sheer power. Forgot who won. No BMW in this one I believe they wanted to wait until the 745IL came out to compare it to others.

Trust me when the new GS comes it will grace every car cover from here to Japan. Right now Infiniti coupe, new Z, "03" S-6's and soon to be Mustang are taking all the glory.

I will look for that magazine so you can get the issue NUMBER.

Hameed

I would also like to know the issue number of the C&D magazine for this test.

JimB

I found a comparo at www.caranddriver.com from '98 between a BMW 540, Mercedes E, Cadillac STS, Infiniti Q45 and Lexus GS400. GS 400 came in second, but again, this is an OLD test. My point is that IF the GS is still a comparable car to what's being released today, they should be incluing it in current comparos.

JimB

Here's the comparo from '01 including the GS430. It came in third.

Gojirra99

One should never take any magazines' comparison test rankings seriously anyway, since those guys are invariably heavily biased towards handling, and their opinions almost never come close to reflecting the real world overall ownership experiences one could expect.

dipstick

I believe the latest comparo was September 2001, the one with the GS430. Seems like it was 3rd behind the BMW 540i sport and the Audi A6. At any rate, the GS4 cars tested didn't have the L-Tuned suspension or the 17" wheels. The GS4 fared very well against the 540i, acknowledged by most as the best sport sedan. Put the L-tuned suspension, 17 or 18" wheels and a 6-speed manual or the BMW step-tronic shifter on the GS430, and it would beat the 540i.

alexus

iTrader: (1)

i read review about LS430..

can't wait to read review about brand new GS

LexFather

JimB, I got articles on the GS for days. Last summer, Motor Trend and Car and Driver compared it to the A6, 5, etc etc. Funny, but when the GS first came out, the car was finishing first and second, against the SAME CARS, it now finishes third or higher. No matter, they all love the car and call it a true sport sedan and not a poser.

What R U looking for exactly?SOrry, that list is wrong.
1. 540 (the king still)
2. A6 (great price and 4 wheel drive)
3.GS 430 (with 16" tires, they basically said it would have finished higher with the 17s)
4.Q45 (like an overweight ballerina)
5.E-class(60k are they nuts)
6.Jag S-type (POS)
7.Deville (300hp, FWD boat)

JimB

I would like a detailed article just on the GS300 (I realize mags seem to have a problem doing reviews of the "smaller displacement" car, although I believe smaller displacement versions in all brands sell better than bigger displacement versions, but car mag readers are usually "enthusiasts" who would tend to buy the bigger displacement car) from '01 through '03. Basically a review of a "new" GS300. I realize they are much the same over the years, but Lexus, as do all car makers, does make small changes that I'd like to know about

There was a "Bimmer Beater" comparison review in Car & Driver in Oct. '02 of sport sedans "with base prices ranging from $27,645 to $40,644 and with engines producing from 215 to 270 horses", were the Lexus GS300 was conspicuously absent Of the entries, they chose a PASSAT(!) over a Lexus GS300 to attempt to beat BMW?!

ceoart

I believe it is because Lexus never gives any advance information about new cars like the GS to the car magazines. The car companies that give out this information seem to get better reviews etc.

LexFather

JimB, your in luck. I got some old GS articles on the GS 300. Here is from my memory.

1st out of about 7 cars in car and driver
a 3 way vs the 528 and Lincoln LS (they did not pick a winner)
3rd out of like 8 cars in Car and Driver (about 2 years after the 1st article)

I'll try to scan them for you. Honestly ya'll, Lexus gets GREAT reviews from the mags always finishing in the top 3, I swear for about 3 years they were 1st every time. The only time they really lose is sport comparos, and that is okay.

KILLERGS4

I think the C&D comparo is wack, because in the editor's rating, the GS received a rating of "8" in value where BMW received a "9" when the 540 cost 4 grand more than the GS. This makes no sense. And the GS430 got 5.9 0-60 while the 540 got 5.7. Why didn't Lexus send them a L-tuned version since ML sent a 63 grand AMG sport packaged E430. This makes no sense.