Hello everyone! New GS300SD Owner
09-28-03 | 02:44 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,664
Likes: 18
From: TX
Hello everyone! New GS300SD Owner
Just traded in my SC430 for an '03 GS300 Sportdesign. This car is great!
In case you're wondering why, here goes...
Even though the SC is an amazing car with a great V-8, the handling/ride just aren't up to par with the rest of the car. And even though the V-8 is fast, the transmission is pretty slow. In short, the car is really long on luxury and short on sport. I consider myself a pretty decent driver and I never felt totally in control. Consequently, I decided to move on to something a little sportier.
I had already put a deposit down on an Infiniti G35 Coupe to arrive in Nov., but I still wasn't sure I wanted to sacrifice Lex luxury for pure performance. The G35 is a GREAT car, but it just doesn't have all the goodies a Lexus does. (Yes, 1SICK, I couldn't give up the Lex interior!) I had been interested in the GS300 Sportdesign for a while but had written it off because I didn't think it would be a much better handler than the SC. Boy, was I wrong! Compared to the SC, this is a slot car. It feels firmly planted on the road and the steering is tight. I owned an '01 GS300 but never remember it driving like this. The Euro-tuned suspension really does make a difference.
Well, anyway... I bought the last '03 Black/Saddle on the lot. Lexus offered me much more on my SC than Infiniti and they knocked $5,000 off the sticker on the GS! I couldn't say no.
Long story short... the GS was my choice out of lots of great rides out there. You guys (and gals) own a great car and I'm looking forward to lots of time discussing it with you in the GS forum!
DSeag2
In case you're wondering why, here goes...
Even though the SC is an amazing car with a great V-8, the handling/ride just aren't up to par with the rest of the car. And even though the V-8 is fast, the transmission is pretty slow. In short, the car is really long on luxury and short on sport. I consider myself a pretty decent driver and I never felt totally in control. Consequently, I decided to move on to something a little sportier.
I had already put a deposit down on an Infiniti G35 Coupe to arrive in Nov., but I still wasn't sure I wanted to sacrifice Lex luxury for pure performance. The G35 is a GREAT car, but it just doesn't have all the goodies a Lexus does. (Yes, 1SICK, I couldn't give up the Lex interior!) I had been interested in the GS300 Sportdesign for a while but had written it off because I didn't think it would be a much better handler than the SC. Boy, was I wrong! Compared to the SC, this is a slot car. It feels firmly planted on the road and the steering is tight. I owned an '01 GS300 but never remember it driving like this. The Euro-tuned suspension really does make a difference.
Well, anyway... I bought the last '03 Black/Saddle on the lot. Lexus offered me much more on my SC than Infiniti and they knocked $5,000 off the sticker on the GS! I couldn't say no.
Long story short... the GS was my choice out of lots of great rides out there. You guys (and gals) own a great car and I'm looking forward to lots of time discussing it with you in the GS forum!
DSeag2
09-28-03 | 03:08 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 3
From: Ohio, USA
Great choice, glad to see you're staying with a Lexus 
Black with saddle is my first choice of color combination 
. You should have some fun with the sport tuned suspension and the E-shift on the GS.:
Black with saddle is my first choice of color combination . You should have some fun with the sport tuned suspension and the E-shift on the GS.:
Congrats!
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09-29-03 | 04:57 AM
#9
EV ftw!!!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 8,594
Likes: 324
From: Lake Ontario
Congrats on the GS purchase!!! The GS design is a timeless classic IMO. 
Stupid question: what's the difference between an SD GS and a regular GS other than some cosmetic stuff like different wheels and different colored wood in the interior? Does it have the L-tuned springs/shocks?
Stupid question: what's the difference between an SD GS and a regular GS other than some cosmetic stuff like different wheels and different colored wood in the interior? Does it have the L-tuned springs/shocks?
09-29-03 | 05:13 AM
#10
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,664
Likes: 18
From: TX
The SD has Euro-tuned suspension and steering. I'm assuming that's pretty similar to L-tuned. It's definitely tighter than the stock GS I had back in '01. Other than that, it's purely cosmetic.
I agree... the design is timeless. It should hold up pretty well, similar to the first gen SC. I can't imagine what they're going to do to improve on this car (other than a few extra HP), but I'm sure the next gen will be killer.
I agree... the design is timeless. It should hold up pretty well, similar to the first gen SC. I can't imagine what they're going to do to improve on this car (other than a few extra HP), but I'm sure the next gen will be killer.
09-30-03 | 08:31 AM
#13
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 16
From: CA
Welcome, fellow SD owner!
For those who would like to know more about the SD model, the euro-tuned suspension is actually L-Tuned (KYB) shocks/??? Springs (could not find out what they are). Here is a list of other items specific to the '03 SD package (they are not offering this package for '04 models):
+ Titanium-tinted Headlamps
+ HID
+ Heated seats
+ Exterior Color (only: Black, White, or Charcoal)
+ Interior (Black or Saddle perforated leather with piping)
+ Exterior SD badging
+ Interior badging (inlaid SD on ashtray, door sills)
+ Polished 6-spoke rims (16") w/ full spare & wheel locks
+ Rear lip spoiler
+ Burled walnut wood trim w/ steering wheel ('02 SD had Black wood w/ leather perforated steering wheel)
...that is all I can think of for the '03 model. The '02 is the same setup except without HID, Titanium-tinted HL, Saddle leather option, different design badging, wood steering wheel, and rear lip spoiler. It did come in an extra color Millenium Silver with the green-tinted HL and black wood though.
For the price of this package versus others, it is probably the best bang-for-the-buck option available!
For those who would like to know more about the SD model, the euro-tuned suspension is actually L-Tuned (KYB) shocks/??? Springs (could not find out what they are). Here is a list of other items specific to the '03 SD package (they are not offering this package for '04 models):
+ Titanium-tinted Headlamps
+ HID
+ Heated seats
+ Exterior Color (only: Black, White, or Charcoal)
+ Interior (Black or Saddle perforated leather with piping)
+ Exterior SD badging
+ Interior badging (inlaid SD on ashtray, door sills)
+ Polished 6-spoke rims (16") w/ full spare & wheel locks
+ Rear lip spoiler
+ Burled walnut wood trim w/ steering wheel ('02 SD had Black wood w/ leather perforated steering wheel)
...that is all I can think of for the '03 model. The '02 is the same setup except without HID, Titanium-tinted HL, Saddle leather option, different design badging, wood steering wheel, and rear lip spoiler. It did come in an extra color Millenium Silver with the green-tinted HL and black wood though.
For the price of this package versus others, it is probably the best bang-for-the-buck option available!
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