Flip, are you coming down to texas for the houston auto show beginnign next friday? Or are you just relying on me to get you guys the scoop and pictures fromt he show? lol


Is anyone else coming down or is in texas goign to it?



From my understanding, Its supposed to be flint mica with light gray interior with birds eye maple trim.. so im looking forward to it.

 

Unfortunately no. I have all the info I need. Especially since Lexus HQ is in our backyard.

 

I was under the impression that AWD was going to be GS300.
when is the GS350 coming out ? any links to it's features and engine specs ?
thnx.

 

Well the GS350 is only going to Japan in August 2005. Performance figures have yet to be released.

 

As was mentioned previously, the GS300 will be available for North American markets in RWD and AWD versions. GS350 will NOT be available for North American Markets at this point.

 

I bet it will be coming eventually however.....a model year or two & have higher power output than the all new Avalon.

 

There is a GS that already has more power output than the Avalon, it's called the GS430.

 

In the spirit of the original question and to try my first post (after lurking for many months) I am strongly looking at the GS300AWD. I might wait for the GS350 (will it be August 2005 or 2 years away) but the 300 fuel economy might be good and "oomph" might still be OK.

Like others, I have over-researched a potential new car for a while. Per the other thread, I have it down to the GS300AWD or the M35 AWD. And just for a bit of spice, I hope the rumours are true and the Acura TL gets SH-AWD. Hopefully for MY2006! I actually have a Prelude with the SH option currently. Current TL has torque-steer problems big-time.

If the IS300/350 comes out with AWD (not just the IS250), and looks nice/hot, I will cast my eye in that direction also.

Another tidbit, my wife loves BMW but preferred the RL over the 5 series when we last both sat in them the other week-end. The interior blew her away. I have only seen 2 RLs here in Seattle ever.

I also rarely buy new cars for depreciation & for new models, reliability issues. Though I expect with Lexus that reliability will not be a factor for the new GS.

Next step, might go down to Portland Autoshow, confirmed with Lexus (1-800...) that GS will be there on a turn-table, along with RX hybrid. I am waiting for Infinit to confirm if the M will be present so I can directly compare them visually. I would prefer to actually sit in them of course.

This is a great forum (i have lurked on many others), love reading the comments by the long-time members. Hence I check CL daily.

 

There are some definitely great selections coming to consumers in the near future that's for sure!

Welcome to CL!

 

I agree & know what your saying flip......but I think the GS 350 will be brought to the north american market sooner rather than later........even when the GS 300 has an all new V6 engine. Perhaps the GS 350 will be the sole engine that powers the AWD model.
Kind of like the Camry has 3 engine choices. If the eventually make the AWD with the V8 (all things considered that it's a fairly frugal 8 cylinder) I would seriously consider that one too.

 

I doubt it because of several factors. 1) Lexus has already spent alot of money marketing the new GS3 and offering the AWD version in GS300 form here in the North American market. 2) The AWD market is a new direction for Lexus. The offering is going to be on their most popular model in terms of sales. Their target market right now is to capture that audience of people looking for an AWD car but at a certain price. 3) Lexus is bringing out the GS450h in Sept 06 as an 07 model. Generally Toyota/Lexus switches powertrains on vehicles on 3rd year production which would mean 2008.

 

In terms of AWD and GS competitors, I read recently that infinity is considering putting AWD in their M45. Not sure if that might encourage Lexus to do the same with their GS V8 or perhaps Lexus already have that in their plans.

Personally I love the sound of a V8 "burble" at idle. Of course, it all depends on how you tune the engine and exhaust. With the great 6's around, not sure if I would pay the premium for the V8.

Lexus would probably have it fairly refined (like now?), perhaps their future GT/M/AMG type division would have the sound "enhanced" more than the regular models.

 

I just had to post this picture up again....thats a HOTTTTTTT view of the new GS....i just LOVE IT in this picture!!



What is that long black horizontal line under the doors? (I'm not very knowledgeable about minute things like that as u can tell)..lolll come on guys stop making fun of me already. lol

 

Whatever drivetrain the GS models have......it sure is a GEORGOUS car! That I'm sure we ALL can agree on.

 

IMO Lexus is screwing US by sending over the 3.0L. I didn't like it one bit and when I found out there will be a 3.5L as there should have been from the start, I knew that's one to get.

I'd get the V8 except I want the AWD, so when the 3.5L + AWD comes out I'm 50/50 going to get one.