flipside909

Re-read my post above. You're still story telling.

biker

I can story tell just as good as any one else.

flipside909

You're probably right and I can safely say, and most everyone will agree, you can reserve all your stories in the Clubhouse and Car Chat. While we continue discussing the 06 GS with intrinsic value.

AJL0365

wondering, will the awd GS be compared to infinity G35x? its look like its in the same market but like a 5k difference in price

LexFather

Not at all. AWD GS 300 competition head on is
1. Acura RL (SH AWD standard)
2. Audi A6 (AWD standard)
3. BMW 530Xi (coming this summer) AWD
3. Infiniti M35 AWD
4. Mercedes Benz E320 4matic.

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

1sick is right

well if there's any response to G35x from Lexus it'll be the next IS300 with AWD. GS and G35 is not in the same class.

AJL0365

oh my b i wansnt even thinking about that M45 car. my bad

calberda

Is it me or does the new pricing on the GS 300 RWD seem a little bit high?
I leased a '98 (when it first came out) loaded; xenon, navigation, rr spoiler, all options, for $615/month, 3 yr. lease, $2500 drive offs. Car sticker was around 42k (final price was around 39k) - from Longo. The GS400 back then was only $52 or so loaded. I was thinking all this time (I have been waiting for this car to come out) that I would be able to get the new car "very well equiped" (w/Levinson) for around $45k, not $50k!
I sold my '98 after having it for only 2 1/2 years (I actually made money on it!), and I've wished I never did since then! I have been in the market for the past 6-8 months for a new car and decided to wait for the new GS, but now it's looking like I may have to look for something else
I'm bummed
I know the car is very technologically advanced, and there is inflation (since '98), but $50k puts it a bit out of my reach........unless they have a 60% residual value with a killer lease payment option! I won't give up yet, but l would like to hear if others are feeling the same way!
Thanks.

flipside909

Not really because 15 years ago, the LS400 started at $35k. It's now 2005 and it's sticker hovers in the mid $60 range for the nicely equipped UL package.

biker

For a car in general yes, compared to the direct competition no.

flipside909

It's not like you planned to buy one correct?

lexguynj

As much as I would love to get a great bang for your buck car in this midsize Luxuxy Sedan segment, the reality is this is going to be an expensive car (even if just a GS300).

Lexus will start off with a fairly competitive base price, however the options will be most expensive and to even get decent availability of a GS, you sort of have to live with mandatory options (unless you are super patient and can wait months for your stripped down GS). Most people would settle for ML AUDIO / NAV package, simply because it's more readily available? There will be mandatory options that you just can't get the car without (at least a premium package).

Lexus probably thinks that if you are buying a Lexus GS, you want all the amentiies that come with it, so why build a base GS that is stripped and they don't make as much money on?

I guess the price has to just keep up with the prestige that Lexus garners at this time.

I want the GS300 AWD version and know they will come fully loaded with ML AUDIO / NAV, etc..., so it'll top $50K, which is seems very high for a GS300, but compared to what else is out there, it's still lower cost than its German Counterparts.

Erick G

lexus might be able to command these price hikes depending on how the car performs on the track.. maybe lexus will surprise us with excellent test numbers.. we did see that GS test driver with HUGE grin

LexFather

First welcome to Clublexus.
2nd, Lexus does not need to enter value pricing as its products and the GS has proved to be at or near the top of the class. Yes, the 2nd gen was a great buy (the outgoing GS 300 was as much as the new GS 400) but Lexus had to be very aggresive, since the GS failed the 1st time around and really needed to shake things up. And you did get an equivilent package to the Germans.
I see Infiniti going that route now, trying to penetrate the market with its new cars, trying to sway buyers with great pricing.
Lexus has now proven its products are worth the asking price. With the GS you are getting one of the finest cars built. Period. It blends everything together well and you get top quality and dealer service to boot.
The yen is also trading unfavorably as of late, this surely had something to do with the price hike.
Lexus maybe more $$$$ than the M35/45 but still less than the Germans. And that is who Lexus has been aiming for. You don't aim for the new kid on the block. The Acura RL is a couple dollars from 50k.

If anything I noticed, Audi and Lexus pricing is very similar.

calberda

Thanks for all of your replies to my comments.
I agree with everything you have all said. I guess I was just hoping I could buy another GS for close to the same as the outgoing GS. It is and will continue to be a great car with as far as I'm concerned, a leg up on the Germans at a great value. Although, at $49 for a loaded GS3, it's almost right there with a well equipped 5 series now.....which before, it carried about 5k less than the closest competitor in it's class. I'm not looking for arguments to that comment.....I'm just saying.......I know the advantages and "tech goodies" that Lexus is bringing to the table this year with the new GS.
I was planning on buying one by the way........and I still just might! (Despite the $$ increase!) It promises to be a great car once again.
Thanks again!