jwaters

Recently there seems to be a seemingly endless amount of criticism levied against the new GS over it's HP ratings and/or what some consider a lack of sportiness when compared to the M35/45. With this in mind, I feel now is a good time to attempt to move the conversation in a different direction. Let's face it, there are tons of good cars out there in this price range, but the majority of us are here because we are interested in the '06 GS.

Here are my reasons why I love the GS300/430:

-Styling. The new GS looks elegant and aggressive with nicely rounded contours and creases in all the right places. (This is a very subjective factor, but I think aside from a few small details the GS is about as good looking as it gets in a luxury sedan)
-Adaptive Suspension. I know some have said that this feature is a gimmick. I respectfully disagree. On my test drive I could tell a significant difference between the comfort and sport settings. All luxury cars should have this feature IMHO.
-Interior ambiance. This car has one of the best interiors in the business (along with the Audi A6). The wood is rich looking, the leather is fragrant and buttery soft and the gauges are flawlessly machined and easy to read. A little more thigh support would be nice for us tall folks, but you can't have everything.
-Resale value. All cars depreciate, but it's nice to know that I'm not throwing more money out the window than I need to.
-Acceleration. I know some feel the GS should have been launched from the start with the bigger engines, but (at least in V8 trim) there is ample power throughout out the powerband.

In summary, there are quicker cars out there for the money ( Infiniti M35/45), there are better values (Acura RL), and cars with more prestige (Mercedes Benz E-Class), but none of them is as well-rounded as the Lexus, IMHO.

So....how about all of you? What do you love about the GS300/430?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

simple, all about interior. there is not one thing about interior that i don't like. the exterior is growing on me, but not 100% yet. haven't driven the 430 so i don't know about performance yet.

Gojirra99

I agree the interior is very nice, I' ve driven the GS430 & it's not underpowered by any stretch, just that some of us are expecting more after the 8 year run of the previous . . .

gs430jw

Jwaters, very nice review. Quick and to the point. In my opinion, people who know cars will take the Lexus over any car in its class.

encore888

Well-rounded...exactly!!! Good job on the getting the GS, very lucky and very good choice!

HemantS

It's very simple. Of all the AWD sedans, the GS shouldn't be the best on paper. Lowest HP, blah blah blah. But drive them all and you realize the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

The BMW has a crappy interior, poor reliability, horrible ergonomics - show stopper
The RL is "okay looking" but somewhat bland
The M35X is also "okay looking" but doesn't excite
The A6 3.2 is odd looking, you either love it or tolerate it.

The GS is beautfiul, has a nice growl and ample pull, and is a great platform to work from if you want to add a new suspension or even a supercharger!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

that's why i don't consider the gs430 now

spwolf

heh, I wouldnt worry about power. When GS460 arrives, people will start saying it doesnt need all that hp :-). And infiniti folks will point out it is only 0.2 sec faster than M45, just like we do now :-).

lexguynj

Here's the problem with the 2006 GS430:

Spring 2006 - Lexus GS450h availability (just 1 year away).

When you revamp a car, you should also change the engine and give it more HP & rebadge the model. I feel if I get a 06 GS430 now, then I am kind of getting the IN BETWEEN year model and missing out on the real, fully new GS450h model coming up.

This reminds me when the 2001 GS430 first came out, the 2000 GS400 although still very similar seemed like an older generation vehicle.

jwaters

I think this is getting a little off topic. There are plenty of threads on here where one could pontificate about the GS's shortcomings. Can we stick to discussing the positive attributes of the GS?

encore888

I think the GS has the best blend of luxury and performance out there, period.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i have to agree, that's one big reason why i am not getting the gs430 now

and to make it 'worse", gs460 is coming end of next yr

DrexLex

I don't look at the 450h as a linear step up from the 430. It's a whole different ball game, a different experience, whereas the 460 would be the "more power otherwise similar to 430" extension. Comparing a V8 to a hybrid is like saying you don't need an iPod because you have XM radio. They both deliver music, but the user experience is completely different. Sorry it is not a more apporopriate analogy, but I for one do not look at the 430 being superceded/replaced by the 450h. It is a supplement to the product line-up, to broaden the appeal of the GS to attract more customers to the Lexus badge, such as those who want some green with their sport, rather than divert the CL faithful away from traditional power plants.

As for the 460, yes, that's where the 430 becomes a closed book, but that's 1.5 years away. Plenty of time to enjoy the 430 before then--and well after!

Gojirra99

I agree with you

spwolf

p.s. If GS450h is premium model, would there be GS460 below it? Thats left there to see, but GS460 should have a lot of hp...