Nauticalx

Question for you guys. Will be looking to get into a GS or IS but as I research, I have begun to notice very few if any differences in features/options between the GS and IS. Is there any reason besides size to buy the GS??

jwaters

One word: Space

You can't fit anyone over 12 years old comfortably in the back seat (unless the front seat occupants happen to be midgets).

I think once the GS350, 450h & 460 are released, there will be a more apparent separation between the two vehicles.

SGT

As the IS is smaller and lighter, it is more agile and definitely leans more towards the sporty side. The GS is for someone who wants a larger, more mature version of the IS. That said, they both ooze luxury.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

more space, more comfortable, quieter

JDMstuff

I chose my GS over the IS because it came with everything I wanted in the IS less the engine, and it was priced about the same as what I was going to get the IS for. I also didn't have to wait 3-4 months to get the IS.

LS4fun

exclusivity.

webhed

Exactly! For the past week or so I've seen only 1 GS to 3-4 IS 250/350 on the road.

LS4fun

IS will have to be renamed to the me2 car.

marshmallo

Hi,

I chose the 3GS over the 2IS because the backseat on the IS is AWFUL. I had about that much
room on my old 98 Accord Coupe.

If you don't need a roomy backseat and don't care about the exclusivity factor I would just go with
the IS. I think it is more fun to drive. The GS300 is a pretty heavy car (especially the AWD). The
3GS AWD handles very well for a big car. Better than my 98 Accord and better than my 01GS430,
but worse than an IS in my opinion...

Nauticalx

Thanks for all the responses, indeed it is disturbing that the back seat is sooo small on the IS (it seems as if the Lexus engineers had a bet on how small they could make a back seat and still call the car a sedan). The GS would be much better in this respect I only wish that there were some added features we could claim over the IS guys. My dad is liking the LS but I have pretty much convinced him that the redesigned LS will be much better and the newly redesigned GS is a better bet. I do think we will wait for the 350 though, a 300 pulling that kind of weight is a concern. The 350's gas mileage shouldnt be much worse if at all once you consider that youd have to push the 300 to high RPMs just to get it to move like a 350 at lower RPMs thus eating around the same amount of gas in the end.

HemantS

IS is a more tossable faster nimble sports sedan with racer boy interior.

The GS is more of a sporty sedan with refinement, more cabin room, and more luxurious interior.

marshmallo

Hi Nauticalx,

I think waiting for the GS350 is a good move, but I would expect it to have much worse
fuel economy than the GS300.

My list of GS advantages would be

1) Room
2) Interior quality (IS looks a bit cheaper)
3) Refinement (especially the V8)
4) Exclusivity

The looks are a wash to me. There are pluses and minuses for both cars.
I would definitely not get the LS430 though, the LS460 proto looked too
awesome!

INHOCJP

Can't really compare an entry level model versus the flagship of Lexus. You could probably buy two ISs for the cost of the new LS. But I agree, the new LS looks promising.

Gojirra99

I don't think that's necessarily so, we'll see . . .

jlin101

Exclusivity? LOL. With the exception of SC, all Lexus models are as common as BMW 3 series. Although the GS's interior is larger on paper (as Acura RL is to TL), subjectively the rear room did not feel significantly larger. I (5'8", 170lb) tried the backseat of both cars, and had my wife (5'4", 115lb) ride in the back while I test drove both. My wife, who had gone to the dealership with the intention of talking me into getting a GS, quickly changed her mind because the not only did the GS not feel roomier, the ride was harsher (felt like the suspension ran out of travel). Feature for feature, the IS has everything the GS does, save for the air suspension, and leather on the center console. The IS does have bixenon and mp3 capability that the GS not yet has. Yes, GS350/460 will reestablish the performance gap, as well as widen the price gap.