PHX ATC

Wife's car. Replacement for 2002 Mercedes E320 (great car, too many ticky tack things breaking...4 mos regular warranty left, 16 months CPO warranty left).

We drove a 2006 MB E350: great car, too overpriced, quality issues (bad taste).
We drove a 2006 BMW 530i: good car, too stiff, cheap interior feel.
We drove a 2006 Lexus GS300: great car, most bang for the buck, neat features nobody else had.

The BMW is out. That leaves the MB and Lexus. I can get the MB at dealer cost (holdback would be mine and trunk money), which still means the MB is $8000 over the GS300, with the MB having less goodies (bluetooth,etc). We are leaning towards the Lexus. The decision doesn't have to made tomorrow as we've got plenty of time. I definitely will replace the MB before the CPO warranty runs out (16 mos.).

We will not be modding them, except for maybe some nice rims (tasteful for my wife) and maybe a DVD screen(s) for my daughter in the backseat. No lowering, nothing bigger than 18" rims, nothing else.

1) Obviously those in this forum like the GS...why did you buy them?
2) What are the pros/cons that you've seen so far?
3) Should we wait for the GS350 to come out this fall, or whenever it will drop?
4) What kind of DVD screen(s) have you installed in the GS? Headrest, dropdown?

Thanks in advance.

Toby

oneeyejack

i don't see why you wouldn't wait for the gs350?? if you're looking for a deal, i'm sure you can pick up a gs300 for a great price when the 350's come out.

thenod

I agree with One Eye. If you're looking for a deal, get the gs300 and make sure the dealer knows that you know the 350 is on the way and you expect a DEAL, otherwise you'll wait. Good luck!

mdh95070

i am thinking about buying a GS 300 and i think i can get one at or near invoice... but, it sounds like the gs350 is going to be a much better car....

TheRupp

I'm personally not budging until I see the fuel economy on the GS350. 22/30 on the GS300 is EXCELLENT for its size and power range

oneeyejack

it should be pretty similar since that's where the IS350 is also at. it's using the same engine.

TheRupp

Yeah I know. It should be the same. I'm actually halfway thinking that the GS350 will get better mileage since the IS350 is more sport oriented, and the GS350 is more luxury oriented. Weight's not an issue because I think they're like 500 lbs away from each other or something close to it..?

bagwell

better MPG than the IS350? Nope...it will be the same or less, probably a tad less only because of the weight.

back on topic....there's already some great deals out there on gs300's...just have to shop for price.

mdh95070

i wonder if the engine on the GS300 is more reliable?

SGT

Why would that be the case?

TheRupp

As far as I know, the 3.5 and the 3.0 (used in the GS300) are both brand new engines, so we aren't able to tell yet. Toyota doesn't have a history of unreliable engines, however

To the OP: When the 2007 GS350's come out, you'll be able to get probably close to invoice on a 2006 GS300.

SGT

It's already possible to get close to invoice. I bought mine back in October for around $800 over invoice.

roblim

I'd wait for the GS350, because the Gen.5 Navigation screen is much better than the Gen. 4 found in the 2006 GS. You can see it in the IS, as well as the new ES. If you are into tech. gadgets Lexuses are great cars. ANd even if you are not that technically savvy, a lot of the technology is so transparent and easy to use that just about everyone can use stuff like keyless go and the nav. system. quite a contrast to the awful systems in MB and BMW.

Hey, OP would you mind commenting on the specific problems you had with the MB E320. Sadly, my mother just got an E350 (she didn't even ask me for advice--had she, i could have pointed her towards all of the fresh new models in lexus lineup) but what is done is done so what should she look out for? thanks.

BTW, i sat in her MB for the first time, and quite frankly it does NOT feel like a $50,000 car. very unimpressive. The first time i opened the passenger side door, a piece of the door seal dropped off the door and hit the ground. I clipped it back on. HA!

LS4fun

I got accustomed (sp?) to the reliability of Lexus after owning 2 2nd GS GS's and several toyota's. The 3rd gen GS hasn't dissappointed.

Are you looking at an AWD version.....not sure the MB is available in a AWD...great safety feature IMO. Does it ever snow in AZ?

PHX ATC

2002 E320, bought used in July 2005 with 36000 miles, CPO

left rear window regulator
left and right "trim" pieces on the roof
cupholder closing latch
rear AC vent piece
"SRS" sticker thingy on passenger side door interior
windshield washer fluid reservoir leaks
left front foglight melted together and shorted out
defective lamp warning still on and confusing the dealer STILL!
driver sunshade mirror cover broke
radio volume control broke

all in 6,000 babied and pampered miles by my wife...WHAT NEXT?

The 2006 E350 is a different body style and has been reinvented and has a host of it's own problems (that body style, not necessarily the 06 model year).


No, I'm not looking at AWD...snow, that's when a flour truck explodes, isn't it? It does snow in northern AZ, but not in the Phoenix metro area where I live.

What kind of deals are out there on new 06's? Close to invoice, under, $500 over, what?