beachfront

Hi and thanks in advance...
I am in the market for a pre-owned GS 300 and am wondering:

1. Is the GS 300 nav screen a problem? Why are they upgrading it on the 350?
2. Is the body style of the 350 the same as the 300? I dont want to buy an 06 car and already be behind the curve in terms of styling.

I have read that the only real difference between the 300 and 350 is the sharkfin and possibly some extra chrome....

Thanks for any input.

SGT

Doing a quick search would yield all the answers to your questions. Rant aside,

1) No problem with current navigation screen. The new Gen 5 nav features a much higher resolution and sharper, more aesthetically pleasing graphics.

2) Body style is identical with the exception of the addition of a shark fin antenna.

flipside909

1) Lexus is advancing their technology to go with the latest gadgets. The Gen 5 Nav system definitely is a step above the Gen 4 and older models.

2) Yes it is. I will be posting the new 2007 changes and GS350 info August 15. Stay tuned.

beachfront

Thanks for the info...

Yes I searched but it is always good to have your own questions answered.

I have been following the 350 threads and how some of the 300 owners are dissapointed and I am using this info to help me make my decision.

It sounds like that, besides HP and some techno upgrades, this is the same amazing car.

I will be buying from a private party so I can register the car in AZ and save on taxes...

I guess my last ? is:

IF I buy from a Private party and experience some of the rattles, noises, etc...Does the dealer have to honor my service requests in the same manner as someone who bought a pre owned from them? Is there any history of dealers treating "one of thier own" better than others? My local dealer would be Tustin Lexus...

Threxx

I bought my old 99 GS w/ 30k miles on it and still well under warranty, from a guy up in St Louis. Yet my local dealer, Lexus of Memphis, treated me like family. Better than any other dealer I've ever been with - even the ones I purchased the cars new from.

Though I'm sure there are still dealers out there who aren't as profesional about it... they should still be happy to serve you since they still make money (though not much) on warranty claims, and if you come in for service intervals they make lots of money off of you, plus you'll give them good ratings on your surveys and in the end you might just buy a new lexus from them!

ajcsanders

IMHO you don't have to think of the shark fin antenna as something to aspire to...

I love the way that the GS300 has not a single ugly projection on the body surface - no ugly old-fashioned antenna for the stereo, no sharkfin for the sat-nav, no nozzles on the hood for the windshield washers and those gorgeous mechanically projecting headlamp washers...why spoil it with a shark fin? - it's almost like downgrading to a 5 series . Most people have also kept their satellite radio receivers 'indoors'.

lexuslover

dealers have to honor the lexus warranty, so any issues you have up to 50k miles (or 4 years from the initial sale date) should not be a problem. but some dealers are better than others at resolving noises and minor annoyances, so you may find yourself trying a couple if you are not satisfied with the results from tustin. luckily you are in so cal so you have lots of dealers to choose from.


i didn't realize the sharkfin was coming to the GS as well - does that mean all cars will have it, or only the satellite equipped cars?