hsk73

Simply... You'll be paying less! A lot less!

If you are buying.... it's a big deal how much your car's going to worth in 4-5 years...
But, if you are leasing... you don't care about the value! You'll be returning it anyway...

Fujifuzz

WOW!!! Who in the hell would want to be a 2006. Check my thread out.

You can get a 2007 GS350 with NAV for 43,987

Bocatrip

Without reading each and every post here. I will say that going for the newest and improved is the way to go for me. The first few years are always plagued with issues... rattles.. etc.. . Hopefully.. but no guarantee.. the later models have resolved some issues. Considering that this car is not all that overwhelmingly popular in sales.. ( I still love it) both cars can be bought for close to cost. Considering this, it's almost a no brainer. For me.. I will be considering the 350 and I'm still not leaping into the showroom and signing yet. The prices were weak from the start... I'm sure they will stay there or come down some more.. I'll be fine with a 2007 loaded for mid 40s plus tax and license. And I'm sure there will be plenty to choose from.

AlexusAnja

Buy a car you'll love, not a car that you've saved money. Not an exact comparison, but when I purchased my '95 Civic, I choose the LX over the EX because I didn't want to drop another $1500 for the extra hp and stabalizer bar. About one year and 30K miles in, I was missing the hp and performance. Needless to say, I had that car over six years and 200K and it was very reliable.

My GS will be the 350 AWD loaded because I plan on driving that sucker to the ground and I don't want to regret not getting anything...

jboy

Sort of. The cost of the lease is determined by the difference in the original price and the residual value at the end of the lease period. So if the 2007 model is going to worth more in 3 years from today, it can turn out that the monthly lease is the same or less.

hsk73

When I purchased mine... there was $167 difference per month between 06 and 07 models... It was no brainer for me.
I don't care much about HP when 90% of my every day driving is in LA traffic...

jboy

Do you happen to remember the prices?

hsk73

I'm paying $522+tax for my 06.. no money down... normal 12K miles...
07 GS350 was around $680-$690... same setting....

Bocatrip

I'm not even that savy on leases but know enough that an 06 anything is going to be a better deal than an 07 anything.. Residual Value of course.. However, for a cash deal, I feel the few thousand dollars saved on an 06 GS300 versus an 07 GS350 is not at all worth it considering the latest model car (07 and the refinements hp and Nav).. Personally, If I could save 20% I would consider the 06... that is substantial.. otherwise, I would go for the new and improved.

Ice350

iTrader: (1)

The other day I was telling one of the service reps at the dealership about all the buzz over the 350 here on CL. He says he doesn't understand why. He's driven them both and doesn't feel the 350 is that much faster. Not enough to create a buzz. He says it's the same engine, same car. Just a little more power with the normal improvements any car brand makes.

I agree.

ivanpetrov

driving 350 at TOL, I felt very measurable gains. combined with gen 5 nav and (presumably) fixed rattles, it's the only way to go.

i was more suprised by 350 than 450.

Fujifuzz

AMEN! i feel the same way!