balfor

I've got a 2003 GS430 and I'm thinking about moving up to a 3rd gen GS. There is nothing wrong with my car but getting an itch to change now. I've not driven a 3rd gen so I plan on driving both a 350 and 460.

Has anyone come from an older 430 to the 350? I know the power of the 350 is about the same as my old 430 but I like the V8 feel. I'm wondering if I'll be happy with the 350 or if I will be always kicking myself for not moving up to the 460. Of course the gas mileage is a factor but from what I gather the 460 is actually better than the old 430's. As long as it won't be worse than my car now I think it will be ok.

Can any people who owned a 2nd gen GS give me some opinions?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i went from gs400 to gs350. it's close enough to the gs430 (and i had sc430 too for reference)

you will definitely miss the smoothness and the low end tq of the v8, i miss mine. the 350 is still fast but it more of a higher rev engine to get the power, so it's a bit different. coming from previous 3 v8 cars, the first few times when i floor the gs350, i actually looked down at the speedo and see if something was wrong.

but overall the gs350 is a great car, and for the money i think it's the best bang. after getting used to, i really don't have much problem with the car now (adapted to it).

of course the gs460 is better than gs430. bottom line, 3gs is a better car performance wise (styling i leave that as subjective comment). the 3gs handles a lot better than 2gs. 3gs interior is a lot sportier, better navigation and ML system.

gas mileage wise, personally i think both the gs350 ad gs460 are about the same (i have gs350 and ls460l), and they are both far superior than 2gs400/430. i was lucky to get 20mpg on the gs400 and sc430, and i have to drive like a mad man to get lower than 20mpg on the gs350 ad ls460l

hope this helps

bobbyt01nc

I also came from a 2000 GS 400 slightly modified as well. Even thought the gs350's had already come out when i got my new gs430 in early 2006, i couldn't go back to a V6...regardless. So i chose to find a lightly used 06 430 with 7K on it and pd less than a new 350. although there are plenty of pros for the gs350, if you are a v8 guy then maybe go my route and look for a lightly used 430 or now just wait awhile for a used 460 and let someone else take the depreciation hit...that's my recommendation. good luck nonetheless....That itch is a snowball effect...once you get it, you can't stop it... Glad i got it though...love the Gen 3 style and features

balfor

Thanks for the feeback guys. I just got back from driving a 460. Man it was nice black on black, chromes, and loaded. Sticker was $62k they had it red tagged at $52. I love black cars my current one is silver and love the low maintance but it's hard to beat black when it is new and perfect.

I noticed the overall feel of the new generation is lower and longer. The seat went back farther and it is actually the first car I have ever driven where I did not have the seat all the way back (I'm 6'3"). I could almost have my leg totally straight when reaching the gas peddle and my 03 is no where near that much legroom. I did note the headroom is a little less but it seemed to be ok, just barely though. Noticed the moonroof is quite a bit smaller what's up with that?

I was really impressed with the 460 and 8spd. It is super smooth and the new trans is seamless. I thought you would notice it shifting a lot with all those gears but you don't. At 75mph the engine is turning around 500rpm less than my 03, the new car is definietly the highway king. The steering and handling feels good, I have TRD sways and the steering rack bushings and I would say the stock 08 is about the same handing as my modded 03. One thing I definetly noticed was bad was the runflats, they are very harsh on small bumps. You can feel them much worse than my car and I have aftermarket 18's on mine so it is not just the low profile tires. I can see what people complain about.

I love all the technical updates, nav is so much better you have to see the screens back to back to really appreciate it. Keyless is great, park assist, rearview camera alre all really cool to have.

They came back with something like $640 payment for the 08 and that includes giving them my car which is paid off-ouch. I didn't really get into negotiations so I'm sure I could cut it down but it is definetly a chunk of money. I drove away in my 03 still realizing it is a nice car. The 08 is a great ride no question though. I think you are right bobby I might wait a year or two for clean used 460's to start showing up.