Gs feels clusterophobic inside!!!
08-11-08, 03:38 PM
#32
so speaking as a new 2008 GS350 owner, as well as a 2007 RX350 owner for the last 2 years, as well as a test driver of the ES, here are my thoughts:
i just picked up my new GS last week, and today we brought in our RX to the dealer for scheduled service, so i actually have an 2008 ES on hand as a loaner vehicle for the day. this is just my humble opinion as somebody who has actually driven all 3 cars in the last 2 days. also, i've gained a lot from others in this forum, so hopefully this helps others as they are debating between Lexuses. heck, they're all great but it just depends on what you're looking for.
in terms of looks, acceleration/performance..... hands-down the GS takes the prize. i'm biased, but i don't think there's another car under $55k (msrp) that looks better WITHOUT aftermarket upgrades (that is, stock upgrades only) than the GS. i don't feel "clustered" in the car, but compared to the ES, the rear legroom does feel smaller. and the trunk opening could be bigger. and with this point, i agree with the original poster. BUT, sure it's not as spacious relative to the ES, but i wouldn't say the GS makes one feel "clustered".
in terms of practicality for trunk opening space, headroom, rear legroom, etc.... i must say that the ES is better. the ES also feels smoother during the ride. the GS definitely has a sportier ride. so if you're looking purely for functionality / practicality, i like the ES more.
in terms of the RX, we love it a lot and think it's one of the best SUVs out there under $50k. great SUV.
obviously, in the end, i went for the looks and got the GS last week. hahahah. also, when i look at ES drivers, they're typically an older crowd, and i am still pretending to be young while i'm in my young 30s.
granted, i have a kid so i will admit that practicality played a role as i was considering between the ES or GS. in the end, i felt that the SUV we already owned was sufficient for family purposes and i wanted a "fun-ner" car, so i got the GS instead and i don't regret it one bit.
i just picked up my new GS last week, and today we brought in our RX to the dealer for scheduled service, so i actually have an 2008 ES on hand as a loaner vehicle for the day. this is just my humble opinion as somebody who has actually driven all 3 cars in the last 2 days. also, i've gained a lot from others in this forum, so hopefully this helps others as they are debating between Lexuses. heck, they're all great but it just depends on what you're looking for.
in terms of looks, acceleration/performance..... hands-down the GS takes the prize. i'm biased, but i don't think there's another car under $55k (msrp) that looks better WITHOUT aftermarket upgrades (that is, stock upgrades only) than the GS. i don't feel "clustered" in the car, but compared to the ES, the rear legroom does feel smaller. and the trunk opening could be bigger. and with this point, i agree with the original poster. BUT, sure it's not as spacious relative to the ES, but i wouldn't say the GS makes one feel "clustered".
in terms of practicality for trunk opening space, headroom, rear legroom, etc.... i must say that the ES is better. the ES also feels smoother during the ride. the GS definitely has a sportier ride. so if you're looking purely for functionality / practicality, i like the ES more.
in terms of the RX, we love it a lot and think it's one of the best SUVs out there under $50k. great SUV.
obviously, in the end, i went for the looks and got the GS last week. hahahah. also, when i look at ES drivers, they're typically an older crowd, and i am still pretending to be young while i'm in my young 30s.
granted, i have a kid so i will admit that practicality played a role as i was considering between the ES or GS. in the end, i felt that the SUV we already owned was sufficient for family purposes and i wanted a "fun-ner" car, so i got the GS instead and i don't regret it one bit.
08-11-08, 04:31 PM
#33
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Posts: n/a
so speaking as a new 2008 GS350 owner, as well as a 2007 RX350 owner for the last 2 years, as well as a test driver of the ES, here are my thoughts:
i just picked up my new GS last week, and today we brought in our RX to the dealer for scheduled service, so i actually have an 2008 ES on hand as a loaner vehicle for the day. this is just my humble opinion as somebody who has actually driven all 3 cars in the last 2 days. also, i've gained a lot from others in this forum, so hopefully this helps others as they are debating between Lexuses. heck, they're all great but it just depends on what you're looking for.
in terms of looks, acceleration/performance..... hands-down the GS takes the prize. i'm biased, but i don't think there's another car under $55k (msrp) that looks better WITHOUT aftermarket upgrades (that is, stock upgrades only) than the GS. i don't feel "clustered" in the car, but compared to the ES, the rear legroom does feel smaller. and the trunk opening could be bigger. and with this point, i agree with the original poster. BUT, sure it's not as spacious relative to the ES, but i wouldn't say the GS makes one feel "clustered".
in terms of practicality for trunk opening space, headroom, rear legroom, etc.... i must say that the ES is better. the ES also feels smoother during the ride. the GS definitely has a sportier ride. so if you're looking purely for functionality / practicality, i like the ES more.
in terms of the RX, we love it a lot and think it's one of the best SUVs out there under $50k. great SUV.
obviously, in the end, i went for the looks and got the GS last week. hahahah. also, when i look at ES drivers, they're typically an older crowd, and i am still pretending to be young while i'm in my young 30s.
granted, i have a kid so i will admit that practicality played a role as i was considering between the ES or GS. in the end, i felt that the SUV we already owned was sufficient for family purposes and i wanted a "fun-ner" car, so i got the GS instead and i don't regret it one bit.
i just picked up my new GS last week, and today we brought in our RX to the dealer for scheduled service, so i actually have an 2008 ES on hand as a loaner vehicle for the day. this is just my humble opinion as somebody who has actually driven all 3 cars in the last 2 days. also, i've gained a lot from others in this forum, so hopefully this helps others as they are debating between Lexuses. heck, they're all great but it just depends on what you're looking for.
in terms of looks, acceleration/performance..... hands-down the GS takes the prize. i'm biased, but i don't think there's another car under $55k (msrp) that looks better WITHOUT aftermarket upgrades (that is, stock upgrades only) than the GS. i don't feel "clustered" in the car, but compared to the ES, the rear legroom does feel smaller. and the trunk opening could be bigger. and with this point, i agree with the original poster. BUT, sure it's not as spacious relative to the ES, but i wouldn't say the GS makes one feel "clustered".
in terms of practicality for trunk opening space, headroom, rear legroom, etc.... i must say that the ES is better. the ES also feels smoother during the ride. the GS definitely has a sportier ride. so if you're looking purely for functionality / practicality, i like the ES more.
in terms of the RX, we love it a lot and think it's one of the best SUVs out there under $50k. great SUV.
obviously, in the end, i went for the looks and got the GS last week. hahahah. also, when i look at ES drivers, they're typically an older crowd, and i am still pretending to be young while i'm in my young 30s.
granted, i have a kid so i will admit that practicality played a role as i was considering between the ES or GS. in the end, i felt that the SUV we already owned was sufficient for family purposes and i wanted a "fun-ner" car, so i got the GS instead and i don't regret it one bit.
08-12-08, 08:40 AM
#37
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1. The ES is actually LARGER than the GS, thus bigger dimensions. Its been like that the last 2 generations.
2. Lexus bucked the trend by keeping the GS the same size as the last generation pretty much. The 2nd gen was actually 5 inches shorter than the 1st gen. I LOVE THIS, b/c I do not want a giant car and it seems every car just gets HUGE every new generation. The current A6, 5 and M35/45 are just huge to me, down to an Altima, Camry, Accord. Some people don't want giant buick sized cars.
3. The GS is a sports luxury sedan, the cockpit is very coupe like in fashion as the whole car, to give a very sporty feel inside. While the 5 series is clearly sportier the drive, the interior leaves me confused as its not sporty at all.
Overall, i do find the GS interior to need slightly more headroom and I wish the window sills were lower but its not too bad at all.
Sadly we live in a world where "bigger is better" and with all the competition getting HUGE (hell the new Jag XF is also huge for its class and now the new TL is 195 inches long, as long as the RL) so the next GS will probably get bigger.
2. Lexus bucked the trend by keeping the GS the same size as the last generation pretty much. The 2nd gen was actually 5 inches shorter than the 1st gen. I LOVE THIS, b/c I do not want a giant car and it seems every car just gets HUGE every new generation. The current A6, 5 and M35/45 are just huge to me, down to an Altima, Camry, Accord. Some people don't want giant buick sized cars.
3. The GS is a sports luxury sedan, the cockpit is very coupe like in fashion as the whole car, to give a very sporty feel inside. While the 5 series is clearly sportier the drive, the interior leaves me confused as its not sporty at all.
Overall, i do find the GS interior to need slightly more headroom and I wish the window sills were lower but its not too bad at all.
Sadly we live in a world where "bigger is better" and with all the competition getting HUGE (hell the new Jag XF is also huge for its class and now the new TL is 195 inches long, as long as the RL) so the next GS will probably get bigger.
08-13-08, 01:20 AM
#40
um... so, u saying camry/BMW 330 is better than GS in terms of value?
cause, it's cheaper?
hum... i have an idea...
how about corolla? it's even cheaper than camry.
it has good MPG; oh! it even get four wheels and an engine!!
ohoh!! u know what? how about scion? it's even cheaper!!
and why not hyndai? it's even more cheap!!
they have good quality cars too!? just donno how long it last.
but hey! at least it moves!
bottom line: no matter which car u get; after a float, it will become a junk.
let me give u an advice,
take bus
cause, it's cheaper?
hum... i have an idea...
how about corolla? it's even cheaper than camry.
it has good MPG; oh! it even get four wheels and an engine!!
ohoh!! u know what? how about scion? it's even cheaper!!
and why not hyndai? it's even more cheap!!
they have good quality cars too!? just donno how long it last.
but hey! at least it moves!
bottom line: no matter which car u get; after a float, it will become a junk.
let me give u an advice,
take bus
08-13-08, 07:31 AM
#42
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Actually, check the interior dimensions - the ES and the GS are very comparable. The ES might look bigger on the outside, but the interiors (excl trunk) are extremely similar in size.
Seriously, compare them - I did as I was looking at both cars. Somehow the bloated look of the ES gives it the perception of size, but it's really not interior-wise, except for the smaller hump of course and the trunk.
Seriously, compare them - I did as I was looking at both cars. Somehow the bloated look of the ES gives it the perception of size, but it's really not interior-wise, except for the smaller hump of course and the trunk.
08-13-08, 07:44 AM
#43
Actually, check the interior dimensions - the ES and the GS are very comparable. The ES might look bigger on the outside, but the interiors (excl trunk) are extremely similar in size.
Seriously, compare them - I did as I was looking at both cars. Somehow the bloated look of the ES gives it the perception of size, but it's really not interior-wise, except for the smaller hump of course and the trunk.
Seriously, compare them - I did as I was looking at both cars. Somehow the bloated look of the ES gives it the perception of size, but it's really not interior-wise, except for the smaller hump of course and the trunk.
Interior
Front Head Room: 37.4 in.
Front Hip Room: 55.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 57.3 in.
Rear Head Room: 36.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 56.3 in.
Rear Hip Room: 52.8 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.2 in.
Rear Leg Room: 35.9 in.
Luggage Capacity: 14.7 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 15 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
GS 350
Interior
Front Head Room: 37.8 in.
Front Hip Room: 54.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 56.3 in.
Rear Head Room: 37 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 55.1 in.
Rear Hip Room: 51.4 in.
Front Leg Room: 43.5 in.
Rear Leg Room: 36.4 in.
Luggage Capacity: 12.7 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 13 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
The GS actually has better front and rear leg room but the ES has more interior room in the other catagories within about 1 1/4 inches and 2 CF in the trunk..
I like the ES.I had a deposit on a Starfire ES 350 with the Ultra Luxury package but decided to go with the GS even for $6K more..
The negatives for me on the ES is the bland interior and no availability of black leather but I loved the soft ride..
Last edited by Joeb427; 08-13-08 at 07:59 AM.
