The LS has my vote. I told my wife that if we were to buy another luxo-cruiser, it would definitely be an LS.

 

Hi

we have both the '08 LS460 (short wheelbase) and the '07 GS450h (the hybrid one, with Active suspension).
I my book theses are completely different cars: the LS is large, extremely comfortable, and not sporty at all, handling is what you will expect from a large Lexus: a bit boat-like but still very secure. The GS on the other hand is a fun to drive, fast, sporty car; it is not as big inside as the LS and even feel a bit cramped head room wise for my 6 foot 0, 210 lbs frame.
Toy wise, I really like the soft close doors of the LS and the radar cruise control of the GS, and the Hybrid power train of the GS405h is just mind blowing (yes you will out accelerate everything short of Porsches 911 from a stand still or on the highway...)

For room and comfort, choose the LS, for a more fun and involving drive choose the GS.

 

i owned
ls460l
gs350

i can tell you, if you want comfort, quiet, gadgets, real audio systems, etc... ls460l blows the gs350 so bad it's not funny

but i can also tell you, ls460 is a boring car to drive. the gs350 is a lot more fun. not to say ls460 is not capable, the handling of that car is still very good, i dusted a lot of cars in that thing. but road feel and everything the gs350 is so much better

fuel is never a problem between the two cars.... on the same route same driving skills and such, i got 23mpg in my ls460l and 24mpg in my gs350. the difference is so marginal. you do pay more for gas on the ls460 coz' of the larger tank but so what.

just think if you can throw out the extra money for the ls460, i think that's the key. and whether you want the peace of driving or the fun of driving. if you can afford these cars, gas shouldn't be a problem to you

 

yup, i was about to say where is our resident badass moderator that own"ed" both cars in question

 

Why do you have to choose, buy the LS and buy your wife a new GS, problem solved

 

wait, your wife died when she was 93 and you're currently 60 years old?

 

His mother...

 

For daily driver, I would pick the GS. LS does have more presence and gadgets but just driving it, it is not as good of a drive.

On the other hand, if you drive people around all the time, definitely the LS, GS's back seat just doesn't cut it, the leg rooms are too tight.

I use the GS as daily driver, LS is for customers visiting from overseas.

 

I test drove the GS450h, and it's awesome (not even talking about using the power mode either). The regular GS350 feels like a slug compared to the GS450h. Choose the GS450h for the V8 power on tap but V6 engine under the hood. But if you like the LS460, may I also recommend that you test drive the LS460h - V8 hybrid with 438 crank HP on tap! IMHO, hybrid technology is the only way to go.

 

hahah referring to me? i just have a few pos cars

first that'd call ls600hl, and it's only in lwb here in the US. plus, i don't know about OP, but gs450h is a 55k car. ls600hl is whopping 110k car. i think that's very different from ls460 (60-70k)

 

Whatever car the OP chooses,he should get a great deal.
The '08 GS350/460/450h (down 39%)and LS 460 (down 50%)aren't selling well.All models sales are down except the LX570.

http://thepassionatepursuit.com/2008...-sales-report/

 

i stand corrected (typo owns me! :P)

 

I have driven both the GS and the LS. I hate to say it, but, I was not that thrilled with either car. Both seamed really floaty compared to my IS 350. I love my IS but hate getting in and out of it. Once you are in it it is really comfy. My two sons (26 and 30) say fix your back and keep the car.

Someone made a point of saying that "With an LS, you get stuck taking everyone with you". That is what I don't want!! When I was in my 20s I bought an El Camino because I got tired of taking a car full of people up to my cabin in Big Bear. Providing the cabin, beer and a ride up there got really old really fast. Some guys even complained that I didn't invite any girls up. Hell they should have brought them, for me!!!

I even drove a supercharged Jag XF which is really a nice ride, but, I would never ever buy a Jag. Too many bad stories from people that I know that have had them.

Thanks to everyone for their input, but I think that I will wait and see what comes out next. Skip

 

i think it's silly that having a LS means you are stuck with taking everyone. i had less than 5 people sitting in the backseat of my ls460l. i drive whoever i wants, not whoever want sit in my car

but yup, that's lexus for you, floaty ride. IS is the best among all, but still compared to cars like bmw, the IS is very floaty. i would suggest you look at other brands if road feel is what you look for

 

If you don't care for the GS or LS you might want to try a different brand like a Infiniti and try the M35/45. Infiniti M are pretty fun and rewarding to drive, almost BMW like feel and handling and are very roomy, more so then the IS and GS, I have been impressed everytime I sit in one although the exterior is extremely boring/mediocre and does not stand out in any way or even look upscale. When I sit in the 3rd Gen GS it also feels a bit cramped and smaller then my 2nd Gen, headroom is pretty bad on the 3rd. BMW 7 series is a pretty sporty driving large lux sedan although it has love it or hate it styling and i drive and very questionable reliability, same with the 5 series. Merc E class from what I remember seemed to be pretty roomy and easy to get out of but they are not that sporty unless you get a AMG model and you have to worry about Mercedes reliability. Acura RL is easy to get in and out of and has a beautiful interior but they are not very exciting to drive either unless you push the limits of the SHAWD system. Audi A6 or A8 might be a possibility but neither are really all that fun to drive either. I have not sat in the new Jag 4 door but it is getting good reviews and has a very nice exterior shape, you may want to take a look at it although Jag reliability could be a big concern with that car. Good Luck.