lexasgs400

I didnt know it but flop flop may be my middle name.
I was wanting a GS for quite some time, and then started liking the is350

Help me with my options
2006 IS 350 Premium Nav chrome wheels 80k miles $18,000
or
2006 GS430 Nav 74k miles $21,500

Or tell both are horrible deals, I personally dont mind higher mileage on a Lexus to save some upfront money

BinaryJay

Seems cheap to me, I wish these cars were that cheap up here. Then again I've never seen one for sale with quite that much mileage either. But still, $18K? Holy...

Just ask yourself do you need speed or do you need space? The IS is going to be nimbler and have a few more updated features (I think the NAV on the IS is newer than the GS of the same year, ugh). The GS is going to be roomier, especially for passengers, and have some more luxury features.

I'd probably stick with the GS myself, but that's why I HAVE one.

Some taller people still even find the GS a bit of a cramp, it's about perfect for me as a driver (6 feet). I've had myself and 4 other adults all in the car without it turning into a circus act on occasion. I can only imagine what that would have been like with an IS.

skyyos

iTrader: (3)

Only if V6 I would take IS350 but mileage is too high on both cars its cheap tho I drive 3gs GS350 I kinda dont like Gs430

BinaryJay

Don't worry about the mileage. Mileage is such a misconception with these cars. I've had friends driving around things like a honda CRX from the 80's with well over 400,000 kms without any major problems and that was just a crappy little four banger.

The engine in the GS430 hardly has to break a sweat during every day driving, it will outlast the body.

Though the peak horsepower figures are similar between the 350 and the 430, the V8 will feel quicker during your normal routine because of it's low end torque. Plus, you get to tell people it's a V8, which always impresses the heck out of folks who think that having a V6 is exotic in these days of 4 cylinder eco burners.

TWong350

iTrader: (8)

I'd personally go for the GS. But like Binaryjay, I own a GS so I'm a little bias. If I didn't have kids, I'd consider the IS though. It's quite peppy.

lexasgs400

second little one on the way but we always use the wifes sequoia on the weekends. It would be 90% work

BinaryJay

In that case, I vote 1992 Toyota Corolla. Don't waste a good car on just commuting to and from work in traffic. :P

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

I had an 07 IS350 and now have an 06 GS430....

What are you driving now and what are you looking to get out of the car?

I8ABMR

Id go with the GS if you need the back seat. If not then go with the IS350 for the fun factor

1STLXS

iTrader: (4)

Biased opinion here

Go with the 06 GS430 you wont regret it.

memasterac

I think you've got yourself an answer.

daudi81

I think I can chyme in here. Because I was in your same shoes last week.

When I was shopping for a car I was set on the GS430, or IS350 (both 2006) at the dealership.

I went to the dealer and test drove both EXTENSIVELY. I was at the dealership for 9 hours, driving them back to back. I just couldn't decide. They were both good deals. They were a very different car though.

The 06 GS had 34k miles ($24.5k) and the 06 IS had 44k miles ($21k).

Each car definitely had their pros and cons, but I ultimately decided on the GS430. I have a family, and it was just more practical being a bigger and quieter car.

IS350 - Very raw compared to the GS430: noisier, bumpier, but quicker. Road noise and road bumps were vary apparent. However, the car was a lot of fun to drive. Acceleration felt quicker (although I think they are very comparable), mostly because of the raw feeling the car had. However, it was a lot more cramped, and the backseats are not large enough to fit 2 adults comfortably. This is a big factor as I have 3 kids. Although you still get lexus quality materials in the IS, it feels more cheap compared to the GS. You'll see what I mean when you drive both. Although, every time I drove it I left the car with a big smile on my face.

GS430 - Everything about this car screams VIP. Plenty of room front and back, more technological gadgets then I would every use, extremely quiet, high quality materials. You can switch the car to sport mode to accerlerate and handle more aggresively, but you still won't get the IS350 feel. I don't think there is a big different between pure acceleration numbers (IS350 gets the edge obviously), so it's really a tossup there. The gearing on the IS is more aggressive so it just feels faster. I also like to look of the GS430 better, especially once I got the tint and wheels on. It's a more grown-up car.

Bottom line - if I was younger and single (and had the money to pay for speeding tickets), I would have chosen the IS350. Now that I'm in my 30's and have kids, the GS is my sports car but with class. Plus, there are a lot of IS350's / 250's around here so the GS was different, which I like.

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

do you want a larger car? if so then get the GS. do you want a sporty car? if so get the IS.

JBasco20

iTrader: (1)

GS430 All The Way! Much Nicer Car.

worker

^ agree.