Lextazy

Hello everyone.
I'm planning to buy a used 2008-2010 Lexus GS 350 or IS 350.
Things I'm looking for in a car - sporty enough to make short distance overtakes, but smooth enough for long trips. I currently drive an Acura RSX auto on which I feel every imperfection on the road. I love it's sportiness, handling and the car itself. Driving in the city is fun, but when I need to take a long trip, it's bad. This is a big "why" I want to upgrade. On the other hand, I don't want to lose much in performance if I choose GS over IS. Look wise I like both as much.

I know that IS 350 is sportier that GS 350, but how about long trips? I also know that GS 350 is smoother than IS 350, but how about it's sportiness? It's hard for me to make a decision.
If I choose GS over IS, will I lose much in power? Or if I choose IS over GS, will I lose much in comfort ride?

I would really appreciate if you could give your opinion in choosing between those two. Why would you choose GS over IS or vice versa.

Thank you!

lectric74

I looked at both before buying my GS, and I wouldn't change a thing. Sporty, fun to drive, quick moving when overtaking, and comfortable for long trips. Did a 1500 mile road trip a couple of weeks ago and honestly the first day after 12 hours in the car it didn't feel like we'd been driving more than an hour. I ended up going with the GS for the better ride, and greater space. I still want an IS, but now I can focus on getting me an IS-F that I can run on the track.

gs350fan

You should try both. The IS felt a bit lighter to me. It also has a 4.10 ratio (which is very aggressive, and turns more on the highway!) vs the 3.73 in the GS.

If you plan on rear passengers, get a GS. I also prefer a larger car for safety. I think the Chassis is very similar, just stretched.

Lextazy

Thank you. That really helps. But wouldn't you suffer on long trips if you buy an IS and especially F?

Lextazy

I don't plan on rear passengers yet, may be sometime in the future. But how smoother the GS is compare to IS?

lectric74

I wouldn't be making long trips in an IS, that would be more my fun car for running to the local road course/autocross/drift track. It would be a fun car while the GS will continue, it has 180k on it now, to be my driver for the longer trips. Even my wife riding in the back said it was far more comfortable than anything else we'd been in.

Edit: on this road trip I average 27 MPG overall, with tank averages between 25-33 MPG. I did this with an average cruise of 77 MPH.

Lextazy

That's nice. As for me, I will have to have only one car at the moment. And it's a bit hard to decide which one I hope you'll get a nice IS-F!

lectric74

It will be a while before I do any more cars, but when I was comparing the performance was comparable between the two, but the GS was far more roomy and comfortable in my opinion. I drove around 15 different IS and 5 different GS, but after driving a GS I just couldn't accept the compromise of the IS size.

TRD_Power

Look for a GS460. If you can't find one, go with the GS350.

Lextazy

I now lean more towards a GS )) I just hope I won't lose much on performance.

Lextazy

I was thinking about GS 460 as well, but it's harder to find and pricier.

potatomon

Longer wheelbase=smoother ride.

Gs is awesome for the highway you can drive super fast 140-150km/h and use 8-10L/100km

The gs only looks bulky it handles very sporty, excels at highway turns like long smooth ramps and whatnot. Suspension is same as IS.

Im just a tall person I felt like I needed a bigger car. I can lie down AND STRETCH MY LEGS if I want.

I figured with the traffic and all you're not driving at the limit so the benefits of a smaller lighter car become useless.

potatomon

GS can do highway overtakes just fine. If you make it drop1 gear you will pass the person 2 gears it's game over you're leaving everybody in your mirror.

Lextazy

Thank you Potatomon. And thank you all guys. I'll be looking for GS 460 or 350 now. That's all I need in a car - smooth long trip rides and sportiness. And of course a reliability and Lexus has that.
Hopefully, I'll find one soon. Will post pictures as soon as I get it! Wish me luck!

scrmnws6

Make sure to check out insurance on both.

I love my GS, but for some reason insurance on the GS models is much higher when comparing other Lexus models.