Sad day - Looks like a total loss
08-31-23, 01:26 AM
#17
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Maui has zero GS's for sale. Honolulu has several, so I'm flying over to take a look at them tomorrow.
If none of them suit my fancy/price range I may just opt for one of the cars I drove over here that seem like reasonable options. Only two I drove that seem worth the money are a 2015 Camry XSE with a 6 cylinder and a 2018 Accord with the 2.0 turbo. The Camry feels a lot like an ES (surprise surprise) and is a very simple machine that should last and last. The Accord is a freaking rocket - it's crazy how quick it is off the line. The transmission isn't especially smooth though and the 4 cylinder makes an unpleasant noise.
If none of them suit my fancy/price range I may just opt for one of the cars I drove over here that seem like reasonable options. Only two I drove that seem worth the money are a 2015 Camry XSE with a 6 cylinder and a 2018 Accord with the 2.0 turbo. The Camry feels a lot like an ES (surprise surprise) and is a very simple machine that should last and last. The Accord is a freaking rocket - it's crazy how quick it is off the line. The transmission isn't especially smooth though and the 4 cylinder makes an unpleasant noise.
08-31-23, 06:05 PM
#18
Maui has zero GS's for sale. Honolulu has several, so I'm flying over to take a look at them tomorrow.
If none of them suit my fancy/price range I may just opt for one of the cars I drove over here that seem like reasonable options. Only two I drove that seem worth the money are a 2015 Camry XSE with a 6 cylinder and a 2018 Accord with the 2.0 turbo. The Camry feels a lot like an ES (surprise surprise) and is a very simple machine that should last and last. The Accord is a freaking rocket - it's crazy how quick it is off the line. The transmission isn't especially smooth though and the 4 cylinder makes an unpleasant noise.
If none of them suit my fancy/price range I may just opt for one of the cars I drove over here that seem like reasonable options. Only two I drove that seem worth the money are a 2015 Camry XSE with a 6 cylinder and a 2018 Accord with the 2.0 turbo. The Camry feels a lot like an ES (surprise surprise) and is a very simple machine that should last and last. The Accord is a freaking rocket - it's crazy how quick it is off the line. The transmission isn't especially smooth though and the 4 cylinder makes an unpleasant noise.
08-31-23, 06:43 PM
#19
Maui has zero GS's for sale. Honolulu has several, so I'm flying over to take a look at them tomorrow.
If none of them suit my fancy/price range I may just opt for one of the cars I drove over here that seem like reasonable options. Only two I drove that seem worth the money are a 2015 Camry XSE with a 6 cylinder and a 2018 Accord with the 2.0 turbo. The Camry feels a lot like an ES (surprise surprise) and is a very simple machine that should last and last. The Accord is a freaking rocket - it's crazy how quick it is off the line. The transmission isn't especially smooth though and the 4 cylinder makes an unpleasant noise.
If none of them suit my fancy/price range I may just opt for one of the cars I drove over here that seem like reasonable options. Only two I drove that seem worth the money are a 2015 Camry XSE with a 6 cylinder and a 2018 Accord with the 2.0 turbo. The Camry feels a lot like an ES (surprise surprise) and is a very simple machine that should last and last. The Accord is a freaking rocket - it's crazy how quick it is off the line. The transmission isn't especially smooth though and the 4 cylinder makes an unpleasant noise.
That Accord is a good choice also. You are right about it being a rocket, and I'm fairly certain Honda underrated the claimed hp. The only issue w/ some Accord's has been the Turbo's but Lexus is experiencing the same rarely, and so is everyone else manufacture with the 2.0T turbo's, but imo it's not a show stopper I would worry about. Another one worth mentioning is the Acura TL V6 versions. Hope you can find another GS, but good luck in what you get. Keep us posted!
Last edited by jgscott; 08-31-23 at 06:48 PM.
09-01-23, 12:03 AM
#20
Intermediate
Thread Starter
OK so headed over to Oahu today, interesting experience. Had about 7 candidates, all GS 350's, all F Sport except one.
1st stop was at the Mercedes dealer, they had a 2015 Atomic Silver in good exterior and interior condition. Slight drawbacks were lack of ML stereo and a firm and somewhat clunky ride (guess I'd have to jack around with the moonroof gasket again). The 2015 chassis really is taut apparently.
2nd stop was at a used dealership. Had two 2015's. One with 27K and one with 45K. Asking $29K and $28K respectively. Run by a couple of weirdos, and the cars looked to have been repainted at some point. Hard pass on these ones.
3rd stop was another small dealer. Had a 2013 with 74K miles for $23K. Good exterior, but a noticeable clunk in the left front suspension - turns out it had aftermarket coilovers. Another pass.
4th stop was another small dealer. Had a 2014 with 75K miles for $24900. Nice gray nebula paint, clean interior. Car ran beautifully but it had a kid racer vibe and an aftermarket intake. Sounded good at low RPM but too loud at full throttle. Also had an aftermarket lower lip added to the front fender which was carbon fiber and I don't think looked good. Considering this one but concerned that it may have been tuned or otherwise messed with which is a variable I don't really want. Owner doesn't have detailed history of the car because it's from auction.
I think the 1st car is the winner here. It's a one-owner car, looks great, and the stereo sounded fine to me even though it's not the ML. Salesman was very firm on the price but did agree to pay for the shipping to Maui which the other places did not. That's around $650.
I'm going to sleep on this one. I really don't know whether to just give up the ghost and buy the Camry or go for round two.
Any input from the peanut gallery would be appreciated
1st stop was at the Mercedes dealer, they had a 2015 Atomic Silver in good exterior and interior condition. Slight drawbacks were lack of ML stereo and a firm and somewhat clunky ride (guess I'd have to jack around with the moonroof gasket again). The 2015 chassis really is taut apparently.
2nd stop was at a used dealership. Had two 2015's. One with 27K and one with 45K. Asking $29K and $28K respectively. Run by a couple of weirdos, and the cars looked to have been repainted at some point. Hard pass on these ones.
3rd stop was another small dealer. Had a 2013 with 74K miles for $23K. Good exterior, but a noticeable clunk in the left front suspension - turns out it had aftermarket coilovers. Another pass.
4th stop was another small dealer. Had a 2014 with 75K miles for $24900. Nice gray nebula paint, clean interior. Car ran beautifully but it had a kid racer vibe and an aftermarket intake. Sounded good at low RPM but too loud at full throttle. Also had an aftermarket lower lip added to the front fender which was carbon fiber and I don't think looked good. Considering this one but concerned that it may have been tuned or otherwise messed with which is a variable I don't really want. Owner doesn't have detailed history of the car because it's from auction.
I think the 1st car is the winner here. It's a one-owner car, looks great, and the stereo sounded fine to me even though it's not the ML. Salesman was very firm on the price but did agree to pay for the shipping to Maui which the other places did not. That's around $650.
I'm going to sleep on this one. I really don't know whether to just give up the ghost and buy the Camry or go for round two.
Any input from the peanut gallery would be appreciated
09-01-23, 10:04 AM
#23
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Silver GS has 65K miles. Asking $24,800.
I love the GS and all, but is it really twice the car of the Camry???
09-01-23, 10:52 AM
#24
Here is what I think though..... You had a GS and loved it. You get that Camry and it's a different car. Then if....you regret it, and wish you had gotten the GS?
I had a 13 ES350 U/L at the same time with my GS. On a trip ES350 Wins every time. But it's a ES/Camry. lol! The GS is not a rocket and it does not handle like a Porsche. There are post here where the V6 Camry and ES350 beat the GS350. The 267hp rating on the ES and Camry is underrated BS by Toy/Lex.With that, unless your priorities have changed alot, Get the 15 GS350.
Drive the 15 GS again to make sure you could live with the 6speed 13 to new 15 8speed Trans change and engine response difference. I can't.
09-01-23, 11:43 AM
#25
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Yeah it's tough. I'm usually not a wishy washy person but I'm struggling with this one. I know it's just a car but this is a long term decision for me. I'm not someone who changes cars every 3 years.
09-01-23, 11:51 AM
#26
We have a newer Camry and also a GS. The ride is definitely better on the GS including the creature comfortable and better audio. Camry is just another vehicle but it really depends what you are looking for. Maintenance is likely lower on the Camry due to labor cost and parts though. If you want something better then it's the GS.
I was talking to a car detailer and he has a newer Camry V6 and he wonders how it compares to the GS also. lol
I was talking to a car detailer and he has a newer Camry V6 and he wonders how it compares to the GS also. lol
09-01-23, 01:15 PM
#27
You know the GS so well. (Know how to do your own fluids and plugs etc. yourself.)
Your own quote "my favorite things about the GS are the surprising handling ability, deceptive speed and the comfort and look of the interior".
Luxury cars cost more. Less mileage cars cost more. Performance costs more too.
Over time, you won't miss the initial outlay, you will be happier plus will be driving a more exclusive vehicle.
Not to mention being part of this awesome forum as a sounding board.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post