4GS mega thread (UPDATED; preview drives, specs, more interior pics)
07-09-11, 09:15 PM
#2356
07-10-11, 04:56 AM
#2358
Bad news to me. I was not really impressed with the trunk design of the concept. Was really hoping for a sleeker coupish look. The headlights were a little boring to me also. We'll just have to see the finished product, I suppose. I'm a Lexus fanboy, so this is really dissapointing.
It will probably grow on me, but the 2GS and 3GS looked great to me the first time I saw them. Didn't need to grow on me.
It will probably grow on me, but the 2GS and 3GS looked great to me the first time I saw them. Didn't need to grow on me.
07-10-11, 05:12 AM
#2359
Bad news to me. I was not really impressed with the trunk design of the concept. Was really hoping for a sleeker coupish look. The headlights were a little boring to me also. We'll just have to see the finished product, I suppose. I'm a Lexus fanboy, so this is really dissapointing.
It will probably grow on me, but the 2GS and 3GS looked great to me the first time I saw them. Didn't need to grow on me.
It will probably grow on me, but the 2GS and 3GS looked great to me the first time I saw them. Didn't need to grow on me.
Oh, and I hate shark-fin antennas, but everyone is doing that now so can't really get away from it. But why? I mean with all the technology out there we still need goofy looking shark fins? I know most people like them but I hate those things.
07-10-11, 07:12 AM
#2360
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I think the only reason the V8 doesn't sell is because they made it impotent.
If they had launched the 3GS in 2005 with the 380hp 4.6 V8 they unveiled in 2006, the GSV8 car would have quickly become a legend, and brought people from brands like BMW and Audi to Lexus. But they didn't - they launched with a 295hp V8. Then 2 years later when they updated it, they still didn't use the 380hp V8, but they chose to detune it.
So the GS460 doesn't sell because the retards in Lexus marketing think that people wont buy an LS460 if they can get a faster but cramped GS460 for less money.
So the story of the V8 GS is one of failure through incompetence, followed by giving up. A shame because it's a great car.
If they had launched the 3GS in 2005 with the 380hp 4.6 V8 they unveiled in 2006, the GSV8 car would have quickly become a legend, and brought people from brands like BMW and Audi to Lexus. But they didn't - they launched with a 295hp V8. Then 2 years later when they updated it, they still didn't use the 380hp V8, but they chose to detune it.
So the GS460 doesn't sell because the retards in Lexus marketing think that people wont buy an LS460 if they can get a faster but cramped GS460 for less money.
So the story of the V8 GS is one of failure through incompetence, followed by giving up. A shame because it's a great car.
My Point exactly.You couldn't have hit the nail on the head more. Lexus needs to hear this from the consumers not the dealers.
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07-10-11, 09:49 AM
#2362
I think the only reason the V8 doesn't sell is because they made it impotent.
If they had launched the 3GS in 2005 with the 380hp 4.6 V8 they unveiled in 2006, the GSV8 car would have quickly become a legend, and brought people from brands like BMW and Audi to Lexus. But they didn't - they launched with a 295hp V8. Then 2 years later when they updated it, they still didn't use the 380hp V8, but they chose to detune it.
So the GS460 doesn't sell because the retards in Lexus marketing think that people wont buy an LS460 if they can get a faster but cramped GS460 for less money.
So the story of the V8 GS is one of failure through incompetence, followed by giving up. A shame because it's a great car.
If they had launched the 3GS in 2005 with the 380hp 4.6 V8 they unveiled in 2006, the GSV8 car would have quickly become a legend, and brought people from brands like BMW and Audi to Lexus. But they didn't - they launched with a 295hp V8. Then 2 years later when they updated it, they still didn't use the 380hp V8, but they chose to detune it.
So the GS460 doesn't sell because the retards in Lexus marketing think that people wont buy an LS460 if they can get a faster but cramped GS460 for less money.
So the story of the V8 GS is one of failure through incompetence, followed by giving up. A shame because it's a great car.
07-10-11, 10:47 AM
#2363
Yeah and not just BMW, but more tellingly Infiniti does.
I really think the marketing department screwed up the GS460:
1) Most independent tests place the GS460 at 0-60 around 5.5 seconds (I have not seen a single test validating Lexus claim of 5.4)
2) Most independent tests find the LS460 does 0-60 in 5.8 - 6 seconds (Lexus claims 5.4. I think it is telling that they claim it is faster to 60 than the GS350 when it is not)
3) The GS460 would be around 5.2 if they hadn't detuned it.
It's a pretty clear inference they didn't want the GS460 to outperform the LS. This is just stupid. No other company has this hangup. It tells you the marketing people are more powerful than the engineers. A sign the company was losing it's soul back in the mid 2000s.
I really think the marketing department screwed up the GS460:
1) Most independent tests place the GS460 at 0-60 around 5.5 seconds (I have not seen a single test validating Lexus claim of 5.4)
2) Most independent tests find the LS460 does 0-60 in 5.8 - 6 seconds (Lexus claims 5.4. I think it is telling that they claim it is faster to 60 than the GS350 when it is not)
3) The GS460 would be around 5.2 if they hadn't detuned it.
It's a pretty clear inference they didn't want the GS460 to outperform the LS. This is just stupid. No other company has this hangup. It tells you the marketing people are more powerful than the engineers. A sign the company was losing it's soul back in the mid 2000s.
07-10-11, 11:02 AM
#2364
Yeah and not just BMW, but more tellingly Infiniti does.
I really think the marketing department screwed up the GS460:
1) Most independent tests place the GS460 at 0-60 around 5.5 seconds (I have not seen a single test validating Lexus claim of 5.4)
2) Most independent tests find the LS460 does 0-60 in 5.8 - 6 seconds (Lexus claims 5.4. I think it is telling that they claim it is faster to 60 than the GS350 when it is not)
3) The GS460 would be around 5.2 if they hadn't detuned it.
It's a pretty clear inference they didn't want the GS460 to outperform the LS. This is just stupid. No other company has this hangup. It tells you the marketing people are more powerful than the engineers. A sign the company was losing it's soul back in the mid 2000s.
I really think the marketing department screwed up the GS460:
1) Most independent tests place the GS460 at 0-60 around 5.5 seconds (I have not seen a single test validating Lexus claim of 5.4)
2) Most independent tests find the LS460 does 0-60 in 5.8 - 6 seconds (Lexus claims 5.4. I think it is telling that they claim it is faster to 60 than the GS350 when it is not)
3) The GS460 would be around 5.2 if they hadn't detuned it.
It's a pretty clear inference they didn't want the GS460 to outperform the LS. This is just stupid. No other company has this hangup. It tells you the marketing people are more powerful than the engineers. A sign the company was losing it's soul back in the mid 2000s.
07-10-11, 11:22 AM
#2365
Lexus Connoisseur
If they had launched the 3GS in 2005 with the 380hp 4.6 V8 they unveiled in 2006, the GSV8 car would have quickly become a legend, and brought people from brands like BMW and Audi to Lexus. But they didn't - they launched with a 295hp V8. Then 2 years later when they updated it, they still didn't use the 380hp V8, but they chose to detune it.
07-10-11, 12:15 PM
#2366
I don't think having more hp for the V8 when the 3rd Gen first came out would have solved anything. The problem with the 3rd gen GS is that it is numb and not fun to drive. That's one of the main reasons why I got rid of my 07 GS350...even after I dropped it on coilovers and put 20" wheels/summer tires. A little HP boost may help, but if you have a high horsepower barge that is not engaging to drive in the first place...it would still be a fail.
Maybe it's just me.
07-10-11, 01:33 PM
#2367
I don't think having more hp for the V8 when the 3rd Gen first came out would have solved anything. The problem with the 3rd gen GS is that it is numb and not fun to drive. That's one of the main reasons why I got rid of my 07 GS350...even after I dropped it on coilovers and put 20" wheels/summer tires. A little HP boost may help, but if you have a high horsepower barge that is not engaging to drive in the first place...it would still be a fail.
- Throttle response is great compared with most brands
- The dynamic electric steering does a great job of increasing weight and feel during high speed cornering, yet remains light for low speed parking maneuvers
- The AVS holds the car reasonably flat in corners, and cars which also have APSS are even more flat. But the basic AVS version already has very little body roll in high speed cornering.
The GS350 comes with soft suspension, junk tires (rated 3 out of 10 by tire rack users), and without the active suspension package, the steering is not variable assist, so this combination of factors makes the base model less driver oriented.
07-10-11, 01:37 PM
#2368
When the marketing people gained power, the company began a slippery slope which led to share loss, and in the case of the GS destroyed their strong share of the segment.
Akio Toyoda has been quite clear that he is trying to make the company an engineering driven organization again, driven by people who are passionate about cars. But he still has some way to go.
Clearly this instance, launching a GS, but not providing a V8 competitor, when they already have a powertrain to compete with the 550i and M56, is just dumb. It's not like they have to design a new engine.
07-10-11, 01:57 PM
#2369
I don't think having more hp for the V8 when the 3rd Gen first came out would have solved anything. The problem with the 3rd gen GS is that it is numb and not fun to drive. That's one of the main reasons why I got rid of my 07 GS350...even after I dropped it on coilovers and put 20" wheels/summer tires. A little HP boost may help, but if you have a high horsepower barge that is not engaging to drive in the first place...it would still be a fail.