4GS mega thread (UPDATED; preview drives, specs, more interior pics)
07-10-11, 07:42 PM
#2386
however, i never purchased the gs350 with "fun to drive" in my mind anyway, that would have been a very stupid mistake. i got the gs350 for his overall balance on driving conditions. smoother than most other rides, a little bit of sportiness, and good navigation / sound system.
that's pretty much where i set my expectation on fun to drive vs sensible buys. i am sure the next guy will be different.
that's pretty much where i set my expectation on fun to drive vs sensible buys. i am sure the next guy will be different.
I disagree with everyone about the steering though. Maybe I'll meet up with another Tampa boardmember next time I'm in the states and have them report my car's steering feel. I guess I'm the only one out there who thinks their steering is dead on precise?
07-10-11, 08:46 PM
#2390
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we are definitely on the same page. we all bought the car for the reasons we each justified, and while i disagree with some others, i do respect their opinions. everything is a matter of perspective 
the gs is above a lot of cars, but there are also a lot of cars on top of the gs.
the gs is above a lot of cars, but there are also a lot of cars on top of the gs.
I've explained multiple times what happened to the 3GS in a logical way with facts/figures links.
Let me quickly summarize it for you and others. 2010 is not 1998. 2006 is not 1998. In 1998 to be quite frank there were three luxury brands worth a damn and the rest was a bunch of "lol".
BMW/Benz/Lexus.
1996-new E class
1997-new 5 series
1998-new GS
All won import car of the year back to back to back. In 1998 there was nothing to compete, everything else in this class was an afterthought, if they HAD something in this class.
Then on top of that there wasn't even much anything else with a V-8 and 300hp. The Camaro was dying/dead. The Mustang didn't. There was no 300C. There was no Genesis as Hyundai was horrible in 1998. There was no Buick, INfiniti was almost discontinued as a brand etc etc.
As a matter of fact the V-8 luxury sedans then were called the new age "muscle cars". From 1998-2002 or so, for about 5 years the GS 400/430 and BMW 540 (the E 420/430 was always a step slower) were some of the greatest all around cars ever sold.
Fast forward to 2005/2006. V-6s now make 300hp. Infinit/Buick/Volvo/Lincoln etc all are all rising with new product. BMW has completely expanded its lineup and the 5 series jumped to 325 then 350hp. Mercedes sold Chrysler then went hp crazy, the E500 and especially E550 were high hp cars. Audi got involved with not just the 4.2 V-8 but the V-10 S6 with 450hp.
I've always said, Lexus opened a can of worms in 1998 they were not ready to handle. They advertised and bragged rightly that the GS 400 was the fastest automatic sedan in 1997/1998. A title it held for only a few months. The E55 and Jaguar XJR came and then the M5 and the rest is history. We have seen a German HP war never seen before. Here it is 2011 and the Lexus LFA with 552hp isn't an "amazing" figure. Multiple German cars are around that figure or eclipse it. You just are not going to overpower or out HP the Germans ever again.
We all agree that the GS 430 debuting with the same engine in 2005 wasn't a great move. So what if it had 342hp as a GS 460? Well it would have been great but not eye-opening and not fastest in class. If it debuted with the 380hp that the LS 460 had, that would have been something, only the updated E550 with 382 at the time would have outpowered it. Then it would have still had the same chassis that many like to complain about with 380hp.
It seems to me that interest internally shifted to the LFA and the IS F. We didn't know that in 2004/2005/2006. This also hurt the GS. The top engineers were working on the LFA and the guy that was in charge of the Supra developed the IS F on his own. It was not a planned Lexus product. It would have been great for him to want to develop a GS F but he wanted to slap the biggest engine (the 5.0 in the 600h L) in the smallest car, ala what Mr. Delorean did with the GTO and what so many have followed over the years.
A well respected member here Mr. Johnson said it years ago and it made sense. Many of you might not know him but back in 2000 when were were rocking 2GSs he had a supercharged GS 400 and then he purchased an IS F. He said that the IS F/IS line is what the GS line used to be. The "Badass" Lexus sedan. The IS 350 became fastest in class and the mean looking Lexus. The IS F only extended that.
Cliff notes;
GS in 1998 had one main competitor the 5 series and then the E-class. Nothing else competed with them much and there wasn't anything else from non luxury brands either.
GS in 2005 had much more competition that was all awakened. They should thank the 2GS/E39/E320/430 for paving the way.
Lexus internally shifted its sport engineers to the LFA and IS line. Lexus lineup expanded compared to 1998. GS no longer the focus it once was.
Last edited by LexFather; 07-10-11 at 09:06 PM.
07-10-11, 11:10 PM
#2397
Exactly. It's all about expectation management. You can't buy a GS then fault it for not being a Ferarri.
I disagree with everyone about the steering though. Maybe I'll meet up with another Tampa boardmember next time I'm in the states and have them report my car's steering feel. I guess I'm the only one out there who thinks their steering is dead on precise?
I disagree with everyone about the steering though. Maybe I'll meet up with another Tampa boardmember next time I'm in the states and have them report my car's steering feel. I guess I'm the only one out there who thinks their steering is dead on precise?
for steering, i don't know, what do you compare to? camry? if so, yes, much more precise. but compared to my m3, which i consider something fun to drive (and more like somewhat entry level), it's loose
