Hi - New to Lexus & CL
01-06-13, 09:24 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Hi - New to Lexus & CL
So, this is my first post, and I'm afraid of what will happen...I went from no Lexuseseses to 2 of them in 2 weeks. I got an RX350 for the Mrs and just got a GS350 AWD for myself (last 30 minutes of the last day of the 2012 selling year...needless to say, they were giving the things away).
I'm afraid of what will happen because the last time I joined a car club was when I got my VW Passat. Next thing I knew, I was founding a VW & Audi enthusiast group, running a global forum with a few thousand members (http://www.b5one.com - since shut down and now just a Facebook page where I post VWAG news), and regularly modding my car (http://falchuk.plexcomols.com/bryan/...sat/060103.jpg). Since I'm leasing now, I can't get into the mods...well, that and the looks my wife will give me!
All that said, I'm only on day 3 and the first 120 miles of driving my GS, but I'm totally in love with it. I wanted an A6 2.0T, but Audi just won't deal right now (they're basically totally sold out nationwide, so they don't have to). To give a sense of the difference in desperation between Audi and Lexus, Audi wanted $765/month (plus tax) for a $51k A6 2.0T on a 36mo/12k miles per year lease. My GS350 AWD has the luxury package, making it about $10k more than the Audi. I got the 27 mo lease w/ 12k miles/year (negotiated up from the standard 10k), and had a Subaru to trade. The Subie was low miles, but 5 years old, and had some dings and scrapes. I walked out paying nothing. Nothing.
Anyway, cost or good deals aside, the car is amazing. It really handles incredibly - I actually found it to be better-handling than the Audi when I test drove it. The magazines were saying that Lexus was finally out-handling the BMW 5 Series with the latest GS and the latest 5, but I knew BMW kinda screwed up the 5 this time around (much softer car), so I figured it was as much BMW's mistake as Lexus's improvement. That may be, but the GS drives really well.
OK, enough rambling. I know it's just stock, but here are 2 pics.
I'm afraid of what will happen because the last time I joined a car club was when I got my VW Passat. Next thing I knew, I was founding a VW & Audi enthusiast group, running a global forum with a few thousand members (http://www.b5one.com - since shut down and now just a Facebook page where I post VWAG news), and regularly modding my car (http://falchuk.plexcomols.com/bryan/...sat/060103.jpg). Since I'm leasing now, I can't get into the mods...well, that and the looks my wife will give me!
All that said, I'm only on day 3 and the first 120 miles of driving my GS, but I'm totally in love with it. I wanted an A6 2.0T, but Audi just won't deal right now (they're basically totally sold out nationwide, so they don't have to). To give a sense of the difference in desperation between Audi and Lexus, Audi wanted $765/month (plus tax) for a $51k A6 2.0T on a 36mo/12k miles per year lease. My GS350 AWD has the luxury package, making it about $10k more than the Audi. I got the 27 mo lease w/ 12k miles/year (negotiated up from the standard 10k), and had a Subaru to trade. The Subie was low miles, but 5 years old, and had some dings and scrapes. I walked out paying nothing. Nothing.
Anyway, cost or good deals aside, the car is amazing. It really handles incredibly - I actually found it to be better-handling than the Audi when I test drove it. The magazines were saying that Lexus was finally out-handling the BMW 5 Series with the latest GS and the latest 5, but I knew BMW kinda screwed up the 5 this time around (much softer car), so I figured it was as much BMW's mistake as Lexus's improvement. That may be, but the GS drives really well.
OK, enough rambling. I know it's just stock, but here are 2 pics.
01-06-13, 09:34 AM
#3
Welcome to the club. What a beauty! What is color combo? I have a black/flaxen. Nice photos and photoshop skills. I never thought about turning black and white this way. Very nicely done!
Was that all lens blur or combined with photoshop? Enjoy your new ride.
Was that all lens blur or combined with photoshop? Enjoy your new ride.
01-06-13, 01:41 PM
#6
This model actually perform almost as well as my modded 2GS430 ! That is saying a lot since I have complete suspension upgrade (all figs parts, swift springs, trd sways, aluminum end links, aluminum calipers, etc...).
The only thing missing is the more torque and power. I Can't imagine how the GSF will do. Congrats! I'm enjoying it as much as you are.
The only thing missing is the more torque and power. I Can't imagine how the GSF will do. Congrats! I'm enjoying it as much as you are.
01-07-13, 02:10 AM
#7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks, everyone. I have a black on black with the luxury package.
As for blurring and bluing...I shot with my iPhone 5, so the blur is all PS (and not a good job, I must say - I was rushing). The blue is probably just the lighting of the day mixed with the iPhone's mediocre white balance. No tinting or mods.
As for blurring and bluing...I shot with my iPhone 5, so the blur is all PS (and not a good job, I must say - I was rushing). The blue is probably just the lighting of the day mixed with the iPhone's mediocre white balance. No tinting or mods.
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01-07-13, 06:20 PM
#12
Congrats and welcome! I came from an Audi S5 Cab. Audi never seems to have decent lease deals because they are based on the residual value at the end of the lease and the depreciation factor on Audis is higher than Lexus. Lexus is one of the top brands in terms of holding value due to reliability. Audis and BMWs are tougher to sell at the end of a lease due to potential out-of-warranty issues.
In any case, you made a great choice! 11 months and 5,500 miles and I've never looked back!
In any case, you made a great choice! 11 months and 5,500 miles and I've never looked back!
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