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GS200T would be a fail if Lexus discontinued the GS350 and forced you to buy the GS 200T as the only GS model. But since the 350 is still available, and the 200T merely represents an expansion of choice to bring in new buyers who would previously not have considered the GS due to its price, I hardly consider it a fail. The 200T will achieve the purpose for which it was built at the price point it is sold. If you are not the target buyer of the 200T, don't denigrate it as a fail, especially since there are other choices upstream and downstream in the Lexus line up that are available to you. What this thread really reveals is the GS200T haters want to impose their taste in cars on others who don't share the same tastes. Communism anyone?
Being very open-minded I really don't see the GS 200t being anything more than a weak seller in the U.S. at best, and most likely a total failure with such weak sales that it stays in the U.S. lineup no more than 3-4 years before Lexus pulls the plug on it.
At what point do you reject Lexus' spec sheet as "just marketing" and accept a car magazine's pronouncements as more reliable? Why not just buy a car based on hearsay rather than checking the manufacturer's official specs? I'm all for third party vetting of car maker claims, but what you're insinuating here borders on the realm of conspiracy theory. The bigger question is: why would someone who is suspicious of and hostile to Lexus even hang out in a Lexus forum? Masochism? What is to be gained by it? The topic at hand concerns the addition of choice, not the restriction of it. Lexus didn't take away your GS350 (if you even own one currently) or your right to buy one in the future. It added a GS200T for those who prefer and are willing to pay for that car's specs. It's not that hard to understand.
If there is a $5,000 difference between the base GS200t and the GS350, it gives Lexus a "loss leader" price to advertise. Most people probably don't think they can into a GS for $45k, so it may bring customers into the dealership, then allow salesmen to upsell them to the higher priced GS350. In that respect, it may serve its purpose. And then there may be a small percentage of those who are actually happy with the way it drives and look no further.
In the long term, I'll bet lease rates will be pretty similar on the GS200t and GS350 due to residual value.
If there is a $5,000 difference between the base GS200t and the GS350, it gives Lexus a "loss leader" price to advertise. Most people probably don't think they can into a GS for $45k, so it may bring customers into the dealership, then allow salesmen to upsell them to the higher priced GS350. In that respect, it may serve its purpose. And then there may be a small percentage of those who are actually happy with the way it drives and look no further.
If there is a $5,000 difference between the base GS200t and the GS350, it gives Lexus a "loss leader" price to advertise. Most people probably don't think they can into a GS for $45k, so it may bring customers into the dealership, then allow salesmen to upsell them to the higher priced GS350. In that respect, it may serve its purpose. And then there may be a small percentage of those who are actually happy with the way it drives and look no further.
In the long term, I'll bet lease rates will be pretty similar on the GS200t and GS350 due to residual value.
The problem is, the GS is not their biggest seller. All potential GS buyers, end up in the ES, because they get a mid-size sedan for a lot less $. The new 200t seems out of place here. If the ES did not exist, then 200t would make a lot of sense.
I personally think that those who are shopping for sport mid-size sedan, will end up buying the GS350, everyone else will continue to buy the ES. The 200t will most likely face the same fate as its cousin the GS450h.
i'm somewhat glad they stuck the 200t in the GS, and more base model GS200t get sold and flood the market. Hoping this will drop resale value of used CPO 2013-2015 GS350 F Sports so I can pick one up next year
Like it or not, 4cyl turbo is now the standard entry level for cars in this class. Can't fault Lexus for doing the same as everyone else.
It is a FAIL because all the competitors make an entry level turbo which is more powerful and more fuel efficient.
12-17-15, 05:53 PM
The extra packages and options don't mean jack at trade in.
