My only real complaint about the GS350
10-30-18, 07:29 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
My only real complaint about the GS350
Why doesn't the rear seats fold down? I bought a Pelican case to haul stuff around and it didn't fit in the trunk. I had to put it in the back seat on top of some blankets and pillows hoping to not scratch the leather.
10-30-18, 08:15 AM
#2
Because Lexus puts a crossbrace back there so it helps stiffen the whole body of the car from twisting forces, etc... It also likely reduces some noise from the trunk area, too. I actually like the fact that the back is solid like that.
Yes, I can't get my Winchester long, double rifle case in the trunk of my GS either... but I rarely use the damned thing, it's just too big... It was annoying to use even when I had my Camry.
I will concede it was kind of nice being able to flip down the seats and throw a folding table or two in the trunk, but I think I can count on one hand how many times I actually did that with the Camry over like 7 years and 260,000 miles.
Now thinking about it, outside of the SUVs, I don't think there are any Lexus sedans that have ever had flip down rear seats, for the same reason... even my old ES 330 only has a pass-through. The only one I can think of that doesn't is the CT200, but that thing is a hatch...
-Mike
Yes, I can't get my Winchester long, double rifle case in the trunk of my GS either... but I rarely use the damned thing, it's just too big... It was annoying to use even when I had my Camry.
I will concede it was kind of nice being able to flip down the seats and throw a folding table or two in the trunk, but I think I can count on one hand how many times I actually did that with the Camry over like 7 years and 260,000 miles.
Now thinking about it, outside of the SUVs, I don't think there are any Lexus sedans that have ever had flip down rear seats, for the same reason... even my old ES 330 only has a pass-through. The only one I can think of that doesn't is the CT200, but that thing is a hatch...
-Mike
Last edited by drgrant; 10-30-18 at 08:19 AM.
10-30-18, 08:20 AM
#3
Lexus Champion
The current IS has a split folding rear seat.
10-30-18, 08:22 AM
#4
Yeah, that just dawned on me that it does have one....
-Mike
-Mike
10-30-18, 08:23 AM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
Makes sense. I too was trying to haul around a double rifle case. I rarely have to do it but the one time I need to I just wish the seats would fold down.
10-30-18, 09:24 AM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Yup the way I understand it is that folding rear seats make it much more difficult to insulate the cabin from noise. Since the GS is a pretty quiet car, no option. The IS is much more entry level in feel compared to the GS, so it makes sense they made the concession there to provide additional storage for a smaller trunk space.
10-30-18, 09:57 AM
#7
Because Lexus puts a crossbrace back there so it helps stiffen the whole body of the car from twisting forces, etc... It also likely reduces some noise from the trunk area, too. I actually like the fact that the back is solid like that.
Yes, I can't get my Winchester long, double rifle case in the trunk of my GS either... but I rarely use the damned thing, it's just too big... It was annoying to use even when I had my Camry.
I will concede it was kind of nice being able to flip down the seats and throw a folding table or two in the trunk, but I think I can count on one hand how many times I actually did that with the Camry over like 7 years and 260,000 miles.
Now thinking about it, outside of the SUVs, I don't think there are any Lexus sedans that have ever had flip down rear seats, for the same reason... even my old ES 330 only has a pass-through. The only one I can think of that doesn't is the CT200, but that thing is a hatch...
-Mike
Yes, I can't get my Winchester long, double rifle case in the trunk of my GS either... but I rarely use the damned thing, it's just too big... It was annoying to use even when I had my Camry.
I will concede it was kind of nice being able to flip down the seats and throw a folding table or two in the trunk, but I think I can count on one hand how many times I actually did that with the Camry over like 7 years and 260,000 miles.
Now thinking about it, outside of the SUVs, I don't think there are any Lexus sedans that have ever had flip down rear seats, for the same reason... even my old ES 330 only has a pass-through. The only one I can think of that doesn't is the CT200, but that thing is a hatch...
-Mike
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10-30-18, 07:15 PM
#9
I have an old Volvo wagon that I use to haul stuff around if I need to, and even my brother’s pickup almost anytime I need it, but let me tell you, the size of that pass through is deceiving..
Last winter I was working on my basement on a Sunday night and ran out of 2x4’s. This was in the middle of a blizzard. My old rear wheel drive Volvo couldn’t stand a chance, and my bro was busy plowing with the truck, so I took the GS. I laid down a couple of moving blankets so that nothing got scratched and was able to stack 10... that’s right... 10 2x4’s AND the trunk fully closed.
I know it’s kind of cringeworthy to think of 2x4’s in a Lexus GS but I wanted to illustrate the fact that the pass through can be quite usable.
Last winter I was working on my basement on a Sunday night and ran out of 2x4’s. This was in the middle of a blizzard. My old rear wheel drive Volvo couldn’t stand a chance, and my bro was busy plowing with the truck, so I took the GS. I laid down a couple of moving blankets so that nothing got scratched and was able to stack 10... that’s right... 10 2x4’s AND the trunk fully closed.
I know it’s kind of cringeworthy to think of 2x4’s in a Lexus GS but I wanted to illustrate the fact that the pass through can be quite usable.
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praetor (10-31-18)
11-01-18, 07:35 PM
#10
Intermediate
so i had a rx350 for 8 years and just switched to gen 4 2012 gs350 (yes they have em on this side of the world.).....lo and behold, 1 month into it i needed to transport something and trunk was too small (ordered an uber van equivalent and got it done). I then started thinking, i should have gone for the RX instead. After the tantrum i sat down and figured out how many times i actually used the RX for moving large stuff.......6....SIX times in 8 years.....I think i just saved myself 20k by getting the GS instead and using a moving service!!!!
11-02-18, 02:12 AM
#11
to be honest. the 4gs' trunk is huge! I was able to fit more in that that I would in an RX for sure. I went to have a look at the RX and decided against it. purely because the trunk was so small compared to the GS. Yes the RX the seats can fold flat but that isnt a deal breaker for me... I can use the Prado for that 
to be honest the only thing I dislike about the car is how huge it is. dimension wise. It is longer and wider than my landcruiser prado...
to be honest the only thing I dislike about the car is how huge it is. dimension wise. It is longer and wider than my landcruiser prado...
11-02-18, 08:21 AM
#12
Racer
Thread Starter
FWIW, I only need to haul large things once in a blue moon. It's all fine and dandy when you know ahead of time. But when you're out in the field, it can be a huge annoyance. Still it's not a deal breaker.
11-02-18, 09:58 AM
#13
Lead Lap
Has the GS ever had back seats that fold down? I've had 3rd and 4th gen, and neither of those had them. It can be inconvenient at times, but I've gotten used to it and we just take my wife's RX if we need to haul things.
11-02-18, 01:12 PM
#14
Instructor
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