Gold4x4

Does the 2013 GS 350 ride as smooth as my 2000 GS 400 that has been a great car for many years? Thank you

esonu

Having a 2000 gs300 and 2004 gs430 in the family and having the chance to ride in those a lot. From my personal experience I say no. It’s not as luxury feeling. It seems like Lexus went more towards sports luxury with the 13+. My 07 gs350 rode smoother than my current 14 gs350. Yet I love this car. So it’s better to just go and test drive to get a feel if you’re thinking of purchasing one.

AJLex19

I owned an '01 GS430 - now own a '13 GS350... the '13 doesn't ride as smooth in stock form vs the 2GS. The older 2GS was more of a luxury ride, smaller wheels, softer suspension.

The newer GS is more sport tuned, bigger wheels, more aggressive suspension/tuning. If you want a lux feel, look for a '13+ GS with the Luxury Package and 18" wheels. No matter what, I think you'll miss the V8!

rj4510

We had a 99 GS400. The engine in the current generation has nothing on that old V8. I think HP and torque are on par, but that old V8 was just plain butter. I also got the same mileage from that engine as I do with my current GS.

As for the ride, my wife much preferred the ride of the 99, than she does the 13 Lux edition. I disagree. I think it drives as smooth without being I S or S+, but with some added fun factor with sport mode turned on. The 350 also drives more on par with the V8 in sport mode, but nowhere near as buttery. I removed that ridiculous noise maker shortly after I got the 13, so at least for the most part, it sounds quiet in acceleration.

Ill never accept the current Camry platform as anything near the old 400/430 engines, but I’ve learned to just ignore that part. The car performs well. Engine is smooth, but the V8 was pure luxury. It also had so much more potential than was ever tapped into. With the V6, while I know it still has room for additional performances, it feels as if it’s at 80% of its potential, where our 99 was barely breathing.

jonathancl

I went from a 2001 GS430 (which I drove for 13 years and 160k miles) to a 2013 Luxury awd.
My 2001 had the L-Tuned suspension, so I've found them to be very similar.

I'm quite content, happily sacrificed the v8 to gain awd.

swat1727

iTrader: (2)

I came from a 01 gs300. First time I test drove the gs350, I thought there were something wrong with the engine as it was louder and I can feel the engine shaking.

My dad now drives the 300. Everytime I get into that car, I'm always surprised how smooth it was.

But I do have to say the driving feel is much more sporty on the 4gs. Two completely different cars.

UDel

They ride pretty similarly, I had a 01 430, now have a 14 350 AWD Luxury, 430 slightly softer, more suspension travel. Tires do make a difference. V8 is smoother and more effortless, good power down low and on highway. GS350 is not quite as smooth, takes a little more gas down low to get decent acceleration but if you are more aggressive it is a little quicker then the 8 cylinder in many situations. GS350 gas mileage is noticeably better then my GS430, especially on long highway trips.

Handling is very different, GS350 is much more planted, crisp, taught, very little body roll which actually makes it less jarring/smoother in many ways then the GS400/430 which is not a great handler, has a good amount of body roll, jars you around a little during turns, aggressive driving, my parents TL's and TLX's handled much better and were more competent at higher speeds/turns then my GS430. Steering is more satisfying in the GS350. GS430 is not a sporty/sports sedan at all, GS350 is, GS350 is/can be much better equipped then the 400 too, quality in most areas is higher in GS350. Rear seat seems a little more cramped in the GS350 then the GS430 though the trunk is bigger in the GS350.

Styling wise I go back and forth, loved my black GS430 with the big spoiler, just looked so good when washed and polished. GS350 has some good angles, not as upscale looking but F Sports look very good, my front lip, F sport grills, spoiler do really help the look of the non F Sport and I have got many compliments.

werewolf

This...that v8 is the best engine I've ever had

ddare

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I went from a 01 GS430 to a 350 F Sport and I agree with werewolf's opinion. That V8 was pure butter and bulletproof - it felt like it was hardly working when you jumped on it but the V6 you can feel it working.

As far as ride quality, the factory 01 GS was much softer and luxury - 17 GS is more sporty a feel for sure but still a very comfortable ride.

And I wish Lexus offered a 350 V8 option or a greater HP V6 (360ish) - I know, GS F, but I need the AWD for winter :/