Why would you pay 2020 GS?
05-21-20, 07:42 AM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Why would you pay 2020 GS?
Saw an article recently about limited run 2020 Lexus GS350 F-Sport. I didn’t see its pricing, but I would guess somewhere close to $60k?
If you are on the market for a new car, why would you spend $60k on a brand-new but 8+ years old model in 2020? I am trying to understand some reasoning from those who are actually considering brand new Lexus GS a viable option.
I have had 5 lexus thus far and I still think Lexus makes great reliable cars. But specifically to 4GS, if I were to consider it new:
Pros: reliable engine/tranny, good interior build quality.
Cons: horrible infotainment including no apple car, lack of handling agility (I can feel the car was made yesterday).
I think it’s only attractive USED. $60k is a good number in USA car market where options are plentiful. Thanks for your thoughts.
If you are on the market for a new car, why would you spend $60k on a brand-new but 8+ years old model in 2020? I am trying to understand some reasoning from those who are actually considering brand new Lexus GS a viable option.
I have had 5 lexus thus far and I still think Lexus makes great reliable cars. But specifically to 4GS, if I were to consider it new:
Pros: reliable engine/tranny, good interior build quality.
Cons: horrible infotainment including no apple car, lack of handling agility (I can feel the car was made yesterday).
I think it’s only attractive USED. $60k is a good number in USA car market where options are plentiful. Thanks for your thoughts.
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rehall7 (05-27-20)
05-21-20, 08:26 AM
#2
I personally wouldn't care for the special July version of the GS350 but given only 200 will be made, maybe it will be a collector's edition. Who knows. I think the GS350 is still a very attractive styling and vehicle with great reliability and that's on my top list. Given my '16 CPO car purchase has been bad experience altogether with issues with paint, navigation button, bad odor, I rather purchase new for next vehicle. The time and headaches involved. The infotainment hasn't been updated for a while that's the issue. IMHO, I purchased the car to be reliable, fun to drive and something that will last a while. Technology always changes and I can get that at home or on my smartphone (iphone). Car manufacturers are not tech companies and if they just stay making reliable, beautiful, fun cars that's all I ask for.
05-21-20, 08:32 AM
#3
Lexus Champion
Meh, I bought my 19 new and would do it again.
I had a 15 which I loved, but was coming off lease and while I wanted to just buy it out, the residual didn't really line up to make that a viable deal, plus I wanted some additional features, like radar cruise and HUD.
I did a fairly exhaustive search of other new cars in the class and just couldn't find anything else that I liked as much. There were cars with more power, there were cars with somewhat better tech, but nothing I looked at and drove felt like something I wanted to own long term, and I was ready to get out of the leasing game. I looked up a bit in price range, to the BMW 540i, and down a bit, to the Kia Stinger GT2, and a few in between, but at the end of the day it was the GS that I wanted. The only tech that I wanted that the new GS didn't offer was a surround view camera, but that wasn't a show stopper.
I don't have the issue many others seem to have with the infotainment system. It does everything I need it to do and I've been using it, issue free, for years. I have no interest in CarPlay, so that wasn't an issue for me. And I really disagree that the handling isn't great. I think it hits a perfect balance between luxurious and sporty. In Sport S+ mode, handling is flat and secure and I've never been able to catch it off guard. I still love the car, and intend to keep it for a long, long time.
Edit: I would also add that while the MSRP on my GS was about $61k, you most definitely do not have to pay close to MSRP on a new GS. There are significant discounts to be had.
I had a 15 which I loved, but was coming off lease and while I wanted to just buy it out, the residual didn't really line up to make that a viable deal, plus I wanted some additional features, like radar cruise and HUD.
I did a fairly exhaustive search of other new cars in the class and just couldn't find anything else that I liked as much. There were cars with more power, there were cars with somewhat better tech, but nothing I looked at and drove felt like something I wanted to own long term, and I was ready to get out of the leasing game. I looked up a bit in price range, to the BMW 540i, and down a bit, to the Kia Stinger GT2, and a few in between, but at the end of the day it was the GS that I wanted. The only tech that I wanted that the new GS didn't offer was a surround view camera, but that wasn't a show stopper.
I don't have the issue many others seem to have with the infotainment system. It does everything I need it to do and I've been using it, issue free, for years. I have no interest in CarPlay, so that wasn't an issue for me. And I really disagree that the handling isn't great. I think it hits a perfect balance between luxurious and sporty. In Sport S+ mode, handling is flat and secure and I've never been able to catch it off guard. I still love the car, and intend to keep it for a long, long time.
Edit: I would also add that while the MSRP on my GS was about $61k, you most definitely do not have to pay close to MSRP on a new GS. There are significant discounts to be had.
Last edited by JDR76; 05-21-20 at 08:39 AM.
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05-21-20, 08:42 AM
#4
Advanced
I understand what you are saying for sure. But, it is a really nice car overall and very reliable. Some people also refuse to buy used because they are scared of inheriting someone else’s problem. Some people also have enough money that the price doesn’t matter to them. Some people can’t stand to have a single imperfection on their car.
Anyway, none of that applies to me. I’m buying a used one. I just think those are some of the reasons someone buys new.
Anyway, none of that applies to me. I’m buying a used one. I just think those are some of the reasons someone buys new.
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05-21-20, 09:01 AM
#6
Meh, I bought my 19 new and would do it again.
I had a 15 which I loved, but was coming off lease and while I wanted to just buy it out, the residual didn't really line up to make that a viable deal, plus I wanted some additional features, like radar cruise and HUD.
I did a fairly exhaustive search of other new cars in the class and just couldn't find anything else that I liked as much. There were cars with more power, there were cars with somewhat better tech, but nothing I looked at and drove felt like something I wanted to own long term, and I was ready to get out of the leasing game. I looked up a bit in price range, to the BMW 540i, and down a bit, to the Kia Stinger GT2, and a few in between, but at the end of the day it was the GS that I wanted. The only tech that I wanted that the new GS didn't offer was a surround view camera, but that wasn't a show stopper.
I don't have the issue many others seem to have with the infotainment system. It does everything I need it to do and I've been using it, issue free, for years. I have no interest in CarPlay, so that wasn't an issue for me. And I really disagree that the handling isn't great. I think it hits a perfect balance between luxurious and sporty. In Sport S+ mode, handling is flat and secure and I've never been able to catch it off guard. I still love the car, and intend to keep it for a long, long time.
Edit: I would also add that while the MSRP on my GS was about $61k, you most definitely do not have to pay close to MSRP on a new GS. There are significant discounts to be had.
I had a 15 which I loved, but was coming off lease and while I wanted to just buy it out, the residual didn't really line up to make that a viable deal, plus I wanted some additional features, like radar cruise and HUD.
I did a fairly exhaustive search of other new cars in the class and just couldn't find anything else that I liked as much. There were cars with more power, there were cars with somewhat better tech, but nothing I looked at and drove felt like something I wanted to own long term, and I was ready to get out of the leasing game. I looked up a bit in price range, to the BMW 540i, and down a bit, to the Kia Stinger GT2, and a few in between, but at the end of the day it was the GS that I wanted. The only tech that I wanted that the new GS didn't offer was a surround view camera, but that wasn't a show stopper.
I don't have the issue many others seem to have with the infotainment system. It does everything I need it to do and I've been using it, issue free, for years. I have no interest in CarPlay, so that wasn't an issue for me. And I really disagree that the handling isn't great. I think it hits a perfect balance between luxurious and sporty. In Sport S+ mode, handling is flat and secure and I've never been able to catch it off guard. I still love the car, and intend to keep it for a long, long time.
Edit: I would also add that while the MSRP on my GS was about $61k, you most definitely do not have to pay close to MSRP on a new GS. There are significant discounts to be had.
05-21-20, 09:05 AM
#7
I would probably buy it if I was looking for a sedan. We love our GS.
The obvious exception is a Tesla Model 3.
But I doubt there is another current sedan that matches so much of what the GS350 F Sport does, at least for me.
The obvious exception is a Tesla Model 3.
But I doubt there is another current sedan that matches so much of what the GS350 F Sport does, at least for me.
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05-21-20, 09:18 AM
#8
Lexus Champion
I like it on the Highlander and think it's a nice-to-have item but not critical at all. When I bought the 19, regardless of what car I ended up with, the features that I wanted were HUD, all-speed radar cruise, lane centering, and AWD.
05-21-20, 09:43 AM
#9
Not implying at all that our cars are trash but there is a saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure."
In this world, there is something out there for everyone. Just because we (or a majority of us) think that spending $60k on a car that came out 8+ years ago is a waste of money, it doesn't mean that the person next to us will necessarily feel the same way.
Besides, that's why there's only going to be a limited number of these 2020 models! I'm sure Lexus will be able to find several hundred(?) of these people out of our population of 300+ million!
In this world, there is something out there for everyone. Just because we (or a majority of us) think that spending $60k on a car that came out 8+ years ago is a waste of money, it doesn't mean that the person next to us will necessarily feel the same way.
Besides, that's why there's only going to be a limited number of these 2020 models! I'm sure Lexus will be able to find several hundred(?) of these people out of our population of 300+ million!
05-21-20, 09:56 AM
#10
05-21-20, 09:58 AM
#11
I understand what you are saying for sure. But, it is a really nice car overall and very reliable. Some people also refuse to buy used because they are scared of inheriting someone else’s problem. Some people also have enough money that the price doesn’t matter to them. Some people can’t stand to have a single imperfection on their car.
Anyway, none of that applies to me. I’m buying a used one. I just think those are some of the reasons someone buys new.
Anyway, none of that applies to me. I’m buying a used one. I just think those are some of the reasons someone buys new.
05-21-20, 10:43 AM
#12
Racer
Their sacrifice is my pleasure.
05-21-20, 11:42 AM
#13
Meh, I bought my 19 new and would do it again.
I had a 15 which I loved, but was coming off lease and while I wanted to just buy it out, the residual didn't really line up to make that a viable deal, plus I wanted some additional features, like radar cruise and HUD.
I did a fairly exhaustive search of other new cars in the class and just couldn't find anything else that I liked as much. There were cars with more power, there were cars with somewhat better tech, but nothing I looked at and drove felt like something I wanted to own long term, and I was ready to get out of the leasing game. I looked up a bit in price range, to the BMW 540i, and down a bit, to the Kia Stinger GT2, and a few in between, but at the end of the day it was the GS that I wanted. The only tech that I wanted that the new GS didn't offer was a surround view camera, but that wasn't a show stopper.
I don't have the issue many others seem to have with the infotainment system. It does everything I need it to do and I've been using it, issue free, for years. I have no interest in CarPlay, so that wasn't an issue for me. And I really disagree that the handling isn't great. I think it hits a perfect balance between luxurious and sporty. In Sport S+ mode, handling is flat and secure and I've never been able to catch it off guard. I still love the car, and intend to keep it for a long, long time.
Edit: I would also add that while the MSRP on my GS was about $61k, you most definitely do not have to pay close to MSRP on a new GS. There are significant discounts to be had.
I had a 15 which I loved, but was coming off lease and while I wanted to just buy it out, the residual didn't really line up to make that a viable deal, plus I wanted some additional features, like radar cruise and HUD.
I did a fairly exhaustive search of other new cars in the class and just couldn't find anything else that I liked as much. There were cars with more power, there were cars with somewhat better tech, but nothing I looked at and drove felt like something I wanted to own long term, and I was ready to get out of the leasing game. I looked up a bit in price range, to the BMW 540i, and down a bit, to the Kia Stinger GT2, and a few in between, but at the end of the day it was the GS that I wanted. The only tech that I wanted that the new GS didn't offer was a surround view camera, but that wasn't a show stopper.
I don't have the issue many others seem to have with the infotainment system. It does everything I need it to do and I've been using it, issue free, for years. I have no interest in CarPlay, so that wasn't an issue for me. And I really disagree that the handling isn't great. I think it hits a perfect balance between luxurious and sporty. In Sport S+ mode, handling is flat and secure and I've never been able to catch it off guard. I still love the car, and intend to keep it for a long, long time.
Edit: I would also add that while the MSRP on my GS was about $61k, you most definitely do not have to pay close to MSRP on a new GS. There are significant discounts to be had.
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natnut (05-21-20)
05-21-20, 12:01 PM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
GS is the best car in the world! Long live the GS!! 
05-21-20, 12:35 PM
#15
Lead Lap
The GS remains one of the most reliable 4 door mid-sized sedans that offers AWD at a price point that pretty much undercuts all German competition. If you plan to lease the car and reliability is not a concern, a more modern, updated, high tech car might suit you better.
You might buy a 2020 bc the 2020 GS is a rare car and you like that unique feeling. You might wait 3 years and get it for half that. Maybe you value the great, balance ride coupled with longevity and reliability that the 2020 might provide for the next decade...over the gadgetry and novelty that might wear off with other cars.
I wouldn't pay $60k for a 2020 GS - i'd pay $30k for a 2017
You might buy a 2020 bc the 2020 GS is a rare car and you like that unique feeling. You might wait 3 years and get it for half that. Maybe you value the great, balance ride coupled with longevity and reliability that the 2020 might provide for the next decade...over the gadgetry and novelty that might wear off with other cars.
I wouldn't pay $60k for a 2020 GS - i'd pay $30k for a 2017