When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I decided to take the 2014 GS350 FSport out to confirm I want a more track-worthy car. Holy ****, talk about the most fun I've had in at least a decade!!!! It's all I can think about now - every day since. I'm signing up for the next Track-Day next month. The Lexus did absolutely amazing! I'm 40yrs old this year and have always had a love for cars/speed/vehicles (used to be more into off-road). Never tracked a car on a road course until last Friday (previously done drag-strip once). I'm debating on a S/C BRZ/M2/S550Stang/Cayman but wanted to make sure I'd love the sport (which I knew I would). I love my GS and really don't want to sell it, but right now we're at 3 vehicles, and adding a 4th might put my wife over the top LOL (I mix DD duties between the Lexus and a Tundra). I'm debating an IS500 to replace the GS350 if I don't go dedicated track car.
I took the ole gal in for her 60K mi service and made sure factory pads were 50%+ (they were 60%) and made sure the service included new brake fluid. I was going to run Motul 600 but my Lexus service tech advised against it. She's lower a tad, 20" Vossens with new Nitto G2's, and Tanabe axle back. Other than that, stock.
We ended up doing a slower "get to know the track" at 50mph. Then we had 3 x 20 min sessions with the novice group. Cars in the group (around 15) included multiple STI's, a GT350, new Supra 3.0, some form of newer BMW, Miatas, Celica, Porsche 911.....My GoPro was only able to record my very first ever track session. I was much better by the last session #3.
I think my old Lexus IS350 would have done a tad better, sadly I sold it and the GS replaced it. Wish I still had it.
Anyway, I was very pleasantly surprised by how well the 4 door grocery getter did in the group. I passed every car on the 3 sessions minus the GT350 and Supra.
I haven't posted here in years, but decided to just in case anyone was on the fence about a TrackDay. I'd say go for it and have fun. :-)
First video is 120mph down to about 65mph through the chicane
Awesome. I've had the good fortune of driving IS-F, GS-F, and RC-F on track, and while I am not willing to risk my daily driver, I am still patiently counting down the days until I have the budget to go again.
It's always nice to see a GS on the track doing what it likes the most. Not getting stuck in traffic.
Did u ever feel that u have hit the GS limits or did it feel like the car wants to be pushed even harder?
That ole gal is still lookin' good man!
I haven’t tracked cars before, but in my old 2007 IS350, every time I started it, traction control was turned off. I live in the country and commute to the city every day. I have quite a few safe opportunities to get sideways without any possibility of harming anyone but myself. I went through rear tires on that car every 10K miles.
The GS is heavier, and I haven’t driven as spirited daily, but on the track I do feel I pushed it to its limits, even as a novice track driver. By the 3rd session, every corner the tires were maxed out. If I was going to push this car more I would’ve went PS4’s for tires, but I wasn’t 100% if I was going to love it. Wish I would’ve now.
Out of 15 cars, only 2 passed me. I wasn’t a **** either, and if a car came behind me I pointed him by. A 3.0 Supra and a Mustang GT350. My track time was low 1:38-1:42 and the GT350 was 6 seconds faster (I’d expect about 30 seconds). I passed multiple other cars that really surprised me, especially the 911 Carrera S. The 2 STi’s were considerably slower which I found very odd. A tracked-out Miata probably gave me the best run for my money, kept up in the turns but I’d get him on both straights.
Awesome. I've had the good fortune of driving IS-F, GS-F, and RC-F on track, and while I am not willing to risk my daily driver, I am still patiently counting down the days until I have the budget to go again.
How did the brakes hold up? Any fade?
This was absolutely my biggest concern with a nearly 4,000 lb sedan on a track. I basically did 5 sessions. 1 “warm up” get to know the track, and directly after that a session. Then another session, then a “track tour” which we did end up in the 100+mph every straight, then another session after that.
I went through an entire tank of fuel, and topped off 1/8 mile before entering the track that day.
ZERO fade. Maybe I didn’t push it hard enough? I’m not entirely sure. I was utilizing the paddle shifters and down-shifting to save brakes on every turn. I did not leave it in auto-mode. That I would guess, would’ve smoked the brakes.
I was told not to “trail-brake” as it was more of a advanced group skill, but I did, and was perfectly fine.
If I wasn’t trail-braking, it would’ve forced me to use more brake before entering the turns, which might of heated up the fluid and caused fade.
I overheard a few people mumble “fast lexus” LMAO and the Supra guy couldn’t believe I had a V6 and not a V8.
I think being lowered, and the Sport + mode stiffening the suspension helped tremendously. Along with new tires.
Really wish the GoPro worked for the 2nd and 3rd sessions - the 3rd session I had learned the track after riding with my buddy, and was waaay faster. Also, I was told to leave 10-12 car lengths in the corners so we wouldn’t pressure each other. So that’s why I was so far away from the other cars in the long GoPro video.
Crossing my fingers I can make next month! :-)
great stuff! its always interesting to see at track days, some of the nicer/sportier cars being passed by a 'regular' car, sometimes it comes down to driver skill.
love the ending of the first vid of you driving off into the sunset btw :P
I am sure the new tires and springs/tighter suspension helped, but you can't discount driver skill here. You definitely know what you're doing. I loved how you used the paddle shifters effortlessly and kept the car in the peak RPM range (4K PRM or so) for the most part.
Back in the day, I used to own a manual, turbo-charged Miata and that was such a joy to drive around a track (with the limited track days that I had). It also used to surprise many. Thanks for sharing and great videos!
05-13-21, 01:16 PM
My 1st ever SCCA Track Day - GS350 F Sport
