rxmpvibes

Hi, I'm coming from a 3rd gen GS430 and I'm in the market to get a 4th gen GS350.

1.What is the best year to get?
2. Are there any known or common issues with the 4th gens? 3. How is the maintenance?
4. Any big differences from GS350 or GS350 F Sport other than performance?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

greys0uled

A lot of threads on this. A lot of useful info in the stickied as well about available options and such.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...mendation.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-4th-gen-2013-2020/963659-what-model-year-is-the-best-for-gs-350-a-2.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-4th-gen-2013-2020/890577-which-year-used-gs-350-should-i-be-looking-for-2.html

byungkuk

Right off the bat:

13-15 vs 16-20

1. What is the best year to get? To me it's mostly visuals...13-15 does look outdated compared to 16+ but it's all subjective and you can also modify it..

• 16+ gives you Lexus Safety System+: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Intelligent High Beam, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Traffic Sign Recognition. Easier to install aftermarket Apple Carplay/Android Auto with 16+ Navi/Radio

• 13-15 is apparently a tighter driving car, whereas the refreshed version is softer (and quieter). Much cheaper but usually has more miles which could lead to more maintenance costs.

2. Are there any known or common issues with the 4th gens? Common issues... search the forums, TSBs - sunroof seal, struts leaking, servo motors going bad ($$$$ but Lexus is covering it post warranty)

3. How is the maintenance? Not much different from other Toyota/Lexus cars.. oil change/tire rotation/brake pads etc. check the manual - very standard stuff.

4. Any big differences from GS350 or GS350 F Sport other than performance? F-Sport is basically visuals the only performance you're getting is Sport+ mode vs Base (Luxury has Sport+ as well). RWD models have a bigger gap performance wise vs base but it's all negligible.

Just go test drive them 13-15 vs 16-20, f-sport vs premium vs luxury (rarer in refreshed models), awd vs rwd...

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

I have driven both the newer and own the older. I never really feel that much difference driving my friends 2019 , another 2015 vs my 2013. In fact they have F Sports and I have a Lux. Even though there are differences I always feel like I driving the same exact car. lol! My one friend that has the 2019 said he feels his prior 2015 was a little more peppier. We often switch car back to back to see what differences we feel. Only thing I can tell you is that the 2014+ RWD when driven in traffic does feel different in the transmission in traffic city speed. Its seems to hunt gears a little bit. The 2013 is a 6 speed vs the 2014+ a 8 speed.

The 2013 - 2015 seems to be a bit more stiff and performance oriented vs the 2016 being more Lexus like soft riding. The 2016+ has the newer front grill and different tails. To me infotaiment is dated and no so much on all years. Reliability seems to be the same,

Be aware of some options you may want to look for such as AVS, Mark Levinson Sound, Park sensors, One touch Truck closing, Triple Beam Headlights, 18 way power seats, HUD and other. Also there are constant concerns with F Sports about Brakes. If you get a 13-15 and plan to upgrade, weight out the cost to upgrade vs should you just spend the money to Find a 2016+ with the head and tailights, and other 16+ stuff already on the car? The 16+ are more popular here, and the F Sports are what you will find for sale the most. In 16+ especially the Lux seems they are very rare to find for sale.

DiscoJango

My 2012 has the auto high beam & radar cruise control...

JeffKeryk

The best 4th gen GS, hands down, are the 2013 thru 2020 models.

AJLex19

If you're coming from a 3rd Gen GS430, then you're used to a super smooth riding, very quiet, very very vault-like interior. I came from a 2nd gen GS430 and was really surprised by how different the 4th gen GS was comparatively.

I drove a 2013 F-Sport and immediately disliked it - it felt really "rough" but it was because of the adaptive suspension and the aggressive tire setup...it felt un-Lexus-Like because I was used to the buttery smooth feel of the suspension/engine setup of my 2GS430. Btw: that 430 engine is one of the best Lexus V8 engines for its time and over time, I have come to really appreciate it for its power and refinement.

Maintenance is fairly cheap - if you get a RWD F-Sport, brakes/rotors/tires are a little pricier than non F-Sport. The cheapest GS to maintain will be a non f-sport (premium/lux pkg). There are a few common issues, but most have easy DIY fixes or as mentioned by other members above, are covered under warranty/TSBs.

If you're looking to mimic the overall ride/feel/creature comforts of your 3rd Gen, i'd look to find a Luxury Pkg equipped 4GS (lux pkg only available 2013-2017) with 18" wheels. And if possible, the best value is the refreshed 2016 as the GS's exterior/interior was upgraded in 2016. A 2016 Luxury pkg equipped GS (which is very rare) would be the one i'd go with if I needed to get another GS.

Good luck!

CottageChz

If you’ve got the time to look for it and it’s in budget, I’d look for a 2016-2017 luxury package.

You’ll get the refresh appearance and safety features (can’t remember if safety features were standard in 2016, that may have started in 2017), and the luxury package adds nicer leather with the more adjustable front seats, and AVS as well. Probably adds some other stuff I’m forgetting. Luxury package was discontinued after 2017.

All that said, the luxury package vehicles are pretty tough to find.

The cabin also seems quieter in my 2017 than it was in the 2013, added bonus if you care about that.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

hahaha nice!

to the OP, get the newest model year you can afford. earlier models always have some quirks. one that comes to mind are the front disc brakes on fsport models which lexus fixed via TSB.

fsport if you want to chase m cars (but not really beat them ). luxury if you want a more typical lexus product closer aligned to the last gen. keep in mind there are no v8 offerings so in my humble opinion i would keep the gs430 over any newer gen GS.

jsch222

The newest one you can comfortably afford.

Nalod

This is always sound advice. Most newer has more upgrades but costs more. Most of us will advocate for what we own so its a bit subjective.
Its all good and perhaps you make you mind up then its time to find the right car, set up, year, miles, and color. The because it was a low volume car that was made fewer as the years come on you find the pickins get slim.
Many of us had choices and chose the 4th Gen GS over others.
As do all other makes and models do similiar!

703

I would avoid all the years where a fuel pump recall was needed and the years where the a/c servo is known to go bad.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

I own another car, and have owned others that had the Radar Cruise, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering assist and so on. Our 20 Kia Optima SXL 2.0T has every one of the features and some more. I never want to drive the pace of someone else in front of me. It would bore me. Pre Collison, ok, but there are known issues on some Lexus that has it, suddenly Brake if on a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object the radar detects. Lane departure steering assist I cut off when I drive. Its very annoying and can activate if I pass a car with a short window of space.

With that, these are great safety features for some I agree. Just not my cup of Tea. I also worry when these features start to go bad and need replacing if I wish I did not have feature like these to have expensively repaired that I don't even use. I do like the Blind spot, cross traffic, and park sensors. They don't intervein in taking control of the vehicle unexpectantly, they only give audible and visual warning alerts to me. Other options would be a must have to me like Power rear and side Shades, HUD, ML, 18 way seat, Power Truck close, Auto Parking Brake, and other. Just my opinion of consideration of what year to buy? Any year GS with the extra options like just mentioned is a nice GS to have.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

My 2013 117k+ mile no servo or fuel pump issues, no recall. Don't understand how they ended up with bad ones in the later years.

In any case this shouldn't stop anyone from buying those years because Lexus is already taking care of that issue for free. Good chance most of these cars have had work done already.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

I agree. There are post of 2016 models going bad here. My friend had this problem on his 2019 F Sport about 2 months ago, with 32k, covered under warranty.

I took my car for service to Lexus and had the Struts checked. I did not have any Servo Climate problem ever. When I picked it up they told me they had performed the Servo update. I was actually a little ticked cuz I didn't tell them I had a problem nor did I ok them to do it. I let it go, but if I did later I will address that they worked on it.