GSonMoon

(took a video but file is too large)

So today I had an opportunity to do a trade in on my 2013 GS for a 2016 GS. I was super excited of trading in my GS which has actually increased in value due to recent supply shortages.

I got to the dealership and test drove an all black 2016 GS 350 base it had all the features my vehicle has. Minus the updated infotainment and dash.

Now my driving experience. My expectations were very high. The leather seats felt softer, the bezeless rear view mirror already had me committed. Felt like I was in my GS just newer… The driving experience was **** the sport mode was so laggy and unresponsive even with the paddles. Furthermore they were electrical gremlins passenger side mirror started bugging out when I put the vehicle in reverse, brakes weren’t so great, and overall didn’t like the car. Didn’t feel like I was driving a GS but a rather cheapened Camry.

Anyway returned to dealership and they wanted my GS so badly they lowball me on the offer. Which is where I left and decided I’ll keep my 2013 and just do the modernization myself. I’ll get the 2016 steering wheel, the GSF dash and the upgraded screen and head-unit.

vr408

Have you considered getting a Carbon Fiber flat bottom steering wheel? They look pretty awesome.

Let me know how the GSF dash goes.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Same here. A year ago I went looking at a 2016 GS350 Lux that was loaded and rare. They changed the 2016 up to be more luxury car riding and driving with lees feel and less feedback to the driver of the road. The 2013 is more like a BMW ride and drive. The 2016 8speed trans aggravated me, especially in stop and go and turning low speed corners. It was constantly hunting gears, and at stepped on acceleration it felt like a CTV instead of the instant snappy firm 13 shifts I was use to. I drive a few friends 2016 - 2020 GS350 sometimes, same thing. Don't get me wrong the 16+ is a nice riding GS, its just a difference from the 13 to the 16+.

I also noticed the firmer Lux seats in my 13 tends to stay firmer over time and kinda mold to you body shape long term. Softer seats give me back pain on long trips, but a seat is individual to ones body shape and size. I personally hate the wheel in all 4 Gen GS years, they are all just too so big. At the end of the day unless you ever drove both, they are both nice in their own way for what they are changed or unchanged over the years. But they def are different in a way. Driving wise. Good to see this post as I felt almost exactly the same.

AJLex19

@GSonMoon Great story that proves the old adage: "They don't make 'em like they used to!"

Saadq12

Seems like everyone who's own a 13-15 GS and then drives a 16+ GS there complaints are the same - feels unresponsive and more sluggish.

What's this about a bezeless rear view mirror? Can it be swapped to the 13s. I'm with you on just upgrading the GS with newer parts. I swapped out the joy stick controller with the new 16 style ones and it just made it look a year newer 😂

​

JeffKeryk

We got our 2013 GS350 F Sport about 4 years ago; it is a fully loaded model driven by a dealership GM. I was over 70K and Putnal Lexus in Redwood City has a beautiful white on black F Sport, I forget what year, maybe 2018? The car was perfect. I offered like $20K plus my car. Drove the newer car proceeded to take it back. I was disappointed. My car flew in comparison.

GSonMoon

But what was even more surprising was how cheap the blinker stalk had become didn’t have the same feel and build quality.

Yeah I’m the 13s those giant Nissan Altima rear view mirrors are some thick bois. I wanna see if replacing them is easy with the 2016 version. Especially since I can buy the part hopefully from Lexus…

Btw can that whole joystick and console be upgraded to a newer version? My buttons are already sticking…

GSonMoon

Yes, I have it sitting in my Ebay cart alongside a bunch of other parts.

GSF dash if I can find one seems like it’ll be tricky with the wiring but I pray it’s just plug and play….

Saadq12

not sure about the console but the joystick definitely can it just pops out. this is the part # I bought 84811-30070

JDR76

This has really not been my experience at all. I loved my 15, but I don't think I'd go back. My 19 and then my 20 feel at least as responsive and fleet as my 15 did, plus the engine is a lot smoother and quieter.

Where you do feel a difference is in the suspension. The SportS+ mode in the 15 felt a lot more stiff, but with that said, my 20 feels just as competent, but without the harshness. There isn't anything the 15 could do that my 20 cannot.

The reality is that you can't go wrong with either choice.