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I purchased my 2015 GS-350 (AWD) this past January—I love the car very much. But, I stumbled on a like-new, low milage 2020 GS-350 Premium (AWD) and I'm thinking about trading in my 2015 for the 2020. The trade-in appraisal was $28K for the 2015. I did some searching and review watching and my sense is that the 2020 has a more refined ride quality, is a little quieter inside the cabin, and the throttle is more responsive. The 2020 also has a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated seats, Mark Levinson, rear sun screen, frameless rear-view mirror, etc. I do enjoy driving the 2015 and the car brings me great joy, so if the deal falls through I'd be content with keeping the 2015. All that said, I wouldn't mind those 2020 upgrades! I plan to keep the GS for as long as possible, so the newer model year is desirable.
I'm wondering if anyone has made a similar transition? From the 2013-2015 GS to the 2019 or 2020 GS? Still happy with the decision?
Thats a good upgrade from a 2015 to 2020. Likely, you would be happy with results of the diffrence in cars. The main thing is the cost in the deal. $28k sounds not bad on trade, but how many miles on the 2015 and Carfax? 2020 would be also the same question? Hom many miles, Carfax and cost. Almost anyone would look at the cost as being one of the major factors.
Thats a good upgrade from a 2015 to 2020. Likely, you would be happy with results of the diffrence in cars. The main thing is the cost in the deal. $28k sounds not bad on trade, but how many miles on the 2015 and Carfax? 2020 would be also the same question? Hom many miles, Carfax and cost. Almost anyone would look at the cost as being one of the major factors.
2015 trade-in valued at $28,000. It has a clean Carfax, no accidents 40,200 miles. Was purchased L/Certified, all previous maintenance was through the dealership.
2020 is priced at $49,000. It has a clean Carfax, no accidents, 16,000 miles, L/Certified, one owner, all previous maintenance was through the dealership.
The 2020 is definitely pricey, plus I'd have to factor in shipping.
2015 is not Premium, just the base package. Previous owners installed after-market heated seats—they're just fine!
Gotcha
Originally Posted by GS47
2015 trade-in valued at $28,000. It has a clean Carfax, no accidents 40,200 miles. Was purchased L/Certified, all previous maintenance was through the dealership.
2020 is priced at $49,000. It has a clean Carfax, no accidents, 16,000 miles, L/Certified, one owner, all previous maintenance was through the dealership.
The 2020 is definitely pricey, plus I'd have to factor in shipping.
Hard pass from me. At the end of the day, they're still very similar cars.
People say they plan to a keep a car for a long time but technology moves too fast, things change.
2015 trade-in valued at $28,000. It has a clean Carfax, no accidents 40,200 miles. Was purchased L/Certified, all previous maintenance was through the dealership.
2020 is priced at $49,000. It has a clean Carfax, no accidents, 16,000 miles, L/Certified, one owner, all previous maintenance was through the dealership.
The 2020 is definitely pricey, plus I'd have to factor in shipping.
@GS47 That one you're considering is the closest thing you're going to get to a luxury package equipped GS in a 2020 (note: Lux pkg officially discontinued for 2018/19/20). The one you saw has the upgraded "Lux" 19" wheels, the Gray Sapele wood w/Aluminum trim and Mark Levinson sound. Nice color combo as well with AWD. It will feel very much upgraded compared to your 2015 when you sit inside and walk around the exterior.
IMHO: I think the price difference is too high...You're paying over $22k more - now if you found a 2016 or 2017 with low miles, you'd only have to pay a few thousand difference to get into one w/refreshed styling.
@GS47 That one you're considering is the closest thing you're going to get to a luxury package equipped GS in a 2020 (note: Lux pkg officially discontinued for 2018/19/20). The one you saw has the upgraded "Lux" 19" wheels, the Gray Sapele wood w/Aluminum trim and Mark Levinson sound. Nice color combo as well with AWD. It will feel very much upgraded compared to your 2015 when you sit inside and walk around the exterior.
IMHO: I think the price difference is too high...You're paying over $22k more - now if you found a 2016 or 2017 with low miles, you'd only have to pay a few thousand difference to get into one w/refreshed styling.
It might feel upgraded for a few days/weeks but that’ll go away quickly I bet. I looked hard at a ‘16 F Sport before deciding to save like $13K and go with a high mileage ‘14 instead.
Overall I agree though. I think a 2017 Lux would be a great sweet spot in terms of features/price if wanted to get into a refresh model.
@AJLex19 When Lux was discontinued in 2018 was passenger memory seats still available as an option or no?
It might feel upgraded for a few days/weeks but that’ll go away quickly I bet. I looked hard at a ‘16 F Sport before deciding to save like $13K and go with a high mileage ‘14 instead.
Overall I agree though. I think a 2017 Lux would be a great sweet spot in terms of features/price if wanted to get into a refresh model. @AJLex19 When Lux was discontinued in 2018 was passenger memory seats still available as an option or no?
Unfortunately, I believe the passenger memory seats went away with the lux package discontinuation. There were a few cosmetic leftovers from the lux pkg that remained available after e.g. the 19" Lux wheels, Grey Sapele wood trim, upgraded Mark Levinson stereo available on the Premium pkg.
For me personally, if i got into a refreshed GS, it would take one of these to do it with less than 50k miles:
Atomic Silver on Flaxen with triple LEDS w/F Sport Pkg AWD
Luxury Pkg 2016/2017 White on Flaxen/Chateau AWD
An even then, the price would really matter...prices still super inflated right now in my neck of the woods! But sometimes after driving my '13 i'm still super satisfied with it and that's the problem for Lexus: the GS is too satisfying, it lasts forever and folks like me don't upgrade lol...recent pic in a NYC parking garage that really needed some TLC:
Also: I just found a 2018 GS-350 F-Sport, AWD, Flaxen interior at the dealership I purchased my 2015 from. Priced at $40,478, clean Carfax, 57,000 miles. I see the F-Sport package includes the Premium features plus some other goodies...I'm going to go drive it!
Does the F-Sport in this model year feel different on the road than the standard option? Edit: Stupid question as I will find out soon enough, just curious based on other experiences!
@AJLex19 I think I just found the car it would take for you to upgrade?
@GS47 I literally just posted that is the color/optioned GS that would make feel like upgrading
You should definitely give that one some consideration, see if they can come down to $38k. It will drive differently than your 2015 but in a good way...that 2018 is a rare color combo and quite the looker
@GS47 That one you're considering is the closest thing you're going to get to a luxury package equipped GS in a 2020 (note: Lux pkg officially discontinued for 2018/19/20). The one you saw has the upgraded "Lux" 19" wheels, the Gray Sapele wood w/Aluminum trim and Mark Levinson sound. Nice color combo as well with AWD. It will feel very much upgraded compared to your 2015 when you sit inside and walk around the exterior.
IMHO: I think the price difference is too high...You're paying over $22k more - now if you found a 2016 or 2017 with low miles, you'd only have to pay a few thousand difference to get into one w/refreshed styling.
I was thinking the same thing looking at it. Like is that a 2020 Lux? w/o the Wood wheel, also no M/L audio. lol!
GS47 I would pass on that 2020. Wait till Jan/Feb 2023. The 2015 should still bring $26k - $28k. Get a 2016-2018 low miles Loaded, HUD, M/L. That 2020 is way to high at $49k, and just is not nothing real special to make that deal. You can alway look for a Loaded low miles 2013, which was the best year of all the GS350's.
07-31-22, 09:34 AM
2015 → 2020 gs-350
