Originally Posted by ChuH

Finally got to test drive the GS450h. I have some pictures but will post tomorrow as my camera is at the office. All the recent posted pictures are the same.

From a slow normal acceleration the GS is very very quiet. You can barely hear the engine when it kicks in. Without the display either on the instrument panel or center LCD console display you can not tell when it is running on pure electric or electric/gas mode. From a full throttle acceleration from stand still the acceleration is very linear until it reaches about 30 mph when the full electric/gas kicks in and felt. I was able to do a brief rear fish tail until the VDIM kick in to keep me in control. It feels like a turbo or supercharged engine. The sound of the engine was not so pleasing. The V6/Hybrid (kind of raspy) does not give you the noise satisfaction of a V8 growl. Interior you hear more engine noise than exhaust noise on full throttle accelerations. Hard acceleration from 30+ is very linear due to the CVT. When you quickly release the accelerator on full throttle acceleration from any speed the RPM would slowly (3 to 4 second) to drop to idle. On my GS430 when I quick lift the accelerator from full throttle acceleration the rpm drops alot quicker. From 0 to 30 my GS430 feels faster. From 30 and up the GS450h feel stronger pull. Don't know if I can get use to the detach feel of acceleration versus engine sound. I don't know how to explain it but the GS450h does not give me the sporty feel even though it has a faster acceleration than my GS430. I am not completely satisfy with the overall sporty experience. I would think the GS450h shine as a fast road crusier. For people who wants quietness and power the GS450h does it very well.

From a standstill under electric power only, if you have your foot on the brake and gently reduce the foot pressure on the brake pedal until the car start to move slowly you can feel a small (very very small) jerk when the electric motor engages and when you lightly press the brake to slow you can also feel the electric motor disengage (again a small jerk). This can only be felt when moving in slow stop and go traffic jam. In normal driving you can't feel it.

Don't bother reving your engine at park. The GS450h will not let you.

The suspension on the GS450h is a whole lot better than my GS430 with L-Tuned spring/struts. Cornering is very flat. I can just imaging how the active stabilizer will further improve the handling. For Guam driving I don't think I would need the active stabilizer. The wheel/fender space gap is again too much. Lowering spring would make the car look better. The suspension under sports mode is very comfortable. Feels better than my L-Tuned GS. The GS450h does roll less than my GS430.

The special 18" OEM wheel feels cheap to me. Those chromed inserts between the spokes feels like thin chrome plated plastic. Aftermarket rim will fix that.

Steering at low speed is alot lighter than my L-Tuned GS430. The GS450h steering response has a neutral feel. Little road feedback can be felt.

The Yokahama Advan tires that came with the GS does not grip too well. I took a U-turn from stop position and the front end lost grip under light to moderate acceleration. The tire squeal.

I now am seriously considering purchasing the GS450h due the attractive pricing the dealer gave me and also my 5 year old GS430 have several interested buyers already. If I wait for the GS460 I may have a harder time selling early next year. Decision... Decision...

Chu...

Originally Posted by ChuH

Don't bother reving your engine at park. The GS450h will not let you.


Chu...

Originally Posted by oneeyejack

did you try reving it in neutral??

Originally Posted by ChuH

I still can't make up my mind to get the GS450h now or wait for the GS460!!! Aaaahhh!!! My brother is pushing me to get the hybrid. He said the value of my GS430 is still high and if I waited to sell early next year I am going to loose more value and compete with more newer model (ie: GS350), and also I expect that I may need to replace the tires (Approx. $900 to $1100) and rear brake service (Approx. $300) later this year. Also the possibility of some unexpected part(s) failure (car is 5 years old, 43,000 miles). If I get the GS450h I think I will be ahead in the overall ownership cost. The GS460 is going cost more also. If I am going to get the GS450h I will expect to wait for 2 to 3 months as most of the allocation is going to the states. Dealer don't know how soon they will be able to get another shipment.

I know I shouldn't complain but the GS450h is tooo quiet!!! I want sporty sound at idle. hehehe . Don't know if I would be satisfy for the next 5 to 6 years of ownership (I don't like selling car earlier than 5 years). I am not too worry about gas prices as I get corporate fleet car discount and my company pays for the gas. My economic side says to get the GS450h but my child racer side says wait for the GS460.

PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE....

Chu...

Originally Posted by thenod

Great PIcs CHu! I noticed that the car has 42 miles on it. Did you say that this car was going to be for testing purposes only or have you decided to buy this one?

Originally Posted by thenod

I say get the 450h! You get the car sooner than the 460 plus you save on car parts for your current vehicle and the depreciation factor continues the longer you keep your current ride. 450H ALL THE WAY CHU! Another good point is that you'll be one of the only people on Guam with one. Reselling it one day should be a piece of cake!

I wonder what would happen if we change the exhaust in order to get the sound of a V8. What do you think? I hear a bunch of 4 bangers with some CRAZY sounds coming out their pipes.

Originally Posted by spwolf

did you try it in sport mode btw?