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I hear where you're coming from, for sheer handling I think one would find it in a RWD 2006-2010 BMW E9x with sport package (where the sport package is real, not badges, actually no badges identify it--for example, an external oil cooler is a hint how serious, or staggered tires). I think the GS350 F Sport was really slammed in reviews, nothing sporty about it. The interesting thing is BMW has fallen to the badges routine today, with the M sport. I guess everybody has to do what they have to to push the bottom line.
With all this being said, I do wish I had those "sport suspension" badges on my LS!
Quite the contrary IMO. The GS F Sport has won numerous comparisons, especially with its German counterparts, who have gone limp. The major knock against it is the antiquated 3.5L motor. It pulls nicely, but is not as powerful nor fuel efficient as the FI German motors.
Back to OP, congrats on the new pick up! The interior is beautiful, though I am partial to Flaxen.
Quite the contrary IMO. The GS F Sport has won numerous comparisons, especially with its German counterparts, who have gone limp. The major knock against it is the antiquated 3.5L motor. It pulls nicely, but is not as powerful nor fuel efficient as the FI German motors.
Back to OP, congrats on the new pick up! The interior is beautiful, though I am partial to Flaxen.
I've never driven one, and basing my comments on the C&D review of the 2016 which had a couple descriptions that didn't mince words. But it does seem that BMW had been on the same path, with the latest 5 series perhaps being a turning point towards what once was....
Yeah congrats to the OP, we all want to upgrade as a general rule...I love the LS430, it fit my budget, which makes it a great car. But would I want a 2013? Of course....
I've never driven one, and basing my comments on the C&D review of the 2016 which had a couple descriptions that didn't mince words. But it does seem that BMW had been on the same path, with the latest 5 series perhaps being a turning point towards what once was....
Yeah congrats to the OP, we all want to upgrade as a general rule...I love the LS430, it fit my budget, which makes it a great car. But would I want a 2013? Of course....
Thank you for the thumbs-up and acknowledgements, everyone.
Our second day out with the car and a gentleman walks up to inquire about the color of leather! He's also taken by the Flaxen and wants it in his Jeep.
Definitely hear what you're saying, r0cket. I want additional sportiness and the 460 provides just the right mix of comfort and handling for my style of driving. I would not be able to live with the 460 F Sport as a daily driver as it's too stiff for me on all suspension settings. Test drove a Cayenne S, Audi Q7, Jag F-Pace, and a Range Rover Sport too (we were possibly getting an SUV instead) and they all handled better than the 430. But only the 460 w/air and RRS came close to the blend of ride quality and handling that I was seeking. The F-Pace was actually pretty great, just too small. Of course, when the topic of reliability came up, the sealed it for the LS. And, yes, the more modern tech was hugely attractive to me.
Asking for "athleticism" in a car such as the LS is like going off-road in a wheelchair and expect it to perform like a WRX STI. I actually hated how Lexus tried to shoehorn sportiness into a car in recent models that's meant for grand luxury and comfort, just ruins the experience. Sure, the LS may scream old money, but every person that had sat in one can only wish their car can be that comfortable. That's why I have a weekend car to satisfy that itch for "sportiness."
But congrats nonetheless. Nothing wrong with moving up to a newer model with more modern tech.
Haven't driven an F Sport but can't see trying to make an LS a sports car. The 430 had the less aggressive "Sports Suspension" option. Despite the name, it did not make the car athletic. Just a nice balance of Lexus comfort and slightly tighter ride that's "luxury firm".
Congrats on your new Ride OP. I was considering a 2014+ GS F-Sport with red (Cabarnet?) Interiors in nebula gray or white exterior before deciding on not spending $30k on next car. I bought LS430 then.
I read lot of GS F-Sport reviews and everyone had good things to say about it's suspension. Infact someone said its a BMW E60 with Lexus body. Coming from BMW E90 sport suspension, I truly appreciate the balance LS430 sport suspension offers. It does not handle anywhere near BMW, but ride is lot better with acceptable compromise in handling. You can feel its a lot bigger car when making a spirited turn, but otherwise it does not have much body roll. I loved e90 suspension when roads were good/smooth. I love LS430 sport suspension even on rough roads.
Congrats on your new Ride OP. I was considering a 2014+ GS F-Sport with red (Cabarnet?) Interiors in nebula gray or white exterior before deciding on not spending $30k on next car. I bought LS430 then.
I read lot of GS F-Sport reviews and everyone had good things to say about it's suspension. Infact someone said its a BMW E60 with Lexus body. Coming from BMW E90 sport suspension, I truly appreciate the balance LS430 sport suspension offers. It does not handle anywhere near BMW, but ride is lot better with acceptable compromise in handling. You can feel its a lot bigger car when making a spirited turn, but otherwise it does not have much body roll. I loved e90 suspension when roads were good/smooth. I love LS430 sport suspension even on rough roads.
Balance is a good choice of words. Nice mix of comfort and better handling. It will never be a BMW and that's fine. The right tires make a big difference. What are you using?
How much lower is the fuel economy between the 460 and the 430?
tradosauru, I wanted to come back and update you on the real-world fuel economy we're seeing after about 7 weeks with the LS 460 compared to our previous 2006 LS 430. Overall, I don't think it's so bad. The LS 460 does get less MPG, but seems proportionate with the increase in displacement.
The 4.6L is ~7% larger than 4.3L and I'm seeing ~7.5% less MPG with the LS 460. Although I would like higher combined MPG, I figure I'm not losing that much MPG considering it's a larger engine with 100+ more HP and 50+ more lb-ft of torque. The LS 460 definitely feels stronger and faster than the LS 430. I'm doing a lot of city driving lately, some fill-ups are literally 95% all city driving. The LS 460 does seem to get higher MPG on the highway than the LS 430 but I haven't had a long enough road trip to thoroughly test that:
Thanks for sharing the information and update on MPG Makes sense that that the LS460 with +100 more hp is going to consume more fuel making that much extra power - physics trumps all.
03-20-17 | 06:54 AM
