Yafeelme

Been watching the forum for years, finally joined and decided to get a Lexus but here is the difficult problem . Should I get the GS 350 or the LS 460 as my first lexus. Seen a lot of GS but it seems that the better deals are on the LS460. (for example I looked at a 2008 GS w/ 108,000 miles for 12,999 but saw a 2008 LS for 14,999 w/ 90,000 ) are the LS a lot more to maintain or is it the gas mileage , size, parking space. please give me some help , Want to stay in that budget to put money toward build ( Rims , Coil-overs ect)
Want the help of all but really want the daily drivers to chime in

Thanks

Yafeelme

Wow a busy forum yet no reply, someone out there got something to say

pvsmith

Well, this really comes down to whatever you would prefer. I love my GS 350 and bought it because I wanted a little better MPG and sporty look than you get with an LS. The LS is probably a smoother ride, so if you're driving a lot every day, and could care less about MPG, then go with an LS. It's really up to you.

kenslen

Why this Topic is in Build Threads?

DriverSS

A 2008 GS350 is within 2 mpg avg (23.1) of a 2008 LS460 (21.8) according to Fuelly.com. I'm thinking the V6 has to work harder so any fuel mileage over time is likely negated. As you can tell I'm partial, but I also would rather have the engine that doesn't have to work so hard.

ymmv...

Yafeelme

Cause I'm new and don't know what I'm doing, new to forum and don't know how to post , maybe the mods will pick this up and correct it, Sorry that's why I guess I wasn't getting any response, I'll get the hang of this

Yafeelme

yea, I guess I'll have to test drive both, the GS looks very sporty and LS looks very comfortable....thanks

Yafeelme

I know what you mean the past few cars I've had were V8s got good deals because everyone has moved to fuel efficient cars,but the power is there when you need it and if you are not heavy on the pedal you get pretty good mileage

DriverSS

The issue is they are NOT that much more fuel efficient, if at all. I have had several E430 V8's, my sister had the E350 V6. She routinely got 2-3 mpg LESS than my 430 and we both mostly drove highway in each of our cars. Unless you are just cruising around inner city streets I think the V8 is the way to go. They gear them taller. The V6's they gear for better pickup and sacrifice a bit of highway mileage in the process. Current IS300's actually are averaging worse mileage than I'm getting out of my LS460, IS250's are dead even @22-23mpg. Unless you go hybrid, then that changes things up.

Yafeelme

Wow, that's crazy. What year is your LS460. I'm looking at a 2009 LS460 with 90,000 but want to test drive it and get a pre post inspection

DriverSS

I had a '08 LS460, now running a '10 LS 460 L.

tofuprod

It doesn't matter what anyone says honestly, it's just all about preference.
All valid points have been stated above. Fuel economy is negated in many ways, there are features that I feel that the LS carries that are above the GS (obviously), but wouldn't take away completely from everything else the GS could offer you.

If size is an issue, the GS I do feel is much smaller than the LS (SWB). I too considered between the GS and LS when I moved on from the CT, but I went with the LS due to the more luxurious feel and the only care I had for driving dynamics would have been one given to me by the GS-F, however that was also out of my price range and RWD, which I already carried another vehicle for that, since nearly a year of ownership, I've been pretty happy with my choice, aside from moving from a hybrid to a V8 (lol), but that came as expected.

PS: I also never cared much for the looks of the GS (again, other than the GS-F).

RussLS460

Test drive both and see them in person. The decision will then become obvious.

wasjr

This may have been mentioned, but a consideration is type of daily driving. Predominate highway/interstate miles puts a check mark in the LS column.

JLAWS

If you want that "Grown" feel, then get the LS. It is much bigger and has more road presence than any other model Lexus. It is the flagship. Maybe it's me but when I see Lexus drivers who have an ES, GS or IS on the road they seem a little uneasy or startled seeing a "big body" LS. Some folks just can't hide it
The 2007 GS350 I had was great but far less refined than my 2008 LS460. Many will tell you the LS460 is the best vehicle they have ever driven on long road trips. Part of my enjoyment is on vacations is driving my LS460. The only mod I would do is put the 19" Lexus wheels on it. Going up one size really refreshes the look. The 18s" really makes the LS look very conservative.

What ever you decide you may need to have immediate funds for maintenance to get it up to date. These cars are 10 years old and you stated it will be your daily driver. Expect to spend $1000-$2000. I able to find parts online and do most of the labor myself so I've saved thousands. The only maintenance I am doing now is oil changes.