Striker223

Anything of this level ruins you for other cars.....it sucks.

R Z

Consider finding an LS460 F Sport. You'll get the best of both worlds if you're looking for class with a sports twist.

Gerf

I drove a 2017 GS350 Fsport as a loaner when I was getting some ppf installed on my car and I just found the noise really annoying, combination of the asc and the stock mufflers just bugged the crap out of me. The car itself was nice but the noise it made wasn't, I think it was just because of the V6 sound.

I second the idea of a 13+ 460 F Sport RWD that has rev matching downshifts, Mine is AWD and is missing that feature.

SW17LS

The intake sound generator can be removed, which I always thought about doing. No fake speaker sound in that car, its a physical flange on the intake.

Spartan117

I think I am coming back to my senses (leaning towards keeping LS) after reading experience of members who have had both GS and LS, test driving GS (felt nimble but missed all the other things I love in LS), and 1800 miles road trip currently in progress with my LS. I am sure in GS forum I will get biased view but I will post it anyway.

I will post my road trip experience in a separate post.

My take on GS (test drive): Took my kids (4&8) along with me on test drive because they are my primary rear seat passengers in LS.
1) fun to drive, love the handling, sport+ mode really made the difference IMO, it wants you to go faster (as one of the members mentioned earlier)
2) lux package is great (comes with sport+), kids loved playing with the back seat controls (they didn't like heated seats, I thought they would love it),
3) Door sunshades are manual, thought they would be power like LS lux package. Mildly disappointed
4) I was ok with diver and passenger space but rear seats felt cramped (I sat in the back and kids complained too).
5) noticeable cabin noise on interstate and local driving but when you change to sport+ you forget the noise!

Sat in an LC (didn't drive). What they say is true, it is a piece of art on wheels!!!

Duck05

Having both a 430 (my daily) and a 460 (wife’s daily) whenever I am in any other car it enforces how lucky we are to have these cars. I can see no positive path going to a GS.

When the 460 went through that fuel pump recall, dealership loaned me a new (2021) ES and it was a terrible experience. Spoiled in every way having an LS. Even at 21 years old and over 250k on the ‘01 hard to see what the next vehicle might be given the level of quiet, comfort, and driving the 430 provides.

They ruined the LS line with 500 version. May never recover from that blunder.

Boomin

I agree Duck, friend of mine has a 430 and let me drive us around town, 03 with 109k miles, I was blown away. I immediately looked online for one. I also test drove a used LS500 and was disappointed, reminded me of a noisy over sized IS350.
I had 2 GS350's also luxury edition and the power fell short for me and having to move my seat up so people could sit behind me, I was done with that.
I'm glad your keeping it Spartan.