Thoughts: Lexus GS (2nd Gen)?

"Zohaibman72" (zohaibman72) 07/31/2014 at 15:11 • Filed to: None

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for a new car, but only something my grandpa would think is worthy, (my grandpa thinks literally nothing is better than the Camry, other than the Model S), and I've been looking around, one car that I really like for some reason is the Lexus GS. It's not the prettiest car, but I find it nice looking for a luxury sedan.

It's one of those cars that, personally, looks good with "big" rims, I wouldn't go bigger than 21" but they really make the proportions just look better, unlike the above one, the rims on that look to small.

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I find something like this suiting my tastes a bit better, but I'd still shrink the rims down a bit because I don't want paper thin tires.

Now after the aesthetics, is this car any good? I imagine it's reliable because well, it's a Toyota at heart, but it also has a lot of unique parts from Japan (like the engines). But on Auto trader, I see these easily passing 250k in nearly perfect condition. Also considering its a Lexus its mostly owned by old people or very young people, which i can probably tell by the state of the car, who owned it. Also it'd be great if there where any known problems on the car.

And Fuel Efficiency and Insurance, what's better for a younger person like me, the 4.3/4.0 (depending on model year) v8, or the 3.0 I6? My uncle says its a "very big car", but I don't believe it's any bigger than my Camry, I mean it's still midsize, and the I6 is "underpowered for a heavy car, leading to low gas mileage", and the V8 is "too fast/powerful for my age" and I should stick to small cars, like Civics, but that's not my style.

This isn't the least jalop car, I mean its a RWD sedan to start with, along with an optional v8, but it's also a Lexus. I'm probably a bad person for liking this car.

RazoE > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 15:18

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It all depends on what you want. The GS300 has the 2JZ-GE, and around 225hp. It is heavy though. If you want the same engine, on a shortened/lighter GS300 chassis, get an IS300 (with a real manual!). If you want a V8, then there's the GS400/430 (depending on year). These are pushing out around 300hp. They're pretty damn fast to be honest. If you want the same engine in a cushier ride with more room, then you can upgrade to an LS400/430.

All are insanely reliable.

bob and john > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 15:22

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oh, pfft, reliability? dude, these are some of the cars that made toyota the reputation they have now.

also, nothing wrong with liking a lexus. sure, its a bit on the bland side, but a comfy, reliable, decently quick good looking car? whats not to love?

T5Killer > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 15:22

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I love this body style of Lexus so much such a classy looking car with a bit aggression/weirdness . Solid drivetrains too. 100000% better than the current silly aggressive Lexus cars. Get one even I would get the I6 if it was me.

Zohaibman72 > RazoE 07/31/2014 at 15:23

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I really like the LS but it might be too big for my family to even let me look at. I was thinking about the IS, but its hard to find an unmolested one around here. I am half/half on the manual, I want a manual for fun stuff, but I don't want it for traffic, and truth is, im going to be in traffic more than fun once college starts. The GS is only Auto, and I don't mind much. Thanks for the suggestion!

Milky > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 15:23

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I don't know too much about the GS, But I had a SC400 and loved that thing. It was pretty portly @3,700lbs iirc, and only had 250hp. BUT it was damn fun. The car being RWD, and me being a youth meant there wasn't a week I wasn't drifting. Mine lasted until 210k, thats when I broke it (no fault of the car).

Zohaibman72 > bob and john 07/31/2014 at 15:24

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I do agree its slightly bland, but from what I've heard the GS is less bland than most Lexus, like the ES (Camry reskin)

Zohaibman72 > T5Killer 07/31/2014 at 15:25

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I think the spoiler and a mild kit (like the silver one is posted) gives it just the right aggression without looking like police pullover biat. The i6 is what I'm leaning towards, I don't need a v8 at 18, especially with today's insurance prices

bob and john > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 15:27

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honestly, get him in one of these to test drive. the cars are awesome, I would totally buy one if I had the cash. (the eternal gear head problem)

Zohaibman72 > Milky 07/31/2014 at 15:27

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I love the 1st gen SC so much, and If I didn't need 4 doors, I would be hunting one down on Autotrader. Sad to hear what happened to yours :(

Zohaibman72 > bob and john 07/31/2014 at 15:30

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I just realised I kinda made it sounds like I was buying it for my grandpa haha, It's for me, and I will try to find a test drive if I can. My mom's boyfriend has the 400 at his chrysler dealer, I might be able to get a test drive.

bob and john > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 15:32

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oh, its for you?

do it. seriously, do it. as reliable as car get, compfy, and u get to impress they girl ur taking on a date

"Hang on darlin', Let me just grab the lexus from the lot"

BAM instant girl-boner.

Zohaibman72 > bob and john 07/31/2014 at 15:37

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my own personal honeymobile. I just love the sound of having a Lexus, I know typically us gearheads think lexus are just 'advanced' toyotas, and they kinda are, but they just have a cool edge sort of like mercedes and bmw to non-gearheads.

Textured Soy Protein > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 15:39

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I like some Lexuses. This is not one of them. It is, in my opinion, one of the ugliest cars ever made. I found the styling to be a mess when it came out, and the design hasn't aged well. But for whatever reason they sold really well.

It's mostly upright and slab-sided, but has weird details thrown into the mix like the misshapen headlights, and the poor attempt at a sloping rear window that doesn't flow with the shape of the doors, and makes the trunk look tacked on and completely disjointed with the rest of the car.

It's just not a good looking car.

But hey, if you like it anyway, what do your grandpa and uncle's opinions have to do with any of this? Are they putting up the money for it?

Look up fuel costs on fueleconomy.gov, get some insurance quotes, share the numbers with them, and unless they're putting money towards the purchase, tell them to shut up.

bob and john > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 15:40

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also, with the V8
Lexus GS V8 + Y-pipes = LOUD NOISES ARRRRRRRR

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 15:49

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My dad's last car was a 1999 Lexus GS300. It was a superb car of the highest order. Beautiful maroon paint. And the striaght six is lovely.

Zohaibman72 > Textured Soy Protein 07/31/2014 at 16:30

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the thing is, my grandpa is the one who bought the camry, as a graduation gift for doing good in school, so thats what gives them a say, if I had paid for it, then they couldn't care less what I do with the money. I hope the car is afforadable gas/insurance wise, then the only problem is finding one under 150k

Zohaibman72 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/31/2014 at 16:31

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I really like the all the colours expect beige for it. I mainly want to go for black/white and find some aftermarket gold badges. they might be a little tacky, but they look good on white or black, maybe less tacky on black.

TotallyThatStupid > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 16:36

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Lexus IS300 instead?

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 16:46

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I owned a '99, and for some reason I often forget that.

Anyway, I had the V8, but if I had it to do over again would go for the inline 6. The 6 just felt lighter on its feet and had "enough" power, the V8 made the car feel heavier and less maneuverable and was a total gas hog. Fun in a straight line, though.

Be careful with the wheels selection; Lexus was having a problem with those of us who owned the "big" wheels because of persistent noise issues (beyond the normal "sporty tires = louder" thing).

Ultimately I sold mine because it wasn't that comfortable for me; I prefer firm, sporty seats, and this really had cushy, soft seats without a lot of lateral support. So make sure it's comfortable for you.

All that said, properly cared for you could drive one of these for a long, long time.

Zohaibman72 > TotallyThatStupid 07/31/2014 at 17:09

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My other option if I can't get a decent GS, plus I will save some money for cosmetics

Zohaibman72 > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 07/31/2014 at 17:15

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thanks for the info! I was hoping it was more luxurious over sporty because I live near Toronto and there is alot of traffic, not many places to sport about. From the sound of it, I think I'd get the i6 because its lighter, better on gas, and preformance wise, it's just enough. Insurance is cheaper too.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 17:25

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Plus, there are plenty of V8-powered cars out there, but an inline 6 these days is a little more unique. And they're super-smooth.

Textured Soy Protein > Zohaibman72 07/31/2014 at 17:27

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Well in that case I would keep the Camry.

If you're trying to buy a car, and the main source of money to pay for that new car car is by selling the Camry rather than money you've contributed on your own, it's kind of dissing your grandpa's present.

If on the other hand, you actually have money to put towards a car, and you use the sale/trade of the Camry in addition to money you will be putting towards the car, then it shows you've valued the thing he gave you.

You'll be able to afford a more interesting car someday. Might as well just drive the one you've got (and don't have to pay for) until you can afford something without just selling gramps' graduation present.

Zohaibman72 > Textured Soy Protein 08/01/2014 at 01:43

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it's actually B, I am adding money to the camry's value. He is fine with me selling it, he bought it with that intention, but only if its a car he deems worthy, and from the sound of it, nothing really seems worthy. He thinks the lexus is some millionares car because of the current gen being very pricey, but I don't plan on a new GS.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Zohaibman72 08/01/2014 at 01:58

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I typically hate Asian cars. But out of the Asian cars that one might consider "normal" (i.e. not an NSX or FD or R34, etc.) I would own a GS300 over pretty much anything else aside from an M45 (the good-looking muscle-car-y one). And yeah, I6>V8, at least for me in this situation.

NeutronStar73 > bob and john 08/03/2014 at 23:56

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It's a pretty good car, in all respects. It will give you good quickness (with the V8) and its reliability beats the Germans to sleep. If I had to choose between this or its German rivals, the Lexus wins hands down. It may be a bit bland compared to the Germans, but it won't be putting you in the poor house, either.

bob and john > NeutronStar73 08/04/2014 at 00:33

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exactly.