I test drove a GS350 F Sport

"MUSASHI66" (musashi66)
05/19/2020 at 20:08 • Filed to: None

Overall impression, I’m interested enough to keep looking at them come purchase time.

Interior - surprisingly cramped for such a large sedan. I felt like I had more room in the WRX. The central tunnel is humongous. The doors are thick. It leaves no room to manspread while driving. Leather was nice, fe carbon was meh, and shiny piano black plastics were dirt magnet. If it weren’t for the very nice seats, it didn’t feel much better than a nice Camry really. It’s hard to differentiate these days between luxury and loaded economy. I’m 6 foot tall, and there wasn’t much room in the back seat - not more than in the wrx, plus my head touched the roof. Where did ally be space go!? It’s a large car with “luxury car sickness” - serious lack of room because everything is weirdly oversized

Infotainment- horrible. Everything you’ve ever read or heard about it is true. It would probably be the biggest reason I’d pas on this car.

Drivetrain - very, very nice. Gear shifts are smooth even in sport plus when you step on it. Manual mode works but I find myself never using it unless I’m going downhill and I want to hold a gear. Sound is surprisingly nice from a Toyota V6.

https://www.stevinsonlexusoffrederick.com/auto/preowned-2016-lexus-gs-350-frederick-co/45227220/

Not my favorite car ever.

DISCUSSION (18)

Chariotoflove > MUSASHI66
05/19/2020 at 20:25

Honestly, if I just wanted space and comfort and to stay with Toyota reliability, I’d buy an Avalon.

Nothing > MUSASHI66
05/19/2020 at 20:26

It’s interesting, my neighbor has a GS350 and a ‘11-‘12 ish Sequoia. He loves the Sequoia, hasn’t had a single issue with it. While it’s not on the “unreliable” level of other brands, he said the Lexus has gone to the shop at least once or twice a year.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > MUSASHI66
05/19/2020 at 20:29

I really really wanted to buy a GS350. The interior was just SO BAD that I bought a five year older BMW F10 instead.

It seems like most luxury cars today could subtract 20% from their drivetrain cost, add it to the interior, and make a better automobile. Every car sucks.

MUSASHI66 > Chariotoflove
05/19/2020 at 20:42

Wife is adamant about AWD. They’ll have one eventually, but it’ll be 2-3 years before they depreciate enough.

MUSASHI66 > Nothing
05/19/2020 at 20:43

Interesting, any idea why? The local oppo owners have been very happy with reliability.

MUSASHI66 > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
05/19/2020 at 20:45

I wouldn’t call it bad (after the cars I’ve owned) but it doesn’t compare to a similar A6, not even close really. Plus the infotainment.... I’m not sure how much I can sacrifice for perceived Lexus reliability.

Under_Score > MUSASHI66
05/19/2020 at 21:57

This class of cars is just illogical and it makes sense why they’re being discontinued.

Ex. Nissan Maxima and Nissan Altima. The Altima is the same size as the Maxima now , but does everything that matters to most drivers better AND is cheaper.

Nothing > MUSASHI66
05/19/2020 at 22:08

I’ll ask him next time I see him. I think it’s mostly been little things, nothing causing the car to be undrivable. I thought it was surprising that he had issues with it.

avalonian > MUSASHI66
05/19/2020 at 22:10

As an owner of this car. And 6'1 I definitely understand those gripes, and idk if I could buy one now, knowing they will be canceled... I don’t think I could do it. I’d get a 5 series or S-Class or E-Class , even a used 2017 and up range rover sport.

MUSASHI66 > Under_Score
05/19/2020 at 22:51

I still think it’s about exactly what I’d like, but I have to schedule a test ride in an Audi and BMW and CTS and CT6. CT6 might have the room I like.

MUSASHI66 > Nothing
05/19/2020 at 22:53

I just checked on edmunds, and the true cost to own is actually in favor of a CTS or CTS versus the GS. Granted, that is for 5 years and Japanese cars woul me probably shine in years 5-10 over the GM, but I might be wrong

MUSASHI66 > avalonian
05/19/2020 at 22:54

I don’t care about the cancellation. But, the car just has a lot of issues for the amount of money they are asking for.

CT6 might solve some of the space problems for me. And, optional TTV6 is pretty enticing.

avalonian > MUSASHI66
05/20/2020 at 09:36

I definitely understand, audi A6. And other premium sedans have the same technology but with actual software updates etc..

Humpty-D > MUSASHI66
05/21/2020 at 11:43

I was considering these too but they just don’t pencil out when compared against other offerings, and that’s before you consider the infotainment being a disaster. You mention the Cadillac CT6 as an alternative but based on everything I’ve read CUE is even worse and you’ll hate it.

Maybe consider an F30 335/340 Xdrive or the A6 with the 3.0SC motor. The BMW may be just a 3 series but they’re honestly very roomy, just as big as the E39 5 series was not too long ago.

MUSASHI66 > Humpty-D
05/21/2020 at 18:55

Audi is amazing. My best friend had one and it’s spectacular. I’m just afraid of the reliability. His was great until 70k and his ex wife still drives it at close to 100k, so it might be worth looking at.

I like the 3 series as well. Wife is still on the SUV kick. We really have to decide is this a car primarily for me or her. If for her, 2016-2018 RDX is a number one contender so far.

Humpty-D > MUSASHI66
05/21/2020 at 21:05

I’m still on the hunt as well but everything I’m reading about says the supercharged 6 in the A6 (same engine as the s4) is supposed to be extremely reliable, but I share your same concerns about that brand in general.

RDX is a good choice as far as SUVs go. Not super exciting but dead reliable and you won’t feel bad if you have kids who beat it up. My wife has a first generation (2011 I think) and it has been perfect for our situation. Lexus NX might be worth a look too if you’re going that new.

MUSASHI66 > Humpty-D
05/21/2020 at 22:10

I just don’t like the NX. If we find an RX350 F Sport, that would be interesting.

Regarding Audi - engine might be reliable, but if all the electronics around it act up... that’s my biggest fear.

Humpty-D > MUSASHI66
05/21/2020 at 22:58

I totally hear you on Audi, they were so bad not that long ago that I have a hard time justifying them. They do make some badass cars though, like the S6 is in the mid-upper $20s now with decent mileage and it’s a compelling package.

If you’re going to keep the car a long time it’s hard to beat Acura and Lexus, they make great products that last. If only the GS came with a TTV6 or something I would be fully on board, but I can’t stomach paying the same money that would get a decked out 335 that’s also reliable and way more entertaining to drive. Maybe you could check out the X3 with that same motor if it’s going to be for the wife. It sounds crazy but the new RAV4 plug in hybrid actually has a good amount of power and you can buy those pretty decked out now, plus 30ish miles of electric only range is enticing. Lots of interesting and cool options out there depending on what you’re looking for.