Life is Short. I bought a 2019 Lexus GS-F. AMA

"VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely" (vajazzlemcdildertits)
08/09/2020 at 16:32 • Filed to: AMA, GS-F, Lexus, 2019

Edit: pics for extra v isibility. Shown: sport mode and front view.

I still like writing, even if I’m not exactly the ideal writer. I’m also still not sure how Oppo I really am. But I guess I’ll start sharing again without letting it impact my job and see what happens from there.

1. Who are you again?
Nobody really.

2. Did you sell the Z06?
No, but it started to overheat during the summer way often than last summer, so I’m considering cooling improvement mods. I traded in the Veloster.

3. Are you rich?
No, but this car is not new. It was used, 3100 miles and came at a substantial discount. Checking my finances after selling my old house, I’d made more than I thought I would, and I have a car problem that needed feeding.

4. What was wrong with the Veloster?
It was a good, practical car, but without the tech package missed the creature comforts that soft flabby old men like me enjoy. It also rode too harshly for bad highways, the radio failed in the extreme AZ heat, the shifter was extremely vague, it was loud at night in a very quiet neighborhood, and its looks and BOV challenged every EcoBoost mustang in a 30 mile radius to harass me. In a strange turn, the GS-F is way more subtle.

Here are what I expect are the FAQs, ask me anything else... or the same thing.

Photos:

Exterior (Half of the album got kinja’ed)

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Interior:

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DISCUSSION (56)

CB > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 16:37

Congrats! That’s a wicked ride! What’s the best part about it so far?

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > CB
08/09/2020 at 16:39

The Engine sound.

Extreme runner up is how quiet and comfortable it is when you’re not forcing anything.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 16:43

The second best car Lexus has ever made.

The LC 500 being the first.

What about the LFA? Well...no one can buy them. Sure...there are some “for sale” scattered around the US. But most people don’t have $300k to spend on a car.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 16:47

I love it. I hope I'm able to find one of these when the time comes.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/09/2020 at 16:47

400-500k now. Being rare did it no favou rs in terms of depreciation

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 16:47

Also, I worked for a Lexus dealer for 6 years teaching owners how to use all the tech on their cars.

If you have questions, I am happy to help.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
08/09/2020 at 16:48

Unless you’re out for sheer speed or ultimate tech wizardry, these things are vastly underrated.

WilliamsSW > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 16:53

Congratulations! I had an F sport for 3 years and liked a lot about it. I think the F fixed most everything I didn’t like about it. My one beef on that car is the cost - going used with a nice discount should solve that problem.

Will be dead reliable, I’m sure, too.

Enjoy!

Tareim - V8 powered > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 16:58

1 question, how quickly can you send me the engine, you can keep the rest of the car

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 17:02

Congrats, looks great!

BeaterGT > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 17:02

Good to see ya and congrats! I dig those orange calipers. Sorry to hear about the heat issues with the Z06.

412GTI > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 17:04

Awesome car and excellent spec. Under the radar with a hint of flashiness with the red leather. The engine note really makes these cars special.

CompactLuxuryFan > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 17:05

Sweet!! And very understated in that silver. I love it!

thatsmr > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 17:13

Way more power than most should have, and a great cruiser for the daily. Comparatively low maintenance. Great choice! GS-F was pace car at the LS/LC rollout at Pikes Peak Raceway and wish I could have flogged that one too!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 17:13

I love it.

This would be my “I’ve made it” car. Years with an IS make me wonder if I can consistently handle crouching down into an LC500...

Nick Has an Exocet > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 17:21

Does this have the E-LSD? The last one I drove made absolute magic work of an autocross course. With the electronic aids turned ON, you could mash the throttle, saw the wheel back and forth, and the let all the nannies figure out the S-curves. It was shocking.

gettingoldercarguy > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 17:33

That gauge cluster looks awesome. Not overdone but aggressive

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Nick Has an Exocet
08/09/2020 at 17:46

They called it a Torque-vectoring diff. It’s substantial.

Kiltedpadre > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 17:48

I like the idea of a customizable drive mode. As an old guy with back issues I’d like the throttle mapping of sport+ without a super harsh suspension setting.

Captain of the Enterprise > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 18:18

Very nice! I’m a fan of these!

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 19:11

Congrats! I believe this is a VERY oppo purchase. It is one of the last Naturally Aspirated V8's, and makes an amazing sound. And I am sure you got an amazing deal an an $85k car that even new has steep discounts.

I work at a lexus dealership, this and the Rc-f are the only Lexus’ I have not driven. The only thing that this car really should have is Apple carpley/android auto. Lexus navigation is awful at times, and there are aftermarket options out there to add AA/carplay for a few hundred buckaroos.

Excellent purchase! And that Mark Levinson stereo is fantastic...

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 19:14

Ooh future classic IMO. Nice choice

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Nick Has an Exocet
08/09/2020 at 19:26

Yes, like Dab says the Diff is vectoring and is configurable with normal, “slalom”, and track modes.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's
08/09/2020 at 19:27

You are right the ML sound is just phenomenal. 2020 is when they started to get Auto/Carplay and I wonder if that is part of the price difference.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > WilliamsSW
08/09/2020 at 19:28

Funny thing - according to my car manual which was written with all GS trims in mind, it looks like you can get more tech stuff if you get a smaller engine.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > thatsmr
08/09/2020 at 19:29

That is so cool!

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Kiltedpadre
08/09/2020 at 19:29

Only two suspension settings, normal and sport, but either one works in a pinch. These aren't the Magnerides.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/09/2020 at 19:30

I give genuine thanks, I love asking questions to subject matter experts.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > BeaterGT
08/09/2020 at 19:32

It has been a really hot summer. I’m taking into cordes for a large number of cooling mods and a touch more HP. We’ll be back in " Mexico” before you know it.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Tareim - V8 powered
08/09/2020 at 19:32

Haha nice. I'll let you know

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > gettingoldercarguy
08/09/2020 at 19:33

Some of the other Lexus "LFA-inspired" clusters slide the O around but I really like it this way actually

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 19:36

I don’t think they updated the GS to include ACP/AA.

BeatSonic USA makes adapters for CarPlay and AA. They might have one for the GS.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/09/2020 at 19:40

O it doesn't include the GS probably cause they're killing it off. Didn't think of that. I don't mind not having it, I can get by.

Arrivederci > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 19:43

A guy in my SCDE group runs an ISF. He’s got (I think) a full exhaust on it and it sounds orgasmic. One of the best sounding V8s I’ve honestly ever heard.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 19:46

If you have an iPhone, it has Siri Eyes-free; hold the voice command button to wake Siri, and you can dictate a text and send it. The car can read texts, but Apple won’t allow the car to send a reply for you. So you’ll have to use Siri to send texts.

Apple Maps. Google Maps, and Waze all support turn-by-turn Nav directions to be played as a BT phone call, so you’ll hear your Nav instructions via the car radio. But only if you use an iPhone. Google doesn’t allow hands-free phone prompts. So Android phones require you use BT Audio to hear Nav app directions.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Arrivederci
08/09/2020 at 19:47

Yamaha, man. Yamaha developed the heads and tune. They know how shit is supposed to sound and I'm sad they quit the car biz.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/09/2020 at 19:49

There is some kind of system for SMS - I get texts read out to me by the car from my Android phone. I don’t mind sending some of the preset messages until I can pull over.

I suppose I could look into expanding the tech.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 19:55

Android phones support quick replies from the car. And you can access the messaging settings to edit your own, rather than using the canned ones from Lexus. Apple only allows replies via Siri.

Sadly there is no support for Google Assistant, so you cannot use the voice button to send a dictated verbal text.

And is they an adapter kit for the GS F, BeatSonic offered them to be wireless on other cars. So you might possibly be able to have wireless Android Auto if you’re willing to deal with sourcing the parts and having it installed if you’re not brave enough to do that yourself.

WilliamsSW > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 20:01

That’s not a bad thing. Their safety systems are overly intrusive imho and other interior stuff (nav) isn't that great. Their stereos are an exception to that rule of course.

avalonian > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 21:25

Awesome, welcome to the lexus family. I have that cars younger brother the GS350 Fsport. With the cabernet interior with Mark Levinson! Is yours liquid platinum silver too?

Kinja'd!!!

I want to get my calipers painted, but I can’t pick a color. The blue, orange, or maybe even black with lexus stenciled in. But awesome car! I’ve been looking at these casually to see if I should make the move and its getting tempting !

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 21:40

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/09/2020 at 22:45

Rip to big V8 rwd sedans.

I can get by without my android auto but its really really nice to have, I dont really want to go back after using it in new cars that are much cheaper tha n $8 5k

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > avalonian
08/09/2020 at 23:34

Yes! Mine is a liquid platinum with the crimson interior but I am bouncing around the idea of doing a shimmery wrap. For now, the color is great for me. It’s more of a matter of preserving the paint, PPE is also being considered.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Captain of the Enterprise
08/09/2020 at 23:34

Thanks Cap’n

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's
08/09/2020 at 23:36

Yeah - I have it in my other car, and it’s super handy for things, but I have been using a solid phone mount for several years, and I only really need BT audio until I get even more lazy. All my future cars after this point should have it, though.

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/10/2020 at 00:46

Dat V8 makes up for any of the tech downfalls

Discerning > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/10/2020 at 14:36

C5Z? How hot was the oil getting? And just driving around?

avalonian > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/10/2020 at 14:47

I had mine ceramic coated. Mine being a 15, they had brownish redish color interior then they went full red. Now that cars aren't depreciating that much, I am keen on keeping it for another 5 years!

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Discerning
08/10/2020 at 17:28

C7Z, coolant temp 230, oil temp about 270-280 (I was driving and not looking directly at the graph) - intercooler temp wasn’t being checked but I was getting knock right before falling into limp mode.

You know, the lawsuit.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > avalonian
08/10/2020 at 17:31

I love that these things will just last forever. I really love that.

Discerning > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/12/2020 at 08:35

270-280 during normal driving ?! That’s insane. I thought it only was an issue during track driving.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Discerning
08/12/2020 at 11:45

I suspect that how I was driving through the mountains probably wouldn't have been considered normal driving. WOT came up several times during the convo between my foot and the gas pedal

Discerning > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/12/2020 at 11:53

Have you considered upgrading to a tvs2650? I’ve heard that has helped some people. Bigger blower turning slower and whatnot.

Shame GM has messed up the last two Z06's.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Discerning
08/12/2020 at 12:11

Actually, I have. Originally I was going to keep this thing as stock as possible but this summer was excessively hot and I’m getting particularly comfortable with the car, so it’s going over to Cordes Performance who has a great reputation out here. Next month it’s going to be leaving their shop with a brand new set of heat exchangers, new pulley, headers, bunch of stuff. Not to just kill the pesky heat problem, but also make a bit more hp down south. The tvs2650 unfortunately didn’t fit in the budget.

In all honesty all I did was ask about their improved heat exchangers and the convo snowballed from there.

Discerning > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
08/12/2020 at 19:34

Nice. I used to be active on corvetteforum but I haven't heard of Cordes performance. Sounds like they know what they’re doing though.

We have vengeance performance near me and I discussed the C7 with them a little. They were suggestion I get a GS, but I’m less sure lately that I will go the C7 direction. Really wish they had offered a fixed roof in one of their configurations.

Hopefully your mods work out

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Discerning
08/13/2020 at 02:02

Thanks. I also miss the fixed roof. I cross shopped C6 and C7 z06s before the C8 came to market and chose the C7 for its greater number of amenities. But it wasnt a clean sweep, there is plenty to like for each generation IMO

The LT4 does come with a lot of forged internals and if it weren’t for the cooling and throttle delay it absolutely would dominate (exhibit A: the ZR1 which doesn’t have the issues mentioned) for those cast wheels on the C7 GS and Z06. They have a tendency of cracking since they are so big.

At this point I know my next car won’t be a third pedal clutch and something will be lost that day, but the C8 is still a good platform albeit not a perfect one

Hope to see you back in the Corvette groups, friend.