Drove the new 2006 Lexus GS!

BradE said:


Another uninspiring offering from Lexus, no surprise here.
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Is that really neccisary? You're entitled to your opinion but why be derogatory and insulting to those of us who own and enjoy Lexus vehicles? Why open the door to the kind of brand waring that is so common and pathetic on the Internet. Thats beneath Autopia.



Anyways...



Keep in mind that the $51k car is the AWD version, the fully loaded RWD model is about $48k which isn't much more than the previous GS300. They're trying to move the car upmarket and make some distance between it and the ES330. Thats still significantly cheaper than the 5 series in comparable trim, or the E class.



Like I said before, you have to see it in person. The interior has some nice features I just wasn't totally blown away by it compared to my car or other offerings from Lexus. I think the LS, ES, and SC all have nicer and more luxurious looking interiors.
 
That seems odd. They should put the flagship drivetype (AWD) with the flagship engine (4.3).



Maybe it's "for the purists" who will only drive RWD :nixweiss
 
Might be something to that, think about BMW they don't offer AWD on the 5 or 7 series.



I think it has more to do with perfecting the AWD system and the V8. There's word that the new LS in 2007 will have an AWD option, my guess is the GS430 will then also.
 
"What do you mean real metal? The facings of the gauges are actually machined alluminum."



Really? Cool. I did not know that Steve. I will be at my Lexus dealer tomorrow. :)
 
GoodnClean said:
Is that really neccisary? You're entitled to your opinion but why be derogatory and insulting to those of us who own and enjoy Lexus vehicles? Why open the door to the kind of brand waring that is so common and pathetic on the Internet. Thats beneath Autopia.
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Is your comment necessary? Seems like you nit picking in effort to cry about something. Where did I mention people who own or drive Lexus vehicles? I said it was an uninspiring offering, which it is in my view. What does this new Lexus offering have to do with people who already own DIFFERENT Lexus vehicles? Nice try though, perhaps you should find something more substantive to whine about next time. If youâ€â„¢re that easily âہ“insultedâ€Â� for your own safety never open any car publication, youâ€â„¢ll die of immediate shock. Better never visit any automotive related sites either, just to be safe. Wouldnâ€â„¢t want anyoneâ€â„¢s brand stereotypes to inflict any unnecessary damage onto the unsuspecting readers.



Itâ€â„¢s nice youâ€â„¢ve appointed yourself the moral high authority deciding what is and isnâ€â„¢t beneath Autopia, thatâ€â„¢s nice. I think I got a pretty good idea of what Autopiaâ€â„¢s all about; I was here a long time before you even knew Autopia existed.
 
GoodnClean said:
Keep in mind that the $51k car is the AWD version, the fully loaded RWD model is about $48k which isn't much more than the previous GS300. They're trying to move the car upmarket and make some distance between it and the ES330. Thats still significantly cheaper than the 5 series in comparable trim, or the E class.



Like I said before, you have to see it in person. The interior has some nice features I just wasn't totally blown away by it compared to my car or other offerings from Lexus. I think the LS, ES, and SC all have nicer and more luxurious looking interiors.
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Hmm, didn't know there would still be a RWD GS300. Actually, is it a 300 or 330? From the car show I was under the impression it would get the 3.3L V-6 instead of the 2JZ-GE I-6 as that's the motor Lexus seems to be putting in a lot of models now. Was the HP rating posted? I would think it would have to be much more than the 220/220 hp/tq output of the previous GS300 to be competitive w/the other luxury marques.



I do hope they keep the 2JZ alive in some model though, it's a wonderful engine and still ran beautifully in my 5 year old, 53K mile GS. Rev the engine to 6k and you can only hear it, never feel it as it was sooo smooth.
 
ben54 said:
For more power, Toyota should just slap on some turbos like they do everything else in Japan. QUOTE]



A reasonable sentiment, I guess, except that Honda (as per company engineering philosophy) doesn't "slap" any turbos on any of their cars (though for Japanese cars, I'm a Nissan Silvia/Skyline guy!).
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GoodnClean said:
Is that really neccisary? You're entitled to your opinion but why be derogatory and insulting to those of us who own and enjoy Lexus vehicles? Why open the door to the kind of brand waring that is so common and pathetic on the Internet. Thats beneath Autopia.
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Wow! What a reaction to someone giving their opinion about a new car!! Is the word "uninspiring" such a severe attack, even to someone who obviously is an enthusiast of the brand? Jeeeez.........:cry:
 
BradE said:


Itâ€â„¢s nice youâ€â„¢ve appointed yourself the moral high authority deciding what is and isnâ€â„¢t beneath Autopia, thatâ€â„¢s nice. I think I got a pretty good idea of what Autopiaâ€â„¢s all about; I was here a long time before you even knew Autopia existed.
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:rolleyes: yawn.



Hmm, didn't know there would still be a RWD GS300. Actually, is it a 300 or 330? From the car show I was under the impression it would get the 3.3L V-6 instead of the 2JZ-GE I-6 as that's the motor Lexus seems to be putting in a lot of models now. Was the HP rating posted? I would think it would have to be much more than the 220/220 hp/tq output of the previous GS300 to be competitive w/the other luxury marques.
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Its actually an all new 3.0l V6 with the new 6 speed auto. The hp is 245, not sure about the torque. It definately has more pep than my ES. 0-60 is suposed to be high 6's.
 
My father is prolly gonna end up buying a 06 Lexus GS300 w/o Nav and ML. THe sticker was about 45k. This one has the sunroof, runflat tires, adaptive lighting, and rain sensing wipers. All in all, it is a great design I think.



My dad is selling his 04 Acura Tl tomorrow. With the poor quality of fit and finish that he has had with the car plus all sorts of little problems, he is quick to get rid of it.



1. Headliner fell off at 2000 miles

2 Inside B Pillar replaced due to excessive rattling

3. All four tires replaced due to a bad batch.

4. Constant drive vibration at 50 mph and at 80 Mph and up,we have tried wheel balancing, new tires etc.

5. Transmission recall for new PCM and 2nd gear patch.

6. Chrome peeling on the inside headlight

7. Memory seats work ever so often, etc.



Lexus has one of the highest reliability and quality ratings over the past few years. The other models we are comparing the Lex to is the Infiniti M35 Rwd, and the Acura RL. The M35 seems to be geared more towards performance and at my dad's age he doesnt want the ride to be too stiff. THe Rl Seems reallly nice but we havent drove one yet. Couple reasons we wont buy the RL more than likely, is due to the bad expierence with our TL and that fact that it seems a lot of RL's just bought are having a lot of electrical probs and the AWD drive systems are having all sorts of issues.



The lexus seems to be a nice design in and out. THe drive was great and its everything my dad is looking for. We will check out the Inifiniti but I think to my dad's liking, Lexus will offer a better and smoother ride even though the M35 prolly handles better. I just wish he would step up to the GS430!! But at $51000 BASE price, he doesnt want the V8.



We also considered the BMW 530, but its seems that most 5 and 7 series are VERY problematic. Plus the 530 is 45k BASE.



The Mercedes E350 is BASED at $50,000 When adding options well over 55k.



German cars reliability not to mention is going down very fast. And dont forget the very high Maint pricing.



As for those who dont like the new GS, to each its own. BUt i find the design, standard features, the fit and finish, reliability history of Toyota/Lexus cars compared to the competition and what MY DAD is looking for, it is a GREAT car.
 
Forgot to mention that I work for a dealership and prolly have driven and talked to techs about almost every car out there. :)
 
I wouldn't do an RL after the experience he had with the TL either. We want pictures when he gets it!



I just recently drove a 545 and I detailed a customer's 530i that I drove a couple times. Personally I like the new GS better. I think the interior is more pleasing to look at and more comfortable (the 5 series has a lot of weird angles and curves), no I-Drive. Plus I think the new suspension on the GS brings it closer in driving experience to the 5 series than ever before. I think he'll be happy with it.
 
I checked this car out at the Chicago Auto Show and came away with the following impressions:



a) I agree with the other posters that exterior was nice but the interior still needs more work. Kind of bland.



b) I was very disappointed in the interior room. For a car of that size, you'd expect to see some better headroom and leg room.



I also checked the competing 2006 M45 and was :D
 
More on the room, I dont know if I mentioned this here I know I did at the LOC, but there's a weird hump in the drivers side of the transmission tunnel that interferes with legroom, they've even shaped the mat to go over this hump.



I haven't seen the M45 yet but would like to, you seem to have liked it better, what specifically about it?
 
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