Test Drive Lexus 2006 GS 300
03-13-2005, 09:25 AM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta, Georgia USA
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First off, I can't believe the options included with the car.
A FULLY loaded GS300 goes for $52k. That includes bluetooth, backup camera and front parking assist, NAV, 18inch wheels, push button start (comfort access), Mark Levinson audio, adaptive lights, VENTILATED front seats, moonroof, and NAV equipped GS can play DVDs on the NAV screen as long as the car is parked with the parking break on.
And I think MP3 capibility comes out later.
The engine is 245hp V6 w/230 lb-ft torque@3600 rpm with estimated 22/30mpg
I took the GS into a hard corner at about 45mph, and it ran right though it.
The interior is near silient. The steering had a solid feel to it.
The only thing keeping me from serious consideration is the interior dashboard looks to be an acquired taste, for some reason the back seat area looks smaller than a 5 series, although the shifter has a manual mode it doesnt really invite you to use it as much. Although the NAV screen is a touch screen, it looks a little awkward. While the exterior is nice especially with the 18's, it doesnt speak as loudly like the 5 series re-desisgn.
It does feel a little awkward paying 58k for car knowing a FULLY equipped GS has more torque and more options than a near fully loaded 530 and while i am not familiar with maintenance issues on the GS, how much time will I spend without my ultimate driving machine while its at the dealer for S/W upgrades, and replacing faulty modules, ECUs and the like...we all know the reliability factor for Lexus.
All in all BMW had better watchout, Lexus looks to have all the right ingredients to overtake the 5. If they can tweak what they already have look out...
Interesting reading
http://www.lexus.com/models/gs/road_test.html
A FULLY loaded GS300 goes for $52k. That includes bluetooth, backup camera and front parking assist, NAV, 18inch wheels, push button start (comfort access), Mark Levinson audio, adaptive lights, VENTILATED front seats, moonroof, and NAV equipped GS can play DVDs on the NAV screen as long as the car is parked with the parking break on.
And I think MP3 capibility comes out later.
The engine is 245hp V6 w/230 lb-ft torque@3600 rpm with estimated 22/30mpg
I took the GS into a hard corner at about 45mph, and it ran right though it.
The interior is near silient. The steering had a solid feel to it.
The only thing keeping me from serious consideration is the interior dashboard looks to be an acquired taste, for some reason the back seat area looks smaller than a 5 series, although the shifter has a manual mode it doesnt really invite you to use it as much. Although the NAV screen is a touch screen, it looks a little awkward. While the exterior is nice especially with the 18's, it doesnt speak as loudly like the 5 series re-desisgn.
It does feel a little awkward paying 58k for car knowing a FULLY equipped GS has more torque and more options than a near fully loaded 530 and while i am not familiar with maintenance issues on the GS, how much time will I spend without my ultimate driving machine while its at the dealer for S/W upgrades, and replacing faulty modules, ECUs and the like...we all know the reliability factor for Lexus.
All in all BMW had better watchout, Lexus looks to have all the right ingredients to overtake the 5. If they can tweak what they already have look out...
Interesting reading
http://www.lexus.com/models/gs/road_test.html
03-13-2005, 03:59 PM
#3
Senior Members
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Gardena,CA
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 04 525i w/ sports and premium pakage, titanium silver, gray dakota leather w/ polar grain wood trim, steptronic
Originally Posted by alohalc' date='Mar 13 2005, 06:11 PM
imo, the new gs looks extremely boring 
.
.[snapback]100995[/snapback]
03-13-2005, 07:03 PM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Singapore
Posts: 2,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 530iA Silver Grey , black interior. Premium Package, Navigation System, Head-up Display, Radio Satellite, Adaptive Xenon Headlights. AC Schnitzer Front Lip, H&R springs, Rear red reflector, All season Floor mat,
But better than the old model... 
03-19-2005, 05:36 AM
#7
Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 E63 AMG -- Palladium Silver/Black.
Love this car but looking to switch things up to keep things fresh. 2nd AMG in a row, but toying with coming back into the BMW fold!
Originally Posted by EBMCS03' date='Mar 14 2005, 01:13 AM
Not as impressed with the GS as I am with the M45.
[snapback]101167[/snapback]
03-19-2005, 04:09 PM
#8
Members
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mcorliss' date='Mar 19 2005, 09:36 AM
[quote name='EBMCS03' date='Mar 14 2005, 01:13 AM']Not as impressed with the GS as I am with the M45.
[snapback]101167[/snapback]
[snapback]103717[/snapback]
[/quote]me too!
lexus= boring toyotas for non-enthuaists.
03-23-2005, 11:27 PM
#10
Members
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 530I Black/Black, Premium/Sport, Navigation
2005 545I Silver/Black, Premium/Sport, Logic 7, Navigation
Somehow those horsepower in Japanese car doesn't feel the same as on Germans car. My 530i can easily beat the GS430.