New (used) car choise - Lexus IS / GS
Discussion
Hello all.
I'm looking at changing cars form my trusty but now pointless Swift Sport to something a tad bigger and refined, hence a probable move to a Lexus GS / IS, most likely the 300h.
Clearly the GS is bigger, but older GS or a newer IS? What I can't do is make a clear decision in my mind about which would be the 'better' choice. Typically it'll be two up, with only my lad in the back for longer journeys (he's only 7) so rear legroom isn't really an issue. My budget is ~£16k, can increase this but I'm happy with that kind of figure.
I appreciate they're not really a 'drivers' car as such, and I'm happy for that. I'll probably be off to tread some leather at the two local-ish dealers this weekend. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
I'm looking at changing cars form my trusty but now pointless Swift Sport to something a tad bigger and refined, hence a probable move to a Lexus GS / IS, most likely the 300h.
Clearly the GS is bigger, but older GS or a newer IS? What I can't do is make a clear decision in my mind about which would be the 'better' choice. Typically it'll be two up, with only my lad in the back for longer journeys (he's only 7) so rear legroom isn't really an issue. My budget is ~£16k, can increase this but I'm happy with that kind of figure.
I appreciate they're not really a 'drivers' car as such, and I'm happy for that. I'll probably be off to tread some leather at the two local-ish dealers this weekend. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
Out of the two I'd buy the IS300 in F Sport Premium trim:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
There aren't many Gen2 450h's about & for me the IS300 is the nicer place to be, it also has the bigger & better boot.
450h Luxury
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Now if you want a very good hybrid then I'd go for the Infiniti Q50 S 35h, I've supplied 6 (two to family members) so far & I'm always impressed by them, I have two family members with them & am about to get my mum one.
Yes Infiniti are pulling out of Europe but Nissan will honor all service packs & extended warranties with most Infiniti centres due to be turned into Nissan Premium centres so servicing will be fine.
The drive on these is very good, at low speed you can sometime feel the transition from battery to the (I'd say the Lexus is better in this respect) engine but most of the time you don't notice the change & they're properly quick, fuel wise real (fill up to fill up) world my aunt who drives into Vauxhall 4 days a week is averaging 36mpg & my cousin who's journey takes him SE London to Woking is seeing 42mpg.
Now the IS300's I've supplied doing similar journeys are between 5-7mpg better off but personally I'd trade that for the extra go & imo slightly better drive from the Infiniti, also spec wise they're hard to beat with adaptive cruise 360 cameras etc & you get
Q50 S Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Premium Executive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If you don't mind stretching the budget you can get a very low mileage example or you can land an AWD model:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The drivetrain also came on the Q70 these are a softer set up as well as being a generation behind interior wise:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I've been buying these for a while now & have noticed prices firming up as well as there not being as many for sale & being sold quicker than before which is the ULEZ having an effect, the same is true of the IS300 but to a slightly lesser extent.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
There aren't many Gen2 450h's about & for me the IS300 is the nicer place to be, it also has the bigger & better boot.
450h Luxury
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Now if you want a very good hybrid then I'd go for the Infiniti Q50 S 35h, I've supplied 6 (two to family members) so far & I'm always impressed by them, I have two family members with them & am about to get my mum one.
Yes Infiniti are pulling out of Europe but Nissan will honor all service packs & extended warranties with most Infiniti centres due to be turned into Nissan Premium centres so servicing will be fine.
The drive on these is very good, at low speed you can sometime feel the transition from battery to the (I'd say the Lexus is better in this respect) engine but most of the time you don't notice the change & they're properly quick, fuel wise real (fill up to fill up) world my aunt who drives into Vauxhall 4 days a week is averaging 36mpg & my cousin who's journey takes him SE London to Woking is seeing 42mpg.
Now the IS300's I've supplied doing similar journeys are between 5-7mpg better off but personally I'd trade that for the extra go & imo slightly better drive from the Infiniti, also spec wise they're hard to beat with adaptive cruise 360 cameras etc & you get
Q50 S Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Premium Executive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If you don't mind stretching the budget you can get a very low mileage example or you can land an AWD model:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The drivetrain also came on the Q70 these are a softer set up as well as being a generation behind interior wise:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I've been buying these for a while now & have noticed prices firming up as well as there not being as many for sale & being sold quicker than before which is the ULEZ having an effect, the same is true of the IS300 but to a slightly lesser extent.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 24th June 12:23
Q50 hybrid is a good shout, I had a diesel one for 2 years and it was good.
Things to note though... huge turning circle, pretty unwieldy if you are doing any tight maneuvers, I just used it for motorway runs so it didn't matter to me
Great sounding stereo but the infotainment interface is a bit frustrating
comfy seats lots of adjustment (main reason I had one)
Edit: I always felt it was a big car or at least it always felt very wide, I was forever dinging the alloys in tight spaces and I am generally pretty good at keeping away from kerbs in every other car. public parking spaces always felt cramped in it. But apparently it's no bigger than others in its class
It was in no way whatsoever entertaining to drive, electric steering (fly by wire) so you really didn't know what was going on with the front wheels and it understeered a lot (edit: if you drive it like a hooligan) Again if its a motorway muncher this really doesn't matter!
Very unusual so it was rare to see another one on the road. I liked that
Things to note though... huge turning circle, pretty unwieldy if you are doing any tight maneuvers, I just used it for motorway runs so it didn't matter to me
Great sounding stereo but the infotainment interface is a bit frustrating
comfy seats lots of adjustment (main reason I had one)
Edit: I always felt it was a big car or at least it always felt very wide, I was forever dinging the alloys in tight spaces and I am generally pretty good at keeping away from kerbs in every other car. public parking spaces always felt cramped in it. But apparently it's no bigger than others in its class
It was in no way whatsoever entertaining to drive, electric steering (fly by wire) so you really didn't know what was going on with the front wheels and it understeered a lot (edit: if you drive it like a hooligan) Again if its a motorway muncher this really doesn't matter!
Very unusual so it was rare to see another one on the road. I liked that
Edited by drgoatboy on Tuesday 18th June 19:29
I agree on the steering side of things but it's the same as Lexus & most modern cars tbh, I haven't found the understeer a big issue but it is there again no better or worse than the Lexus.
The size thing I don't get as it's no bigger than a C Class/3 Series, the infotainment system is easy to work the Bose setup is great but the standard is still good but if you find one with the Bose setup then they're worth seeking out.
The size thing I don't get as it's no bigger than a C Class/3 Series, the infotainment system is easy to work the Bose setup is great but the standard is still good but if you find one with the Bose setup then they're worth seeking out.
ZX10R NIN said:
The size thing I don't get as it's no bigger than a C Class/3 Series, the infotainment system is easy to work the Bose setup is great but the standard is still good but if you find one with the Bose setup then they're worth seeking out.
I take it all back! You know what I couldn't believe what you said so I looked it up! Completely right of course. Weird as it always felt really big and it even looked big against other cars in the car park. I wonder why?Well I have been educated!
I wasn't trying to put a downer on the car. I liked mine for what it was.
In fact you've got me thinking about buying one now!I didn't take it that way, it's good to hear a different opinions on the same car, as for getting another they're cracking value at the moment. The best part is that you're getting a Mercedes drivetrain which is well proven.
The Q30's the same as it's basically an A Class with a different body on.
The Q30's the same as it's basically an A Class with a different body on.
Thanks for all the responses, really appreciate it.
Took a GS 300h out for a spin and loved it, just can't quite make the numbers work yet. A slight 'mismatch' in pricing has also muddied the waters...
Interestingly enough I started to look at a few Infinitis; there's quite a few around here (near the Nissan plant in Washington) but was put off by the withdrawal. I'm slightly more reassured now and they do appear to represent great VFM at the moment.
Took a GS 300h out for a spin and loved it, just can't quite make the numbers work yet. A slight 'mismatch' in pricing has also muddied the waters...
Interestingly enough I started to look at a few Infinitis; there's quite a few around here (near the Nissan plant in Washington) but was put off by the withdrawal. I'm slightly more reassured now and they do appear to represent great VFM at the moment.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff