Real world mpg for these Lexus?
Discussion
Torn between the supposedly "frugal" v6 GS300, and the power deficient V8 GS430 (both '05 MY), anyone able to comment on the real figures both attain on a run and reasonably free-moving city/town traffic?
MPG is of some interest more than the cachet of being able to tick the "V8" box - I know, not very PH of me! - but the 430 does have ALL the toys fitted as standard.
Mileage circa 6-8K, and from AT figures for extra urban, there's 7 mpg difference.
Is that how it pans out in reality, or is the 430 thirstier than that?
Bit disappointed the 430 only has 279 horses, compared to 245 - but as I'll hardly be redlining either, maybe the torque numbers is where the story is at, 308 vs 229 lbs/ft.
So, HELP!!!
Which do I choose for a 3-5 year ownership?
MPG is of some interest more than the cachet of being able to tick the "V8" box - I know, not very PH of me! - but the 430 does have ALL the toys fitted as standard.
Mileage circa 6-8K, and from AT figures for extra urban, there's 7 mpg difference.
Is that how it pans out in reality, or is the 430 thirstier than that?
Bit disappointed the 430 only has 279 horses, compared to 245 - but as I'll hardly be redlining either, maybe the torque numbers is where the story is at, 308 vs 229 lbs/ft.
So, HELP!!!
Which do I choose for a 3-5 year ownership?
Not wishing to be pedantic, the GS300 is an IL6 not a V6. I had a Mk1 GS300 and it averaged early 20's mpg with the best being about 27. They're not amazing on the mpg front but then they are a big heavy car.
The V8 is barely any different. The engine is more modern and IMO is worth it for the extra grunt (better torque lower down than the 300) for a minimal cost in mpg.
The V8 is barely any different. The engine is more modern and IMO is worth it for the extra grunt (better torque lower down than the 300) for a minimal cost in mpg.
Sorry, but you're incorrect - the engine changed with the new shape introduced in '05, from the inline to a vee.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2005/11/lexus-gs3...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_GS
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2005/11/lexus-gs3...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_GS
I owned an 05 (current shape) GS430 for a while. It averaged around 23 mpg on mixed driving. If you took it easy on the motorway you could get it up to high 20's.
Although they are criticised for lacking the driving involvement, dynamics etc of BM's etc they are great motorway cruisers and I reckon they're very underrated.
Loved the toys, Mark Levinson stereo great, adaptive cruise control a reasonably useful novelty, reverse camera, air-conditioned seats...etc etc...voice activated controls a complete waste of time though.
Although the power of the V8 is nice (not having driven a GS300 I cannot comment on its driving characteristics) the only downside is that you can barely hear it. Even if you really floor it it is still very muted.
Also it is very anonymous. Few people know what it is and generally it is underestimated...
Although they are criticised for lacking the driving involvement, dynamics etc of BM's etc they are great motorway cruisers and I reckon they're very underrated.
Loved the toys, Mark Levinson stereo great, adaptive cruise control a reasonably useful novelty, reverse camera, air-conditioned seats...etc etc...voice activated controls a complete waste of time though.
Although the power of the V8 is nice (not having driven a GS300 I cannot comment on its driving characteristics) the only downside is that you can barely hear it. Even if you really floor it it is still very muted.
Also it is very anonymous. Few people know what it is and generally it is underestimated...
I have a 55 plate Mk 3 GS300, just driven it down to our place in France, a trip of 642 miles.
In the UK sticking to the posted limits on the M1 and M25, including miles of average speed checks in the UK, the onboard reported 42.6 mpg. In France travelling at an average of 62mph for in excess of 500 miles it averaged 36.7 mpg. overall this was good.
In the real world I get about 26 mpg light footed around town, lowest has been 22ish mpg.
In the UK sticking to the posted limits on the M1 and M25, including miles of average speed checks in the UK, the onboard reported 42.6 mpg. In France travelling at an average of 62mph for in excess of 500 miles it averaged 36.7 mpg. overall this was good.
In the real world I get about 26 mpg light footed around town, lowest has been 22ish mpg.
I have a 1997 LS 400, the later ones, including the GS400 / 430 will have a better engine in them. 75% of my driving is on motorways, 70% of this is going about as fast as, or faster than most folk travel in the third lane when it's not very busy, if you know what I mean. The rest is through roadworks at 50mph. The other 25% of my driving is short trips of less than 5 miles, so they will use a lot of fuel. I use the A/C 50% of the time.
I get a consistent 27 MPG, calculated per fill up. This is over the last 6 - 8 months since I have owned the car. I had the Rotor Arms, Distributor Caps, HT Leads and Plugs changed when I got the car, I also replaced the Air Filter and changed the Engine Oil and Filter. I use only V-Power and every few months or so I put two cans of Fuel Additive in (VAG part number G001770A2)(2x 90 ML to a full fuel tank), they cost £6 per can.
If I were using motorways more, (90% or more of the time) I would expect about 30MPG.
It's the 'Urban' driving that kills the MPG on these cars. Recently I had a Kia Cee'd diesel and drove 240 Motorway miles slower than I would in my LS 400. It managed 35MPG.
I get a consistent 27 MPG, calculated per fill up. This is over the last 6 - 8 months since I have owned the car. I had the Rotor Arms, Distributor Caps, HT Leads and Plugs changed when I got the car, I also replaced the Air Filter and changed the Engine Oil and Filter. I use only V-Power and every few months or so I put two cans of Fuel Additive in (VAG part number G001770A2)(2x 90 ML to a full fuel tank), they cost £6 per can.
If I were using motorways more, (90% or more of the time) I would expect about 30MPG.
It's the 'Urban' driving that kills the MPG on these cars. Recently I had a Kia Cee'd diesel and drove 240 Motorway miles slower than I would in my LS 400. It managed 35MPG.
Gassing Station | Toyota | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff