Lexus GS300 (S190)
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Discussion

Dracoro

Original Poster:

8,942 posts

265 months

Thursday 14th June 2012
quotequote all
Anyone any experiences of these cars?

I assume standard Lexus in that they are V comfy, reliable, smooth etc.

How quick are they, moreso in the pulling away and especially overtaking rather than b road blasting?

What, realistic, economy would one get on A/B road 15 miles commute?

Any negative points (I hear they have somewhat vague steering feel which is part for the course on most cars these days!)



(Mods - no response in Jap Chat so posted in GG)

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

210 months

Thursday 14th June 2012
quotequote all
Dracoro said:
Anyone any experiences of these cars?

I assume standard Lexus in that they are V comfy, reliable, smooth etc.

How quick are they, moreso in the pulling away and especially overtaking rather than b road blasting?

What, realistic, economy would one get on A/B road 15 miles commute?

Any negative points (I hear they have somewhat vague steering feel which is part for the course on most cars these days!)



(Mods - no response in Jap Chat so posted in GG)
Do you know what model year you are looking at? Seems the earlier ones are heavier at around 1720kg with 218-216hp, while latter ones are a bit lighter ~1620kg and seems to have 242-245hp.

Afraid I've not driven one, but the stats seem to suggest gearing for 140-150mph and fairly acceptable 1/4 mile ET's. Not the quickest off the line, but would have thought once rolling probably fairly nippy, at least compared to most normal traffic. Stats seem to suggest the latter cars about a second quicker to 60mph.

Dracoro

Original Poster:

8,942 posts

265 months

Thursday 14th June 2012
quotequote all
2005 onwards. I suppose they could be seen as the MK3...

Wiki doesn't help too much but looking at the engine section it indicates that the European/NAmerica got the 3GR-FSE (252bhp) and Middle East, APAC got the 3GR-FE (228bhp).

Where did you get the weight stats? Wasn't aware that later ones were lighter. If so, I guess that's the one to go for?!

Edited by Dracoro on Thursday 14th June 13:37

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

210 months

Thursday 14th June 2012
quotequote all
Carfolio. Although I can't vouch for the validity of the info.

Dracoro

Original Poster:

8,942 posts

265 months

Thursday 14th June 2012
quotequote all
I think 1720kg was the weight of the previous generation (the MK2 as it were).

They seem to offer nearly everything a 5 series, E class or A6 offers but are cheaper to buy (used), (much) more reliable and a little bit "different".

Problem is, I'm not sure my sports car days are numbered yet (back injury means I want something more comfy than the S2000 in the longer term) biggrin It's either something refined comfy like the GS or sporty like the M3 (e46) or audi S4 (v8) although what I really want is an S5 but too much money. I suspect the GS will drink less than the M3 or S4/S5, and although not fun in the same sense, is still a very nice car to waft around in. I can't make my mind up biggrinbiggrin

Tazio77

224 posts

282 months

Thursday 14th June 2012
quotequote all
I have a 55 plate GS MK3, it replaced a 54 plate W211 E320 CDI Merc which was a money pit.

The GS is a nice place to be, though the dash can be creaky on a cold day, and I do miss the torque of the Merc, also the ride in the Merc was more compliant.

Overall the Lexus is a lovely and much quieter place to be, ( I live part time in France and it's a great motorway barge) has the best auto I've used, fast enough, has a lovely V6 howl, and despite the weight can be hustled when I'm in the mood. Last week I did a 400 mile trip mostly motorways, cruise set at 75, managed 34.6 mpg, though mostly I get 27/28.

Dracoro

Original Poster:

8,942 posts

265 months

Friday 15th June 2012
quotequote all
Thanks! 27/28mpg is what I would want (similar to what I get in my commute in my S2000).

As on other thread, I need to see if I fit in them OK (I couldn't fit in an old LS400 - poor headroom!)