Discussion
It's worth remembering that the boot is quite small on the hybrid GS if that matters. Don't overlook the A8 TDi either. The 3.0 is frugal and responds to re-mapping very well. The 4.2 is stonking. 730d is a good all rounder, but as with all these cars, history and condition is imperative.
I have a mk3 (57 plate) GS300 and can't really fault it. Very refined, comfy, economical (ish, I get about 30mpg), loads of toys (reversing camera etc.), amazing stereo (esp if Mark Levinson which I sought after), great build quality, goes well when you put your foot down, great customer service from dealers etc...
I considered a 450h but chose against is as I needed the boot space and wouldn't have seen much in the way of better mpg as I don't do much town/stop-start where the hybrid excels. Also, less to go wrong with the non-hybrid, not that there's much in the way of issues though. If you don't need the boot space, the 450h is relatively cheaper to tax.
You mentioned the 730, this is. I't's the size class above, the GS is 5 series size. They do, however, do a hybrid LS if that's your bag!
I considered a 450h but chose against is as I needed the boot space and wouldn't have seen much in the way of better mpg as I don't do much town/stop-start where the hybrid excels. Also, less to go wrong with the non-hybrid, not that there's much in the way of issues though. If you don't need the boot space, the 450h is relatively cheaper to tax.
You mentioned the 730, this is. I't's the size class above, the GS is 5 series size. They do, however, do a hybrid LS if that's your bag!
I didn't realise they were a class down from a 730. To be honest was only considering a 7 because I don't think they're any difference price wise to a 5. I'll have a look into the ls though .its for the wife so it's mainly driven around town hence why thinking of a hybrid. All I keep reading is how diesels don't like short trips and can be unreliable as a result
I went through a similar thought process a few months ago and settled on the GS450h, though I feel now I perhaps made a mistake.
Mine is a '57 plate GS bought from a Lexus dealer with a full warranty etc. I will probably keep it whilst it has warranty and then swap it in for something else.
There's nothing actually wrong with it, but it's just completely soulless. Although it is very fast when you want it to be, it's not a car for a driver as the steering is numb and the ride is crashy on the 18" wheels. It's also the rattliest and squeakiest car I've have in years..... it's been back to Lexus twice for them to sort this and although it's better than it was it's still pretty woeful. My 13 year old Jag XJ puts it to shame. In fact the Jag is a far nicer car all round other than the fuel economy which is why I bought the Lexus!
Again the Lexus is OK on fuel but not amazing and not as good as I thought it would be. Kicking about around town to school, work etc I get 27/28 ish. On a run if I drive normally I get 32 ish and the best I've had was 36 on a trip down the M1 when in no particular hurry. I would expect any modern 3.0 diesel to better this in most circumstances.
So, bottom line, not a bad car as such but nothing to write home about, I think you can do better with your money. Oh, tiny boot too!
Mine is a '57 plate GS bought from a Lexus dealer with a full warranty etc. I will probably keep it whilst it has warranty and then swap it in for something else.
There's nothing actually wrong with it, but it's just completely soulless. Although it is very fast when you want it to be, it's not a car for a driver as the steering is numb and the ride is crashy on the 18" wheels. It's also the rattliest and squeakiest car I've have in years..... it's been back to Lexus twice for them to sort this and although it's better than it was it's still pretty woeful. My 13 year old Jag XJ puts it to shame. In fact the Jag is a far nicer car all round other than the fuel economy which is why I bought the Lexus!
Again the Lexus is OK on fuel but not amazing and not as good as I thought it would be. Kicking about around town to school, work etc I get 27/28 ish. On a run if I drive normally I get 32 ish and the best I've had was 36 on a trip down the M1 when in no particular hurry. I would expect any modern 3.0 diesel to better this in most circumstances.
So, bottom line, not a bad car as such but nothing to write home about, I think you can do better with your money. Oh, tiny boot too!
V8 FOU said:
Convert the Jag to LPG and drop your fuel costs by 40%!!
Hmm, I did give this some serious consideration but decided against it for a few reasons:1. I don't usually keep my cars that long and I've already had the Jag for a year. I would need to keep it for another couple of years to make it pay and this is doubtful.
2. Is it really sensible to spend £2500 ish on an LPG conversion on a car worth £3000?
3. My local Jag specialist hated the idea!
MEC said:
V8 FOU said:
Convert the Jag to LPG and drop your fuel costs by 40%!!
Hmm, I did give this some serious consideration but decided against it for a few reasons:1. I don't usually keep my cars that long and I've already had the Jag for a year. I would need to keep it for another couple of years to make it pay and this is doubtful.
2. Is it really sensible to spend £2500 ish on an LPG conversion on a car worth £3000?
3. My local Jag specialist hated the idea!
2. 2.5k is well over the odds more like 1700-200 for a decent setup, yes its worth it but only if you do the mileage
3. why?
Hybrid has is tiny boot, GS's not much cheaper than LS on second hand market. LS is one hell of a car and so is the GS.
Neither of the Lexus's are 'drivers cars' they are effortlessly cruise 1000 miles and get out snug and satisfied, fresh as a daisy
p.s. GS LS, BMW, JAG can be found already converted to LPG but you may have to look around.
MEC said:
I went through a similar thought process a few months ago and settled on the GS450h, though I feel now I perhaps made a mistake.
Mine is a '57 plate GS bought from a Lexus dealer with a full warranty etc. I will probably keep it whilst it has warranty and then swap it in for something else.
Again the Lexus is OK on fuel but not amazing and not as good as I thought it would be. Kicking about around town to school, work etc I get 27/28 ish. On a run if I drive normally I get 32 ish and the best I've had was 36 on a trip down the M1 when in no particular hurry. I would expect any modern 3.0 diesel to better this in most circumstances.
Shirley with the fuel economy, you weren't expecting 530d levels?Mine is a '57 plate GS bought from a Lexus dealer with a full warranty etc. I will probably keep it whilst it has warranty and then swap it in for something else.
Again the Lexus is OK on fuel but not amazing and not as good as I thought it would be. Kicking about around town to school, work etc I get 27/28 ish. On a run if I drive normally I get 32 ish and the best I've had was 36 on a trip down the M1 when in no particular hurry. I would expect any modern 3.0 diesel to better this in most circumstances.
It's not supposed to be a diesel, or compete with them. It's targeted specifically at cars like the 540/545. With which it beats in power and economy.
But I agree on the soulless front. But then that's not really what you buy (most) Lexi for...
I don't own one, but when I looked around, there's nothing even close in terms of value. They are so cheap, and come with so much kit it's ridiculous. Even you can put up with the snooze ride it's a cracking car IMO.
Number86 said:
But I agree on the soulless front. But then that's not really what you buy (most) Lexi for...
I don't own one, but when I looked around, there's nothing even close in terms of value. They are so cheap, and come with so much kit it's ridiculous. Even you can put up with the snooze ride it's a cracking car IMO.
spot onI don't own one, but when I looked around, there's nothing even close in terms of value. They are so cheap, and come with so much kit it's ridiculous. Even you can put up with the snooze ride it's a cracking car IMO.
sparkyhx said:
Number86 said:
But I agree on the soulless front. But then that's not really what you buy (most) Lexi for...
I don't own one, but when I looked around, there's nothing even close in terms of value. They are so cheap, and come with so much kit it's ridiculous. Even you can put up with the snooze ride it's a cracking car IMO.
spot onI don't own one, but when I looked around, there's nothing even close in terms of value. They are so cheap, and come with so much kit it's ridiculous. Even you can put up with the snooze ride it's a cracking car IMO.
Number86 said:
Shirley with the fuel economy, you weren't expecting 530d levels?
It's not supposed to be a diesel, or compete with them. It's targeted specifically at cars like the 540/545. With which it beats in power and economy.
But I agree on the soulless front. But then that's not really what you buy (most) Lexi for...
I don't own one, but when I looked around, there's nothing even close in terms of value. They are so cheap, and come with so much kit it's ridiculous. Even you can put up with the snooze ride it's a cracking car IMO.
No but I was expecting it to manage the government figures or somewhere near as most of other many cars (80+) have!It's not supposed to be a diesel, or compete with them. It's targeted specifically at cars like the 540/545. With which it beats in power and economy.
But I agree on the soulless front. But then that's not really what you buy (most) Lexi for...
I don't own one, but when I looked around, there's nothing even close in terms of value. They are so cheap, and come with so much kit it's ridiculous. Even you can put up with the snooze ride it's a cracking car IMO.
I accept the purpose of the car, but if it is to be a waft-mobile it should waft well and I don't consider it does. They've tried to make it "sporty" and ruined the ride with the big wheels! Also, as previously mentioned, the dash and door trims rattle like an old Ford Escort - it simply does not have a premium enough feel to me. Agreed it's full of toys, but so is a cheap Citroen these days.
As I said before, it's not a bad car, I just think spending your £12/£13K with BMW or Audi would get you an all-round better car. Just my opinion of course.
MEC said:
Number86 said:
Shirley with the fuel economy, you weren't expecting 530d levels?
It's not supposed to be a diesel, or compete with them. It's targeted specifically at cars like the 540/545. With which it beats in power and economy.
But I agree on the soulless front. But then that's not really what you buy (most) Lexi for...
I don't own one, but when I looked around, there's nothing even close in terms of value. They are so cheap, and come with so much kit it's ridiculous. Even you can put up with the snooze ride it's a cracking car IMO.
No but I was expecting it to manage the government figures or somewhere near as most of other many cars (80+) have!It's not supposed to be a diesel, or compete with them. It's targeted specifically at cars like the 540/545. With which it beats in power and economy.
But I agree on the soulless front. But then that's not really what you buy (most) Lexi for...
I don't own one, but when I looked around, there's nothing even close in terms of value. They are so cheap, and come with so much kit it's ridiculous. Even you can put up with the snooze ride it's a cracking car IMO.
I accept the purpose of the car, but if it is to be a waft-mobile it should waft well and I don't consider it does. They've tried to make it "sporty" and ruined the ride with the big wheels! Also, as previously mentioned, the dash and door trims rattle like an old Ford Escort - it simply does not have a premium enough feel to me. Agreed it's full of toys, but so is a cheap Citroen these days.
As I said before, it's not a bad car, I just think spending your £12/£13K with BMW or Audi would get you an all-round better car. Just my opinion of course.
Really?Mines 12 years old and better than any car I have driven including brand new ones.
The trim, buttons, surfaces etc. in my 57plate GS is much better than the 5 series (E60) which I looked at that had some really cheap black plastics. I thought BMW were much better than this. This put me right off the 5 series, felt so cheap for a "premium" car. The E39 was far better. I understand the new 5 series is better. Also I got a far lower mileage, newer, better GS than I would get a BMW/Merc/Audi for the money. It's great (for me) that they are "off the radar" for many as it makes great bargains on the used market.
That said, I don't really consider Lexus a BMW/Audi rival but more a Mercedes rival. The new ones recently however, they appear to be pitching more towards BMW/Audi.
No squeaks in my GS300, however I understand that there were some plastic "holders" (for use in transit I think) in the seats that should have been removed. Great if yours had been removed (as mine clearly has) but no so great if not. They can be removed subsequently though.
I've had a E38 7 series, 2000 Audi A6 and 2 Vaux Omegas, the Lexus feels (and probably is) far better engineered and better in pretty much every way. Great dealers as well.
I find everything about it is very well engineered, no faults whatsoever. Rides great (the GS300 runs on 17s and is about 100/200kg less than the 450h so that might explain differences), handles well, quiet, wafts lovely and good fuel economy (for a 245bhp petrol motor in a big car). I get about 30mpg average, down to 25 if I use the power a lot and 40mpg on a long motorway very relaxed (trying hard here!!) cruise, 35mpg is more representative for normal longer distance m-way driving though.
Can't really fault it, does everything it should do. Granted it's not a "fun" car (but most barges aren't anyway even though there are some "pretenders") but it does the pleasure of driving bit as it should.
One thing I would say, the grey leather/dark grey wood and black leather/red wood look fine inside. The beige leather/brown wood does look very old-man Lexus from the past
That said, I don't really consider Lexus a BMW/Audi rival but more a Mercedes rival. The new ones recently however, they appear to be pitching more towards BMW/Audi.
No squeaks in my GS300, however I understand that there were some plastic "holders" (for use in transit I think) in the seats that should have been removed. Great if yours had been removed (as mine clearly has) but no so great if not. They can be removed subsequently though.
I've had a E38 7 series, 2000 Audi A6 and 2 Vaux Omegas, the Lexus feels (and probably is) far better engineered and better in pretty much every way. Great dealers as well.
I find everything about it is very well engineered, no faults whatsoever. Rides great (the GS300 runs on 17s and is about 100/200kg less than the 450h so that might explain differences), handles well, quiet, wafts lovely and good fuel economy (for a 245bhp petrol motor in a big car). I get about 30mpg average, down to 25 if I use the power a lot and 40mpg on a long motorway very relaxed (trying hard here!!) cruise, 35mpg is more representative for normal longer distance m-way driving though.
Can't really fault it, does everything it should do. Granted it's not a "fun" car (but most barges aren't anyway even though there are some "pretenders") but it does the pleasure of driving bit as it should.
One thing I would say, the grey leather/dark grey wood and black leather/red wood look fine inside. The beige leather/brown wood does look very old-man Lexus from the past
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