Audi S6 or Lexus GS 430 V8
Discussion
Afternoon chaps, I am in the market for an 'old' cruiser as I want a car that can swallow up motorway miles and get us to France in comfort 
I have narrowed it down to the Lexus GS430 (4.3 V8) Sport or the Audi S6 (4.2 V8)
I am swaying more on the Lexus for the following reasons:
Looks more modern
Has better interior
Smooth V8
Less ubiquitous
Good reliability
I still like the Audi and the V8 in the Audi is quite appealing but there seems to be something very non de-script about the car.
What do you chaps think? any comments/advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks
I have narrowed it down to the Lexus GS430 (4.3 V8) Sport or the Audi S6 (4.2 V8)
I am swaying more on the Lexus for the following reasons:
Looks more modern
Has better interior
Smooth V8
Less ubiquitous
Good reliability
I still like the Audi and the V8 in the Audi is quite appealing but there seems to be something very non de-script about the car.
What do you chaps think? any comments/advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks
Early 00's S8?
Same engine as the S6 but even bigger, even more comfortable and even cooler. You could live out all your Ronin fantasies in that.
I've never really seen the appeal of the Lexus GS, yes they're insanely comfortable and incredibly well put together by my lord they're sinfully ugly.
Same engine as the S6 but even bigger, even more comfortable and even cooler. You could live out all your Ronin fantasies in that.
I've never really seen the appeal of the Lexus GS, yes they're insanely comfortable and incredibly well put together by my lord they're sinfully ugly.
In the past i would have said the Audi was the best choice, but i am warmed to the Lexus for some reason. Never driven one though but used to have an A6 (2.7T) and it was good, oh and fast!
Worth pointing out that the Lexus may be worth alot less than you paid for it come resale whilst the Audi will still retain a good price, considering it's the S model.
Have you thought about a Jaguar S-Type V8?
Worth pointing out that the Lexus may be worth alot less than you paid for it come resale whilst the Audi will still retain a good price, considering it's the S model.
Have you thought about a Jaguar S-Type V8?
I had a GS430 untill some d*ickhead wrote it off.
Can't reccomend it highly enough. I used it for european touring and it did the job superbly, being very well sound insulated and extremely comfortable, I always got out feeling very fresh and relaxed.
I averaged around 30 mpg at 70 mph but be warned it drops to around 26/27 if used at european touring speeds of 85 ( legal ) mph
The chassis is a work of art, very composed, very flat and stable, oversteer on demand, and four wheel drifts are possible ( see the evo review ) if you set it up right.
I found the autobox a bit of a pain, it has something called "torqueflite" which means that if it calculates that the engine has enough torque to propel it, it doesnt change down gear, which means it can be reluctant to change down accelerating out of a corner, so the technique is to manually change down before the corner using the auto stick. Which is why when I replaced it I went for an IS300 with the steering wheel tiptronic buttons.
The Audi is very very stiffy spring for some reason, and doesnt really handle that well, with lots of understeer due to the engine being transverely mounted forwards of the front axle, which I found a bit odd personally.....the poor balance could be forgiven if it was for touring, but why make a smooth engined comfortable cabin 4 door saloon, and then ruin the ride like that ? There is also a lot to go wrong with the Audi, and they do go wrong, and they placed near bottom of the JD power surveys for that year whereas Lexus placed first.
Can't reccomend it highly enough. I used it for european touring and it did the job superbly, being very well sound insulated and extremely comfortable, I always got out feeling very fresh and relaxed.
I averaged around 30 mpg at 70 mph but be warned it drops to around 26/27 if used at european touring speeds of 85 ( legal ) mph
The chassis is a work of art, very composed, very flat and stable, oversteer on demand, and four wheel drifts are possible ( see the evo review ) if you set it up right.
I found the autobox a bit of a pain, it has something called "torqueflite" which means that if it calculates that the engine has enough torque to propel it, it doesnt change down gear, which means it can be reluctant to change down accelerating out of a corner, so the technique is to manually change down before the corner using the auto stick. Which is why when I replaced it I went for an IS300 with the steering wheel tiptronic buttons.
The Audi is very very stiffy spring for some reason, and doesnt really handle that well, with lots of understeer due to the engine being transverely mounted forwards of the front axle, which I found a bit odd personally.....the poor balance could be forgiven if it was for touring, but why make a smooth engined comfortable cabin 4 door saloon, and then ruin the ride like that ? There is also a lot to go wrong with the Audi, and they do go wrong, and they placed near bottom of the JD power surveys for that year whereas Lexus placed first.
Thanks chaps some very insightful information indeed.
Budget wise it would be up to £7k more if needed but I think £7k is sufficient for a cheap cruiser. Just looking for a cheapish cruiser with a 'slightly' sporty edge. We don't want to get anything that is too bland/old man esq.
I have read superb reports regarding the Lexus from a super composed chassis to a fine engine - reliability is key as well. We do long journeys plus we have a baby
Looked into the S type jag but not keen on the styling..
It is a two horse race between the S6 and the GS430.
Thanks
Budget wise it would be up to £7k more if needed but I think £7k is sufficient for a cheap cruiser. Just looking for a cheapish cruiser with a 'slightly' sporty edge. We don't want to get anything that is too bland/old man esq.
I have read superb reports regarding the Lexus from a super composed chassis to a fine engine - reliability is key as well. We do long journeys plus we have a baby
Looked into the S type jag but not keen on the styling..
It is a two horse race between the S6 and the GS430.
Thanks
Tminus2mins said:
In the past i would have said the Audi was the best choice, but i am warmed to the Lexus for some reason. Never driven one though but used to have an A6 (2.7T) and it was good, oh and fast!
Worth pointing out that the Lexus may be worth alot less than you paid for it come resale whilst the Audi will still retain a good price, considering it's the S model.
Have you thought about a Jaguar S-Type V8?
Good point also like the V6 2.7 TT but I think the V8 has the edge..Worth pointing out that the Lexus may be worth alot less than you paid for it come resale whilst the Audi will still retain a good price, considering it's the S model.
Have you thought about a Jaguar S-Type V8?
Dr Imran T said:
Budget wise it would be up to £7k more if needed but I think £7k is sufficient for a cheap cruiser. Just looking for a cheapish cruiser with a 'slightly' sporty edge. We don't want to get anything that is too bland/old man esq.
I'd take a 5 series over both the Audi and the GS. Matt UK said:
Dr Imran T said:
Budget wise it would be up to £7k more if needed but I think £7k is sufficient for a cheap cruiser. Just looking for a cheapish cruiser with a 'slightly' sporty edge. We don't want to get anything that is too bland/old man esq.
I'd take a 5 series over both the Audi and the GS. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1997190.htm
On budget with the right paint, options and colors ( platinum interior with the piano black inserts and touchscreen nav/stereo/left right independant climate control )
Other reccomendation are the HID lights - they are the brightest headlights of any 2001 car.
And the engine, well, its pretty much perfect. Starts in one revolution when you twist the key, boundless torque, loves to rev, silent below 3000 rpm. My enduring memory is sticking with a Lambourgini Gallardo who had a blast( who it has to be said although he was using lots throttle, was not using the full range of revs ) the owners profund look of bemusment, followed by the thumbs up when I pulled alongside at the next set of lights will stay with me a long time.
The stability control is also excellent, it will recover from some serious angles of slide with no over correction yet is not too intrustive unlike the BMW systems.
On budget with the right paint, options and colors ( platinum interior with the piano black inserts and touchscreen nav/stereo/left right independant climate control )
Other reccomendation are the HID lights - they are the brightest headlights of any 2001 car.
And the engine, well, its pretty much perfect. Starts in one revolution when you twist the key, boundless torque, loves to rev, silent below 3000 rpm. My enduring memory is sticking with a Lambourgini Gallardo who had a blast( who it has to be said although he was using lots throttle, was not using the full range of revs ) the owners profund look of bemusment, followed by the thumbs up when I pulled alongside at the next set of lights will stay with me a long time.
The stability control is also excellent, it will recover from some serious angles of slide with no over correction yet is not too intrustive unlike the BMW systems.
ExPat2B said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1997190.htm
On budget with the right paint, options and colors ( platinum interior with the piano black inserts and touchscreen nav/stereo/left right independant climate control )
Other reccomendation are the HID lights - they are the brightest headlights of any 2001 car.
And the engine, well, its pretty much perfect. Starts in one revolution when you twist the key, boundless torque, loves to rev, silent below 3000 rpm. My enduring memory is sticking with a Lambourgini Gallardo who had a blast( who it has to be said although he was using lots throttle, was not using the full range of revs ) the owners profund look of bemusment, followed by the thumbs up when I pulled alongside at the next set of lights will stay with me a long time.
The stability control is also excellent, it will recover from some serious angles of slide with no over correction yet is not too intrustive unlike the BMW systems.
Thanks mate, I did look at that one. I prefer it in black and have arranged a viewing for a black one in the same specification tomorrow!On budget with the right paint, options and colors ( platinum interior with the piano black inserts and touchscreen nav/stereo/left right independant climate control )
Other reccomendation are the HID lights - they are the brightest headlights of any 2001 car.
And the engine, well, its pretty much perfect. Starts in one revolution when you twist the key, boundless torque, loves to rev, silent below 3000 rpm. My enduring memory is sticking with a Lambourgini Gallardo who had a blast( who it has to be said although he was using lots throttle, was not using the full range of revs ) the owners profund look of bemusment, followed by the thumbs up when I pulled alongside at the next set of lights will stay with me a long time.
The stability control is also excellent, it will recover from some serious angles of slide with no over correction yet is not too intrustive unlike the BMW systems.
Tallbut Buxomly said:
Yes, very nice, very quick, but I would want a + 2000 model where they redesigned the piston rings and Vanos. Also clutches and brakes are consumed very swiftly and are seriously expensive. The BMW is also only rated at 21 mpg highway !
Not knocking the M5 as a car, but I would conservatively expect the running costs to be double that of an S6 or GS430.
M5 is great but I need something slightly more refined.. Most V8 engined cars sound good with a sporty exhaust - even the GS430 sounds good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX03GBIvVtY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX03GBIvVtY
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Not been in an M5, like I said it is personal taste. I may be tempted with a 540i sport with an auto box. Has to be an 'easy drive' though. I think the Audi and Lexus have aged well where as the BMW look dated esp. the front.
I guess all three cars have the merits.
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