Lexus GS300 (S190)

[Dracoro]

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!)

[Dracoro]

Thanks Lexusboy. I like the 450h but they are a) more expensive and b) less luggage space. If they were as cheap as the 300 OR had same luggage space, I could justify it.

Whilst the 430 would also be nice, I think it's overkill for my needs.

It's a pity there's no estate version.

Also, being tall, will I have a problem? (I tried an early LS400 and couldn't fit - headroom was poor). My uncle has the previous shape (MK2) GS430 so I must try and see if I fit in that as I assume the MK3 is no worse than that?

[Dracoro]

Thanks Lexusboy. I'm 6'4 so head/legroom is important. Do you know how much a sunroof takes out of the headroom? I'd like the ML stereo that the SE-L offers but not fussed about sunroof or should I resign myself to the SE? Is the non ML stereo good?

Anyway, have now decided to do it(assuming I fit OK) so the search is on. Looking like GS300 but 450H is not out of the question. Other than smaller boot, are there many other pitfalls?

Do you happen to know if a local Lexus dealer will relocate a car from another Lexus dealer? I've seen some that fit my requirements but too far away.

[Dracoro]

Thanks.

I visited Lexus today but had no GSs apart from the new model so I had a sit in that but barely fitted (headroom-wise) so not confident now that the mk3 will be OK. Still need to try one though, problem is finding one to sit in!!

I did try a Merc CLS at the weekend and that had a great driving position so if the GS doesn't fit me then the CLS it is.

[Dracoro]

I have tried non-sunroof models and fit no problems!

Old car sold so now looking to buy, have narrowed down to two. A 450h and a 300. I can't decide between the two!

The 450 will be less to tax but has a little higher mileage (50/60k), the 300 is in *exactly* the colour I want and is from a main dealer with lower mileage but costs more to tax and is a little more expensive to buy.

Head says 300, heart can't make it's mind up

[Dracoro]

Went sensible and have put deposit down on the 300.

Now the wait.

[Dracoro]

[Dracoro]

Picked it up yesterday!
Great car. Quick enough, very comfy, so quiet, great ML stereo, no sunroof (so my headroom is OK), got exactly the colour combo I wanted, only 30k on the clock from main dealer.

It's faultless, looks like a brand new car inside and out.

[Dracoro]

OK, here goes. Poor pic quality (phone & bad light) but hey.

[Dracoro]

Had mine almost a year now (not on LPG - can't answer about that) and it's been faultless.

I'm averaging about 30mpg (don't do much town driving though).

Simply put, great car.

I do hanker after an IS-F though!