Opinions on a 2006 Lexus GS430??? | FerrariChat
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Opinions on a 2006 Lexus GS430???

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by JamieO, Mar 22, 2007.

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  1. JamieO

    JamieO Karting

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    #1 JamieO, Mar 22, 2007
    I recently sold my 2004 Audi S4 w/ no idea of what I wanted to replace it with. I was originally planning on buying a Maserati Coupe but I got cheap at the last minute and backed out of it (still kind of regretting that one!). I've been thinking that I should just get something that's comfortable and reliable for a while until I see something that I "have to have". A friend had a GS430 for a while and loved it. I was in it only a couple of time but it seemed like a great car. I recently found an '06 w/ 4k miles w/ the color and options that I would want so I know that the car I would want is out there.... I just don't know if it's the car that I want (if that makes sense). I need something that I can put a car seat in occasionally (this was a stretch for the Maserati but it would have worked) and the wife really likes the Lexus so it wouldn't be a hard sell for her.

    Have any of you guys had any first hand experience w/ one of these or any advice.... or any other ideas for a car/suv in this price range?

    Thanks!
     
  2. bounty

    bounty F1 Veteran

    Feb 18, 2006
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    #2 bounty, Mar 22, 2007
    Save your money and get that 360spider...the car you really want. I love nice sedans just like the next guy...but it will be just a car in a month or so. Save and get that Ferrari!
     
  3. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 agup48, Mar 22, 2007
    How about a F430, you're so close w. the 430, and one letter off to make that G a F. Screw the S. :)
     
  4. JamieO

    JamieO Karting

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    #4 JamieO, Mar 23, 2007

    Great idea, I told the wife that I should buy a Ferrari instead, she said she didn't think so so we compromised.... I'm not getting a Ferrari :)

    The 360 isn't an option at this point (hopefully in the somewhat near future but not now) and I need something that I can put a car seat in. I agree that in a few months it would probably just be a car to me but that's kind of what I want right now, something to drive that I don't have to worry about. There's nothing specific out there that I want right now and when there is I'll dump the Lexus for it. I think it would be a nice car to have for a while (< a year).
     
  5. ^@#&

    ^@#& F1 World Champ
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    #5 ^@#&, Mar 23, 2007
    BMW 335i. Just drive one. You'll want it.
     
  6. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 Bullfighter, Mar 23, 2007
    Audi S4 to Lexus? I think it's a bit like going from the rave bar to the retirement home on the same weekend.

    I'd have a look at the BMWs. I had an '02 3 coupe, and while it wasn't a true sports car it didn't leave me wanting for much. Also, girls love these cars - comfortable, stylish (less so now than they were, but still trendy), upwardly-mobile-looking. Not that you're out trolling for chicks now, but the wife will almost certainly approve.

    I agree with the guy who posted that you'll be bored of the Lexus GS in a month.
     
  7. JamieO

    JamieO Karting

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    #7 JamieO, Mar 23, 2007
    I'm on the fence with this one... the GS is definitely a different car than my S4 was. I had a ton of work done to the Audi also (downpipes, exhaust, brakes, suspension, short shifter, intake, blah blah blah) and I really don't want a car right now that I'd do the same stuff to. I might in a few months or in a year but for "right now" I want something that's more of a luxury type car, something that's comfortable, stylish (although this part differs person to person) and relaxing to own/drive. I would consider the new 335 but my brother just bought one so that's out. My wife does love the BMW's (as you said, most girls do), she had 2 330i's before we had our daughter. She's also a big fan of Lexus'. She doesn't really care what I buy at this point (as long as it's not another motorcycle), it just has to fit a car seat in it. If it can't fit a car seat it has to be an automatic so she can drive it because I'll need to use her Touareg maybe once a week to pick up our daugher when she has to work. She can't drive a stick and doesn't want to learn. I was originally considering a Maserati coupe (which can fit a car seat) but I decided against it for now.

    This is one time that I sold a car (got an offer on the S4 I couldn't turn down) without having anything lined up to buy. I didn't put much thought into what I wanted before I sold the Audi, why don't you guys throw out some ideas? I'd like to keep it around $50k +/- a little. New or used, doesn't matter but if it's used it would be only a year or two old w/ low mileage. I'm stuck when it comes to picking out a "practical" car, if I was looking for a totally useless car that could barely fit 2 people and got horrible gas mileage it would take me about 5 minutes.
     
  8. JaguarXJ6

    JaguarXJ6 F1 Veteran

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    #8 JaguarXJ6, Mar 23, 2007
    You could browse these for fun practical alternatives.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143343
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143375

    I'd spend no more than $15-20k and invest the rest. Regarding being an in between car and remaining practical, why won't you need it after a year?

    You'll be in the same boat with having nothing more practical than the SUV when you get a sports car in the garage. What about 3 years from now, will you still need the back seat? Ahh, such problems. :D

    It seems used, economical, small, sporty, comfortable is what you're looking for. The market for these kinds of cars is insanely huge. Buying an expensive Lexus is like buying a Gallardo while you wait to figure out if you want the Murcielago instead it doesn't make much sense. And I don't think you'd get rid of this in between car so easily. Maybe the SUV is the problem?

    Sunny
     
  9. Tyler

    Tyler F1 Rookie

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    #9 Tyler, Mar 23, 2007
    It's a nice comfortable, somewhat sporty car. It will be reliable, the only time you'll see a service bay is when you're getting your oil changed. For a daily driver, it's safe, has some power, isolates you from the proletariat and will hold a reasonable resale value. I've had 3 generations of it's bigger, fatter brother the LS and several LXs, NO problems with any of them.
     
  10. JamieO

    JamieO Karting

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    #10 JamieO, Mar 23, 2007
    whether the suv is a problem or not doesn't matter since that's all the wife will drive now w/ the kid. Since she got used to driving her Touareg that's all she wants. That's fine, she's done... no worrying about what she'll be driving. She already said when we're ready to get her a new vehicle she wants the Audi Q7 and I'm fine with that.

    Tyler,
    You said exactly what I was tihnking. That's what I like about the GS... somewhat sporty, confortable (I do love the interior), all the toys you could want in a car and probably as reliable as any other car out there. I'm not looking for a cheap "in between" car, I want something nice although I know me and I usually only keep my cars for about a year or so but maybe next summer I'll be able to keep the Lexus (or whatever car I have) and buy something like an Elise as a toy. From what I've seen the GS's have been holding their value pretty well. The one I'm looking at is an '06 w/ 4k miles for mid $40k's, I can't see it going much lower than $40k in the next year.
     
  11. scycle2020

    scycle2020 F1 Rookie

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    #11 scycle2020, Mar 23, 2007
    Very well said....I drove the gs 430, a comfy quiet car but BORING for a car person...the bmw 335i, on the other hand was close to being a true sports car and was great fun to drive.....
     
  12. 88MONDIAL

    88MONDIAL Formula 3

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    #12 88MONDIAL, Mar 23, 2007
    What about a Jaguar S-Type R or the normally aspirated S-Type 4.0 V8? The wife's gotta love the looks of those cars, most women do! Same size as the Lexus GS.
     
  13. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    #13 parkerfe, Mar 23, 2007
    Lexus are great appliances...but driving them is boring...really no feel at all...in that price range you can get an Infiniti G35, M35 or M45 which have a lot more sporty feel to them plus you get the same Japanese reliability and ease of ownership...I love the Mitsubishi EVO myself, although it is a little less luxurious...
     
  14. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

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    #14 8 SNAKE, Mar 23, 2007
    Any interest in the Infinity M's? It sounds like you want to take a break from cars that offer a driving experience, so the Lexus may be the perfect car for you. The M might be another one to check out, if you like the styling.

    Edit: Frank, looks like we had the same idea.
     
  15. Buzz48317

    Buzz48317 F1 Rookie

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    #15 Buzz48317, Mar 23, 2007
    Lots of cars in the $50k range +/-

    Acura RL is nice...one of the nicest interiors of any car on the market...not what you would call envigorating to drive however (for that look at the TL type S, which would be the perfect car if Honda would get on the stick and make it rear drive)

    I like the Infiniti's exterior styling, but the interior looks like any other Nissan

    GS is a great choice. It has another really, really great interior and with the 8 cyl. is somewhat exciting to drive (as exciting as a Lexus can get at this point)

    New Volvo S80 is another car that souldn't be disregarded. Great styling, VERY comfortable interior, available V8 and awd, some of the most comfortable seats that I have sat in (the Swedes really hit the nail on the head with these seats.) I haven't driven the 8 cyl. but the 6 is rather nice. drawbacks to me are a HORRIBLE navigation system and lack of factory installed bluetooth.(how can you tout safety like Volvo does and not offer a voice op. nav system or bluetooth?)

    Lots of American choices for under 50 grand if you are interested in american metal.
     
  16. JaguarXJ6

    JaguarXJ6 F1 Veteran

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    #16 JaguarXJ6, Mar 23, 2007
    Depreciation. You can get a second hand fairly inexpensive and not incur too many running costs the first year or two. A good deal on a Lexus and you might get all your money back out of it in a year. You won't with the Jag.

    The price range opens you up to so many different things. Try the S80 or S60R they would really fit the bill.
     
  17. MabF355

    MabF355 Formula Junior
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    #17 MabF355, Mar 23, 2007
    I worked at a Lexus Dealer for 6 years, and now I am a wholesaler, so I have had lots of experience with the GS430 and all I can say is that it really is a great, great car. Sure, it does not have that sporty, drivers car feel of a 545 or 550 BMW, but as far as features and amenities for the money, the GS430 is a tough car to beat. I had a 06 GS430 as my demo two summers ago and I put about 3,000 miles on it, and enjoyed every second of it, and I am only 22 years old! The engine in that car is great as well. Lots of power and a decent exhaust note for a Lexus. The car is a great value, especially now that you can buy them around $40,000. Best of luck with your search, and I am sure you will not be disappointed in the GS430 as long as you understand it does not drive at all like a German sports sedan.
    -Marc
     
  18. 1SICKLEX

    1SICKLEX Karting
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    #18 1SICKLEX, Apr 27, 2007
    Its a very good car but IMO, if you want a V-8, wait for the GS 460 which comes this fall. It will have the same engine as the LS 460, so 380hp...
    The current GS 430 is not even being produced anymore as the factory swaps engines over.
    THe GS 350 is now as fast/faster as the V_8 GS 430.

    The GS 450h also is interesting 339hp from its V-6 and hybrid powerplant, but with less trunk room.

    They handle well, its just the steering feedback is lacking. If you do want handling, the GS 430 and 450h (and future 460) has option AAAS (active handling sway bars) which really transform the car in corners. It is a 3k option.

    Hope this helps.
     
  19. djui5

    djui5 F1 Veteran

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    #19 djui5, Apr 27, 2007
    I'm with the Volvo S80 and Acura RL options. Also I saw an S-Type R in the parking lot a couple weeks ago, and was blown away with how great it looked. Not sure how it drives/etc, but it looks amazing. Way better than a traditional S-Type. Also, you have Mercedes as an option, if your into that kinda thing.

    Just to throw more fuel in the fire, what about an A6?
     

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