kyle3481

hi, i am looking at the Lexus GS430 and E430, any pros and cons?
GS430 is rated 0 to 60 in 5.7 or 5.8 , whereas the E430 is 6.2 or 6.3. any past experience will be great!!!

thanks for the help

andrew

thuged_out

There are no pros for the GS. Its played out. Its not even on the same league as the 430. Its just a overpriced Toyota. Of course, this is just my opinion.

Randy B

Really cannot compare the two. The E430 is a luxury rider with a V8. Unless you get the sport package or the E55, you will notice the GS430 has a stiffer suspension, and few more typical Japanese extras standard. What you do not get with the GS430, is the safety design of the frame and body nor the body fit on frame. Drive a two or three year old Lexus GS, and see how the car feels compared to the new model. The E430 will feel the same it did when it rolled off the dealer lot new. That is the main difference in this series. If you are looking for performance and trading cars every two to three years you will probably not be happy with the E430, unless you fork over money for a Sport package or E55. If you want a fast, smooth, agile yet not hear the tires as they turn extremely comfortable car get the E430. I have had mine up to 135MPH on the track, and you would not believe how smooth, quiet and yet responsive it is. The GS430, lets you hear the tires turn, and the wind as it hits the car.

JamE55

kyle

The way i look at it is that if you're going to spend that much amount go with the Benz! Lexus is a really nice car and everything don't get me wrong but again if you're goinf to be spending that amount of money Benz is the way to go. Lexus (Toyota) vs Benz (Benz??)... try clicking here for more comparison... it'll also give you the pros and cons.. Hope this helps!

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2002/lexu...tml?id=lin0010

Vic55

I have owned both the E55 and several GS400's but never an E430. Honestly the GS400's I owned were all great cars. They are quite fast for a sedan and the fit and finish on the car is second to none. The paint quality had minimal orange peel and the interior was very solid and functional. I have sat in E430's and personally like the leather better in the Lexus but like the AMG leather the best. As for performance I cant pass judgement on the E430 but the GS400 (same as the GS430) had a smooth but slow launch due to the 3.07 rear end. But once you get the car rolling it really can move but the suspension was way too sloppy and at high speeds it just didn't feel safe unless you were going straight (over 100 MPH).
Lookswise I like the E430 better. The GS430 carries too much of a dome look to it, sits too high, and the body lines dont give it that powerful yet sporty appearance as an E430 Sport. Granted you can grab a GS430 for less than an E430 Sport- the Mercedes nameplate just drew me in. Whether their initial quality numbers are less than the Lexus never was a concern for me- thats what a warranty is for but when you are driving down the road and you see a nice Lexus, what do you say?? Nothing is probably what most will answer. But when you see a nice Benz rolling it definitely catches your eye. Its all about the prestige, name, and class. This is my take on this.

E 4.3

Granted, I don't have a GS400/430, but I think that I can tell you a little about the GS vs. the E-class...

The GS is a great car. I really enjoy my GS300. It is a couple of years old and still drives just as quiet and solid as it did the day I got it.

The E-class drives totally different from the GS. Since I have only had the E430 for 6 weeks, it is hard to say which is the better ride. When you step on the gas in the GS, it jumps like it is about to take off. Conversely, the E takes a lot of weight on the pedal to get it to go. Then, almost before you realize it, you have gained a lot of speed very quickly.

I think that both will hold their value very well. Both have their nuances that are both good and bad. Both will get you a lot of attention...(if you know what I mean!)

Why did I choose a Benz over another Lexus, you may ask? There are two very valid reasons. First, a GS430 would essentially be two cars that are just alike. I could have bought a LS430, but you just can't beat 4/50,000 mile service included in the price.

If Lexus had that... well, let's just say I'd be on the ClubLexus forum talking about how much I love my new LS430 and my old GS300.

Bottom line, drive what you want. The Benz guys will tell you one thing and the Lexus guys will tell you another. Cars are just like computers. New ones come out all the time that are faster and have more features. Get one this time and the other next time.

Before I bought either car, I didn't ask anyone for this comparison because I knew that nobody would help pay for what they recommended. Just my two cents!

apb

Lexus does not have enough headroom if you are over 6'3" like me. Japs don't make cars for tall people.
I cannot fit in any Acura, Lexus or Infinity comfortably. But the E-class has great headroom.

kyle3481

thanks a lot guys
i love the E class but cant really afford a new E430, the price of E320 is about the same as the GS430, it's damn rpettty hard to decide..

KWiK

Jan. 2001: I was trying to choose between an E320 and a GS430, I bought the E320.

Nov. 2001: Begin "Lemon Law" process for the E320.

Dec. 2001: Buy 2002 C230 Coupe

Feb. 2002: Turn over E320, buy new car.


What will I get? Most likely a Benz.

The Japaneese know reliable, the Germans know cars.