DaCeptak0n

So still looking around for the E320 replacement that we recently returned around mid-October. We're still looking at the M35/M45 Sport but I've now seen the GS460 in person and that's a nice looking car. I think my father would go for the Lexus, being it's a Toyota product but has anyone had any GS experience or switched from the GS to an E-class?

JDM_SXE-10

I didn't switch from a GS, but I did own an IS previously. I will have to say that the Toyota reliability and the Lexus customer service was much better.

559EVO

I'd have to say that if I were to buy a car other than a Mercedes it would definatly be a Lexus. That GS460H is nice and might be mine one day.

blazinginder

GS460 = great power, reliability and good price...only thing missing is available AWD

lig

My experience with Lexus has been stellar. I wish they made a car right now that really excited me though.

Reliable and excellent dealer service as well.

TomFromCT

I have had an LS430 and a GS400. My wife has had an LS400 and an EX300 and my son had an IS300. They were all great cars. Reliable, luxurious and trouble free. But they had no soul. The driving experience was simply boring. We have all moved on. I may get another Lexus in the future when I no longer enjoy driving and just want to get from place to place.
You may also want to check on routine service costs. Recommended service is much more often than MB and it is not cheap. Depending on your annual mileage, you can count on several service visits to the dealer each year at $400 or more per pop.

blazinginder

That's what lexus are for...amazing reliability, comfort, luxury and very pleasing (pleasingly easy ) to drive...

hence I'd still get an LS460 over an E550 or 550i...but that's just me

Dema

Yes, I have such experience. I counted days when my lease ends. Major problem of Lexus is fast aging. It looked as I owned it for 10 years just after one year. Benz is very nicely engineered, everything looks all right and on own place. For example position of turn lever, I do not need to do extra movement to show turn on Benz, however I need it in Lexus. Trip computer of Benz is very well designed in opposite to Lexus. Did I mentioned Mercedes style?

harkgar

If you are prepared to switch Lexus-Toyota reliability for MB thick metal build and style then it is a good choice. I owned a Toyota Camry for 4 years and found it to be totally reliable and totally BORING. BORING to the extreme. It was like driving a Maytag washing machine. I changed 3 bulbs and 4 rotars and pads during the whole time I owned the car. Apart from that and oil changes the car ran like the battery bunny.

I do not know anything about the GS 460 but if it is the GS with the LS 382 horse engine than it is going to be a flyer like the E550.

Go for it.

blazinginder

That was my first thought...turns out it's been "de-tuned" or something and puts out "only" 342hp

benze550

i had a lexus gs400, all i have to say its a great car. the new gs460 looks nice and i bet its more reliable than a E class.

Flash Gordon

Lexus and Toyota's quality has slipped. The most recent Consumer Report, based on their survey, indicated that the Camry V6 and the Lexus GS are not as reliable as used to be! Therefore, if you plan to buy a Lexus GS, I would suggest do some research not based on the previous experience or comments on Lexus.

b_rashed

i had the 2006 lexus gs300 and even with my mercedes that was a better ride. i would definetly make the change back to lexus later on. after the we gave up the gs300 my grandfather went out and bought the 07 LS. now thats a ride

DaCeptak0n

It's a struggle I'm in. We'd probably end up looking at the GS450/460h, I'm not sure if that 460 exists but I swear I read about it, maybe I'm but nevertheless, I was looking at the dimensions particularly because we felt the E-class was a bit tight in the rear seat region and we want a bigger luxury sedan....hmmmm Maybe we should go with the LS460?

JDM_SXE-10

The LS460 is an awesome car.

DaCeptak0n

I will allot some time this weekend to check out the GS and give it a test drive. I doubt they'll let me test the hybrid, right? I'll go back to Mercedes and see what else they can do on possibly acquiring another E, with only this setup - E350 P2, Pano & AMG...

In any case, thanks guys

3on8

This was exactly our thoughts when we tested the the GS350.
All things considered, the E was an easy decision for our current car.

joelaff

No doubt. The feel for the road, and the smooth power of the E550 swyaed me away from the other manufacturers. Before my recent E550 I test drove the Lexus cars. (ES looks just like a Camry... yuck). I drove the BMW, the Infiniti G and M45, the RL, the Volvo S60 R and S80T6.

Nothing compared.

I made the financial mistake of driving the Benz first. The Infiniti probably came the closest in my feel. Or the BMW. But with the 5 series BMW recent receiving the lowest side impact rating of any luxury car I didn't even consider it (I value my wife).

The Lexus and Infiniti had better gadgets, esp the GPS worked much better. But I don't buy a car for gadgets. I buy a car to DRIVE. And that is why I went with the E550. It is a joy to drive. Period.

blazinginder

Did you drive the LS460...that's a good comparison to the E550 (if we're talking price)

joelaff

Yes. I drove the IS, ES and LS. I was just commenting that, even if I had liked the ES, I could not buy one since it looks like the 5 million* Camrys on the road.

Again, to me, even the LS lacked the feel for the road, and definitely the panache...

Although the tailpipes on the LS are a nice touch, I find the styling very bland. As I like to point out, Mercedes Benz styling is timeless. They will still look good in 20 years. This is why nobody ever seems to know what year Benz you have. My old car was a 2001 E320, and non-Benz drivers all thought it was only a year old. Most of the Japanese cars have "modern" styling, which looks good only for a few years before it fade into "the 80s look", or "the 90s look."

But some people like them... each to his own...



* I pulled that number out of the air.

blazinginder

haha....that "*" is priceless...if it wasn't there I would of been all over it haha


I actually have a 94 camry...215k miles, still runs well...got a 2000 LS and it looks IMO better then the 00 E320 4-matic I was looking to buy then...

But what you say is true...some people are looking for an engaging car to drive, maybe not as much as a BMW and not as little as a Lexus...hence the Benz is a very good balance


at the end of the day...its everyone's own money, if they're happy that's all that counts right

emilner

I looked at the LS and GS before buying my 550. First the GS was out of the question, it was very cramped inside. I'm 6'5" 250lbs and I felt like a sardine.

The LS was a beautiful mode of transportation. If want to be wisked away in utter silence with no feel whatsoever it is a great car.

It is in no way comparable to the E550, they are totally different in target and execution. The LS is big, feels heavy, and has no road feel. It is designed to keep you completely isolated.

The E550 is an exercise in wicked power and great performance. I have surprised a number of Porsche 911's and Vettes who thought I was driving "another E". The acceleration feels like a linear shot gun (I can only imagine the E63). I find the handling to be the perfect balance of performance and luxury. Fit and finish also is top notch.

lig

How old were these 911's and 'Vettes?

Unless they were fairly old (or your sig is wrong and you have an E55) those guys weren't racing you.

The E550 is pretty quick for a good sized 4 door but it's not exactly a 911 or C6 killer.

emilner

You must have never been in an E550...

First I never said I killed them, I surprised them that 4 door MB was right next to them or in a few cases did actually pull away.

You would be surprised how close they are in a real world race. When you have around a half second difference in 1/4 times and less than that 0-60, driver ability becomes key. A slow reaction time or too much spin and all bets are off. Not to mention a regular Carrera is in the 13's, right where I am. A C6 is high 12's drivin' perfectly (not talking about '08s) you start adding in things like auto's and convertibles and the times quickely come close to 13 seconds. A C5 is dead even under ideal circumstances (C5 Z06's fall into the C6 category).

Keep in mind I am not talking about C6 Z's or 911 turbo's.

lig

Fair enough. Keeping up isn't the same as a kill. My bad.

C5 auto / 'vert - I'll buy that.

997 tip/ 'vert - that too.