Lexus: GS News
02-10-2005, 06:34 PM
#321
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Originally Posted by 03TL-S
see...i thought some of the interior pieces were cheap when i looked at it in person... 
02-10-2005, 08:21 PM
#322
Originally Posted by titan
Yep... Now they're established, they're go cheapo where they can. They shouldn't rest on their laurels. Audi doesn't. Infiniti's made huge strides in this arena.
Same thing with the Camry...I think the Accord has a nicer interior. But everyone keeps saying that the Accord is below the Camry, and I just don't see it.
First '06 Lexus GS in Tampa, FL *Photo's were taken by "Neondan"*
02-14-2005, 11:06 PM
#327
Perforated leather...wasn't expecting that.
02-14-2005, 11:35 PM
#330
101 years of heartache...
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This car has NOTHING special. Well, I guess the Mark Levinson DVD-Audio sound system is pretty darn special. Other than that, so what? The Infiniti M is sportier, the Acura RL has more technology.
I do like it, but I'd take an M over this any day.
I do like it, but I'd take an M over this any day.
02-15-2005, 01:15 AM
#331
woooo!!
Originally Posted by gocubsgo55
This car has NOTHING special. Well, I guess the Mark Levinson DVD-Audio sound system is pretty darn special. Other than that, so what? The Infiniti M is sportier, the Acura RL has more technology.
I do like it, but I'd take an M over this any day.
I do like it, but I'd take an M over this any day.
I'm with you on this one mike. The sound system is awesome as dealer option but there really isn't much to be excited about.And seriously, what's with that drop-down load of buttons?
02-15-2005, 02:06 AM
#332
styling on you
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interior looks pretty good to me, but the exterior does nothing for me. I like the Infiniti M the most then its a tie with the Acura RL and the Lexus GS. Althoguh i might like the RL a tad more because its an Acura =D
02-15-2005, 10:33 AM
#334
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Performance before Luxury? New Lexus sedans set to take on BMW 5 Series - - By MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News - - Source: Autoweek
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- They came right out and said it: The benchmark sedan for the 2006 Lexus GS 300 and GS 430 was the BMW 5 Series. Known for putting luxury before performance, Lexus has let the pendulum swing the other way.
The basics
The V-8 GS 430 reaches 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and the V-6 GS 300 does it in 6.8 seconds. That's about the same as the previous V-8, but the new V-6 is a second quicker.
The new 3.0-liter V-6 comes from the same engine family as that of the Toyota Avalon sedan and 4Runner SUV, though the Lexus gets direct injection and a different cylinder head. It also has variable intake and exhaust timing. The 4.3-liter V-8 is a carryover engine.
Notable features
All models come with electronic power steering. The GS 430 also has variable steering, which reduces the amount of steering wheel turns needed at lower speeds, to improve maneuverability.
Lexus says the GS sedan is the first in a wave of vehicles that will focus more on styling and performance.
The sedan also offers an optional precollision system that uses radar to sense an unavoidable crash and cinches the seat belts and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't heed the warning buzzer.
Adaptive variable suspension is standard on the GS 430 but not available on the GS 300.
What Lexus says
At the media introduction here, Lexus Division General Manager Denny Clements called the GS sedan "the first in a new wave of vehicles that reflect a more passionate direction in styling and a more focused dedication to high performance."
Compromises, shortcomings
Production-spec prototypes of the GS 300 and GS 430 had brakes that were choppy and overly aggressive; a software change is in the works.
Nuts and bolts
The cars go on sale Monday, Feb. 14. Lexus is pricing the base GS 300 at $43,550 including destination charges, a big jump from its predecessor's $39,525. But Lexus says the jump is only $140 on the basis of comparable equipment.
The GS 430 price leaps to $51,775, from $48,625. The GS 300 with all-wheel drive starts at $45,500; all-wheel drive was not offered previously.
The final word
So how do the new cars compete against the benchmark? While still not a 5 series, the GS sedans are strong on the sporting side of the performance-luxury equation. A GS 450h V-6 hybrid sedan arrives in the summer of 2006.
The basics
The V-8 GS 430 reaches 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and the V-6 GS 300 does it in 6.8 seconds. That's about the same as the previous V-8, but the new V-6 is a second quicker.
The new 3.0-liter V-6 comes from the same engine family as that of the Toyota Avalon sedan and 4Runner SUV, though the Lexus gets direct injection and a different cylinder head. It also has variable intake and exhaust timing. The 4.3-liter V-8 is a carryover engine.
Notable features
All models come with electronic power steering. The GS 430 also has variable steering, which reduces the amount of steering wheel turns needed at lower speeds, to improve maneuverability.
Lexus says the GS sedan is the first in a wave of vehicles that will focus more on styling and performance.
The sedan also offers an optional precollision system that uses radar to sense an unavoidable crash and cinches the seat belts and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't heed the warning buzzer.
Adaptive variable suspension is standard on the GS 430 but not available on the GS 300.
What Lexus says
At the media introduction here, Lexus Division General Manager Denny Clements called the GS sedan "the first in a new wave of vehicles that reflect a more passionate direction in styling and a more focused dedication to high performance."
Compromises, shortcomings
Production-spec prototypes of the GS 300 and GS 430 had brakes that were choppy and overly aggressive; a software change is in the works.
Nuts and bolts
The cars go on sale Monday, Feb. 14. Lexus is pricing the base GS 300 at $43,550 including destination charges, a big jump from its predecessor's $39,525. But Lexus says the jump is only $140 on the basis of comparable equipment.
The GS 430 price leaps to $51,775, from $48,625. The GS 300 with all-wheel drive starts at $45,500; all-wheel drive was not offered previously.
The final word
So how do the new cars compete against the benchmark? While still not a 5 series, the GS sedans are strong on the sporting side of the performance-luxury equation. A GS 450h V-6 hybrid sedan arrives in the summer of 2006.
02-15-2005, 12:37 PM
#335
Originally Posted by Dan Martin
I was thinking the same thing. Either it's purposely crooked (for ergonomic reasons), or it's the angle of the camera, or it's just horribly misaligned. Cause when I tried to imagine having the controls skewed in that angle, it's actually not very ergonomic at all.
02-15-2005, 01:01 PM
#339
I think the optitron gauges look nice, but in that pic, they also look pretty much illegible at night...
02-15-2005, 01:11 PM
#340
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally Posted by CGTSX2004
Wow...seeing actual pics of the car, I'm even less impressed with the exterior look...it's very...uh...generic...
02-15-2005, 02:15 PM
#342
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yea, but wheel gap is common in lexus'. there are WAY too many buttons. that dash really needs to be cleaned up. this could be done with something like the i-drive, or what the RL has. it looks like a damn airplane cockpit right now
02-15-2005, 02:19 PM
#343
Originally Posted by Jaydef03
yea, but wheel gap is common in lexus'. there are WAY too many buttons. that dash really needs to be cleaned up. this could be done with something like the i-drive, or what the RL has. it looks like a damn airplane cockpit right now
02-15-2005, 03:12 PM
#345
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It is a little underwhelming from a company that is leading in US luxury cars sales. Wouldn't be surprised if the car loses sales momentum quicker than the previous gen.
02-15-2005, 03:12 PM
#346
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so to open the trunk or to open the gas cap I first would have to deploy that little console with buttons to the left of the steering wheel, then press the button that opens the trunk?
02-15-2005, 03:19 PM
#347
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally Posted by Ruski
so to open the trunk or to open the gas cap I first would have to deploy that little console with buttons to the left of the steering wheel, then press the button that opens the trunk?
and to adjust the mirrors as well.
02-15-2005, 06:53 PM
#351
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This car just doesnt do it for me. The interior looks pretty cheap except for the nice gauges. The exterior is a cross between too many different cars and the wheel gap is horrible....looks like a 4x4 
Not a class leader thats for sure
Not a class leader thats for sure
02-15-2005, 07:22 PM
#352
Photography Nerd
Originally Posted by LessisBestmakingendsmeet
I think its genius hiding controls not often used. I-drive and any varient is just silly. The only knob I want to play with is mine (lol).
If I need to turn up the brightness of my gauges I don't want to have to look in a droor to find the right button to do so. What's wrong with a little knob in the gauge cluster?
02-15-2005, 08:41 PM
#353
Originally Posted by Dan Martin
I'm not a fan of i-drive either but there' has to be a better solution than just sticking 15 buttons in a droor.
But honestly, putting the fuel door button in that little compartment isn't any worse than placing it on the floor, where that button (or lever) is indeed located in most other cars. I don't like the idea, but it isn't a deal breaker IMO.
02-17-2005, 04:33 PM
#358
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Originally Posted by MSZ
Jesus fucking christ, this is the first time ever I have seen so much plastic in a Lexus interior.
02-17-2005, 04:41 PM
#359
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Originally Posted by MSZ
Jesus fucking christ, this is the first time ever I have seen so much plastic in a Lexus interior. Even more than the Canadaian-made RX-330...
