1) Great performance with less of the price. I fix it up with TC upgrade and ECU/intake, and GS430 is in the same ballpark as M5 and still cheaper than M5. 2) Quietness. It's almost as quiet as my previous 97 ES300. 3) Luxury. IMO, The the interior design is better than BMW. 4) Quality. It's Japanese car, not too many problems with the car itself. 5) Maintenance. It's cheaper than Mercedes and BMW. If I really want, I can just take it to Toyota's dealer.

1) Style. I remember the first time when I saw a GS, I thought it was ugly. But later on, the more look at my new GS, the more I like. 2) Package. Lexus should have 18" tire upgrade for GS, even a 16" looks small on the back. 3) E-Shift. How can Lexus take it off from GS430?

I've owned this car since it was out at the first place and I'm very pleased by its performance and quality. I got it for a deal great with my trade in. 5.8 seconds from 0 - 60. This is impressive. After TC upgrade and engine ECU/intake with proper launching method, G-Tech showed its 0 - 60 5.0 +- 0.1 seconds. GS is a bit high compared with others so I installed TEIN HA coilover and this car looks great and also the handling is improved (I adjusted it to be stiffer than stock)! Often time my friends are surprised I already start the engine. It's so quiet that they didn't even notice. During the regular cruising down the street, it's quiet as well. Maintenance. That's another main factor why I chose Lexus over BMW and Mercedes. I owned a blue 97 M3 and it has way too many electronic problems. I will never purchase a BMW 'til they improve. Quality. This car is solid. Unlike my M3 and my parents' S500, no problem occurs at all. I strongly recommend GS430 to anyone who is looking into performance, quality and price.

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None

Looks,engine, comfort, reliability.

Intermittent glitches in security system and cruise control. Should feel more responsive.

I have 25,000 miles on this car after 18 mos. of use. I am quite pleased with it overall. The 235/45 17" tires do grab into grooves and ruts in the road, but do make the car handle better. For winter, I use 215/60 Blizzak MZ02's on Lexus GS300 take-offs. I was satisfied with these winter tires last year, although it didn't snow much.
Yes, I would have liked a BMW M5, but they're $70k and probably not as practical for day-to-day use, and I use this car everyday for everything.
Other than oil changes, air and a/c filters, and tires and wheels, the only other expense will be $100.00 for the wheel alignment I'm getting tomorrow morning. It seems my tires wore on the inside much more than the outside, at least on the front. So, I'll be getting a new set of summer tires in the Spring. No big deal. Overall, a very satisfying vehicle to own.

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BMW 540i, Mercedes E430, Audi A-8, Cadillac STS

Strong V8 Toyota Motor . Nicely shaped design . Lots of aftermarket tunning parts (also very expansive)

The car handles like a boat, even after I installed Eibach springs.
Lexus claims 300HP and 300 lbs of tourqe . My car only dyno'd at 249
HP and 245 lbs of tourqe , I think thats a rip off. This car needs
a manual transmission and a coilover suspension in order to perform
like a true performance sedan . Backseat doesnt have enouf legroom . The wipers suck too

I am trying to trade this car for an AUDI S4 , I test drove one
and it drives alot better . What lexus doesnt tell you is that
the car loses about 10 to 15% of its value the moment you drive it
off the lot. I reccomend this car for anyone who likes to go crusing.
You can put twin turbos on a GS300 , its has a I6 supra motor.

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Nissan Maxima + supercharger and suspension upgrade ( even has more legroom)
I think the BMW 540 is a much better buy .

Probablt the best sports car and sedan combination. Do not even consider a BMW, this takes the pie. Love the Mark Levinson stereo, and power is superb.

Hard to find Mark Levinson and Navigation Combo

This car is the one car you will probably ever need in life. Great onm ice, with traction control. If you can find a well made car at that price that compares, I will be surprised, if that car is better. If looking for an exclusive car, and dont know where to look. Look no furter.

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Gs400 - almost the same but the gs430 feels more powerful. Infiniti q45 - got to be kidding me no comparison.

Quiet, solid, smooth, powerful, comfortable

squishy suspension not good on curvy roads

This is superb car, top notch engineering and design, amazingly quiet, roomy and comfortable, and powerful. I can drive it all day without fatigue, it is so smooth and quiet. It is comparable to the Mercedes S-500 and the BMW 540, but I would prefer it to either of these German cars. It's quieter than the BMW, a bit quicker than the Mercedes, cheaper than both, and the expected reliability is higher.

It is not great on curvy roads, the suspension is relatively soft and it has considerable body roll, almost like a Cadillac. But that's not what it's made for. On the freeway it is great, super smooth and quiet with plenty of torque and power.

It's a lot like the GS400, only just a tad smoother and quieter with the new, larger V8 engine.

Putnam Lexus was the only dealer I found in the bay area peninsula that would deal in price (everyone else wanted MSRP), and I ended up paying a few thousand less than MSRP for this car.

It's one of the best made cars money can buy, and considerably cheaper than any comparable car, which in my book gives it a "5" in both categories.

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GS300, GS400, Mercedes, BMW

More power than you really know what to do with.

Not many to my mind

This car is quiet, rock solid and has more than enough power to go around. The GPS system is really useful. Once you start using it you'll wonder how you ever got around with out it. Maps? what are they. Anyway, if you get this call youll be far from dissapointed. I would also like to comment on this front wheel shimmy some of my fellow car lovers are talking about. No to be rude but these people really don't know anything about cars, either that or they're used to driving geo metros. This wheel pull has nothing to do with the car it has to do with the roads these peopel are driving on the GS 400 has 245 or 255 front tires, these are really fat tires, and the fatter the tires the more prone they are to get cought in road grooves, that's all that happening is that you're beging pulled into divets in the road. Nothing dangerous. I guess all these guys are just used to driving their bimmers with 225 front tires. The 255 wheel pull is a small price to pay for the added traction. You don't see people in ferrari testarossa complaining abouth the hheel pull with their 315 tires now do you?

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BMW 540, MB AMD E55

I own the GS400. Power is smooth, quick, and way more than needed. Handles well. Quieter than the competition in wind noise and road noise. Seats are very comfortable. Fast. Nakamichi sound also very good.

Car has a slight shimmy feeling at highway speeds (not all the time however. happens only once or twice a month???). Been pulled over for speeding 4 times in 2 years (haven't gotten a ticket yet. I think the cops really love the car).

This car is a equal competitor to the BMW 540 sport. Some will prefer the BMW while others the Lexus. Sticker on the Car was 51000 (paid 48000 when the car was just released). Overall, the car is amazing. You get used to the smooth ride, quality sound system, incredible handling, awesome breaks, quiet environment and super fast engine. Whenever you test drive other cars, everything seems a step down in comparison (Audi 6 and 8 bimmer 5 series, MB E class)(New S class Merc however is still the ultimate. Drive one and you'll see). BMW has a more sporty feeling but doesn't feel as refined as the lexus. MB similiar. I was considering a trade in for a X5 4.4 liter but the amount of wind noise in this Bimmer was annoying after driving the lexus for 2 years. Overall, the best car I've ever owned as a day to day car. I recommend this car to any car lover who can afford one.

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BMW 528i (1998), MB 320E (1998)

Great looks, unreal power, comfortable interior

none

This is my dads new car and i'm so glad he got it! The first day we got it i took it out on the tollway and what do you know- I got a ticket! The 400 is one fast car and it becomes addicting to drive it. We previously owned a caddy sts, which is very nice and powerful as well but the 400 takes it. I would recommend this car to anyone but be ready to have your kids and wife asking to drive it all the time!

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bmw540, caddy sts

Performance & Quality

Traction in Snow, with the 17" performance tires the traction in the snow is horrible.

This car has exceeded my expectations. The service at Lexus of Smithtown in INCREDIBLE. The car is solid, quick, and handles very well. I tested the 5 series before the GS. The 528 was too slow and the 540 was too expensive (although very nice). I also considered the new STS (had one already and the quality is not up to the imports) and Q45 (lacking the performance). The best performing sedan in its price range.

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Cadillac STS

Powerful, quiet, great handling with the 17" Bridgestone tires, and superb acceleration. Toyota engines are world renowned for their unmatched smooth transmission, allowing for sub 6 second 0-60 acceleration.

Back seating could be roomier, front mask is a big dissapointment (don't even bother), fog lights could use better density illumination.

If you want the fastest 4 door car in the world (production) with great reliability and a tight feel all around, you definetely want the GS430. Don't even bother with the BMW 540 - engine is not as reliable as the GS430 (every year I hear from clients about some repair bill that they are deducting for tax purposes)

Most importantly, no car maker has matched Toyota's ability to produce the smoothest shifting transmission in its engines, which is so evident in the GS430.

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Mercedes 430 and BMW 540 - Engine noise level and transmission shifting smoothness does not even begin to match Lexus's legendary quality. You can feel the Lexus difference when you drive it.