Lexus GS300 (05- model) - opinions?

Padraig Mor · 31-05-2010 11:42AM #1

Very close to buying a 2005 Lexus GS300 (3l auto) and wondering if anyone has a good reason not to? Being sold through a Lexus dealer with 72k miles on the clock for approx €15k. One owner (Lexus Ireland) with full Lexus SH. Pretty much packed to the gills with toys - ventilated seats, keyless entry, xenons, adaptive suspension etc. Coming from a bit of a barge (current car is a 2008 Citroen C5) I'd prefer something with somewhat more of a 'sporty' drive. However, I simply cannot see anything with this much kit at this price point. There are a few E60 5 series out there but mileage tends to be leggy and spec pretty bare. Would love a 7er; this price would restrict to a 02/03 (not a problem) but I've seen most in my area and all have been in ****.

bazz26 · 31-05-2010 12:30PM

This one is cheaper with similar mileage and might be worth a look at:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201021198191761

or this top spec Exec model with sat nav and lower mileage which could probably be bought within budget:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201019197933061

Regarding the car itself, ok it is not as good to drive as a 5 Series but they are still nice to drive, definately more a comfortable drive than sporty. Alot of car for your bucks imo and less common on our shores which would be a plus to me.

caze · 31-05-2010 12:36PM

I've never drove one so can't comment on that but have always liked them.
If you are happy to pay the road tax and holding on it it for a good few years then why not go for it!
It's the tax that 90% of people in this country will have an issue with and it will cause you problems when you eventually come to sell it on.
Have a good spin in it and coming from a lexus dealer should have proper warranty, should be more reliable than 5 series or E Class anyway if all those surveys are to be believed.

Chippy01 · 31-05-2010 12:43PM

Absolutely nothing wrong with a GS. IMO it's a lot 'tighter' to drive than it's big brother, the LS.
I had a '95 MK1 GS, and was impressed with it's performance.
I am now driving a '00 MK2 GS, which is much better than the MK1.
Had them both regularly serviced at a main dealer, but the bills came in at 'Toyota prices', not 'Lexus prices' - in other words very easy on the pocket.
Also, they are ultra-reliable.
I've looked at the '05 MK3 GS's, and driven them too.
Very impressive..............but...........I think Lexus has dropped a clanger in the MK3 design.
The boot, or to be more precise, the boot access.
If you can live with the boot access, go for it. You won't get a better piece of kit for that sort of money anywhere, especially seeing that most of the 'toys' come as standard equipment.

Padraig Mor · 31-05-2010 12:48PM

bazz26 wrote: »

This one is cheaper with similar mileage and might be worth a look at:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201021198191761

or this top spec Exec model with sat nav and lower mileage which could probably be bought within budget:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201019197933061
.

First one seems to be lower spec (doesn't seem to have cooled seats, voice command or navigation); would also suspect that it doesn't have its original steering wheel (wood trim on gear level should mean wood on steering wheel too), which would raise questions. Second one looks good but can't see a trade in value on my own high enough to make it worth changing from current one with Lexus warranty etc. Thanks anyway!

caze wrote: »

I've never drove one so can't comment on that but have always liked them.
If you are happy to pay the road tax and holding on it it for a good few years then why not go for it!
It's the tax that 90% of people in this country will have an issue with and it will cause you problems when you eventually come to sell it on.
Have a good spin in it and coming from a lexus dealer should have proper warranty, should be more reliable than 5 series or E Class anyway if all those surveys are to be believed.

Yeah, tax is the bitch alright. At least it isn't in the >3L bracket I suppose!

Padraig Mor · 31-05-2010 12:53PM

Chippy01 wrote: »

Absolutely nothing wrong with a GS. IMO it's a lot 'tighter' to drive than it's big brother, the LS.
I had a '95 MK1 GS, and was impressed with it's performance.
I am now driving a '00 MK2 GS, which is much better than the MK1.
Had them both regularly serviced at a main dealer, but the bills came in at 'Toyota prices', not 'Lexus prices' - in other words very easy on the pocket.
Also, they are ultra-reliable.
I've looked at the '05 MK3 GS's, and driven them too.
Very impressive..............but...........I think Lexus has dropped a clanger in the MK3 design.
The boot, or to be more precise, the boot access.
If you can live with the boot access, go for it. You won't get a better piece of kit for that sort of money anywhere, especially seeing that most of the 'toys' come as standard equipment.

Yeah, boot opening is like a letterbox alright! Good to hear Lexus servicing isn't too bad - especially seeing as it requires servicing twice as often as my C5 (15k km vs 30k)

. Service history seems to indicate it has an appetite for brake pads and discs too.... Would normally go for 'local' servicing at this age; however, given it has a full Lexus history until now it may be worth keeping it up when I go to sell.

colm_mcm · 01-06-2010 05:05PM

nice car, not overtly sporty but still tidy handling. not as common as a BMW 5 either which would be a + for me.

AFAIK wood wheel was an (expensive) option on the Exec.

Mr Benevolent · 01-06-2010 05:47PM

Lovely cars, I have a hankering for a Mk2.

Eric Cartman · 01-06-2010 05:50PM

brilliant car to drive and look really well, fuel economy isnt awful either, only thing to do is if your buying from a lexus dealer make sure they update the satnav to the latest maps before you buy, i brought my parents rx400h in for a service before and they wanted 350 euro for the map updates - not a huge issue but its 350 euro you dont want to bother with when servicing the car (that and the satnav is dead handy

Eric Cartman · 01-06-2010 05:51PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

nice car, not overtly sporty but still tidy handling. not as common as a BMW 5 either which would be a + for me.

AFAIK wood wheel was an (expensive) option on the Exec.

wood wheel is 1200 euro or so, its rediculous, but looks so nice

JJJJNR · 01-06-2010 05:54PM

hehehe hehe wood

Mr Benevolent · 01-06-2010 06:03PM

Eric Cartman wrote: »

wood wheel is 1200 euro or so, its rediculous, but looks so nice

First time I've seen one on a GS but it looks very nice. Prefer the leather wheel though.

Padraig Mor · 01-06-2010 09:26PM

Here's the one I'm getting - complete with wooden wheel!

Eric Cartman wrote: »

brilliant car to drive and look really well, fuel economy isnt awful either, only thing to do is if your buying from a lexus dealer make sure they update the satnav to the latest maps before you buy, i brought my parents rx400h in for a service before and they wanted 350 euro for the map updates - not a huge issue but its 350 euro you dont want to bother with when servicing the car (that and the satnav is dead handy

Don't talk to me! Concluded the trade in deal and thought of nav disc an hour later! If I can sell my car in the meantime and go cash I'll see what I can do.

-Corkie- · 01-06-2010 09:48PM

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Here's the one I'm getting - complete with wooden wheel!

Don't talk to me! Concluded the trade in deal and thought of nav disc an hour later! If I can sell my car in the meantime and go cash I'll see what I can do.

You should do waaay better on straight sale. They are a nice car i was tempted to buy a 07 one a few years ago. Silver dont really set them off though, black would be nicer to show off that chrome:cool:

AlanD · 08-06-2010 04:06PM

What mpg do they get?

mickdw · 08-06-2010 04:19PM

Im thinking of gs450h myself. Hoping to get one for a weekend to assess real fuel consumption. tax is only 600 on 08 models with a 3.5L petrol engine & electric motor too.
Very worried about resale though.

Eric Cartman · 08-06-2010 04:22PM

mickdw wrote: »

Im thinking of gs450h myself. Hoping to get one for a weekend to assess real fuel consumption. tax is only 600 on 08 models with a 3.5L petrol engine & electric motor too.
Very worried about resale though.

450h will average out around 32-35 with a 50/50 mix of motorway and city

mickdw · 08-06-2010 05:10PM

Eric Cartman wrote: »

450h will average out around 32-35 with a 50/50 mix of motorway and city

Really? Thats sounds too good to be true. My 1.8T Audi wouldnt get that

-Corkie- · 08-06-2010 05:26PM

mickdw wrote: »

Im thinking of gs450h myself. Hoping to get one for a weekend to assess real fuel consumption. tax is only 600 on 08 models with a 3.5L petrol engine & electric motor too.
Very worried about resale though.

If you do let me know what its like. I looked at a 07 before.

Ive my A8 nearly sold. Thinking of a new e class but i think they look like a sonata from behind...

mickdw · 08-06-2010 06:06PM

Im thinking along the same lines as you with the new Eclass although I was looking at A8 too whereas you are selling one!

-Corkie- · 08-06-2010 06:11PM

mickdw wrote: »

Im thinking along the same lines as you with the new Eclass although I was looking at A8 too whereas you are selling one!

Im selling my because i have had loads of problems with it. They cost a fortune to fix. Allthough I am told the ones with high mileage are high maintainence. New model will be nice but i couldnt afford one with this recession.

Eric Cartman · 08-06-2010 07:10PM

mickdw wrote: »

Really? Thats sounds too good to be true. My 1.8T Audi wouldnt get that

the rx400h (same engine, heavier car) did 35-36 average, that hybrid lark actually works

Eric Cartman · 08-06-2010 07:12PM

mickdw wrote: »

Im thinking of gs450h myself. Hoping to get one for a weekend to assess real fuel consumption. tax is only 600 on 08 models with a 3.5L petrol engine & electric motor too.
Very worried about resale though.

only thing to watch is make sure its had a lexus/toyota service history, the batteries need to be checked at service and if its been done independantly the battery warranty is void

mickdw · 08-06-2010 07:46PM

SARASON wrote: »

Im selling my because i have had loads of problems with it. They cost a fortune to fix. Allthough I am told the ones with high mileage are high maintainence. New model will be nice but i couldnt afford one with this recession.

Im thinking of 08 model gs 450h but in my head I know that a 09 E class would be the more sensible buy even if a little more expensive. Anyway, first step is to get an MPG reading for my useage & driving style over a few hundred miles. After that, decisions can be made.

-Corkie- · 08-06-2010 08:03PM

mickdw wrote: »

Im thinking of 08 model gs 450h but in my head I know that a 09 E class would be the more sensible buy even if a little more expensive. Anyway, first step is to get an MPG reading for my useage & driving style over a few hundred miles. After that, decisions can be made.

I dont know. I dont like the back of the e class though. Maybe a s line a6.
I think im mad on the other hand.

Padraig Mor · 08-06-2010 09:02PM

Picked mine up on Friday

Can't report proper proper mpg figures yet - came with half a tank. Filled her for the fiorst time today so should be able to do a 'proper' calculation once that's gone. Encouraging so far though. Did about 25km after filling with approx. equal ratio of city/motorway/back road driving and computer reported 30 mpg average - would be delighted if this kept up but would expect closer to 25 mpg over the longer term. Official figure is 29 mpg combined. Initial impressions suggest it's surprisingly economical when cruising but sups heavily in traffic.

Have heard that many people get nowhere near the official mpg figures with hybrids (GS450H is 36 mpg). 06ish GS450Hs seem to carry about a 10 grand premium over the GS300, which would buy a lot of petrol!

Mickdw: compare specs! The Lexus will almost certainly have a way higher spec than the Merc. I've got ventilated seats, nav, keyless entry, adaptive xenons, voice command - and it's not even the top model!

-Corkie- · 08-06-2010 09:05PM

Well wear boy!!!!

Eric Cartman · 08-06-2010 09:06PM

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Picked mine up on Friday

Can't report proper proper mpg figures yet - came with half a tank. Filled her for the fiorst time today so should be able to do a 'proper' calculation once that's gone. Encouraging so far though. Did about 25km after filling with approx. equal ratio of city/motorway/back road driving and computer reported 30 mpg average - would be delighted if this kept up but would expect closer to 25 mpg over the longer term. Official figure is 29 mpg combined. Initial impressions suggest it's surprisingly economical when cruising but sups heavily in traffic.

Have heard that many people get nowhere near the official mpg figures with hybrids (GS450H is 36 mpg). 06ish GS450Hs seem to carry about a 10 grand premium over the GS300, which would buy a lot of petrol!

Mickdw: compare specs! The Lexus will almost certainly have a way higher spec than the Merc. I've got ventilated seats, nav, keyless entry, adaptive xenons, voice command - and it's not even the top model!

get your satnav disk in the end ?

bryaner · 08-06-2010 09:12PM

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Yeah, boot opening is like a letterbox alright! Good to hear Lexus servicing isn't too bad - especially seeing as it requires servicing twice as often as my C5 (15k km vs 30k) . Service history seems to indicate it has an appetite for brake pads and discs too.... Would normally go for 'local' servicing at this age; however, given it has a full Lexus history until now it may be worth keeping it up when I go to sell.

Not worth keeping a main dealer FSH on a 15k car Imo..

Padraig Mor · 08-06-2010 09:20PM

Eric Cartman wrote: »

get your satnav disk in the end ?

Aye!

bryaner wrote: »

Not worth keeping a main dealer FSH on a 15k car Imo..

When that 15k car becomes a 5k car in a couple of years (months?!), a full dealer SH should make it a lot easier to sell. Turns out that main dealer servicing is a condition of the (1 yr) warranty anyway.

My new wheels!:

Eric Cartman · 08-06-2010 09:24PM

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Aye!

When that 15k car becomes a 5k car in a couple of years (months?!), a full dealer SH should make it a lot easier to sell. Turns out that main dealer servicing is a condition of the (1 yr) warranty anyway.

My new wheels!:

that is a lovely motor , always loved the gs300 , my insurance company doesnt agree, but I think i know what ill buy myself when im 25

Lexus GS300 (05- model) - opinions?

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