Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Lexus GS F

[Jaeger]

Indeed.  But that's a very big "if".

[mmret]

Indeed.  But that's a very big "if".

Not necessarily. Even though reliability is indeed a concern for me I'd probably go for the A6 regardless. Its simply that reliability is not an overriding concern, merely one of many.

Otherwise might as well drive a Corolla.

[mixmanmash]

Indeed.  But that's a very big "if".

There is that generalizing again.  I don't see or hear of rampant reliability issues with the A6 but maybe I don't frequent the right websites.  I can tell you that with more tech comes the potential for more problems.  The motor and transmission in the GS is over a decade old and I suspect any bugs have been worked out incrementally.  Could be wrong, of course.

My dad loves his GS after coming from domestics as daily drivers so I am interested how long the love affair will continue.

True.  The engine and transmission is a decade old.  But the engines in the A6 are almost that old too.

[mmret]

...there's an NA engine for the A6? News to me.

The 2.0T has been progressively updated again and again since its introduction. It started off at 200hp and its now around 250hp in most applications I think, so surely there have been some hardware changes along the way.

And of course the ZF 8 speed is a biggie.

Any way you cut it the powertrain is much fresher than what Lexus is pushing in the GS350. Not to say that the Lexus powertrain is bad, because it isn't. But it's been the same for a long long time.

[mixmanmash]

Indeed.  But that's a very big "if".

There is that generalizing again.  I don't see or hear of rampant reliability issues with the A6 but maybe I don't frequent the right websites.  I can tell you that with more tech comes the potential for more problems.  The motor and transmission in the GS is over a decade old and I suspect any bugs have been worked out incrementally.  Could be wrong, of course.

My dad loves his GS after coming from domestics as daily drivers so I am interested how long the love affair will continue.

True.  The engine and transmission is a decade old.  But the engines in the A6 are almost that old too.

Not quite.  The DCT was added approx 4 years ago with the supercharged 6.  A new 8 speed auto was added for other versions in 2012.  The supercharged motor itself is about 6 years old where it was first shown in the S4.  The NA 6 also grew in size - 2.8 to the 3.2.  I believe that there were also V8 versions as some point there too.  Did Canada ever get the TDI versions?

I did say engines.  Not transmissions.  The supercharged V6 is 7 years old (2009 S4).

I'd also add that the engine in the Lexus is pretty advanced considering that it has both port and direct injection so it offers the best of both worlds.  Audi/VW has only started doing that in the last couple of years and only in the European market at that.

DI gas engines are known for their higher particulate emissions.  There's a bunch of studies out there showing it.  By combining both port and direct injection, you can reduce the particulate emissions.  I guess Lexus/Toyota was way ahead of the time.

[mixmanmash]

Indeed.  But that's a very big "if".

There is that generalizing again.  I don't see or hear of rampant reliability issues with the A6 but maybe I don't frequent the right websites.  I can tell you that with more tech comes the potential for more problems.  The motor and transmission in the GS is over a decade old and I suspect any bugs have been worked out incrementally.  Could be wrong, of course.

My dad loves his GS after coming from domestics as daily drivers so I am interested how long the love affair will continue.

True.  The engine and transmission is a decade old.  But the engines in the A6 are almost that old too.

Not quite.  The DCT was added approx 4 years ago with the supercharged 6.  A new 8 speed auto was added for other versions in 2012.  The supercharged motor itself is about 6 years old where it was first shown in the S4.  The NA 6 also grew in size - 2.8 to the 3.2.  I believe that there were also V8 versions as some point there too.  Did Canada ever get the TDI versions?

I did say engines.  Not transmissions.  The supercharged V6 is 7 years old (2009 S4).

I'd also add that the engine in the Lexus is pretty advanced considering that it has both port and direct injection so it offers the best of both worlds.  Audi/VW has only started doing that in the last couple of years and only in the European market at that.

DI gas engines are known for their higher particulate emissions.  There's a bunch of studies out there showing it.  By combining both port and direct injection, you can reduce the particulate emissions.  I guess Lexus/Toyota was way ahead of the time.

Yes but Canada did not get the S4 until 2010.  Europe is always ahead of the game.

Pretty advanced?  Maybe.  But the HP and torque has been the same for 11 years.

With respect to the particulate emissions, I am thinking that most (not all) buyers of a GS350 or Audi A6 are not aware of this but it would likely not sway their buying decision at $70K.  I could be wrong, however.

BTW, just for poops I priced out an IS350 AWD v-6 v.s. the same for a (2015) G37 and I did not know how much more expensive the Lexus is over the Infiniti.  I thought they started in the mid 40's?  I see that you CAN get an IS but it isn't the 350.

True.  I find the IS pricing is a little excessive compared to the Q50.  It'll be interesting how Infiniti prices with the refresh and new engines.  That Red Sport 400 is intriguing.  Just too bad that it is only auto.

[johngenx]

Lexus doesn't undercut the segments much anymore in terms of pricing.  The brand carries a lot of value now.

[NormT]

The GS-F plays second fiddle to the CTS VSport in the latest Motor Trend. But at s 650 horsepower CTS-V price!

[rrocket]

The GS-F plays second fiddle to the CTS VSport in the latest Motor Trend. But at s 650 horsepower CTS-V price!

But the V-SPort was slower in all acceleration tests and slower through the handling course....

[Jaeger]

Link?

[rrocket]

Link?

http://www.motortrend.com/news/comparison-audi-s6-4-0t-quattro-vs-cadillac-cts-v-sport-vs-lexus-gs-f/

[Jaeger]

Link?

http://www.motortrend.com/news/comparison-audi-s6-4-0t-quattro-vs-cadillac-cts-v-sport-vs-lexus-gs-f/

Thanks. It does make me wish that Lexus offered a less extreme version of the GS with a V8. I would dig having that much power, but like the reviewers, I'd probably want something that knew how to relax when relaxation was called for.

[Jaeger]

FWIW I do think the GS Fsport is just about a perfectly balanced DD. It's certainly quick enough for jaunts to the office.

I wouldn't argue with that at all.  Truth be told, any GS that has the adjustable suspension and Sport + setting has more than enough sporting capability for anywhere short of a track.

I had a salesman take me for, shall we say, a VERY aggressive test drive and I was like 

[dirtyjeffer]

Link?

http://www.motortrend.com/news/comparison-audi-s6-4-0t-quattro-vs-cadillac-cts-v-sport-vs-lexus-gs-f/

Thanks. It does make me wish that Lexus offered a less extreme version of the GS with a V8. I would dig having that much power, but like the reviewers, I'd probably want something that knew how to relax when relaxation was called for.

i had a quick read of the article...it still did fairly well (it won the comparo) and the reviewers still had very high praise for it.

[dirtyjeffer]

Link?

http://www.motortrend.com/news/comparison-audi-s6-4-0t-quattro-vs-cadillac-cts-v-sport-vs-lexus-gs-f/

Thanks. It does make me wish that Lexus offered a less extreme version of the GS with a V8. I would dig having that much power, but like the reviewers, I'd probably want something that knew how to relax when relaxation was called for.

i had a quick read of the article...it still did fairly well (it won the comparo) and the reviewers still had very high praise for it.

The Caddy won the comparo

i know (i said that)...it wasn't the fastest vehicle there, but it seemed to do so well in pretty much everything else, it won...one of those "sum of all parts" kind of things.

[johngenx]

As I keep my cars until they literally die, I'd take the Lexus in that comparo.  Also, I love that aspro V-8.  Who woulda thunk that Toyota would be the hold out for a big displacement V-8?  Wow.

[evil_twin]

Thanks. It does make me wish that Lexus offered a less extreme version of the GS with a V8. I would dig having that much power, but like the reviewers, I'd probably want something that knew how to relax when relaxation was called for.

This.

As I keep my cars until they literally die, I'd take the Lexus in that comparo.  Also, I love that aspro V-8.  Who woulda thunk that Toyota would be the hold out for a big displacement V-8?  Wow.

And this.

The most important aspect of the GS F IMO is that naturally aspirated V8.   Such a rare bird in a sport/luxury sedan nowadays.   And certainly a car you'd feel comfortable keeping for the long haul, as opposed to a triple turbo charged, partial hybrid, 3 cylinder FGC.   It's really a shame there aren't more "classic" sedans like this on offer.

[Triple Bob]

Thanks. It does make me wish that Lexus offered a less extreme version of the GS with a V8. I would dig having that much power, but like the reviewers, I'd probably want something that knew how to relax when relaxation was called for.

This.

As I keep my cars until they literally die, I'd take the Lexus in that comparo.  Also, I love that aspro V-8.  Who woulda thunk that Toyota would be the hold out for a big displacement V-8?  Wow.

And this.

The most important aspect of the GS F IMO is that naturally aspirated V8.   Such a rare bird in a sport/luxury sedan nowadays.   And certainly a car you'd feel comfortable keeping for the long haul, as opposed to a triple turbo charged, partial hybrid, 3 cylinder FGC.   It's really a shame there aren't more "classic" sedans like this on offer.

Agreed.

And Vman can't do jaunts to the office anymore.  He needs to buy some truck nuts to impress the workers. 

[SaskSpecV]

And Vman can't do jaunts to the office anymore.  He needs to buy some truck nuts to impress the workers. 

   But Vman will get the last laugh when he rolls up in his Sierra Denali with 6.2L V8 and 8-speed auto...
Hey, we're extolling the virtues of a great naturally-aspirated V8, right?

[evil_twin]

And Vman can't do jaunts to the office anymore.  He needs to buy some truck nuts to impress the workers. 

   But Vman will get the last laugh when he rolls up in his Sierra Denali with 6.2L V8 and 8-speed auto...
Hey, we're extolling the virtues of a great naturally-aspirated V8, right?

You're not wrong here (except for the part where Vman mans up and buys what he really wants...).  In some respects the Sierra Denali is a relatively economical way to get a family hauler with a Corvette engine.   More expensive than a Maro SS yes, but much better for hauling kids and impressing your neanderthal colleagues.   

Do it Vman...Do it.