Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Lexus GS, 2006-2011

[AutoTrader.ca]

Third-gen GS loved for smooth performance and long-haul-ready drive comfort.
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[mmret]

These are a good car, always like them.

Unfortunately back when I was looking about 2 years ago they were priced like gold. Something like 2007 model (first year with the GS350), relatively lower specced car with a $5k hit on it and 100k on the clock and they wanted $31k. And it went up from there.

Maybe things have changed. Also a dearth of V8 models kind of bites, not that the V6 is bad...

[whaddaiknow]

I've always liked those... I still have a soft spot for them. Reliable, competent quiet luxury.

[Jaeger]

One of the better used car buys out there.

[tortoise]

Based on what mmret said I am not so sure.  Definitely one of the better cars you can buy used, but probably not one of the better deals.

Cars like your Genesis probably represent a much better used car buy.

[Noto]

Finally, Note that a faulty oil line on earlier models with the 3.5 litre V6 engine could lead to oil ‘starvation’ at start-up when the engine is cold – which may result in a loud, clattering ‘metal on metal’ noise from within the engine

My 'Rolla does this.  Apparently it doesn't actually cause any damage, and the VVT-i gear has been replaced to remedy it (it didn't).  Who knows.  The 'Rolla surprisingly calls for 0W-20.

Any way, I've always wanted the GS450h, but could never palate the RWD setup in Canada.  That thing is a rocket, though (stated 5.2s 0-60) and rated at 34mpg...

[johngenx]

The 'Rolla surprisingly calls for 0W-20.

We had the updated gear and it solved the problem 95% of the time.  Then i switched the oil to 5W-20 full synthetic Amsoil, and presto, no start up noise, ever.  No issues at all.

[Fobroader]

Mmmm...I would totally rock a GS460, what a great looking car.

[Jaeger]

Based on what mmret said I am not so sure.  Definitely one of the better cars you can buy used, but probably not one of the better deals.

Cars like your Genesis probably represent a much better used car buy.

When I was looking at used options, Ron and Sir O managed to find me one SWEET  deal on a minty V8.  Used Lexi command a used premium across the board but solid deals can be had.

[johngenx]

Toyota and Lexus cars command high resale values because they're quality products.  The upside is that if you go to resell again, you benefit from that slow depreciation.  I've lost a shockingly small amount of money on the Highlander despite all the kms I've piled on and it's years older...

[wing]

Two Lexus family checking in.   Both cars everyone thinks are brand new despite being 7 years old...

[Gurgie]

Two Lexus family checking in.   Both cars everyone thinks are brand new despite being 7 years old...

Well... the ISF just sits around most of the time... so it IS practically brand new    What's the mileage on it now? 

[wing]

70k on ISF and 137 on LX

[rrocket]

Two Lexus family checking in.   Both cars everyone thinks are brand new despite being 7 years old...

Yea, I played that trick on a few forum members when I had my IS350...the "guess the mileage" game.  They failed, miserably.   

My LS still shows incredibly after 200+kms..nearly "as new".  IQ's IS300 now has 365,000 on it!!

That's another things I like about Lexus...they seem to wear incredibly well.

[sacrat]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Chris Chase had a very different take on these in March of 2012 (and they're 4 years older now).

http://www.autos.ca/used-car-reviews/used-vehicle-review-lexus-gs-2006-2012/
 
He lists a litany of problems and complaints and ends with this cautionary warning.

 "don’t complain to me if you wind up disappointed in what you were sure would be just another well-made Toyota product."

I remember how much this disturbed me at the time since this is a car I've always found very appealing. So, is Justin soft balling Lexus, or was Chris too critical ?!

[rrocket]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Chris Chase had a very different take on these in March of 2012 (and they're 4 years older now).

http://www.autos.ca/used-car-reviews/used-vehicle-review-lexus-gs-2006-2012/
 
He lists a litany of problems and complaints and ends with this cautionary warning.

 "don’t complain to me if you wind up disappointed in what you were sure would be just another well-made Toyota product."

I remember how much this disturbed me at the time since this is a car I've always found very appealing. So, is Justin soft balling Lexus, or was Chris too critical ?!

The AWD (V6) GS brought the scores down.  I wouldn't buy one.

The GS430 has been rated tops in Consumer Reports.

[tortoise]

What's wrong with the AWD GS?

[Gurgie]

70k on ISF and 137 on LX

What's the average yearly mileage in Canada, 25,000km/yr? So both your cars at 7yrs old should be at 175,000kms    Even at 20k a year, only the LX is close to the 140k mark, the IS is half! That ISF will be a great used buy for someone... soon? 

[sacrat]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Chris Chase had a very different take on these in March of 2012 (and they're 4 years older now).

http://www.autos.ca/used-car-reviews/used-vehicle-review-lexus-gs-2006-2012/
 
He lists a litany of problems and complaints and ends with this cautionary warning.

 "don’t complain to me if you wind up disappointed in what you were sure would be just another well-made Toyota product."

I remember how much this disturbed me at the time since this is a car I've always found very appealing. So, is Justin soft balling Lexus, or was Chris too critical ?!

The AWD (V6) GS brought the scores down.  I wouldn't buy one.

The GS430 has been rated tops in Consumer Reports.

The original article mentions many  issues (some serious) that are not related to AWD. Here is a sample including CRs assessment of 2007 on...

"The GS has, historically, enjoyed a “very good” reliability ranking from Consumer Reports, but that that changed as of 2007. From this year on, CR gives the GS no better than its “average” used vehicle rating, due to a number of common trouble spots.

The most common complaints include noisy brakes and interior squeaks and rattles, as evidenced both by Consumer Reports’ data.

In this discussion at ClubLexus.com, owners detail some of their DIY interior noise fixes. Many dealer techs seem to have a hard time properly troubleshooting the many unseemly creaks, squeaks, groans and rattles that the GS is known for.

[Fobroader]

"Noisy brakes"?? What the hell kind of low grade stuff are people getting??