The numbers for the GS 430 and G35 are pretty close. JDPowers quotes Lexus at 5.8sec. 0-60 with a 5spd A/T, and 14.2 in the 1/4 mile. Pretty darn near exactly what a G35 6spd. manual sedan should do, eh? Of course, Lexus has to use two extra cylinders and 40 extra HP to get those figures. Pretty much the same gas mileage as our six, though.

I test drove one and it was a damn strong car as far as accelleration, but I found the steering to be to skittish for my tastes. Also, there was an aggravating click noise every time you let up off of the brake pedal. When I looked up some car mag reviews on the GS430, they noticed the exact same things I did....Very strong off the line, but overly sensitive handling/steering and that annoying brake pedal noise. Not good in a $50,000+ car.

 

The Lexus is nice but it's not bigger faster and marginally better inside. It's more geriatric IMO. While the 4.3 is a nice motor, I'd bet, it seems to be lacking when looking at the 1/4 and such, as most lexi always tend to.

 

Yes the Manual G35S is close the the GS400/430 but the auto G35 isnt, yes they have 40 mph and 2 more cyl but to be competitive you have to have a manual transmission which is more effecient than the auto. Just imagine if that car had a manual it would walk away from a manual G35S, it would be a low 5 sec car to 60. naywasy most people with the GS4 series could care less about racing and who's quicker. Whoever thinks an auto G sedan can hang with a GS4 series is in some other world. .4-.7 difference to 60 is a big difference in the straightline.

 

Well, there is one tiny problem with your little scenario......Lexus doesn't offer the GS430 in a straight drive and isn't likely to either. And I still say the G35 smokes the GS430 in the twisties. I have driven both cars in the manumatic trim and the Lexus is so twitchy it is scary. The G35 handles much better in my opinion. Also the sheet metal of the G35 Sedan is levels above the typical boring Lexus styling of the GS430. I am not saying the GS430 isn't a great car, but it does cost $15,000 to $20,000 more than a comparably equipped G35 Sedan. It SHOULD offer a higher level of luxury and performance. BTW, most of the car mag reviews I read felt like Lexus missed the mark with the GS430 as far as a Luxury/Sport sedan goes. Most of those same mags felt like Infiniti pretty much nailed it with the G35.

I could have purchased a GS430, but the boring (although less so than most Lexus cars) sheet metal aside, I didn't care for the steering or handling and I just didn't feel the GS430 was worth $15,000 to $20,000 more. Your opinion of the GS430 may vary, and if so, then it would make a great car for you.

 

GeeSpot, I partially agree with you on the styling of the GS series. At that price range, I'd rather get the BMW540. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice luxury car, but for performance and handling I'd get the 540. At the price range of our Gs, I'd get the G35 .

G35 Coupe. Diamond Graphite, Graphite, Premium and wheel and Tire package. Zaino Baby.

 

"Yes the Manual G35S is close the the GS400/430 but the auto G35 isnt"
ummm... i think it's not... yet feel AT g sedan will outperform MT g sedan on the streets... if you see the specs of AT and MT of g sedan, you will notice very close gear ratios b/t two trannies(i don't know the exact numbers but it's about .2 difference) so gear advantages just flew away(unless race is going over 100mph)... second, AT g makes more tq off the line due to it's called tq converter... unless MT g abuse their clutches, MT g will not launch better than AT g(go try yourself)... on the mag time(0-60), they drop clutches around 2500rpm or so and i don't think you can do that on the streets.. what if you are at downhill?? can you drop clutch without moving backward?? while AT can brake tq anytime anyday anywhere... only advantage of having MT g is little less drivetrain loss and a tick faster luanching(if you done correctly but i doubt you can do it on the streets) and i don't think 90% of MT drivers can't shift faster than AT g(AT g shifts really fast) you are saying .4-.7 differences is typical differences b/w At and MT cars w/ fwd, high hp and low tq, and mostly MT cars have very nice gear ratios while AT gets fuel econo gear box(such as accord, cl-s, new tl, rx-8(i know it has rwd but))...
so what your saying is correct on the track..MT will outperform AT g but on the streets i doublt MT will take AT g(there are just too many little things you need to worry about and distract drivers...) just like smg m3... MT m3 outperforms by little on the track but i never seen MT m3 owns smg m3 on the regular streets...

 

Hmmmm....according to Edmunds the 0-60 difference has just shrunk a bit. They list the GS430 5A/T at 6 sec. and the G35 5A/T at 6.1 sec. in the 0-60. This is comparing auto tranny to auto tranny. Sounds like it is actually gonna be a driver's race even with the 5 A/T G35 Sedan. And since most of the GS 430 drivers are rich older guys who kinda want to FEEL like they are sporty, I am gonna give the driver's edge to the G35 driver about 90% of the time.

So I have to give overall performance to the G35 despite our two cylinder handicap, but I am damn sure the Lexus has more comfortable driver's seats!

 

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And since most of the GS 430 drivers are rich older guys who kinda want to FEEL like they are sporty, I am gonna give the driver's edge to the G35 driver about 90% of the time.

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Hey, watch it, I'm not rich, but I am older, and I drive a G! [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]



Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan/5AT

 

I know, I know, that was a cheap shot(not at you), and I am older than some of the folks on these forums too. Really though, that was sort of the feel I got from the GS430, and several of the car mag reviews felt pretty much the same. If it had significantly sexier styling it could have been a serious contender for my driving dollars, but as it is, it might appeal to me more when I hit, oh, say seventy or so. ; )

 

The GS hasn't changes much in 10 years - its assumed that it will be for a "mature" audience. The new design will clearly be targeting the G crowd - the price may as well...

 

Well GS4 auto have tested into the high 5's on multiple occassions C/D,M/T, you are using the worst times for the GS4 and best for G35. I have yet to see a G auto test into the 5's to 60 and want stock.