ArcticMax

You know, when I graduate in half a year, I might trade in my 2k for a nice "previously owned" GS 400. But I have no idea how fast they are. We can read all we want in the magazines, but that doesn't mean anything. We have to experience it. So, tell me, just how fast is the GS400?
Especially compared to the GLE you used to have. Is it really that much faster than the Maxima? I thought my 98 SE auto was fast as hell, but if the GS is that much faster, Wow! I can't even imagine what that must feel like.
Does the GS push you into the seat hard?

How does it compare to the M-coupe? (accleration wise)

Well, thanks Woodear,

and Merry Christmas.

Micah95GLE

Are you saying that if all of the magazines say that the GS400 does 0-60 in 5.7-5.9 seconds, it still might not be any faster than a Maxima? What more do you need to know besides the numbers?

AntGVR4

you can't just consider speed..
what about handling.. m coupe wins..
what about comfort .. GS wins.

don't just consider speed...

GS 1/4 mile 14.4-14.7
MZ3 1/4 mile 14.0-14.3

Ant

hokiemax

iTrader: (2)

I drove that thing, but it didn't feel as fast as the numbers suggest. 1/4 in way under 15, 0-60 under 6, and you know. I expected that thing to be way faster. But it did not feel that much faster than my 2k 5-speed.

So, you know, maybe the GS is not as fast as one might think. I just wanted to know.

(i'm showing up as hokiemax cause I'm using my bro's computer.)

Kenneth

iTrader: (8)

ok .4 ticks.. wow enough to notice in daily commuting...

WoodEar

As for GS400:
Lexus claims 14.3 offcially, most magazine rate them 14.3-14.8, I ran a 14.6 at E-town with sucky launch.
I did race my old Maxima(I drove, same way as I raced at E-town) with the GS400(gf drove, just hammer the padel when lights turns green), I had the jump off the line so I had her before ~25mph, after that it was all GS400, she passed me easily and pulling away steadily. So IMHO, unless you have a modded 5sp with a heck of driver(for example Jeff K.'s mid 14's Max), GS400 is gonna be faster without a doubt.

As for M roadster/coupe:
BMW claims 13.7 officially, most magazine rate them 13.7-14.0. I didn't run on track yet, the best timeslip I saw from other owner is 13.6, most times are ~14.0.
I raced my GS400(gf drove) too, from the light, until I shut down when I redlined in 3rd(~95mph), I had prolly 5-6 car lengths on her, but it looks like I wasn't pulling anymore when I shut it down.
I think the GS400 is faster on the topend, I did encounter a M coupe on hway before I had M roadster, we both punched at 80mph, side by side to 100mph, after that I started slowly pulling on him, I let off at 135, I had ~3 car length on her.

Conclusion:
The GS400 is a great car for what it is. I mean you can't compare it to AMG E55 or M5 likes, for luxury sedans in its' price range($50K), it's one of the best value. It offers luxury, it offers decent speed, and it's got the Lexus service, so you can't go wrong with this car.
It's not a dragster for sure, the real speed lies in 80-150, rather than 0-60.

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

My 'rents have a 98 GS400. Yes, it is FAST. It used to be slightly sluggish feeling off the line, but a new ECU fixed that. It is very fast, one of those cars that you have TRY to go slow in. At least for me anyway...

WoodEar

hey you know the ECU too?!?
i thought not many people know it, it's fix by Lexus to make the auto tranny shifts more aggressive, eliminate hesitation, it does work! i got it last year.

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

Yes, mother dear needed more snap off the line. Hers had had many many electrical problems. It need a new yaw sensor for the stability control, the new ECU and a whole new stereo system. The old one would cut out the left side speakers randomly and they tried fixing it piece-meal, but now that every part has been replaced...it's fixed. Oh, yeah, the electric steering wheel tilt only works when it feels like it, yet it still gets out of your way when you unbuckle...hmmm...

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

so wait...the Lexus had reliability problems?!?! WTF!!??

WoodEar

hmm never had any on mine.

my car only went to service three times:
1) 1000 miles service, oil change and check up, free.
2) ECU replacement to fix hesitation(nothing is wrong, they original had comfort in mind so the tranny shift smoothly for old people's like, then young owners say i buy the car cuz it's suppose to be fast, so they offer the ECU fix for those who prefer aggressive shifts). free
3) steering vibration, it turned out to be i bent 3 outta 4 wheels, paid.

Micah95GLE

Why would people complain that a car doesn't "feel" fast? If the numbers say that it's fast, then it's fast, whether you know it or not. When you're cruising in an L1011 headed toward the East Coast, it probably doesn't "feel" very fast either, but it's actually doing about 700mph. Maybe if you remove the muffler on your car and make it really loud, it will "feel" fast.

WoodEar

hahaha, that I agree.
I was riding in a E430 once, it was so quiet and smooth, so I was wondering why the guy driving so slow, I looked over the speedo it was over 90mph, but it just didn't feel like it.
and when I had my Max, that car under WOT is so damn loud, so you really feel you are going fast.

so...