Ask Bark Brief: Talk Me Out of the Lexus I Want

Mark "Bark M." Baruth
by Mark "Bark M." Baruth

Mike writes:

If you were shopping for a reliable, full featured, cheap to own, and generally “good” car, why would you not get a Lexus? I’ve been struggling with this question for the better part of a year now.

The problem: I need a car I’ll drive every single day in God-awful urban traffic. There’s little to no fun had behind the wheel in congestion. No using the sporting personality of whatever machine I’m operating. The only reasons I want a Lexus are for the comfort and peace of mind that come with one, along with working AC and a great stereo that’ll truly brings out the subtleties in Jad Abumrad’s diphthongs. Since I can’t afford nor really want a brand new car, I’ve been looking at used.

I’m really trying to decide why I shouldn’t just get a 2008-ish Lexus IS350 and call it a day. Maybe because I can’t decide between the IS and the GS, as if a bit more space and a few more features wouldn’t be a bad thing, right? (And the upgraded Mark Levinson system, of course.) Let’s set sights on the previous-generation Lexus GS350. (The LS is out of my price range, and I’m also not feeling that old just yet.)

I’ve read reviews of the mid-size RWD luxury cars when they were new. All the comparisons put the 5 Series, E-Class, A6, and even the XF ahead of the tarted up Toyota. But 10 years on, is steering feel worth more than “will never break” or “won’t cost you $200 for each labor hour when it does break because all cars eventually break”?

Talk me out of this. And don’t argue “it’s a boring old man’s car,” because I really don’t care. I’m friggin 41. I am an old man. Moreover, I estimate that of the 10 to 12 hours I spend in the car each week, 90 percent of it will be at an average speed below 20 mph, although there are often times the GS350’s 0-60 sprint capabilities would very much come in handy.

Besides, I have enough “not boring” with my project Alfa GTV6. Even when it’s broken, which is often, it’s exciting. So there.

I’ve come to bury the Lexus GS, not to praise it. You want me to talk you out of a GS? Pssshhh. No problem.

First things first. I’m the rillest. No, wait, sorry, where was I? Oh yes, the GS. The easiest way to talk you out of a GS or an IS is to realize that the Lexus you want is actually the LS.

All the things you say you want in a Lexus are available in exponentially higher quantities in the LS than in the GS. Comfortable ride in traffic? Check. More space? Chiggy check. Better stereo? Microphone checka, one-two-checka. And at this point, the price difference between the GS and LS is negligible. In fact, according to my last Cars.com search, LS models from ’06 and ’07 with low miles are well below $15,000.

You say you’re not that old? Pssshhh again. There are younger and hipper people than you driving LSes, and they’re being used for nearly exactly the same purpose you’ve described.

Besides, the GS is pretty much the definition of a poseur car. It’s not really the best at anything, is it? With the GS, Lexus tried to copy a 5 Series Bimmer and failed. With the LS, Lexus copied the S-Class and made a better mousetrap — at least when it comes to reliability. The LS has become an icon. The GS has become lot poison, destined to lose each and every comparison test between its origination and the end of time.

But you did say that you wanted that quick 0-60 time of the GS now and then, so there’s your reason to get it. Oh wait — no, it isn’t. The GS and LS are pretty much identical.

So, you’re wrong, you should choose a Lexus — but you should just choose a different one. Go LS shopping, and you’ll be glad you did.

Mark "Bark M." Baruth
Mark "Bark M." Baruth

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  • Jmhorrible Jmhorrible on Aug 17, 2016

    I love this topic. I'm in a similar situation. 30 miles each way in and out of Boston during rush hour Bought a 2011 fusion to be frugal but it's turned into a bit of a penalty box I was considering a new Accord, 4-Cyl, EX. I figure I can get one for $25k or so. But,... 2013 ES350's are going for similar money Adding a few years (2011 or so) puts the LS in the same range 2015 Genesis is on par w/ a 2013 LS (~35k) I've always liked the idea of a land yacht (LS) but the ES seems like the more intelligent choice.

    • Gtem Gtem on Aug 17, 2016

      Fiance's father bought a creampuff 32k mile '13 ES300h this summer. Nice enough car, it's basically what the Camry should be if they stayed on the same 'fat' trajectory of the 1990s. Having said that, some of the interior plastics, particularly the rear door cards, would never be seen even on a base model DX Camry from the early 90s. Drives stiffer than previous ES cars. On decent pavement it isn't a problem, but on bad roads it is noticeably less comfortable. Center joystick to control the Nav is an ergonomic abomination. I think overall it feels a lot less 'special' than something like the LS, but is certainly a bit step up from a regular modern Camry, and is very practical and economical to own in the long haul.

  • Lightspeed Lightspeed on Aug 17, 2016

    Love my GS400, but I think I’ll go LS430 in the next couple years. Don’t care that my GS isn’t the ‘best’ at anything, it’s the best for me. Plenty fast enough, plenty comfy enough, plenty reliable.

  • Wolfwagen I have worked as a manager in both union and non-union locations. The best union employees were the ones who were indifferent to the union or told them to get bent. The worst ones were the ones who would run to the union for every little thing, even when it was their own actions that caused the problem or because they could not understand their own contract
  • Harry HOW i RECOVER MY LOST OR STOLEN FUNDS:You should gather and document all relevant details about the theft, such as transaction IDs, wallet addresses, and any communication with the scammer if any, and then proceed to message SYLVESTER. G. BRYANT to get back your lost/ stolen funds by sharing the evidence you've compiled. he was the only one who was able to recover my funds I was so surprised he got back my money worth $52k but glory be to God and all thanks to him.. here is his contact below: Instagram: Yt7crackerszEmail: Yt7crackersz@ gmail,com
  • Daniel J I had read an article several years ago that one of the issues that workers were complaining about with this plant is that 1/3 of the workforce were temporary workers. They didn't have the same benefits as the other 2/3 of the employees. Will this improve this situation or make it worse? Do temporary workers get a vote?I honestly don't care as long as it is not a requirement to work at the plant.
  • Kosmo Tragic. Where in the name of all that is holy did anybody get the idea that self-driving cars were a good idea? I get the desire for lane-keeping, and use it myself, occasionally, but I don't even like to look across the car at my passenger while driving, let along relinquish complete control.
  • Bof65705611 There’s one of these around the corner from me. It still runs…driven daily, in fact. That fact always surprises me.
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