2006 Lexus GS 300 3.0 from North America

Summary:

One test drive will convince you

Faults:

No major issues, just maintenance:

- Dust shield in driver's front was scraping rotor, bent it back.

- Replaced cabin air filter.

- Rear window shade gets caught on anything left on rear ledge, comes up cockeyed, need 2 people to get it straightened out (1 for button, 1 to adjust as it comes out), then it works fine.

- Stock run-flat tires seem prone to sidewall bubbles; replaced all tires with standard tires (no run-flat).

General Comments:

Bought this car for my wife, we LOVE it. This car will ruin you for buying cheaper/non-luxury cars. Drives incredibly smooth, super quiet, heated/cooled leather seats, plenty of power for highway, AWD so has amazing traction in rain (haven't seen snow yet), very comfortable for trips for 4 average size adults, trunk pretty decent size, good sound system (I have the stock/non-upgraded). Navigation is ok once you learn to use it, but back in 2006 they required a cd-rom (drive mounted in glove box) to update maps and it can't tell you about traffic, so I just use my phone for navi. Bluetooth is OK, not great, volume not quite high enough despite a very quiet cabin. Bluetooth only works for phone, not streaming music or podcasts as far as I can tell (again, 2006).

Did I mention how much power it has? Love the button in the center console that adjusts idle and tranny shift points for power/normal/snow modes, in power mode you have to be careful... the car wants to GO!!

Had a lot of reservations about buying a used luxury car, but mechanics keep raving about how bulletproof Lexus sedans are (they mention the ES350 most). Got an incredible deal from someone rich who barely drove it and decided time to sell after 10 years/37,000 miles... hoping the investment pays off. Incredibly satisfied thus far.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd November, 2016

14th Apr 2017, 21:08

Update: Now at 49,000 miles. Still very satisfied. Internal rearview mirror is starting to lose the silver backing a little (common problem). The car did great all winter, very stable in snow. Has been great on several road trips, cruises at 80mph like it is nothing. Still fantastic for a 11 year old car, hoping to get another 10 years from it. =)

2006 Lexus GS 300 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Simply amazing

Faults:

No significant issues found so far.

Dealer recall in Jan 2012 for fuel pressure sensor replacement - could catch fire if not replaced or tightened.

Leather not comfortable as compared to a BMW 5 Series or even Lexus ES 300 models, although it's more like it was designed for sport vehicles.

Consuming a lot of gas, 425km per 60L, could be related to the recall.

Can hear wind noise at high speeds with the windows closed.

General Comments:

Great dealer service.

Amazing car overall, great style, performance, powerful, luxury, full of features.

Had a RX300 prior, can't go wrong with Lexus.

Happy and satisfied.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st February, 2012

2006 Lexus GS 300 AWD 3.0 gas from North America

Summary:

For reliability's sake, I shall stick with Lexus

Faults:

Vehicle Stability Control warning light came on, two days after I bought the car. The dealer fixed the fault and said it was a fluke.

My tire pressure warning light came on, tires seemed OK, turns out one of the tires had too great a differential in pressure with the other three.

Must absolutely read the user manual, salesmen are totally incompetent with regard to car's features. Also, they waffled when I tried to get my personalized settings implemented (This feature is offered by Lexus free of charge)

General Comments:

The car cannot be driven off the road, it really sticks to the macadam, however on a straight away, it tends to wander, road feel is lacking.

Automatic transmission is sticky until the car warms up. I asked the dealer to check the software in the controller, but he refused, stating it takes a special set of equipment and technicians.

Automatic transmission will down shift manually, but not up shift. Salesman's boast that it could up and down shift was blarney.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th September, 2006

2006 Lexus GS 300 from North America

Summary:

Not worth the money... The quality is terrible

Faults:

I have had the car for six months, and it has already been in the shop FIVE TIMES due to problems with the computer system.

General Comments:

This is the worst quality auto that I have ever owned. It has constantly been in the shop, and I am told time and again that Lexus is "working on the problem"! I am now told that it is to due a engine computer that malfunctions in cold weather. I switched after owning BMW's for the past 20 years, and will never do that again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th March, 2006

2nd Jul 2008, 10:39

The Lexus is basically a Toyota with ten grand tacked on the price tag. Toyota is in a terrible quality slump (Consumer Reports no longer recommends the Camry and Tundra models) so problems with all product lines are to be expected.

2006 Lexus GS 300 from North America

Summary:

Well built, clean lines, has quality

Faults:

None found so far.

General Comments:

Owner's manual is 619 pages long, requires much reading to understand vehicle. Dealership sent rep to demonstrate vehicle capabilities. Very satisfied with vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 2006