Having never driven this vehicle, I can only really comment on the looks. Out of all the competitors listed, this car is definitely last on my list for looks. I agree that it looks dated and despite the large rims/tires, I think it looks bloated as well. If I saw this car parked beside a CTS, I know which would get my attention.

The addition of a cassette player is interesting. Although I don't have a person need for one, I also don't think there is a problem with including it in the dash. I can't imagine it costs very much to include, and I am sure some people would use it.

Agree, this car just doesn't have the presence of the others.

And it fits into that weird middle ground where, to me, the 3-series, C-class, CTS, and G35 are all just as powerful, just as luxurious, and really about the same size. As the "entry-level" luxury sport sedans get bigger and better, I just don't see the value in this category at all, not just referring to the GS.

I think the median age for a lexus buyer is in the low 60's, so I doubt the appearance of the car is a significant factor. And it explains the tape deck.

But for the car, yeah, it's great car and I'd love to have one if it had a third pedal. But, there is no "gotta have it" feature. A few years ago reliability would have been it, but that seems less and less a selling point for Toyota as other manufacturers (Subaru, Honda) are there for long term reliability, and under 100k miles pretty much any car in this range is fine. I doubt many people buy these cars and drive them 200k anyway.

Still.... if this years luxury car is next years family car, things are looking up.

"I think the median age for a lexus buyer is in the low 60's..."

I suspect the median age for all the cars Karl mentioned are similar.

Nice car but not a stand out - I agree.

The GS used to be the Lexus that I liked most....it has lost its appeal with me. I think appearancewise, for my taste, the previous version was the best looking one to date.

Unfortunately, in its class it is by far the ugliest car. It looks like a fat Altima, really ugly!

A cassette adapter is the best way to get modern digital sources into your car stereo if it isn't up-to-date enough to have an AUX jack or iPod connector. Much better quality and less hassle than an FM transmitter.

Karl, the Lexus GS shape looks like a liftback/sedan in my opinion. As for the cassette player the Acura TL has one of those too.

Karl, your comment about a possible imbalanced wheel makes me wonder... do car magazines give their cars alignment and wheel balance jobs before testing them? I suppose the company supplying the car would do that in order to make their car seem better, but I don't know if they'd bother for a car that has a busy schedule and is getting passed around between journalists.

I know some cars feel noticeably better if they're aligned to the 10th of a degree, rather than just being within factory specs. And others, like older Miatas, are almost impossible to balance well enough to avoid vibrations at certain speeds. Your long term tests should be good at catching some of that, but a one day test could be seriously impacted by something that's easy to fix and not necessarily the designers' fault.

True, but logistics make it pretty much impossible to check a car's wheel balance/alignment between each loan. If there's an obvious issue it gets addressed, but if it's subtle it probably will get missed by the vehicle handlers between loans. We'll tell the them about this car's potential issue so if it's a problem (and not just the way it's supposed to be) they can try to fix it.

Looks awful puffy 'n' bloaty - I know, it was laid down at least 2 or 3 years ago, but still...

I definitely think the inclusion of the cassette player is a good idea.

I agree with Karl: ths styling is not all that. I think the GS is probably the ugliest current Lexus.

Got to disagree, I like the look of this version of the GS (Not a fan of previous versions), understated, I'd choose it over the Infiniti, which to my eyes looks too tall and thus oddly narrow and the CTS and XF, which both just look too flashy and vulgar. I think if I were looking for a sedan, the GS would be pretty high on my list.

"even some compelling exhaust roar"

When I get to the point in my life where I'm looking for luxury and refinement, I suspect a "compelling exhaust roar" would be detrimental to the experience.

Don't get me wrong, I understand why car buffs like it. I just don't agree that it's always a benefit for a luxury vehicle.

well the blog killed my nice long post but I do like the GS better than Infiniti as well.
I think buyers are looking overall, which is the best. With the GS, you are buying a stellar service dept as well. That is no small consideration. In fact, being a L owner, the Lexus treatment adds to the appeal of the car.

If I need a loaner, I'm not taking a chevy cobalt (things even BMW or Merc dealers do). I am taking at least a RX or IS.
You get 1st class service always. That does factor into it.

otherwise, I simply think the GS looks better than the Infinitis inside and out.

The A6..well that is really choice but again, the GS is value-priced and more reliable.
I would pick the A6 but most find the overall proposition of Lexus very hard to pass.

Karl, after driving the Hyundai Genesis a few weeks ago, which would you pick, a Genesis V6 (Though I guess you could get a V8 for the same money) or the GS?

You left out the Acura RL as a competitor -- a car that beat the GS300 (and all comers) in your own AWD comparison test in 2005. I'm not sure the added power of the GS350 would change the equation for that comparison test.

Isn't interior quality is a selling point for Lexus? Having Lexus you can be sure that it will not break down in the middle of nowhere. Driving German cars far away is a risky proposition. All my friends who have German cars have one or other problem at low miles ranging from annoying to destroying engine if you do not stop immidiately (and sometime even regardless you stop of not). I would prefer Infinity to Lexus any day though, even interior-wise. Reliability is the same. Ans IMO Infinity has a higher quality interior than (cheesy) Lexus.

I have cassette player in my car (6 y.o.), but I used it only once. Instead I attach Sansa PM3 player to listen podcasts and music, but I use FM transmitter from COBY - it has a pretty good quality. Cassete player adapter is not does not work sometime and sound quality is not good.

There is only one $50k midsizeish sedan even worth considering owning. That my friends is the BMW 535i. Take the all-wheel drive option if need be, but keep the manual. Of course my preferences are different than most people who can afford such a car, ie: middle aged, but if you like cars, and want an expensive sedan to tote around the wife and kids, only the 5er will do.

If you couldn't care less about cars, nor know the difference between a Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura, then get the Lexi. It's probably the most comfy and, for some reason, the average person thinks that they're worth owning. People always clump BMW with Merc, Audi, and Lexus. Go figure.

The GS has never been a runaway sales success and this model is no different. It offers the trademark benefits of Lexus vehicles (quiet ride, nice interior) but its more of the same. Lexus is using derivatiev styling cues at this point and their cars just lack the visual impact of BMW, Audis and Cadillacs. The GS isnt an attractive car and never has been in my opinion. I thought the original was ugly even though the press was infatuated with its design.

The German marques have proven that perceived reliability isnt as important as it was 10 or 20 years ago when it comes to luxury cars. Lexus sales are down big time this year while Audi and MB are doing great. Lexus can no longer sell cars solely based on their quality image.