I thought I would always be driving a LS and was sure my next car would be a 2005 LS430, but it cost me over €100.00 to fill my car today. That is a lot of money for 480 miles!
I am just starting to consider a GS450h year 2005 till I can afford the LS600h...
What does anyone think of the GS450h? Is it a major step down from the LS430?
I love my car.

Hi

Keep the LS and do this

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...showtopic=49175

Pete

I read this when you did it with great interest. I don't know what LPG is or where one would either get the job done in Dublin, or even get LPG fuel... I'm very ignorant.

I had a GS450h as a courtesy car, and the boot space is too small for me. The CVT makes the car sound like a lawnmower under hard acceleration (same in my wife's RX400h) - make sure it wouldn't put you off.

I strongly recommend you take an extended test drive if at all possible before deciding.

The government have just announced a 100% increase in the duty payable on LPG as they think it is unfair on everyone else that Pete is saving loads of money by having it on his LS

Steve

I know it will happen soon.... like every time I wash the car it rains....

Is LPG not available in Ireland then????

Pete

Yes it is but is called Guinness over there! Very nice too!

If I knew what LPG is, I might find out if it is available here.
What mileage are you getting Pete?

"What is LPG? Liquefied Petroleum Gas, often called autogas when used to as a vehicle fuel, is made up of propane and butane. It is a by-product of oil extraction and refining operations. The UK has an abundant supply. Currently the UK exports LPG and imports petrol ."

MPG on LPG is about 10% less than petrol but LPG is about 53p a liter and Petrol is now about 112p so in monetary terms its about half price fuel.... or twice as many MPG...

See here for Ireland LPG

http://www.ilpga.ie/

Pete

Oh and LPG is around 96cents a litre in Ireland

Pete

Thanks Pete, having done a little bit of homework, there is no service station selling any where near me, meaning the drive to the service station would nullify the benefits.
It cost me €100.00 to fill my tank today, it's heart breaking, especially when all the driving has been done around town and I've only clocked up near 400 miles...
Oh well, I know it is pointless driving a 4.3 litre engine and bitching about the price of petrol.

Shortly after getting my GS450h, I had the use of a LS430 for a couple of weeks.

My observations:-

The LS430 is quieter and gives a softer ride compared to the GS450h - but I would mention that the LS430 is particularly refined, my previous car was a current model Jaguar XJ, so a rival to the LS' and the Lexus was certainly better in the ride and noise dept...
Also the GS is aiming at a different market sector, which Lexus would argue is looking for a more sporting car, so refinement is less of a priority.
However having said all of the above the GS range and particularly the hybrid is still very refined, equal to that of my previous Jaguar, and when running on electric motor it is all but silent.

The other major observation was from the point of view of design, cabin layout, and equipment. Its clear the GS from all of these areas represents the current Lexus thinking, and as such all looks feels and works in an up to date way, whereas the LS' feels more previous generation - without meaning to offend any LS430 owners - it seems as though some of the new features were added on wherever possible, but not nesecarily in the most ergonomic position, for example the phone and voice activation buttons were hidden behind other buttons on the steering wheel, and again without meaning to offend in some places felt a little 'Toyota' like compared to the GS which always feels like it was inteneded to be a new generation all 'Lexus' product, which I understaand was always something the designers were very keen to create with this there first of the new generation 'L-finesse - to use Lexus speak' of models.

As I say, I hope I haven't upset any LS owners, after all its certianly a car which is probably as quiet and smooth as some of the best cars in the world.

Regards

Keith

Keith

I know just what you mean, they have added technology to the car as and where they can untill the revamp to the 460.... progress eh...

Pete