pork_pie

A friend of mine of modest wage, lives in a semi detached house in Birkenhead, Wirral bought an etron about a month ago and raved about it on her Facebook profile. I thought to myself, you just spent 61k on a car or most likely got it on a PCP for a lot of money per month and you are blagging about it. Talk about living beyond your beyond your means. Some people will do anything for the badge

When I was looking for a Lexus GS in early 2018, the prices of the 2.5V6 at the time undercut the hybrid typically by a minimum of £8000 on the Lexus site. The ~£300 difference per year in VED £305 vs £10 (intend to keep the car for 5 years) was relatively insignificant considering the price to buy. I only do 5k miles a year and get about 35mpg compared to a possible 45-50 one would get from a GS300h. It is a big pill to swallow is 3 to but the 6 cylinder unit is a gem.

ST4, I am thinking the same Granted I did think that the ES F-sport looked nice inside and out but that was in January but thinking on, there are things I didn’t like and looked like corners have been cut. Linas P made very valid comments about the quality of the trim. I am interested in the ES with premium pack but that sits perilously close to £40,000 For that money, I expect more and the Camry Excel certainly ticks a few more boxes than the ES saving thousands plus an extra 2 year warranty and the same sole powerplant offering People will say about Lexus quality but I think that has been curtailed somewhat in this offering. The GS I have is better in my opinion but its harsh with how it got killed off. I guess that's the way of the world now with shifts in body shape preferences etc etc.

Well that seriously undercuts the ES in a big way. Take the top of the range model of both - £31k vs £45k. If the specs are similar, that is one huge difference. Top of the range Camry vs base ES and premium pack? You are still talking about an 7k difference. I would welcome your views on these differences but all I can say is the Toyota prices are very reasonable but maybe there is a price to pay in terms of depreciation etc.

I have monitored this thread for a good few months and it still makes very interesting reading from all the contributors. I do like the ES very much and it would make a decent replacement for my GS250 whenever it is time to change. What I am not happy about is the single engine choice that is available The forecast of selling 900 units a year is disappointing, and it may even struggle to reach that if there is one sole powerplant. I have driven it and it is not for me despite the assurances that it is much better than previous generations. However I respect those who decided to buy hybrid models. When the GS was launched there was the 2.5l V6 and the 450h available. Then after 2 years, the former was replaced by the GS300h and an £8000 price hike. The ES350 VS Es300h debate rages on but there is also another ES - The ES250 which is basically the same 2.5L NA engine in the the ES300h but without any of the hybrid components in it. Four countries at least as far as I know have this choice )as well as the 300h and they are China (badged ES260 as 250 is slang for something bad apparently), Malaysia, South Africa and Singapore. Using the latter nation as an example as they are right hand drive, the price difference between the 2.5L and hybrid is 10000 SGD which is just under £6000, 0-60 (irrelevant) 9.1s, Power - 203bhp, Top speed of 130 mph ( to me that isn't important), Torque of 182 lb/ft, 8 speed automatic Average mpg of 42.8mpg which puts it on similar road fund tariff as a hybrid - the difference is £10 a year Read world economy differences wouldn't bother me either, Chances are the petrol one will do mid- high thirties and the hybrid -high 40s. Only 10-15mpg difference! Mazda 6 have a 2.5 litre NA 4 cylinder engine available in their range and even taking their diesel options off the menu, they still have 3 different petrol engines. Okay its cheeky to compate a Lexus to a Mazda. Compare it to Toyota, the engine choices are also crap sorry to say. With my circumstances, with such differences highlighted above especially the price, I would buy this in a heartbeat.. An ES250 with premium pack and met paint for £33-34k would be superb but is this going to happen? Okay, the ES350 that the Russians get would be so nice but the efficiency obsessed of the UK, with downsizing, forced induction and what not, would get it blackballed almost instantly. I welcome your thoughts on this great forum. Take care.

I went to Lexus Chester yesterday afternoon to see a white ES F-sport in the showroom. The car was covered but the very friendly dealer let me have a look and I was suitably impressed inside and out. As the car isn't officially on sale, a test drive wasn't possible but they have had quite a few orders already. The red interior trim was striking and fit and finish solid enough and I will give this serious consideration when I decide to part with my GS in 18-24 months when deals are available and/or second hand cars start to appear. Any questions, please let me know. Abs

LOL Glyn that would have been great. I may do Southampton marathon next may or in 2020 so Ill let you know. Hope the ankles fully healed.

Hi Adam, I liked your comparison with the 2.8 Ghia. There are a few GS250 kicking around on the official site and last time I looked there is one in Stockport (ask for Asa Hallsworth) , Glasgow and Twickenham but I could be wrong now. My now 6 Year old GS250 which I bought 8 months ago continues to exceeds all my expectations. It is absolutely amazing on the motorways and wafts through traffic. Driven carefully its not that bad on fuel either. It hasn't skipped a beat and its remains the only car I have owned that puts a smile on my face when driving it. When you find one of your choice, please treat yourself.

0W-20 I am sure of it. I had an Auris Hybrid HSD TS and sold it for my GS250 . I was about to chuck a bottle of the oil away and the dealer said not to as the GS250 takes it.

Hello Glyn That Silver GS250 at Lexus Chester, 2012 went for £13,760 which I think was the steal of the century. The buyer travelled from Dundee to get it! Had my GS250 serviced there for its 6 year 60k service and it was by far the best customer service I have ever recieved in 26 years of driving. Love my car and did a 550 round trip to Bourmeouth last weekend for a marathon - yes after 4 and a half hours running, I drove back to merseyside and I felt so refreshed after 6 hours driving. Back to Chester, I asked about the ES and pre orders are taking place with deliveries taking place in March 2019. The price is not bad though I question the need for a sunroof. I shall review my options in 2-3 years time.

I think the GS250 is a vastly underrated car with a proper old school V6 engine and transmission. Its a little heavy on fuel in the city but out on the motorways, it is in its element and can do high 30s. In the 8 months I have had it, it consitently beats the official figures of 31.7mpg. I love the car and the prices of the GS250 are such, they represent a bargain. Don't be put off by economy or tax. The price gaps between petrol and hybrids GS more than make up for it.

Hi Dave I would say consider it hands down. I bought a 62 plate in February and haven't looked back. I do 5k a year and with a mixture of driving I get 35-38 mpg. I am not aware of shocks issues or exhaust but after having my 6 year service done last week, there are no issues. I love the car and the prices of the GS250 are such, they represent a bargain. Don't be put off by economy or tax. The price gaps between petrol and hybrids GS more than make up for it.

Hello folks. I had a response from my enquiry and the cost to change including the 2 years extended warranty would be £12500. I have no grumbles about the valuation of my car especially considering the comments on here and elsewhere about a low volume large petrol engined saloon for a model that is newly discontinued . Chances are my car will be sold on the forecourt for 13-14k and understand the dealers need to make money so I have no issues at all but I won't be pursuing with the deal. Hybrids will always fetch a higher price and I doff my cap to those who own them. I don't regret buying my car at all and I will focus on running it and saving for a 2nd hand ES in 4 or 5 years time.

Thank you all for taking the trouble to reply but its much appreciated. Gdh300 - yeah theres quite a few nice examples of the GS250 on Autotrader. When I bought my 250 in Feb, the GS300h that were available were 8-9k more than the V6 model. It was unfortunate that your experience of the test drive was sour. Thank you for your mpg feedback, I do drive carefully and anticipate the conditions ahead. I try to apply hybrid driving behaviour which works most of the time. My GS is not for short trips, glug glug but on the motorway with cruise set to 65, it just purrs. 10/90 : It is the Luxury spec which lacks some of the toys of the F sport. Oooh the Premier spec is so nice but they are as rare as hens teeth and I bet you are proud of yours. Nice one. Rayaans - very good points that you make there. I do hope you are right about the 250 values and they wil stabilise at some point.I know I wont get mega money for it. Yeah i would be basically swapping my car for the same-ish one with different powertrains. If I went for it, assuming the cost to change is 8000, its in fact 11500 when you take into account what I spent to get the 250. Once again, thank you.

I forgot to add the cost to change my Auris for the GS250 was approximately £3500

Thank you gents for your replies. I would look to keep the car for 4 years I do about 5000 miles a year and using my average of 37mpg against Honests Johns GS300H average of 45 mpg, its £600 cheaper to fuel , 1120 cheaper to tax, £200 cheaper to insure and (based on franchised dealer prices), £40 quid cheaper to service in favour of the Hybrid over 4 years. Just over a £2000 saving for an £8000 investment. I haven't taken into account how much the cars are worth in 2022 though. i haven't driven a GS300 but my father currently has a CT 200 and its an acquired taste just like my Auris. Hybrids are nice and I drive slowly (I regularly avaraged 55-60mpg out of my touring). I did have a bit of buyers remorse (for a few days) when I sold it especially when I wasnt paying tax but that's not the be all or end all and the V6 engine is so silky smooth and responsive. Look forward to more thoughts Abs

Hello chaps, hope you are well. Previously I owned a Toyota Auris HSD Touring and whilst it was great on fuel and cheap to tax, I found it utterly boring to drive. Last February I bought a GS250 F SPORT from the Lexus dealer and the buying experience was out of this world. The dealers really do look after you. As for the car, absolutely stunning - nice old school engine and transmission. Tax is £300 quid a year which kinda hurts but i'm more than happy with the fuel economy of 37mpg average (get 40-42 on motorway). I love the car to bits - 62 plate, full lexus SH and has now done 27k It is a privilege and honour to own such a lovely car and driving it gives me a beaming smile. There is a 15 plate GS 300 that has appeared on the forecourt for 21k and done 25k miles. The cost to change will probably be £8000 if I am lucky. I just think the difference can be best used to run the car I already have including servicing (the big 6 year service is imminent) I just want your pearls of wisdom to prevent me from making an enquiry and spending 8k just to save £280 quid a year on tax and slightly better fuel economy is a bit silly. My intention is to keep whatever GS for a good while and maybe buy a used ES in 4 or 5 years time. I look forward to your replies. Thank you and have a good day from Merseyside.