superatticman

GS250 is fine for the vast majority of situations. What would I have gained had I gone for the GS450h? Probably another 3-6 penalty points at least! As with most large bodied but smallish V6 powered cars, it can be a little thirsty considering its no rocket ship. However...that engine is utterly tried and tested and you'll do well to break it in any way or form.

Cheers for all the replies. If its the noise I believe, that 'rattler' sounds like a freight train slowly squealing around a tight bend? Yes I think its best just to carry on driving and re-assess after 3-4 months.

This is what was written. I've no reason not to disbelieve their assessment. I've never had to change both discs and pads after 25 months, and I've driven some big heavy autos. Think it's probably worth pursuing further with the dealer before agreeing to anything. Out of interest what is the warning for low pads on a MK4 GS?

The mainstream press only seem capable of awarding more than average points if a family saloon type car can: Reach 60 in under 7 seconds. Can go round corners at the kinds of speed expected of a Touring Car. Has a 'sporty' ride that ensures you feel every bump, imperfection or matchstick placed on the road. Longer term reliability (especially when buying 2nd hand), dealer quality and total cost of ownership seem to escape any scrutiny.

Let me dig out the service report from Lexus and report exactly what it says.

Hi All Had them replaced by Lexus in November 2019. Was expecting at least 3-4 years out of them both as I drive about 8k per year. However pads are down to 4mm and discs starting to wear! Look, I know its a question of how long is a piece of string as driving styles etc can vary. But that does seem a bit quick if you ask me? I thought usually a set of discs would last through 2 sets of pads? Or maybe its just big, heavy auto and heavy right boot syndrome coupled with a number of motoring staycations across the Brecon Beacons, Yorkshire Dales, Dartmoor etc..... Cheers

Ahh yes this was the exact car that I tried out 🙂 As mush as a I liked the car. I politely declined as financially was a bit too much and I'd just acquired two sets of 3 points on my license for speeding camera tickets. I think with all that extra power I'd have been walking a fine line! Glad you've enjoyed it. I wouldn't mind a later GS450h for my next....but prices seem extremely high at present.

Good man. I'd listed an Opel Senator, Opel Monza, Rover 827SLi and an Omega 2.5CD before I was even 30 🙂 They were all slightly higher mileage and far from perfect but proud to admit I never owned a 'hot hatch' of any description. The Monza and the Rover were pretty quick for their time and could certainly beat most hot hatches to a 1/4 mile.

Hiya I love my GS250. Likely to be the last conventional V6 powered car I ever own. Given that the are just about reasonable to tax and are presently ULEZ compliant, I'd say very much worth holding onto. The engine is a good un' and sounds bigger than it is. Performance is brisk but I wouldn't class this car as fast. You do have to work the engine hard from time to time (overtaking etc) but its as tough as nails and will come back for more and more. Wasn't the SC430 was the replacement for the Soarer? Always found it strange how they released the SC430 here but not the Soarer. Cheers

Thanks for these replies. Might give it a go, £60 probably worth it as I'm planning on keeping this car for a couple of years longer. Cheers

Hi all Do you know if my GS250 can receive up to date Sat Nav updates of which include speed camera warnings? I take it there will be a cost involved if it's a main dealer.. Cheers

That GS-f v M5 comparison was one of the few road tests that was actually done in an impartial manner. You could sense how motoring press instinct was trying to dismiss the GSF. However he managed to rise above this and praised the GSF as the better buy for the majority of situations.

Well....Grandad clearly has taste.

This doesn't surprise me. My GS250 has been outstanding. And even better, thanks to the shortage of new cars, its value has actually increased since I bought it!!!!

Hi I had a similar issue with a previous vehicle. It ended up that the mirror had become displaced slightly from the adjustment mechanism behind it. When I took the mirror off, the adjusters worked on both Axis's. Lets just say several hours of toil, ignorance and swearing managed to get it back relocated!! Good luck.

Excellent article. I must admit the GS somehow passed me by until relatively recently. Think the older models weren't so generous headroom wise maybe?

I agree with this. 6 grand from a dealer everything should work as stated on an 06 Gs300. Yes, a few things could be a bit rough around the edges but you don't want to be budgeting (easily 1 grand) for possibly a new AC compressor, condenser and a re-gas. I once pulled a dealer up on the fact one of his cars was blowing out non cooled air. He stated that it probably just needed a re gas to which I replied with the obvious retort "well why hasn't it been done then?" Looked a little closer and the belt to the compressor had been removed. As for the VSC....might be £50....might be £500 to fix. Yes it sounds like overall the vehicle with a few hours of work could be okay....but I'd question why the dealer has presented it like he has.

Love it how we've got onto Grannys 🙂 But yes I liked the boxy old Mk2's. Wasn't there a rare range topping 2.8i Ghia X Executive model which had leather and air con? Something of which back then was generally only available on the likes of the upper end of the E class, Jags etc.

Haha cheers 🙂 Also owned this absolute beast for about a year 12 or so years ago. Does this count as a 'Lexus' daily driver or is it a more humble Toyota?? Either way it was an absolutely potent and reliable car for the money. Was the TT version of the Soarer. Was pretty heavy on fuel though. According to those who owned many of these cars, the 4L V8 was actually more frugal in some situations!!! I'd just given my Brother a race in his missus pricey Z4. Lets say he was a bit embarrassed by the end.........

This was a problem with the Ford Scorpio. The reasonable, conservative looking early 90s Granada was turned into a hideous looking car. Sure, it was comfy, reasonably reliable, fairly low cost luxury. But you wouldn't have been seen dead in it.

I think their 'low tech' designs from the 80s can be pretty tough. Was loads of 505s still running about in Cairo a few years ago. That Vel Satis though....just seems to ooze of 'money pit'!!!!

Renault Engine? Didn't even know they made anything with a Diesel V6 even in 2002. That 3.5 petrol too...French made?

Has a decent engine range mind. 'standard' 2L and 2.2L diesels and a 2 litre turbo petrol. An fairly impressive 'best fit of all' 3L diesel unit and a quite brutal sounding 3.5L petrol available. Dare I say was that mileage racked up in the 3L diesel?

A Renault Vel Satis. Never seen one before, reminded me of an oversize Mégane of the same generation. Could be wrong but something tells me that car is as electrically complicated as the control centre on the Metropolitan line. And probably about as reliable........!!! Looks like it comes with a fair range of engines mind.

Great little discovery. I've not had my bonnet open apart from the annual leaf clean out in December. Have to say though....and it's something you will notice, the quality of the components and engineering under the hood feel absolutely superb. My old E60 whilst nice overall, just felt a bit plastic and lower grade metal in the under bonnet vitals.