Lexus GS 350 - 2008 Review

I've been looking for a new car for a year. Things just kept getting in the way. I bought a 2008 Lexus GS 350. This is my first Lexus and I love it. I am not comparing cars but I just thought I should mention that I also test drove the Mercedes C 300 and the Cadillac CTS. Neither compared to the Lexus GS 350.

A Closer View

We had no idea we would be spending this kind of money but we did. The GS 350 all wheel drive 3.5 liter V6 engine has a starting price (msrp) of $46, 500. The Mercedes C Class by the way is significantly cheaper. Our car is loaded so I will try to stay with the standard features when I talk about what I like and what could be better.

What I like

The Lexus GS 350 is beautiful. We got it in smoky granite. Just today two people stopped to look at it and commented on how beautiful it is.

The GS 350 can also come in rear wheel drive for a couple thousand dollars less but I love that it's all wheel drive.

The Lexus handles amazingly. I have never driven or been a passenger in a car so comfortable. It practically drives itself. In fact I told my husband I didn't want him driving the Lexus home from work because he's often tired. Between the cruise control and the not standard Navigation System, and the smooth effortless ride that he would fall asleep.
It's incredibly quiet. We do have that make the car a bit noisier than the GS 350 without a sun roof or the standard non flat tires or run flat tires which means the car will ride for at least 50 miles with a flat tire.

The seats go back flat - almost as flat as a bed.

There are plenty of storage space and cup holders in the front and in the middle arm rest in the back seat. The side pocket in the front doors pop out to make getting items easier.

The turning circle is 35.4 feet. I had no idea what the numbers mean so I went to www.edmunds.com and looked at a couple of other random cars. It seems that the turning circles aren't much different so I don't know why it feels so different on the Lexus GS 350. Twice while driving with my husband and daughter when we first got the car I made turns and both times they said "You can't make this turn" and I did. It happened the other day with my mom. Perhaps it is because the car is not small so it seems like it won't make the circle.

I love the way the mirrors tilt when going backward and forward to be able to see the curb better.

I love that there are memorized settings. My husband can drive the Lexus and push 2 and the car (steering wheel tilt settings, seat settings, outside mirrors - though not the rear view mirror) moves to his setting out of my setting.

I love the keyless ignition. I don't have a key - literally.

Truly there is so much I love about this car and so many of the items are standard that I could go on and on. You can see a whole list here http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/lexus/gs350/100943573/standard.html

What I don't like

I don't know why an ashtray is still a standard item - I don't like it. It should be an option.  I managed to pull the ashtray out so now I have a small space for change.

The outside mirrors can be folded in. They should fold in and out automatically when the car is started and parked.

The radio goes off when a phone call comes in or out but it doesn't turn off when the navigation system is in use.

The navigation screen shows finger prints. I keep a microfiber cloth in the car and wipe it daily.

The car gets 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on highways. I average 21 mpg which is horrible and I often feel guilty that I didn't get a Toyota Prius!

Cost of a loaded Lexus GS 350: $51,000.

The warranty is 4 years or 50,000 miles.