What Would Buy Instead- GS350 F Sport Edition

[Frisky Dingo]

So our newest 'WWYBI' installment comes courtesy of C&D once again, with their test of the updated 2016 GS350 F Sport. Here is the review for those interested- http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-lexus-gs350-f-sport-test-review

 

As always, you have a 10% range on either side of the test car to spend on a fairly similar car. In this case, we'll call it a sport or luxury sedan of some sort. As always, your selection must be a new and current MY car on sale now.

 

Base price here is $55,700. As tested was $61,690. Therefore, you must spend no less than $50,130. You also cannot spend more than $67,680. That opens a lot of options up, and I look forward to seeing everyone's choices.

 

 

Again, for those among us challenged by reading- You have between $50,130-67,680 to spend on some sort of new sport or luxury sedan.

Pic for reference-

 

[G. David Felt]

Optioned and comes in at $51,169 The Chevy SS

 

 

Fully Loaded and a Superior Value over the GS350-F-Sport Edition

[Frisky Dingo]

This one was pretty easy for me.

 

I built a new M3 w/ nothing but Individual paint and leather interior for $67,395.

 

[ccap41]

OoOoOoOo I likey this price range and vehicle style. 

 

Uh Oh, the M / AMG / F / RS can fit into this????

Edited March 17, 2016 by ccap41

[El Kabong]

Hmmm. Lotsa ways you could go with this one. But given that Lexus doesn't have a ton of sporting cred I'll stick with the mellow end of the range and go with some variant of the CT6 with the TTV6. Hey, maybe even go for a 3.6 version with the fancy back seats (I don't think you can do both for under 67 large).

[ccap41]

The CT6 is $65,390 with only the TT3.0 add the seats(and it forces you to add the Comfort Package as well) and it brought it to $69,685

[ccap41]

AHHHH I built a C63 for 67,695! I think I will sacrifice the awesome super dark blue for the LED headlights. I have a thing for really nice lighting. Okay that freed up just enough room for the illuminated TriStar in the grille. I wish I could have gotten rid of the fake leather.. but oh well.. Just fake black leather and luckily I already like the aluminum trim more than wood anyway. 

 

So I have a C63, black, with full LED headlights and LED TriStar logo in the grille. $67,525. 

 

 

[Drew Dowdell]

Probably just a C450 AMG loaded to the gills, comes to $61,730

 

I can't get an XTS V-Sport or CLS400 the way I want within the criteria.

[cp-the-nerd]

I would take a regular CTS V6/8A (335 hp) over any GS350. For $65k you could load it up nicely with the kona brown leather interior, sport package, and upgraded gauge cluster.

[ccap41]

^ Heck, you could get a VSport for 60k. Add a few small things and keep it under 67,xxx. I have to assume the VSport package alone adds a lot of options that you'd have to check in lower trims. 

[oldshurst442]

It is difficult to pick cars when the prices are given in US dollars for the US market and Im living in Canadian dollars in a Canadian market...in Quebec of all places...

 

OK...GS350 F Sport...in Quebec costs:

97 000 dollars...

 

OK...Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 starts in US dollars:

$66 900

OK....that is cutting it close...M-B nickel and dimes you so that base price really aint much to go with....so scratch that.

 

A Tesla Model S starts at 71 000 US dollars....DAMN YOU FRISKY!!!
 with your 67 000 dollar cut off!

 

I cant even choose the Chevrolet SS as its not even offered in Canada...

 

I think Im good with the pricing with a Cadillac CTS V-Sport.

3.6 TT...I think the Premium trim busts the budget but the regular trim should be fine...

 

 

EDIT:

 

HERE I WAS BUSTING MY CHOPS TO SEE IF I COULD FIT THE V-SPORT IN THIS THREAD AND TWO WISE GUYS SNEAK IN AND ANSWER MY MOTHER&$#@ QUESTION...I DID NOT HAVE TO BREAK MY BRAIN....ALL I HAD TO DO IS JUST BE PATIENT AND WAIT FOR CP and CCAP COME TO THE CONCLUSION FOR ME!!!!

 

AGGHHHHH!!!!

Edited March 18, 2016 by oldshurst442

[smk4565]

Well first off, any sedan is better than a GS350 F, except for an Acrua RLX which you could run up over $60k.  I would take the 2017 E-class first, but since we don't know pricing on it, I can't configure it.   If I picked form 2016 cars, I would get a base model C63 at $65,250 and add the LED lighting package, electric trunk closer and air fragrance package for $1,400 more for a total of $66,650.  And that leaves $1,000 left over for gas in the V8.

 

After the two Mercs my third choice would be a Jaguar XF S with the 380 hp V6 and the comfort and convenience package since it has ventilated seats and soft close doors.  That would come in around $66k.

[ccap41]

Nice C63 choice! I'd ask what color but if it isn't black or white it might push it over the limit. I forgot what the other colors cost.. Maybe 750? You'd still be in the clear.

[Frisky Dingo]

It is difficult to pick cars when the prices are given in US dollars for the US market and Im living in Canadian dollars in a Canadian market...in Quebec of all places...

 

OK...GS350 F Sport...in Quebec costs:

97 000 dollars...

 

OK...Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 starts in US dollars:

$66 900

OK....that is cutting it close...M-B nickel and dimes you so that base price really aint much to go with....so scratch that.

 

A Tesla Model S starts at 71 000 US dollars....DAMN YOU FRISKY!!!

 with your 67 000 dollar cut off!

 

I cant even choose the Chevrolet SS as its not even offered in Canada...

 

I think Im good with the pricing with a Cadillac CTS V-Sport.

3.6 TT...I think the Premium trim busts the budget but the regular trim should be fine...

 

EDIT:

 

HERE I WAS BUSTING MY CHOPS TO SEE IF I COULD FIT THE V-SPORT IN THIS THREAD AND TWO WISE GUYS SNEAK IN AND ANSWER MY MOTHER&$#@ QUESTION...I DID NOT HAVE TO BREAK MY BRAIN....ALL I HAD TO DO IS JUST BE PATIENT AND WAIT FOR CP and CCAP COME TO THE CONCLUSION FOR ME!!!!

 

AGGHHHHH!!!!

 

 

You're more than welcome to use our pricing scheme, buddy. I know it'll make it a lot easier for you.

[Frisky Dingo]

A nicely equipped 2016 Jag XF S would be my close 2nd. Who would have thought?!?!

[ccap41]

It is difficult to pick cars when the prices are given in US dollars for the US market and Im living in Canadian dollars in a Canadian market...in Quebec of all places...

 

OK...GS350 F Sport...in Quebec costs:

97 000 dollars...

 

OK...Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 starts in US dollars:

$66 900

OK....that is cutting it close...M-B nickel and dimes you so that base price really aint much to go with....so scratch that.

 

A Tesla Model S starts at 71 000 US dollars....DAMN YOU FRISKY!!!

 with your 67 000 dollar cut off!

 

I cant even choose the Chevrolet SS as its not even offered in Canada...

 

I think Im good with the pricing with a Cadillac CTS V-Sport.

3.6 TT...I think the Premium trim busts the budget but the regular trim should be fine...

 

 

EDIT:

 

HERE I WAS BUSTING MY CHOPS TO SEE IF I COULD FIT THE V-SPORT IN THIS THREAD AND TWO WISE GUYS SNEAK IN AND ANSWER MY MOTHER&$#@ QUESTION...I DID NOT HAVE TO BREAK MY BRAIN....ALL I HAD TO DO IS JUST BE PATIENT AND WAIT FOR CP and CCAP COME TO THE CONCLUSION FOR ME!!!!

 

AGGHHHHH!!!!

Hahaha well when cp brought it up I had to visit their site to see how well I could or couldn't build one. It's really tough to decide if I'd prefer the twin turbo or the extra amenities.. 

[cp-the-nerd]

^ Heck, you could get a VSport for 60k. Add a few small things and keep it under 67,xxx. I have to assume the VSport package alone adds a lot of options that you'd have to check in lower trims. 

 

Well the N/A V6 model in the mid $60k range is significantly more luxurious than the base V-Sport. I'm personally a sucker for the kona brown interior and the uplevel gauge cluster. I'm just pointing out that the regular 335 hp V6 already out-classes the GS350 "F-Sport."

[Cmicasa the Great]

I would take a regular CTS V6/8A (335 hp) over any GS350. For $65k you could load it up nicely with the kona brown leather interior, sport package, and upgraded gauge cluster.

 

 

^^^ This... but seriously.. we could get a CTS-VSport for $60K... without all the trimmings

[G. David Felt]

The Cadillac is WAY BETTER LOOKING than that predator mouth Lexus.

[smk4565]

I think the "F" stands for failure.

[Suaviloquent]

I'd get the Cadillac CTS.

 

But I'd definitely do and after-market upgrade to get the original grilled the CTS came with.

 

This....

 

[Suaviloquent]

But you know what. I can also go balls out and get a Hellcat Charger for the same dough in the durango tango fango mango colour.