Last updated: October 23, 2004

3 GS400's and an Acura NSX taken at the Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina
(Picture taken with permission of the Biltmore Estate)

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The Lexus GS400 (and for 2001 and beyond the GS430) is possibly the best combination of overall performance and luxury ever created.  The car has great handling, great power, great room, great comfort, and unbeatable smoothness.  With a 300HP (310lb ft) 32-valve V-8 engine, low profile tires on 17" wheels, and decent handling, this car will run with almost anything on the road.  With a beautiful wood and leather interior and wonderful ergonomics, the car is luxurious indeed.  And useful gadgets and features galore make the driving experience unforgettable.  Here's just some of the useful or just neat features:

• A CD-changer inside the car (not in the trunk) accessible when the glove box is opened.
• Auto-dimming rear view and side mirrors (no more bright headlights from behind blinding me!).
• Heated side mirrors
• Heated seats
• 10-way power driver's *and* passenger seats.
• Auto-leveling (motorized), and auto on/off high intensity discharge (HID or Xenon) headlights provide tremendous visibility at night.  The car also has standard fog lights.
• Compact engine packaging and front-end maximizes interior room and trunk space (the car is roomier inside than my previous car, but 5" shorter in length).
• Auto-down AND UP controls for ALL windows and the windows automatically stop going up if they sense something (like a hand!) blocking the window.
• Very aerodynamic shape (0.29Cd) keeps the car quiet on the road and improves fuel efficiency.
• Dual-climate control allows driver and passenger to have different temperature settings.
• The car has no antennae poking out of the bodywork (electric or manual) - the radio antenna is built into the rear window.
• 'Down' and 'Up' gear shifting buttons ('e-shift') are on the front and rear sides of both the left and right spokes of the steering wheel, and can be used when the automatic transmission is put into 'manual' mode.  This permits the driver to keep the car in a particular gear (or lower).
• VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) can apply braking or power to individual wheels (power to rear wheels only) to correct under or over steer (or skids) automatically.  This operates in conjunction with normal traction control (anti-wheel spin) and anti-lock braking functions.
• 'Brake assist' senses when the driver intends to brake abruptly (a quick shift off the gas pedal to the brake pedal, for example) and can automatically apply maximum braking even if the driver isn't able to press the pedal hard enough. 

Navigation system

We ordered the car with the optional 'navigation system'.  This uses a built-in (hidden) global positioning system antenna to determine where the car is, and a built in hard drive (in the trunk; for 2001 it's an improved DVD-based system) with data for roads and 'points of interest' throughout the entire U.S.  The system displays a map on a screen (at selectable zoom level) showing where one is driving (or anywhere else you select).  It also lets the user specify a target 'destination' and the car will 'say' (with a female voice) where to turn as the car approaches the points to turn!  It can show 'points of interest' around you on the map such as gas stations, ATMs, hotels, restaurants, airports, etc.  Data is entered through the screen, which is touch sensitive.  The navigation system screen is also used for audio status and some controls (radio station selection, which CD/track is playing, etc.), climate control minor/manual controls, and car statistics information (gas consumption, distance to empty, time driven, etc).  It would take a long time to explain all the features of this amazing system.  Reviews say it's the simplest one to use on the market (the Acura one is very similar but has fewer features).  I've read the Mercedes one on the terrific new S-class requires a PhD to figure out.  People who don't have a navigation system say a map is cheaper and just as good.  Well - once you get a navigation system, you won't agree.

Smooooooooooooooooooooooooth

It's hard to describe in words how incredibly smooth this vehicle is to ride in.  The engine is almost silent.  The transmission is a 5-speed automatic with almost imperceptible shifts.  Power delivery is not abrupt, and the torque delivery is very progressive without steep peaks.  This car is enjoyable to drive both quickly and very slowly.  And somehow they've incorporated a suspension that is VERY comfortable over bumps yet stays VERY flat around curves.

Fast

A car with this much power is fast.  Some magazine reports say the car can go to 60mph in less than 6 seconds.  The top speed is electronically limited to 149mph.

Final thoughts...

It's amazing that such a car can be conceived and manufactured and even more amazing that we own one!  Puts a smile on Paul's face every time he drives it.

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