I own a '98 BMW M3 4 door, which has been a good car, except that it has some characteristics which are not suiting me very well. So, began to look at Lexus and wondered if anyone here has had some experiences that may add some perspective to a Lexus switch.
I like the M3 because when in its element, it is fantastic. Periodically, I drive to Santa Cruz down winding Highway 17 from the San Francisco Bay Area and the car just devours that highway with stellar handling. The engine easily flattens the hills in top gear. The bad is that the seats and or driving position are just uncomfortable, causing lower back pain, as well as considerable pain in my right leg. Even my wife in the passenger seat has lower back pain. This takes about to hours of driving. No seat adjustment fixes it. The ride is quite stiff, and that would be OK except for the poor condition of California roads. They just pound the car and me. The car is geared short, which leaves the engine spinning 3600 revs at 80 mph in 5th gear, which is tiresome. Great top gear power, but feels like it needs a
6th gear. And in rush hour traffic, the long clutch throw, and apparently odd leg angle, leave my right leg in a very painful state.I began to look at the BMW 540i, but it is not that much bigger than the M3 inside, and the sport seats are like the M3 seats, hard and far too narrow. I looked at Lexus (used) and the only thing that seems to fit the bill for me is the GS400. The IS300 is too small. While I am no fan of the Lexus GS400 styling, the performance aspect of the car appealed to me, but I read that it is almost too plush on the suspension. Nonetheless, I don't know how this car is comfort wise on long trips. The ride has to be better than the M3, and the car, while slower than the M3, is still pretty brisk. I think at this point, I am ready for a bit more luxury and less of the "go-fast" stuff. I also drive a LS400 with 115k miles on it and could not believe how rattle and squeak free the car was. Are they all like this? The M3 is not as tight, in part, because the roads have beaten it to death.
When I begin to look at GS400s, anything I should be looking for? Long term experiences are appreciated.
Thanks,
- Phil