Thoughts on these 2 cars

[XutvJet]

I have too many friends with Audi/VW products and watched too many YT videos of servicing and repair videos of late model Audi and VWs to know that they brand isn't for me. I don't there's another make out there that can make working on a car any more difficult.

As for the GS350, I think my biggest reservation is that 6AT. It is just old sluggish compared to the competition. That Audi DCT is light years better and the ZF 8AT even better. My buddy has a 2017 IS350 AWD. He test drove a new 2021 IS350 rwd (8 speed auto) and was convinced he wanted an IS350 for his daily, but couldn't afford new. He found a 2017 IS350 AWD and bought it without consulting me. He brought it over and was a little disappointed with the auto after driving it a few days and said it didn't feel as responsive as the IS350 RWD he drove. He thought it might be the weight difference between RWD and AWD. I told him it was because the transmissions are entirely different and the AWD makes do with 6 gear vs 8, thus has quite a bit less torque multiplication and way less aggressive shift programming thus the main reason the car feels lazy. He then road in a friends 2015 328i xDrive. He couldn't get over how good the ZF 8AT felt. That 328 also obliterates his IS350 AWD in any sort of race, gets better mpg, and feels way more sporty. He's now looking at used 340i Xdrives.

[Kolyan2k]

It all depends how reliable Audi is....my IS350 had issues before 100k miles....I replaced all 4 struts, rear calipers, water pump, drivers side mirror, a few 02 sensors, and both y-pipes on exhaust rusted out. So I definitely don't want more issues, because even that was annoying.
Meanwhile my Cayenne w/ 120k miles is holding up. Besides diesel stuff, I only had to replace generator and 1 door lock, both under warranty

[Kolyan2k]

I had Honda S2000 too with 90k miles and about 10 years old. Spent $100 bucks on 1 sensor that's it lol

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

It all depends how reliable Audi is....my IS350 had issues before 100k miles....I replaced all 4 struts, rear calipers, water pump, drivers side mirror, a few 02 sensors, and both y-pipes on exhaust rusted out. So I definitely don't want more issues, because even that was annoying.
Meanwhile my Cayenne w/ 120k miles is holding up. Besides diesel stuff, I only had to replace generator and 1 door lock, both under warranty.

Those really aren't "issues" though. Except for perhaps the y-pipes, those parts are wear and tear items that often need replacing around the 6-10 year/100K mile. Your Cayenne will certainly need the same parts as well and they will be crazy expensive assuming you don't/can't do the work. German parts literally rot away.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I have too many friends with Audi/VW products and watched too many YT videos of servicing and repair videos of late model Audi and VWs to know that they brand isn't for me. I don't there's another make out there that can make working on a car any more difficult.

As for the GS350, I think my biggest reservation is that 6AT. It is just old sluggish compared to the competition. That Audi DCT is light years better and the ZF 8AT even better. My buddy has a 2017 IS350 AWD. He test drove a new 2021 IS350 rwd (8 speed auto) and was convinced he wanted an IS350 for his daily, but couldn't afford new. He found a 2017 IS350 AWD and bought it without consulting me. He brought it over and was a little disappointed with the auto after driving it a few days and said it didn't feel as responsive as the IS350 RWD he drove. He thought it might be the weight difference between RWD and AWD. I told him it was because the transmissions are entirely different and the AWD makes do with 6 gear vs 8, thus has quite a bit less torque multiplication and way less aggressive shift programming thus the main reason the car feels lazy. He then road in a friends 2015 328i xDrive. He couldn't get over how good the ZF 8AT felt. That 328 also obliterates his IS350 AWD in any sort of race, gets better mpg, and feels way more sporty. He's now looking at used 340i Xdrives.

6 vs 8 doesn't worry me. I did drive both and my wife has 6spd is350 now. It's 2010 and feels alot faster than current model even with 8spd. As far as BMWs and MBs.....I don't know, I always thought they are roughly the same if not less reliable according to Consumer Reports

[Kolyan2k]

Also Audi has been making those 2.0t engine and DCTs for many many years now. How unreliable can they be?

Ps. I am leaning towards Lexus. Last thing I want is for my wife to bitch about car issues

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by x622

Correct. The new "IS500" is the same shit as my old ISF was.

The 2023 RX500h uses 6spd as well Lexus says its better for performance than 8spd

[premier3is]

The infotainment system in the Lexus is too outdated for me to even consider it.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by premier3is

The infotainment system in the Lexus is too outdated for me to even consider it.

I like tech and obviously new stuff is better, but how often does one actually use it unless it's Carplay or Android Auto....I always use my phone and audio through Bluetooth. Never used any of my infotainment systems in any cars. And the worst one was in Telsa lol, just a huge distraction.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

The 2023 RX500h uses 6spd as well Lexus says its better for performance than 8spd

the new rx is straight up a highlander lmao... toyota doesnt even hide it

[chassis]

I can overlook outdated tech with Lexus, but I can't overlook the exterior styling. Too ugly for me.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by chassis

I can overlook outdated tech with Lexus, but I can't overlook the exterior styling. Too ugly for me.

I don't know.....I personally don't like anything that BMW has to offer nowadays. People still pay like 50-60k for GSFs. LC500 has almost supercar look. I also like new RX line, maybe will replace my Cayenne with RX350h or 500h, not sure yet.

I like Volvo XC60 Plugin hybrid (0-60 is like 4.6 seconds), but reliability is more scary than on Audi

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by chassis

I can overlook outdated tech with Lexus, but I can't overlook the exterior styling. Too ugly for me.

+1, could not stomach that front grill...

[Kolyan2k]

Ended up getting a different 2018 GS350 F-Sport for wife. Already going to dealer for vacuum pump replacement still under lemon law warranty, otherwise it's like $1k to replace

[dreamingat30fps]

Didn't know there was a lemon law warranty or really any warranty on a used car. I guess that's good for you though. Although I would have thought reliability was the only going for the Lexus.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Didn't know there was a lemon law warranty or really any warranty on a used car. I guess that's good for you though. Although I would have thought reliability was the only going for the Lexus.

There is lemon law on used cars purchased from dealer. It also has powertrain warranty left but it doesn't cover vacuum pump as far as I know

[Randy Johnson]

I like the audi better but the toyota is probably more reliable. Both are kinda plain. Maybe you can find some with better options trim.

[M5Rick]

I'd forget it with those two, why not just a BMW a much better prospect.

[Kolyan2k]

I already got Lexus. I don't like current BMWs

Today discovered both rear doors have something with locks and don't open from inside. Child locks tap doesn't move. Car going to dealer on 28th now. For locks, vacuum pump, and maybe will have to fix subwoofer that seems blown or something....maybe just loose nuts. Good thing I bought from dealer. That's probably around $2k to fix all that

[Tyga11]

Lexus? Really? Did I step back 10 years into time?

[Kolyan2k]

It's funny but I ended up buying both lol. Not the ones on the pictures....

On a side note, was also thinking of getting redesigned 2019+ ES350 for wife. Glad I didn't, night and day difference between ES350 and GS350 in quality and driving dynamics. I ended up driving ES for a week while GS was getting fixed up

GS350 already had about $3000 worth of work done on it talking about reliability.....I got lucky it was all fixed under lemon law (both rear door locks broke, vacuum pump, and radar system stopped functioning). Aside from that, really nice car to drive I think. Got a great deal on it, on Audi not so much but I couldn't resist finally getting a car in a color that I actually like.....and Android Auto )) no more looking at phone while driving

[whyzee125]

Congrats! Let's see some pics