2006 Lexus GS 300 Consumer Reviews

Best of its Class

Written by: ErnestN San Diego on 08/28/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

What an outstanding car!!! Tested it straight up against a M35, and the GS 300 was a hands down winner. It has everything, I mean everything you could ask for in a car. Bought it lightly used, the ride is superb, the looks head-turning, the features off the charts. Gas mileage 25 on my first tank, compared to 17-9 for the M35. Had a laundry list of items I wanted for my post military retirement "new" car, and this GS hit every one. Its only been a month, but no road noise, smooth ride, and the engine barely makes a sound. But with keyless start, you'll never grind the starter!! Money well spent!! One of these days I'll read the manual to find out what other features I have!

Favorite Features

When the car is locked, when you approach it at night the interior and exterior mirror lights fade on, as to say "Welcome back". And here in CA, where hands free is mandatory, the Bluetooth works like a dream. However, you may have to upgrade your phone to upload numbers to the car's hard drive.

Suggested Improvements

The engine covers hide all internal workings, just to change an air filter requires a two step process. But who am I kidding, I don't do a thing except check the oil. Other than needing more interior lighting, the car is perfect. You hear that, Mercedes, BMW, and Infiniti? PERFECT!!

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Dream Car!

Written by: SZ on 08/26/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Great options, nice styling inside and out. Awesome sound system, comfortable ride. Outstanding interior design - aesthetically pleasing. Comfortable, yet fast enough, gas mileage almost like a 4 cylinder Camry. Build with materials of high quality. Bought certified used - peace of mind!

Favorite Features

Looks! Especially the interior, camera, GPS, Panel controls, spot lights and Mark Levinson sound system. Acceleration on streets and cruising ability on freeways. AFS lights, parking sensors, rear pillars styling very sporty...

Suggested Improvements

None....a very balanced car for its price.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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What happened

Written by: ted on 08/10/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

We replaced our 03 GS300 with an 06. Loved the old one figured we'd love the newer one. Wrong. Brakes, cruise ride , AC and Nav don't work as good as old car. Ride and handling choppier also. Tranny hunts for gears at low speed and in the hills. Has been in the shop 5 times in three months. Disappointing car. Great to look at but no fun to drive. Am going to trade for something that I can live with.

Favorite Features

Looks. Gas mileage. Stereo. Acceleration. Turning radius.

Suggested Improvements

Try improving on the previous generation car. Holy cow! I thought I was upgrading. Brakes are awful. Kids and wife constantly complaining about my driving in this car. Cruise control is spastic. Constantly hunting gears and racing engine. I love the old GS but can't wait to get rid of this one.

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

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so far so good

Written by: niteflite on 08/03/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Have put on around 1,000 miles on the 06 300 AWD i bought used while it had 36k on it. Overall it's been ok. Not the best but decent acceleration, smooth enough braking, ride comfort however has been just average. I feel and hear all bumps.. i thought luxury cars were supposed to smooth them out for you? i think i'd take ride comfort and smoothness over the bells and whistles any day. the car feels too heavy.

Favorite Features

rear sunshade, navigation, trip info, rear-view camera, keyless start and stop, v6 acceleration, quiet engine

Suggested Improvements

better pick-up and handling, better exterior styling, better navigation system

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Tire noise is horrible!

Written by: RKB on 07/19/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

On our second set of tires and car has 47,000 miles on it. Tire noise is driving us crazy. Road noise inside car is worse than riding in my daughter's Honda Civic. Happens after about 15,000 miles on tires. Dealer tells us it's the high performance tires that are noisy. You would think a car of this value would drive quiet, but that's not the case with the tires.

Favorite Features

Seats have A/C and heat.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the tire road noise you hear inside the car. It's unbearable at times.

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Disapointed

Written by: dissapointed300 on 06/21/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Bought my 2006 GS300 as a certified preowned in Feb of 2008. The exterior and interior of the car was great. What sealed the deal for me was the overall consumer ratings of the car. Unfortunately, my disappointment started 2 weeks after I bought the car, I was sold cupped tires. Ever since then, I have taken my GS300 back to the shop on a monthly basis for different problems. Customer Service is great but the quality of the car is not. As a matter of fact, car is in the shop now (June 2009). Time for another car!! Any suggestions for a quality, reliable, luxury car that I don't have to take into the shop every month except for maintenance? Does it even exist any more?

Favorite Features

Exterior and interior of the car are great. I receive a lot of compliments. Just wish it was out of the shop and reliable so I could enjoy it.

Suggested Improvements

Build a car that consumers don't have to take into the shop every month. Stand by your promise and build Quality, Reliability, Performance, Luxury and incorporate customer satisfaction. Listen to us. If we the consumers tell you that something is wrong with the car, investigate our concern.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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More comfort wanted

Written by: Rosalinda on 06/09/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Cons - The seat belt on drivers side scrapes the seat, wears on the leather and panel it is on. I would like more padding on the seats because I have a bad back. The brakes scrape; feels like they need work but they don't. The panel where mirror controls are in could be on a more accessible place as well as the cell phone charger. Pros - Great gas mileage, love the certified used car option! I get so many compliments! Right now I have to decide whether to stay with the sporty look and feel or go back to the mid-sedan car for more comfort. I would recommend this car.

Favorite Features

I love the GPS although I need to get an updated program. I love the Matador color red, the Bluetooth, and the location of the 6-cd stereo on the front panel for easy access. Great wheel covers.

Suggested Improvements

Seat belt problem on drivers side. Padded seats which I think you addressed this on the 2009 model. Rearview mirror controls should have easier access. Cell phone charger plug in the wrong place.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love this car!!

Written by: MEA Lexus on 05/16/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have had this car since 06 as a lease, a second car if you will, then I lost my job and the car that went with it. This became my everyday car. There were many times I had an empty refrigerator because it was raining and I didn't want to take it out of the garage! I can say in the 3 years I have owned it, it has never been through a car wash, I know every line, scratch, slight dent from a road stone and I love washing and detailing it and listening to the accolades from others there washing their cars. This car even though a lease, was treated like the baby it was intended to be. I had the dealership tint the windows because I found it to look nicer and stay cooler in the summer.

Favorite Features

My favorite features, keyless entry, great interior lights that allow you to find anything in that car with limited or no light. Comfortable seats, incl. the heated and cooling esp.large trunk w/ pass through ability and great ext. paint that always details like new.

Suggested Improvements

The best sound system standard on all models. The ability to add either sirius or the other sat. radio w/o the $700 extra cost, mp3 hookup, navigation standard. Little more headroom. Other than that a HUGE enjoyment to drive and a drag to hand those keys back at lease end!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Safe, reliable, comfortable and looks good

Written by: frugalshopper on 05/09/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Bought as a commute car--most comfortable car I have ever ridden in. Looked at BMWs but reports of repair issues nixed that thought. So far, I have driven 48M trouble free miles, get good mileage on my commute--30 MPG on freeways and 26-28 on combination city/country roads. Love the navigation system.

Favorite Features

Navigation system, seat comfort, smooth and quiet ride.

Suggested Improvements

Need better lighting in the trunk. The drop down control panel to adjust mirrors etc. is awkward.

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Not Impressed

Written by: John on 04/15/2009

Vehicle

2006 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Purchased a 2006 GS AWD new - quite a let down from my 1999 GS which I loved. While the car handles well, it initially rode like a truck due in part to the run-flat tires that came with the car (a "standard" option). With new tires, the car rides better - but still nothing like my 1999 GS. I also feel Lexus's quality has slipped. The car has been recalled no less than 4 times and, to this day, still has rattles in the dash and seat belt pillars. The dealership dampened these quite a bit over many visits, but they're still there. (In recent a consumer test, I see one of 2009 GS test models had a dash rattle, telling me Lexus hasn't corrected the problem in 4 model years).

Favorite Features

All wheel drive feature and gas mileage (average 21-22 mpg city/highway combined).

Suggested Improvements

Fix the overly complicated HVAC and audio controls which are each split between dash buttons and the touch screen - not only is it not ergonomic, it's dangerous. A touch screen may be great for taking orders at McDonald's but not for making stereo/heating adjustments while traveling at 65 mph.

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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