Can the new Lexus GS really be a true competitor to the BMW 5-series?

I side with Noel - Lexus makes great cars, but they are for a different crowd. In terms of road feel, no Lexus has yet beaten a comparable BMW, and I don't think they are designed to. And why should they? Lexus should just make their own products rather then keep aiming at BMW, I think they have their own market. Dare I say that one could more easily compare Lexus to Mercedes-Benz?

I'm not sure what you mean when you say competitor. Competition is only a matter of the individual who has to make a choice. There are those who are too brand loyal to fairly weigh the pros and cons of both vehicles. BMWs have and never will be everything to everyone! The priority at BMW has always been the driving experience...the ultimate road car for the person who enjoys putting rubber to pavement. Luxury was always secondary. Lexus on the other hand does not prioritize the BMW does. Lexus tries to be everything to everyone, luxury, performance, price, etc. There are those who believe that Lexus has and can outdo everyone and everthing every time. But the problem with trying to outdo everyone is that your product becomes over featured with things that are not necessary for the driving experience. I simply don't believe that a GS430 & 330 can perform the way a BMW can because that is what the BMW was designed for from the get go. The GS is more of a luxury tourer for those who want the "essence" of performance ombined with all the newest dodads that the market can offer. The GS adds all these features to appeal to a broader market. BMW does not! So whether it is the pure driving experience or the essence of sport appeals to you, just thank god you have a choice! More so if you can actually afford one of these cars.

Last night I went to my local dealer and drove the 2006 GS430. The looks of the car from the outside did not capture my heart but also didn't make me wince like it did at the BMW 5 series. I thought that the fit and finish is positively second to none!! The seems are almost not there. It looks like the interior was carved out of its material. The car drove like an animal!!! It has the power to put you back in your seat and the brakes were just as impressive. My major problem was that being a larger than average man the B pillar seemed to protrude too much into the cabin. I have the seat all the way back and the B pillar was almost right against my shoulder. This may be the only reason for me to go back and look at the Infiniti M45. The dash looks amazing and you don’t need a computer degree to begin to figure out the electronics. The BMW mantle is not of the current BMW's it is the BMW's of yesterday. Yeah BMW's drive great but who can stand to look at them. Here you can have a car that drives just as well as a 545i and will probably only see the dealer for scheduled maintance. Lexus has superior service and substantially better quality. If I fit better I would buy it. The only problem if you want it will be the wait because they are selling like wildfire. I have driven many luxury cars and the fit and finish on this car is second to none!!!

The new GS is a beautiful vehicle, and the old one sold slowly and was a dog. The GS 300 is terribly underpowered and a price increase of over 10% versus the old and similarly underpowered model is just crazy strategy - especially with the Infiniti M35 and M45, new Toyota Avalon, and new BMW 3 series coming to market this year. I predict improved sales for the GS (not difficult) but that the GS will not match the Infiniti M for sales in calendar 2005 or 2006.

The GS 300 needs much more power, and Lexus is making a huge mistake not addressing this issue at launch - when a vehicle's image is built.

The GS is a good looking sleek vehicle. I think Lexus could make the rear doors smaller, the roof a little lower, call the revised model the "GSS" and add $20,000 to the price. Then Lexus should sit back and wait for Autospies to rave about what a great and novel vehicle it is.

Oooops Mercedes got away with that strategy already [see the M-B CLS banana]

BMW has lost its way with their latest generation of cars. Sure, they probably handle like the "Ultimate Driving Machine" when compared to other sedans but their exteriors (including the new toned down Bangleized 3 Series) evoke feelings of nausea when I see them. Their interiors have definately taken a giant step backwards and have gone from "classic" German perfection to "futuristic on the cheap". They also command a premium price and all you get for that price is a very good driving experience and that is it. In todays world of luxury sports sedans Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, Infinti and Acura are offering a more balanced, well rounded package in there cars. It is a shame because I have always desired to own a BMW and now I am at that point in my life where I can afford one and they don't have a product I lust after. All the German automakers are presently suffering from horrible electrical problems that would drive me crazy, especially since I live in an area that is 60 miles from any of the above dealerships. So that leaves me to consider the GS430, the RL and the M45. Of those 3 I am leaning towards the Lexus. Their quality is second to none and I a hoping that the driving experience is a close second to the BMW 5 Series.