2006-2011 Lexus GS Pre-Owned

History/Description: Bringing a healthy dose of reliable performance, owner satisfaction and luxury to the premium sedan segment, the last-generation Lexus GS gave machines like the Mercedes E-Class, Acura TL and BMW 5 Series a serious run for their money.

2006 Lexus GS (Photo: Lexus)

Available from 2006 to 2011 inclusive, a new model has been introduced for 2013, so there is no 2012 model. The last-generation GS has now moved fully into used-car territory, and will be the focus of this review.

With six or eight-cylinder power, available all-wheel drive and a laundry list of luxury features and technologies bundled into various packages, finding a GS ideal for your needs, lifestyle or budget in the used market shouldn’t be an issue. Horsepower ranged between 245 and 342, depending on the year and engine selected.

Feature content included navigation, a Mark Levinson stereo system, climate controlled leather seats, a sunroof, push-button start, xenon lights, Bluetooth and plenty more.

What owners like: A sumptuous cabin, overall comfort, performance, styling and a long list of gadgets are all enjoyed by Lexus GS owners. A smooth, quiet ride and high-quality, solid feel round out the package. Citing happiness with older Lexus models, many GS owners are repeat customers.

What owners dislike: Road noise and premature wear from the factory tires, dashboard rattles and some unintuitive controls are among the most common owner complaints.

Common issues: The Lexus GS looks to be a fairly solid performer as a used luxury car buy, but a few checks should be considered mandatory.

First, ensure all cabin electronics work as expected – triple checking proper operation of the climate control, navigation, stereo and motorized seats. These components will be expensive to repair or replace if they fail.

Check the condition of the factory tires, and listen for any brake ‘squeal’ as you stop. A major complaint of the GS is squeaky brakes, which could be the result of improper pads or excessive brake dust. Having the brakes serviced is likely to fix this problem.

Have a Lexus mechanic check the condition of the vehicle’s suspension while it’s in the air on a hoist, looking for worn-out bushings or other issues. A check for fluid leaks is also ideal.

Note that a faulty oil line on earlier models with the 3.5L V6 engine could lead to oil ‘starvation’ at startup when the engine is cold – which could result in a loud, clattering ‘metal on metal’ noise from within the engine.

2008 Lexus GS (Photo: Lexus)