LS/SC/GS – Which one would you have?

[DonS1mpson]

I’ve narrowed my shortlist of possible Supra replacements down to an early LS, GS or SC Lexus.

Because of the cheapness of Imports here, the “SC” would more than likely be a Soarer (1JZ-GTE variant) and the “GS” an Aristo (2JZ-GTE variant).

From where I’m standing, they all have their Pros and Cons, for example –

- The Aristo has got 2JZ goodness, but is the most expensive and least pretty
- The Soarer would most likely be the cheapest, but the least practical
- The LS400 has the best engine note (In my opinion of course), but is more expensive to tune.

Any Help or advice would be very much appreciated

Thanks

Josh

 

[Ma70.Ent]

It's your decision, but if it were me, I'd go with the GS. A mix of sportiness and luxury.

 

[AF1JZ]

IS300 (see sig )....J/k...I'd go for the GS. I'd really love to do the 2jzgte swap in that bad boy. It might be my next project.

 

[lagged]

GS.

 

[BorHor]

Depending on what you want to do... Aristo is a cool car to make fast yet still semi luxurious. The LS on the other hand would be a sick ass car just to cruise in. and the SC is like like a NA supra but not as cool haha. I like all 3 though.

 

[Ma70.Ent]

and the SC is like like a NA supra but not as cool haha. I like all 3 though.

Nothing is cooler than an N/A Supra

 

[DonS1mpson]

Remember people, the "SC" would be in actual be a Soarer, complete with 1JZ goodness .

 

[MassSupra89]

GS.

 

[RazoE]

my mom has a GS, my brother has an SC...

the GS is incredibly smooth and quiet, but very slow to down shift and accelerates like a boat...

the SC is loud and raw, but you can definitely feel the weight. Acceleration is average from a stand still, but VERY responsive when on the freeway, never hesitates to downshift..

as for the LS, never driven one...

 

[garagefujimoto]

I've had the opportunity to spend at least 1000km in variations of each:

(SC) Soarer 2.5 GT - Pretty fun, like a long porky JZA70, comfier but not quite as fun with A/T. The manual makes for a fun time. Suspension is a good time. Digital dash and climate control can be problematic.

(GS) Aristo 3.0 TT - Fun, room for the family, still hauls ass. Brakes can be overwhelemed pretty quick when you try to clamp down 3800 lb. But it's a good cruiser, too bad the open diff and A/T make it quite a bit less fun than a Mark II/Chaser TT manual 1JZ.

(LS) Celsior 4.0 Limited - Big and spacious. Goes well. Optioned over what you'd ever need. But.....V8 is hard to repair, tune and keep full of gas. No 5 speed is possible really, the electronics and etc get old with time, and I had trouble with the factory air suspension.

 

[Big Wang Bandit]

Get an OLD soarer

 

[Chrisfrom1986]

MZ12 Maybe?

 

[Zumtizzle]

I DD a GS.

 

[DonS1mpson]

Get an OLD soarer

Funny you should mention those, one has JUST came on the market - http://retrorides.proboards86.com/index.cgi?board=FSW&action=display&thread=1205880092

garagefujimoto - Thank you for your comments. Are the brakes as bad as everyone says they are? I have a chance to pick up a LS400 BBK upgrade from a local aristo owner for a good price

I'm certainly leaning more towards the Aristo - A sliver BPU'd Aristo sitting on MKIV TT 17's would be the perfect mix of style, sleeperness and speed.

I just wish the lowball MKIII owner in me would stop telling me to go for a LS400 for price reasons.

 

[garagefujimoto]

The brakes aren't horrid, but from 140 km/h they vibrate pretty bad if they are warm.

If you are a cheap bastard, don't get the LS, it only gets 25 mpg whether you baby the V8 or crack it wide open, and the tuning parts are $$$$.

I also vote for an MZ20 Soarer. With a JZ swap The you can still feel like you have a Supra/

 

[Entropy]

Funny you should mention those, one has JUST came on the market - http://retrorides.proboards86.com/index.cgi?board=FSW&action=display&thread=1205880092

Get that one. Just my opinion, though.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

Surprised no one went for this.

 

[Jacj3]

it's all kool I have a gs and sc my gs is na-t and it's a dd my sc400 is also a dd but it'll be boosted I love em both I say my gs is fun to drive and comfortable

 

[x10secondzx2]

I am I the only one who gets aggrevated at people rebadging their american cars as japanese models. But anyways if it were me I would go with the LS. SC's are the new civic/240. GS is ehhh. But the LS is V8 and that's all that matters.