The Lexus GS F Is The Used 467-HP V8 Sedan That Costs Half Its Original Price
You wouldn’t know it by their current lineup, but Lexus used to be the king of sedans. They actually started their brand with a full-size luxury limousine, the Lexus LS. Then, dealers called on Lexus to give them a slightly more accessible, reasonably priced sedan. Lexus responded with the ES. Then, in 1991, Toyota wanted a luxury sedan similar to Italian luxury sedans for their domestic market in Japan. It was originally dubbed the Toyota Aristo. It was such a hit that by 1993, it moved to selling internationally with a name badge switch to the GS 300.
By the early to mid-2010s, the Lexus GS had already hit icon status and was a cult hit among auto enthusiasts. From the start, it was available with either a six-cylinder or a more powerful V8 engine. While there doesn’t seem to be any announced new version of the now venerated GS coming back anytime soon, there is still a lot of interest in the used market. While things are heading in the direction of electrification and turbocharged power, the GS still offers analog capabilities that the market is still looking for. We’re going to go over the necessary things to look out for if you’re interested in this future classic.
The Lexus GS F Is A Beast
First and foremost, the Lexus GS F is a luxury sedan. We already know that. The GS F is not only luxurious but also a powerful brute, predicated on its now nearly extinct powertrain. While the United States market only received an inline six-cylinder engine that made 220 horsepower, the rest of the world was already getting the V8.
We received the first generation V8 here by 1998. These, however, were just regular luxury sedans with a big V8. They weren’t necessarily “F” standard and didn’t have any of the performance features you would come to expect.
The GS F Has A Naturally Aspirated V8
The second generation was the first Lexus GS to technically get the “F” treatment, even if it wasn’t referred to as such. That moniker belongs to the 2016 model and later. You could still get a V8 in the GS 460 from 2008 to 2011, but it wasn’t nearly as powerful.
The 2016 to 2020 model is where the true power lies, as it’s tied to a massive naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 that outputs an impressive 467 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque. Even more impressive is its reported zero to 60 MPH time of just 4.4 seconds. This is also a high-revving engine that can achieve 7,100 RPM.
Sports Car Technology
The Lexus “F” badge on any Lexus represents the legendary Fuji Speedway in Japan. With that in mind, Lexus pulls out all the technological stops to give it the best quality sport handling you would come to expect from a mid-size sport limo. Tethered to the V8 is an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission that also has a manual mode.
As you’d probably expect, this also has RWD, but what you might not expect is that it’s equipped with a torque vectoring differential. This allows you to choose from Standard, Slalom, and Track modes. Finally, there are Brembo brakes, a multi-link rear suspension with adaptive dampers, and a double wishbone suspension. Music to our ears.
The GS F Retains More Value Than The M5 — Here’s What You’ll Actually Pay
Typically, within the first five years of any mid-size luxury sedan, they lose between 45 and 60 percent of their original MSRP value. Basic economics suggest that the market just doesn’t want mid-size luxury sedans. Everybody wants an SUV, in the US at least. It’s even evident in the fact that Mercedes-AMG just released their first-ever GT SUV. Sport variants of any vehicle typically hold their value slightly more than their standard counterparts, but the market is still not entirely there for luxury sedans.
The Depreciation Of The GS F
You would, however, be shocked to see how well the GS F holds its value. While other sedans are losing their value at a steep decline in five years, a 2016 model, for example, still retains about 44 percent of its original value, according to Kelley Blue Book. The 2018 and 2020 models aren’t that far off either, with 2018 at 48 and 2020 at 55 percent respectively. If we were to follow that same order, the original MSRPs were $85,345 to $86,035 max. Now, they’re valued between $41,800 and $47,100 depending on the year, mileage, condition, and the like.
Comparing It To Other Luxury Sport Sedans
It’s ended up (in the American market at least) mainly competing with the likes of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63. Other competitors for the regular sedan include the Audi A6. If we’re talking pricing, Kelley Blue Book puts the 2018 BMW M5 at about $41,500 give or take. The AMG E63 of the same year is around $57,770, even closer to $49,000. Both the Mercedes and the BMW have more power and better traction with all-wheel drive, but the Lexus GS F has a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 that most enthusiasts want.
What Owning A Lexus GS F Looks Like
Most enthusiasts want that 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 because of the simplicity it offers from a maintenance standpoint. Not only that, but at the end of the day, it is considered a Toyota and is often viewed as more reliable from a maintenance standpoint. Not to take away from the Lexus brand itself, because as a standalone, it has achieved the number one spot on JD Power’s most reliable brand list for years and years. At the end of the day, however, this is still a sport sedan, and you will have to pay Sport Sedan pricing for maintenance.
Toyota Reliability In A Lexus
Repair pal suggests that the Lexus GS F shows an annual maintenance cost of around $499. This, of course, is dependent on how much you drive it, or whether you actually end up tracking it, as performance tires are often more expensive. That number of $499 also seems awfully low considering this is a more special edition than your standard model.
This thing is also heavy at a curb weight of 4,034 pounds. That means you’ll be changing the Brembo brakes more frequently. Be sure to ask wherever you’re buying this from for a complete maintenance history, especially regarding oil changes and spark plug replacements.
Common Issues With The GS F
Although this might be a Lexus, that doesn’t mean that it comes without issues. There was a fuel pump recall for the 2016 to 2018 models, so be sure to check the VIN to confirm whether the recall was addressed or whether it affected that specific model at all. Some blog websites have reported that the carbon fiber trim has lost some of its clear coat as well.
Getting A Used GS F In 2026
The price points for this specific model can vary wildly. You also shouldn’t necessarily buy the newest and lowest mileage one, as maintenance plays a huge role in the quality of your GS F. We’ve even seen some on Cars.com that are going for $70,000 to $90,000. If you find a model in that price range, you could also opt for the newer IS 500, which also has a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8. However, you might not necessarily want that, as the cabin is much more cramped. The Lexus GS offers more space, comfort, and convenience.
Sources: Lexus, RepairPal, KBB, Car and Driver
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