Shopping for the wifey. I'm thinking 1 or 2 year old Lexus vs. new or 1 year old Toyota Avalon.



Don't suggest Acura, Volvo, BMW, etc.  For one reason or another (availability of servicing, don't like, etc.), these have been eliminated from consideration.





Need Help with Two questions:



1. In Lexus-speak, I understand the numbers represent engine size in liters, but what's the diff between the pre-fix:  IS, GS, ES, LS etc?



2. Lexus [insert appropriate model] 350 vs. Toyota Avalon. What's the diff?  Pick one and tell me why.



I'm lost. My brain hurts.  Please school me.

I'd really like a GS350 AWD.

I thought the GS350 would be the way to go as well.  But there are some brutal reviews regarding QC, which is a little surprising to me.



Is winter driving your reason for AWD preference?  Because, that's not really a factor down here.

The IS, GS, ES, LS are the different models.  

IS = Sportiest of the group.  Lexus's answer to the BMW 3 series.

LS= Most lux of the group.  Basically a Japanese S-class MB.

GS= In between the IS and LS, leaning more towards the LS these days.  

ES = Tarted up Toyota Camry.  

The appropriate model of Lexus to go up against the Avalon would probably be the GS, but they are very different cars.  GS is rear wheel drive, and is going to be quite a bit more than the Avalon.  Avalon is a front driver, and is pretty much a Toyota Buick.  You can use wikipedia to look at some of the differences in the models, and their history.  

If you are interested in the ES, then I would say save yourself some money and buy a Camry.  If you are looking at an Avalon, have you looked at any of the new Lincolns?  I was very impressed with them at the last auto show I went to, I thought they were better looking and had a higher fit and finish then any of the Toyotas or Lexus that they had at the show.

Thanks Pearl.  That helped a lot.  I just needed to know the model difference in plain english.



As for the Lincolns, my business partner has an MKS.  He loves it.  It's a very nice car.  But it's a wife thing.  No logical reason, but Lincoln is not in the running.



I'm trying to satisfy someone who can't tell a Fiat from a Ferrari.



When I asked for input, we started out with, "It's got to be a light color".  We started out looking at LS430s and may very well end up in a Camry, if it makes no difference to her.

Yea, we get some snow here.



Funny, mrs. Splat almost won't anything but a Licoln. Recently got an MKX. Wouldn't stand for an Edge. 10k for freakin' bells and whistles, wah.