2006 GS430 Navigation

[David]

I have a 2006 GS430 with the navigation system The map data is version 4.2.
Does anyone know if there is a later version for this particular car? This
map data seems to be really lacking in information. There have been many
instances of trying to input a destination only to have the system not be
able to find the street I need. I have an old Garmin GPS V that does a much
better job. I'm hoping there might be a later version update for this
system.

Thanks,

David

[Ray O]

Post by David
I have a 2006 GS430 with the navigation system The map data is version 4.2.
Does anyone know if there is a later version for this particular car? This
map data seems to be really lacking in information. There have been many
instances of trying to input a destination only to have the system not be
able to find the street I need. I have an old Garmin GPS V that does a much
better job. I'm hoping there might be a later version update for this
system.
Thanks,
David

Check with your local Lexus dealer to see what the most current version is.
New updates are typically issued in the fall so you may want to wait until
the next update is issued before buying any updates.

[kitzler]

Post by David
I have a 2006 GS430 with the navigation system The map data is version 4.2.
Does anyone know if there is a later version for this particular car? This
map data seems to be really lacking in information. There have been many
instances of trying to input a destination only to have the system not be
able to find the street I need. I have an old Garmin GPS V that does a much
better job. I'm hoping there might be a later version update for this
system.
Thanks,
David

Hi David,

You are echoeing what I have been saying for a long time, Garmin and
like products are light years better than any OEM navigation system
made, regardless whether it is Lexus, Mercedes, BMW or even domestic.
True, the Garmin is not built-in, but then again, you can fiddle with
its simple touch screen while driving. A big plus! Another plus,
Garmin lets you download updates through your PC, last but not least,
a discontinued Garmin model like mine can be had at Costco for about
20% of the cost of a Lexus Navigation system.

for the icing on the cake, you should be sore at Lexus, the 2007 GS300
V6 is just as powerful as your V8, is less nose heavy than your car
and can be had in AWD. I got "stuck" with the 06 GS300, meaning the
245 HP V6, but at least it keeps me from getting traffic tickets and I
get great mileage. Sorry I could not help you with your specific
problem, just wanted to air some of my emotions.

/Nick

[David]

Post by kitzler
Hi David,
You are echoeing what I have been saying for a long time, Garmin and
like products are light years better than any OEM navigation system
made, regardless whether it is Lexus, Mercedes, BMW or even domestic.
True, the Garmin is not built-in, but then again, you can fiddle with
its simple touch screen while driving. A big plus! Another plus,
Garmin lets you download updates through your PC, last but not least,
a discontinued Garmin model like mine can be had at Costco for about
20% of the cost of a Lexus Navigation system.
for the icing on the cake, you should be sore at Lexus, the 2007 GS300
V6 is just as powerful as your V8, is less nose heavy than your car
and can be had in AWD. I got "stuck" with the 06 GS300, meaning the
245 HP V6, but at least it keeps me from getting traffic tickets and I
get great mileage. Sorry I could not help you with your specific
problem, just wanted to air some of my emotions.
/Nick

The Garmin I have is old enough not to have a touch screen (GPS V), but it
still is better than the Lexus navigation system. My Garmin is now old
enough that I have gotten the last update that Garmin will have for it.

As far as the GS430 vs. GS350, I bought the 430 just 4 months ago (used,
9000 miles) from a Lexus dealer, so I knew about the GS350. I wanted the V8
instead of the six cylinder. Also, this car had all the options I wanted
without having to pay the new car price ($44K vs. $58K). I've owned 4 Lexus
automobiles so far, 2 SC400's, an RX330, and the GS430. The SC400's were CPO
cars and the RX330 was bought new. I really liked the SC400's and was sad to
see Lexus quit making them. I'm not too crazy about the SC430.

I've owned a lot of cars in my time and the Lexus cars are the best. The
only car I had that was equal was a 1988 Acura Legend coupe.

Since I posted my question, I found a web site
(http://www.lexus-mapupdates.eu/) that will tell you the latest map version
available. The version I have (4.2) is the latest for my car.

Thank you and Ray for your responses.

David

[David Z]

Post by David
I've owned a lot of cars in my time and the Lexus cars are the best. The
only car I had that was equal was a 1988 Acura Legend coupe.

I had a 1987 Acura Legend Coupe and kept it for 9 years. Bought it
about 3 months after it came out. Paid sticker less $500. Was the best
car I ever owned.

[greg]

Is the street in a relatively new area/development/non-major city?
Just for curiosity's sake, if you post the address, I can try it in
release 6.1 to see if it's there...

[Ray O]

"David" <***@comcast.net> wrote in message news:***@comcast.com...
<snipped>

Post by David
The Garmin I have is old enough not to have a touch screen (GPS V), but it
still is better than the Lexus navigation system. My Garmin is now old
enough that I have gotten the last update that Garmin will have for it.
As far as the GS430 vs. GS350, I bought the 430 just 4 months ago (used,
9000 miles) from a Lexus dealer, so I knew about the GS350. I wanted the
V8 instead of the six cylinder. Also, this car had all the options I
wanted without having to pay the new car price ($44K vs. $58K). I've owned
4 Lexus automobiles so far, 2 SC400's, an RX330, and the GS430. The
SC400's were CPO cars and the RX330 was bought new. I really liked the
SC400's and was sad to see Lexus quit making them. I'm not too crazy about
the SC430.
I've owned a lot of cars in my time and the Lexus cars are the best. The
only car I had that was equal was a 1988 Acura Legend coupe.
Since I posted my question, I found a web site
(http://www.lexus-mapupdates.eu/) that will tell you the latest map
version available. The version I have (4.2) is the latest for my car.
Thank you and Ray for your responses.
David

You're welcome!

Regarding the accuracy of the navigation system, I've found that the
DVD-based one is more accurate than the previous type, and that it has more
detailed information in a major metro area than in smaller towns. I suppose
the difference is that Lexus' main business is cars, while Garmin's is GPS.

[DaveW]

Post by kitzler
for the icing on the cake, you should be sore at Lexus, the 2007 GS300
V6 is just as powerful as your V8, is less nose heavy than your car
and can be had in AWD. I got "stuck" with the 06 GS300, meaning the
245 HP V6, but at least it keeps me from getting traffic tickets and I
get great mileage. Sorry I could not help you with your specific
problem, just wanted to air some of my emotions.

Rather than your emotions, how about some facts?

The '07 GS350 may have about the same peak power as the GS430, but it
has significantly less torque than the V8, and a narrower powerband.
It therefore feels considerably stronger over a wider rev range than
the six cylinder. If you drove them back to back, as I have, you'd
understand why the 430 had its appeal despite the additional cost.

Also, the 430 is only 44 pounds heavier than the 350, and the 350AWD
is actually 121 lbs heavier than the 430.