When buying a car, reliability is usually near the top of the list. Even the fanciest sports car or luxury ride can lose its appeal fast if it’s spending more time in the shop than on the road.
Japanese brands have earned legendary dependability, and some sports cars manage to combine performance with bulletproof reliability. But reliability isn’t just about daily driving—it can also make a huge difference when it’s time to sell.
Back in the mid-2010s, Lexus built a luxury sedan with a V8 that seems almost unkillable. Today, that car can fetch more than some of its higher-powered performance peers, raising the question: is this engine a rare gem, or a blueprint for lasting value?
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Lexus and other authoritative sources, including Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal, and TopSpeed.
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The Lexus GS F isn’t the most powerful, but it keeps running like a champ
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With its sleek, slightly aggressive front end, sporty-but-refined interior, and a V8 that’s as reliable as it is reasonably powerful, the 2016 GS F still commands a high price. Even more powerful or sportier models can cost less, yet few match its all-around dependability.
When it hit streets in 2016, the GS F was a track-ready, more aggressive cousin of the regular GS lineup. Lexus aimed to mix its signature luxury and build quality with a sharper, sportier edge.
Lexus may have lost the top reliability crown recently, but models like the ’16 GS F show why the brand was long considered the gold standard. It’s a prime example of precision engineering and quality control at work.
How the 2016 Lexus GS F measures up in reliability
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RepairPal gives Lexus a solid 4 out of 5 for reliability, and the GS F averages just $499 per year in maintenance. For a luxury sports sedan, that’s impressive—the segment average is $801, so the GS F is a bargain in long-term ownership.
Owner reviews on Kelley Blue Book back it up, giving the GS F a 4.7 overall rating and 4.8 for reliability, with 90 percent of drivers recommending it.
Some owners report driving their 2016 GS Fs over 200,000 miles with no major issues, including one high-mileage hero from Mississippi still going strong.
Of course, reliability alone isn’t the full picture—keeping a car on the road cheaply is just the beginning.
2016 Lexus GS F: specs, power, and performance highlights
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Engine
Power
Torque
0–60 mph
5.0-liter V8
467 hp
389 lb-ft
4.5 seconds
On the road, the Lexus GS F is no slouch—this isn’t a low-stress luxury cruiser. Its 5.0-liter naturally aspirated 2UR-GSE V8 can keep going mile after mile.
It might not have been the most powerful engine in its segment, but the 2UR-GSE is widely regarded as one of the best V8s ever built. Redlining at 7,800 RPM and launching the 4,034-pound GS F to 60 mph in under five seconds, it’s as much about build quality as it is about speed.
The engine was developed in collaboration with Yamaha, featuring a forged crankshaft, high-strength connecting rods, a dual overhead cam with 32 valves, and an optimized intake—all designed to reduce vibrations and wear.
Performance isn’t just under the hood. The GS F pairs the engine with an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic, flappy-paddle manual control, a Torque Vectoring Differential with Standard, Slalom, and Track modes, massive Brembo brakes, and a suspension tuned for both comfort and cornering prowess.
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Even with all its engineering and precision, the GS F can’t hide from the fact that some rivals push even more power.
Take the 2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 S, which churns out 503 horsepower, or the BMW M5 with 560 horsepower.
Then there’s the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V at 640 horsepower and the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat packing a whopping 707 horsepower—each just as athletic and track-ready.
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How reliability is driving up used GS F prices
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The GS F is an impressive all-around sedan, but it’s not the most powerful or the flashiest inside. Despite that, it hasn’t depreciated like many luxury sedans, which notoriously lose value quickly.
Used GS F averages around $38,600
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Even with its luxury pedigree, the 2016 GS F averages around $47,200 at auction, meaning it’s only dropped about 55 percent from its original $85,390 price over nine years. That’s impressive, especially when compared to brands like Audi and Lexus, which average 54 percent resale after five years.
On the broader used market, a GS F typically sells for just under $39,000, showing it holds its value better than most luxury sedans.
Part of the reason is a balance of reliability and performance. With over 450 horsepower, the GS F handles twisty roads and the track with ease, proving that slightly less power in exchange for bulletproof dependability can be a very smart trade.
The GS F’s strong resale value isn’t just about reliability and performance specs—owners love it too. Kelley Blue Book gives it a 4.7 out of 5 for performance, with drivers raving about the responsive engine and how fun it is both on daily drives and track days.
How the GS F compares to other performance luxury sedans
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The GS F’s rivals aren’t weak by any means, but when it comes to the complete package, the Lexus often comes out on top.
It balances style, speed, handling, reliability, and comfort better than most luxury performance sedans.
But how do the faster, more powerful competitors from the same era hold up in terms of used prices?
Model
2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 S
2016 BMW M5
2016 Cadillac CTS-V
2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
Reliability score
4.3/5
2.5/5
4.5/5
4.7/5
Overall rating
84/100
M/A
N/A
N/A
Average used price
$30,925
$33,149
$39,075
$30,021
Engine
4.0-liter bi-turbo V8
3.3-liter bi-turbo V8
6.2-liter supercharged V8
6.2-liter supercharged V8
Power
503 hp
560 hp
640 hp
707 hp
For the most part, the reliable yet still potent GS F is fetching higher prices than many rivals, including the Charger SRT.
The Cadillac CTS-V comes close on auction prices and even edges out the Lexus slightly on average used prices outside of auctions.
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How reliability impacts used values
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There’s no denying that reliability can boost a car’s value on the used market, but it’s far from the only factor.
We see it with the Lexus GS F and even models like the Toyota RAV4, which both hold their value well.
Other considerations matter too: original price, annual fuel and repair costs, whether you want raw speed or nimble performance, special editions, brand reputation, and owner feedback. Word of mouth and reviews can have a surprisingly big impact on resale value.
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Half of the GS F’s rivals had higher original prices: the M5 started at $102,995, the AMG C63 S at $76,715, the CTS-V at $85,990, and the Charger SRT Hellcat at $68,740.
The CTS-V and Charger also feel slightly less luxurious and refined than the GS F, which can influence used pricing.
One thing they all share, though, is lower reliability than the GS F, and all cost more to maintain each year.
- 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat — average maintenance bill: $608
- 2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 S — average maintenance bill: $908
- 2016 Cadillac CTS-V — average maintenance bill: $752—$919
- 2016 BMW M5 — average annual maintenance Bill: $1,173
Classic performance and rare cars can fetch crazy prices at auction, even if they’re far from reliable.
For newer, less famous models, the GS F stands out: solid reliability, lower maintenance headaches, and strong performance make it far more desirable on the used market.
Combine that with serious performance credentials, and enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium, pushing resale prices even higher.
Other used performance luxury cars that hold their value
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If you’re shopping for a used performance luxury car and don’t mind spending a bit, but the GS F isn’t your style, there are plenty of other options.
Many of these models still command high prices thanks to their performance and luxury.
Or maybe you already own one and are just realizing how much it could be worth on the used market today.
Model
2020 Audi RS Q8
2020 BMW Z4 sDrive M40
2020 Cadillac CT4-V
2020 BMW 230i
Average used price
$67,996
$37,387
$31,393
$28,138
Original price
$113,995
$64,695
$45,490
$46,045
Most powerful engine
4.0-liter bi-turbo V8
3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
Maximum power
591 hp
382 hp
325 hp
252 hp
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