Lexus IS350 and IS250

[Ivand]

actually, the more i look at the IS350, the more it resembles the new BMW 5 series'  to me...

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U just took the words out of my fingers, the doors part looks a lot like the new 5series..

[Pegus]

Looks nice, wouldn't mind a coupe.

THing with automatic transmissions is that you have to view the segment the car is in. Mercedes doesn't make sports cars. They make luxury cars. That's why they hardly ever offer a manual tranny. It's not how the car was designed to be driven. Mercedes are for cruising autobahns, not mixing it up in twisties with Bimmers =)

Also, with the high torque of these new merc engines, the clutch would be a worry.

[altezza Veteran]

I'd take it if I have money to spend. It really looks stunning to me (Y)

[vraa]

Now if only they had some kinda SMG transmission in this car.

Please Toyota, take it out of the MR2 and put it in this. MAKE THOSE PADDLES WORTH IT! :(

Of course, we won't get our prayers answered. With all the money they put in F1, you'd think they'd move a lot more of their technologies to the Lexus brand...

[ShadowPHP]

Lexus RX400 Hybrid...?

Thats a hybrid. Thats some of Toyota's "technology"

[vraa]

I meant their technology they can adapt from their racing heritage/experience. When you buy a Lexus, you expect to be on a higher level don't you?

It would rock if you'd be able to buy the IS with a F1 style SMG gear box, some shifts in just milliseconds. Be able to stop, repeatedly without brake fade with ceramic discs. Have a decent looking set of superlight weight forged BBS's. Know what I mean?

Personally I don't care for hybrid synergy drive or whatever they want to market it. I like my conventional and highly inefficent internal combustion engines to work alone thank you very much :D

[ShadowPHP]

The rims on my dads IS200 (UK NAME) look great.

I think they're 17" Low Profile tires too. Not sure if you have the same in America though. I have seen a few English IS200's with different rims.

[vraa]

We don't have the IS200 here.

[Razorwing]

I wanna Drift that thing :D

[VGVL]

I wanna Drift that thing :D

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Traction control can't be disabled on the new IS. ;)

[El Bourricot]

Is it just me or does the interior of the Lexus have that same feeling of commonness and impersonality that airport lounges and economy class seats have?

[pto]

I think it's the outside weather.

The seats appear to be a little bland but I'm sure with better lighting and actual visualization of the interior it will be much nicer.

[vraa]

It looks like that specific IS was very under-spec.

I don't think lots of people will buy bonestock IS's.

[pto]

Bump - Official IS site added to original post.

http://www.theNewIS.com

[acoustikrage]

ahh! that is sweet car. :drool:

[GoogleNinja]

The arse end of things looks like that Hyundai they've been advertising recently :x

[San Diego]

I'm actually waiting on my 350 now. :D

[pto]

I'm actually waiting on my 350 now.  :D

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As in... you ordered one?! :o

[SParker1tx]

Just wondering if the only differance between the is250 and is350 is the engine? Is that 350 engine really worth 12k more?!

[bayrider]

i like the redesign of the GS series a lot better than the IS

[SParker1tx]

Does anyone know the dates of when lexus dealerships will start getting in IS350 and IS 250s?? How about the date that the car is "released"? What does that even mean when they say released lol...

[navicaph]

From what I understand pricing information will be out tomorrow and actual cars will be on lots on the 17th.

[Ironman273]

OK, first of all, the pricing information is wrong. Dealers won't have pricing until October 14th, which is the official release date. We should have some cars land this coming week.

Second, the IS250/350 was primarily made for the US market. Over 90% of the cars sold are automatics. Lexus has to sell what people want to buy. Everyone clamors for stick IS, yet when one is on the lot it sits there forever. As for the paddleshifter, why would you have paddle shifters on a stick shift? Paddle shifters are supposed to be for automatics. It's an easy way to hold a gear or chose your own gear when you don't feel like having the car choose for you. BTW, I grew up outside of the US and didn't even know an automatic transmission existed until I was 14. I prefer to drive sticks but I am definitely in a minority here.

Third, I drove the IS250AWD, the IS350 and the new BMW330i around a track last week and, except for the bald front tires I had on the 250, I left very impressed. I currently drive a 2002 BMW 325Ci and like the car. I really didn't like the Bangle direction of the new BMWs, but I realise that's a personal issue. However, I hated the interior of the new BMW. It had the iDrive, which I hated on the 5 series (never tried it on the 7). It's truly horrendous. The BMW drove great, as it should. Good thing they haven't screwed that up.

What surprised me was the poise of the IS350. In the BMW when the DSC kicked in it felt that it slowed the car to keep it under control. I mean, it did it's job, but it was noticeable in the speed decrease. When I felt the tail starting to go on the IS350, I heard the beep-beep-beep of the VDIM and it felt like someone just granbbed the rear end and placed it right back on the line. It was truly incredible. I felt no speed loss. It just kept tracking around the turn better. The interior of the IS is actually very nice. Even though it was a preproduction car and some of the plastics were not up to Lexus spec, the navigation system, the seats, and the instrument cluster were phenomenal.

I know there are people out there that buy brands. BMW is a good brand, but it's definitely worth it to take a look at the IS when it comes out.

If any of you are in Southeast Florida, PM me for an invitation to an IS event on the 27th.

[SParker1tx]

Wow Thank you Ironman so much for the information. Im 16 years old and definately looking for lots of info on the IS350 and im trying to convince my dad to get me the IS350 over the BMW 325i or 330i depending on how much he wants to spend and having some difficulties just because of his thoughts of the domination of BMW over this class of cars... Anyways thanks again and if you can answer this for me, how much do you think the insurance rates will go up for the IS350? What are the current going rates of the IS300?? Oh also... I live in Houston Texas which means highest car insurance rates in just about any city in the country... except maybe LA... Thanks if you can answer either of those! Your awesome!

P.S. All my friends think I have a weird obsession with the IS350 and it better live up to its rep. or all my friends will hate me!

[Ironman273]

Wow Thank you Ironman so much for the information.  Im 16 years old and definately looking for lots of info on the IS350 and im trying to convince my dad to get me the IS350 over the BMW 325i or 330i depending on how much he wants to spend and having some difficulties just because of his thoughts of the domination of BMW over this class of cars...  Anyways  thanks again and if you can answer this for me, how much do you think the insurance rates will go up for the IS350?  What are the current going rates of the IS300??  Oh also... I live in Houston Texas which means highest car insurance rates in just about any city in the country... except maybe LA...  Thanks if you can answer either of those!  Your awesome!

P.S.  All my friends think I have a weird obsession with the IS350 and it better live up to its rep. or all my friends will hate me!

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The new IS shouldn't insure much different than the current IS. However, as to what those rates may be, it can vary wildly so I can't even give you an idea of where it may be.