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Comments
Thanks--
And of course NAV will be available.
Check out the latest issue of Road and Track and see what they say about it. (I'll give you a hint: they rated it number one, over the Merc, Bimmer and Volvo.)
I have been driving this car for almost 4 month.
I can tell you this much. No, it is not a toyota corolla with a lexus badge. It is a very well built sporty look car. The ride and performance is very impressive. Standard 6 disc CD changer and Xenon lights(cost about 2-3K for bimmer or mercede as optional equipment). For a car that is around 35K out the door fully loaded, you can't beat that(except if you like the look of the Acura CL or TL). The downside for this car would be it takes a lot of gas, but it is extremly fun
and has excellent performance. IF you are interested in learning more about IS300, you can
also check out www.is300.net.
I just got mine with the following options:
luxury leather trim, limited slip differential,
heated seats, moonroof,trunk mat, wheel locks
for 31,200 in the SF/SJ Bay Area
I guess its the new design theme...I hear the 2002 Acura TL type S will have clear tailights too.
Anyway...love the IS. I'm trying to sell my wife on it as her next vehicle.
I'm targeting $30,000 plus TTL. Purchase area will be in Houston, Texas. What do you guys think?
I'm intrigued by the lexus, if it went to all wheel drive though, because i suspect it might be more reliable than the audi (though i havent had any problems yet, knock on wood) As far as the beemer, I wont buy one on principle.
NO plans for AWD in the IS300s near future. Get a set of 4 16" snow tires and the IS300 would do pretty good in the snow.
and I'll give you the details.
No (duh) they are not comparable cars but it is very disappointing to think that the obviously intelligent folk as Lexus couldn't squeeze a few more MPG's out of this car.
In a more comparable arena, the BMW 330 has comaprable weight, HP and Torque but has EPA #'s of 19/27 vs the IS's 18/23 and the Bimmer is faster and roomier.
I'd rather have the reliability of a Lexus, but I just can't get over what seems to be a pretty inefficient powerplant application.
HiC
Can't figure that one out myself. The heavier GS300, which has the same engine also gets better EPA MPG numbers!!
The two cars are basically identical, size, handling, performance, build quality.
The Lexus we bought had a sticker of $34,160.
The BMW 325I, with the same equipment, $36,220.
The Lexus dealer was willing to negotiate on the price, not so much at BMW.
We felt the BMW was noisier during acceleration, and not quite as fast (both cars had the automatic transmission). It seems that the BMW is really meant to have the 5 speed. Remember it has 31 less HP and 43 lb ft less torque!
Advantages for the BMW:
Driver seat memory for the power seats
Head curtain airbags
Trip computer
Center armrest
36 month scheduled maintenance.
Advantages for the Lexus:
Automatic headlights
6 disc in-dash CD ($600 more for BMW trunk CD)
Security system (BMW dealer installed $450)
Lexus has a 6 year, 70K powertrain warranty.
Lexus quality reputation a bit better.
More quiet ride (lower DBA levels in tests).
I think anyone interested in this type of car, should drive both cars, I think if you do you'll see how similar they are.
But if you are anything like us, money does'nt come cheap, so I see no reason to pay about $4,000 more (actual buy prices) for the BMW.
I think BMW has finally met it's match!
Where did Lexus get my wife's name? Why not me? I'll probably get contacted by Kia! :-)
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I have had the pleasure of test driving the IS too. The IS is definitely louder on the low to mid range speeds than the BMW. It reminded of how the old E36 BMWs sounded like. Now, the E46s are too refined - you can't really hear the engine unless pushed. Brakes were great and handling was great. BMW steering is still the King though. Several things I didn't like was the prop rod in the engine bay, the interior and dash (too cheap for a Lexus), the clear covers on the rear, and the general overall construction that I expect from Lexus.
As to the 3L engine -- yes, you are right. There will be an enormaous aftermarket for this car, and I imagine we'll be seeing 400-500 hp ISs running around in less than a year.
I prefer the Dunlop SP8000 tires for the Z-rated. It's very popular among Honda enthusiasts.
Expect to pay around $120 each.
If the BMW 325I or 330I is quieter in the low to mid ranges as was suggested, why is the idle dBA 74 in the BMW vs. 70 in the Lexus and about 4 dBA higher at a steady 70mph?
As for the tires, you can swap out the standard 17" tires for 16" all season ones at no charge.
When I test drove the IS, I immediately noticed the difference in engine notes and the salesman confirmed my thoughts. He said that the IS targeted the 3-series and wanted to bring back the engine sound back. The 3-series has gotten a little soft, a little more upscale, a little bigger, and, of course, a little quiet - all in the name of pleasing some people. Look at all the grumblings about the 325's and 330's new steering feel. It's gotten soft but still precise - all in the name of easier parking. The IS may be better than the 3-series's steering now.
Remember, the basis of this car is the Altezza, which is a pretty radical little road-burner, and Lexus didn't feel they had (or wanted) to sand off all the edges -- they already have the ES for that. Accordingly, the car has a much more playful, immmediate and raucous personality than the BMW, which has become increasingly more refined (probably in response to the ES, which outsold it handily for about 8 years straight).
Thanks!
Word on the street says a CL Type-S, Maxima SE, and even a Grand Prix GTP can take it pretty easily. A $25k Subaru WRX would kill it. If I'm paying $32k, I consider that "not good."
When is the 5-speed manual coming out? And more power? Anyone know?
Yeah, the IS300 isn't selling well. Actually, it isn't selling up to Lexus' initial expectations. When it came out, Lexus expected the IS300 to sell at a annual rate of about 25,000 units. Currently, the IS300 is selling at about a 18,000 unit annual clip.
Basically, Lexus has to proactively go searching for customers since it's still in the shadows of the BMW 3-series & Audi A4. Of course, one of the big reasons I feel IS300s aren't that great is because of the absence of a manual transmission. Of course that will be fixed this fall. One problem still remains: The IS300 is lacking features when considering its near $35K price. 2002 should see much better IS300 sales with added features, a 5-speed manual, & the SportCross version.
Right now though, is a great time to buy a IS300 for those who want a automatic equipped IS300.