Lexus IS 350 and IS 250

nadiyah

I've talked to 2 dealerships, one told me that xenon headlights are not yet available on the IS 350, the other told me that they do not term them xenon but instead ASF, but they are the same as HID's? Does anyone have any info on this? I haven't seen enough IS's at night to see if they are or aren't HID.

dl7265

I usually just pick up a Free map from the travel center ::shrugs::

DL

mdchachi

If you're accusing me of being critical, then please reread my posts. I think you'll find you're mistaken.

BTW, one thing you can do with Lexus nav while driving in areas you already (think) you know is display POI icons for historical places or sightseeing spots or anything else you might be interested in. This can be done via the Map View button. Press the icons that appear to find out what they correspond to. Today I turned on "Specialty Stores" and learned a few things along my commute.

cdnpinhead

That probably works fine in Peoria (or wherever), but when you're jet-lagged at Gatwick at 9 am & looking at an hour or two of driving on the left-hand side to get to your hotel, every little bit helps.

YMMV.

wale_bate1

No, the critical remark wasn't aimed at your particular backside.

Like I said, given some free time, I've found things to do with mine. For me, it doesn't enhance the value. Portability most definitely would though.

Hello, Toyota? Got yer ears on there good buddy? Docking, portable NAV - I've just given you your next lux gadget upgrade idea. Free.
:shades:

dl7265

Thats a good point, only I would be in a rental in England or where ever. With current fuel cost it does not make much sense to road trip over 8-10 hours at this point. When I can get a flight for 39-89 bucks each way . I realize it migh be a better value for someone else.

DL

cdnpinhead

My point is that a portable GPS gives me the functionality at a fraction of the price of the dedicated hard-mounted unit AND I can take it with me to use in the rental.

diablo1

You do lose *some* functionality with a stand-alone unit though. Voice commands through the steering wheel button are one example. Another is the tie-in to the spedometer/trip computer, so your position stays pretty accurate on the map, even when you are in a tunnel or otherwise out of GPS range. The built-in nav also has lane guidance, which I would guess the portable ones do not have (ie at every intersection/exit, it gives you a little diagram of which lanes you should be in). This is definitely one of my favorite features of the Lexus nav.

jasonpho

Hi,Im new to this forum and have a IS350 due shortly. Had two questions for everyone.

1.) Does anyone have better pictures of the ground effects kit offered on the Lexus website? I cant really tell the difference and the perspective on the photo from the website doesnt offer much.

2.) Does anyone know why the HKS exhaust is no longer being offered as an option? I remember the website saying it wouldnt be available until winter, but now its not even listed as an option.

Thanks for your help!

jmess

I'm with Wale, I have nav and never use it. When you have lived in the same area for 30 years there realy aren't any points of interest left. A good portable that you can plug in different cars makes more sense.

sczyzyk

Actually I posted the same question about the Ground Effects Kit a couple of days ago. I looked online and could not find any other good pics but I def would recomend the rear spoiler. As for as the exhaust goes I called corprate customer service and they said that the exhaust system prob wont be available until Winter 2006 so your best bet is to by aftermarket from a local performance place when comes available.

wale_bate1

Yup.

The more I think about it, a docking unit really appeals to me.

I have to say, I like the lane-selection enhancement that diablo points up. That's a worthwhile feature, provided you're using the unit in the first place. But I already have that in the old IS, and it's a mere software punch; no reason all units couldn't or won't incorporate such a feature.

Truly impressive would be an upgrade that tells me which SF Civic Center parking lots still have spaces left at Christmas time when I'm late with the kids for the Nutcracker.

suave_tequila

Ok when entering your destination on your NAV, does it in (audio) tell you when to turn and such? I dont have a the IS yet but just wanted to know which sounds really cool! THANKS

digital_b

a good nav system does. even the crappy one in my wifes former honda pilot did.this is something you should have experienced in a test drive I think. the one in her current rx 330 does as does the one in my ls 430. I am sure even the super terrific cant do without one portable ones do too if they have enough features.

wale_bate1

Yeah, my '03 IS NAV is audio-instructive. She sounds real nice too; very congenial. Even when I ignore her, she never loses her cool...

sosk

To you who have received your IS-250: do you feel that it's underpowered? I can't decide between a base 350, or a 250 with luxury package. I usually keep a car for a really long time, so I don't want to get one and then feel that I should've gotten the other. I don't have a heavy foot; I just want to easily get on the freeway & pass when necessary. Thanks!

simonsays

I haven't owned one but I've test driven the AWD. It's better
than my Corolla, but doesn't blow me away. If you live in
the NE where winters gets really bad, I don't recommend RWD.
I've seen failures of RWD in the winter, so I'd go with
IS 250 AWD. If you live in an area where theres never snow
go with the 350, that thing is power!

diablo1

Here is my advice to you when deciding to get a nav. First, think about the other things you get with it, like Bluetooth and backup camera. If you have to have those things, and you can afford it, get it!

If you can live without those, then you need to decide based on how often you will use the nav system itself. Ask yourself this question: How often am I in a place where I don't know where the nearest gas station is. If you are always in places that you know well enough that you can get to a gas station without the nav, then it won't be super useful. It will still be cool, and impress your friends... But you probably don't need it. On the other hand, if you often find yourself wondering where is the nearest gas station, or fast food restaurant, or movie theater, or whatever... Then you gotta have the nav!

staceyr

I agonized over that choice myself and ended up going with the IS350. Although the 250 was smooth and quiet it didn't have the immediate grunt that the 350 motor has. I was going from a Infiniti G35 so it felt like I would have been giving up performance for luxury. I didn't want a bad case of horsepower remorse! I don't need that kind of power very often, but I love knowing that it's only a pedal touch away...

I don't miss the luxury pkg features although I splurged on the navigation and chrome 18" wheels. No regrets!

wco81

Well that sucks.

Doesn't the RL give you traffic guidance, using real-time traffic info. to guide you to alternate routes?

cdnpinhead

Thanks for your reply.

It's helpful to me to learn about the features an onboard GPS offers that may not be available on the device I use regularly.

The primary feature that I use every time on my (Garmin) system is the ability to plot and review routing for a long road trip on a real computer prior to committing to it for the turn-by-turn directions. If I don't like the routing, I'll force it to do what I want, even if it's a trip from Phoenix to Denver (or Gatwick to Coniston).

When I've done the trip, I can save all the details in a heartbeat. I don't think any of this is available with hard-mounted systems, but people like you will help me learn. Can chosen routings & actual positions during the day (tracks) be downloaded? I don't think so, but I came here to learn.

Again, thank you.

blueonyx

Sosk,

I did a lot of research and test driving before I bought the IS 350. (I drove BMW 330, Acura TL, Audi A4 3.2, Infinity G35x,...) The IS 250 was (to me) very underpowered for he price. I wouldn't have bought the Lexus IS if AWD was a requirement, the Infinity G35x is a better AWD choice, performance/bang for buck. My suggestion, if most driving is done on dry pavement, why sacrifice the fun/performance factor for a few bad days a year, get the IS 350!

NOTE: VDIM and a good set of snow tires may be better then AWD! I put Dunlop Winter Sport M3 tires on and took to very icy parking lot. VDIM doesn't let the car slip and kick the tail out! With good snow tires, breaking was great. To those looking at AWD; AWD helps acceleration in bad conditions but all-season tires do less to help the 250 STOP than winter tires on a 350. With winter tires and VDIM, the IS 350 feels very sure. Don't shy away from the 350 due to RWD, the 350 will thrill you in good weather and get you through the bad.

blueonyx

maxl00p,

My Blue Onyx IS 350 is equipped with the sport package with black leather interior and NAV. The brushed aluminum look with black leather is awesome! (Wood trim seemed very out of place in the IS to me, thankfully the sport package came w/ the aluminum).

NAV is more than just maps. NOTE to All: the rear deck is high and hard to see objects 3-4 feet behind the car when backing up. The rear camera does a good job clearing that blind spot! (Camera only available w/ NAV. And if you get the ML stereo upgrade the NAV screen can play DVD - unfortunately that option was not available when I bought my 350 ).

sosk

Blueonyx,

Thanks so much for the info! I'm wondering if I can look in my cookie jars for the extra $$ to get a 350 AND the luxury package (I'm a sucker for xenon lights - they help me so much at night). I'm in Dallas so I don't think I need snow tires. I came so close to buying a 330i - it drove great but it just didn't excite me the way the IS does. And the G35 coupe I drove was very noisy. I think the IS was made for me!

mdchachi

I'm pretty sure that those features are not included in any factory-installed navigation system available today. You have to do it all in the vehicle. If you want to force a particular route, sometimes you have to set up intermediate destinations (or waypoints). In any case, the programming has to be done in the vehicle.

cdnpinhead

Thanks. That's what I thought.

This is part of why I'm not too enthusiastic about the hard-mounted systems.

diablo1

It's true that there is no way to enter data other than the car's interface (buttons, touch screen, or voice commands). It is also true that there is no way to save "frequent routes" or something like that. To plot your own course, you either have to put in intermediate destinations (which gest confusing because it will tell you, "Your destination is ahead" several times along the route), or just drive along the route until it recalculates to the route you want. You can also play with the settings like no toll roads, etc. to see if you can get close to your desired route.

The inability to save and reload custom routes is definitely a weakness of the built-in system. Voice-activation, large screen, convenience, aesthetic appeal, and tie-in with the car's trip computer are its main advantages.

wazabi

I took a test drive today and was thoroughly impressed with the car. Although, I do have one question about the navigation system. I noticed that when driving you can't alter your destination until you make a complete stop because they don't want you taking your eyes off the road and whatnot. Is there any way to override that? I asked the salesperson and she said no. But, I figure if one can override the VDIM then I'm sure there's gotta be a way to override the nav.

samsonite99

You might want to try out this webpage. But be careful and focus on the road!

http://wiki.ehow.com/Override-Lexus-Navigation-Motion-Lock

digital_b

if you want to force a particular route in lexus nav systems as well as acura systems all you have to do is go in the route direction you want to. the nav will adjust and replot the course.

wale_bate1

Mmmmm, yes and no. Frequently, the software will attempt to correct you until you reach a distance-equal solution.

OTOH, if one is that confident of route selection, who needs the NAV?

sosk

I read on another Edmunds forum that Lexus will be giving the '07 IS 250 the 3l engine that was in the 2005 IS300, thereby giving it a bit of a "boost". Does anyone know anything about this? I really want an IS but am wondering if I should try to hold out for the '07s.

wale_bate1

That doesn't sound right to me. The iron inline six in the 1G IS is the old Supra's plant. I'm pretty sure it's officially retired with the passing of the real IS. }-]

I would assume a boost in output from the 250's V6 won't require a new plant, but rather some massaging. Just an assumption though...

toyotaf1fan

The inline six is gone. I would expect the IS 300 to have the 245 hp v6 engine from the GS 300.

I will not buy an IS 250 as it's a underpowered and overpriced. While the car has great looks, I do want my sport lux car to keep up with a Corolla. Also, by waiting a year Lexus might have a better manual tranny as the current one is one of the worst I've driven.
Finally lets pray the price won't increase with a proper engine in it.

My advice is to hold out for the year.

Mullins

wale_bate1

Given the shared architcture with the GS, that does make sense, although 245 horses seems unnecessary to me. By that time, according to the espoused Toyota game plan for Lexus updates, a new plant for the GS base model would be installed.

Makes sense.

is250awd

I ordered my IS 250 AWD with NAV and parking assist jan 2nd and was told it would be in in 4-6 weeks. After 4 weeks they tell me now it will be another 4-6 weeks. Naturally I'm a little upset about that, but now at least I have the chance to add/remove options.

1) is the luxury package worth it? mainly paying for the Xenon lights which I'm sure are nice but worth an extra $2200?
2) Is the illuminated doorsill scuff plates as cool as they seem they might be?
3) Anyone have a Sprint Treo 650 - or basically I'm just asking anyone if the handsfree bluetooth actually works or is staticky like my headset.
4) Do you think the rear sunshade would cool the car down significantly in the summer?
5) Where can you get an ipod cord?
6) I initially ordered the intuitive parking assist but they said that would now have to be a special order and would take an extra few weeks to come in. Did I make a bad decision cutting that out?

Since the ML upgrade only plays DVD's while in park I opted not to get it. I'm assuming 13 speakers is just about as good as 14.

All comments are welcome. Happy driving my friends!

lexus_jn

I just bought an IS250 AWD black-exterior/grey-interior combination around $33,300...sticker price says $35,525. The car has 28 miles. Is it a good deal?

Other dealers around my areas said they could only discount max of $500 off MSRP (35,000+) with a car that has 0 mile.

Another question. Should I pay $1500 for an warranty upgrade to 6 year/100k? Is it really worth the money? Maybe an Lexus owner can on this.

Thanks,
lanuit

is250awd

Is it true that you have to hold down the button on the door handle do lock it? I'm used to just getting out of my car, walking away and hitting the remote alarm button on my keychain. Holding down a button for a few seconds seems more like anti-luxury and a pain.

Or am I totally wrong and if you just walk away the car will lock/alarm itself?

is250awd

I think you got a good deal. I paid $37,119 for my IS250 AWD black int/black ext. only upgrade i got was NAV.

However that includes a $1000 discount they gave me for their December to Remember sales event. So $500 max off MSRP is not true.

simonsays

[Or am I totally wrong and if you just walk away the car will lock/alarm itself?]

I've asked, the car will not arm itself. I've heard you can
lock it through the lock button on the remote.

simonsays

1) If you want less than half the options on the package, then
it's not worth it. Unless you're really loaded and could care
less. If you want just Xenon, you can buy a kit and install it
yourself, most kits are plug and play. If you don't want to install it yourself, you can go to a body shop to have it installed. Save yourself a chunk of change.

2) I think the illuminated scuff plates are nice, I don't know
what they'll be like once they get old and dirty from stepping
in and out.

3) I've heard it's been reliable with Cingular.

4) I think this is kinda useless. Probably too much $$$ for
what it's worth. If you're planning to get a sunshade for
the windshield, then get a smaller one for the back if you
really need it.

5) Many music/electronic stores should carry them. Male-to-male audio mini plug.

6) Doesn't NAV include parking assist?

Yeah, you don't need 300 watts of audio for a car. Plus it
won't be nice to hear stuff vibrating as things age
and your audio is booming away. 194 watt is plenty.

Thats my 2 cents.

diablo1

You can either press the button on the door handle, or press the button on the remote. It will NOT lock itself if you just walk away.

I can't answer all of the questions above about the Lux package, since I don't have it, but I can answer this: any 1/8" male-to-male connector will work for the audio. In other words, you need a cord that has the headphone-style pin connector on BOTH ENDS. You can get them at Radio Shack for like $3 I think. Anything that can be connected to headphones, can be connected to the Lexus IS. This includes all portable music players, laptops, etc.

diablo1

Nav includes BACKUP CAMERA. PARK ASSIST is a separate feature that can be purchased with or without nav.

is250awd

Thanks for the info. I think i'll take you're advice and NOT get the xenon lights right away. I didn't realize you could add later with a kit.

Good point about the illuminated scuff plates getting dirty after time, I hadn't thought of that. Plus I didn't know the remote key had a lock button on it. From the photos on the website it looks button-less.

iz4detail

I am contemplating purchasing an IS 350. I am, however, curious how this vehicle handles with speeds of 95MPH and above. I currently own a BMW 330 and it tends to handle pretty good at these speeds. I have yet found a vehicle that handled as well as my parent's 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse AWD Turbo. This vehicle made you feel like you where driving at 55 MPH while you were at 95 MPH...hard to describe. Additionally, the engine was barely turning high rpm's...it just seem to scream for more speed..just loved it !!! Thanks BTW, reason why I am thinking of selling the Bimmer is that their customer service, in my area, just stinks!!!

iz4detail

My BMW is a 2004 330 Ci Coupe. Sorry if I posted in the wrong category.

diablo1

I've never driven 95 in my car, but I can tell you, it's very, very easy to speed in this car! It keeps its composure very well, and it's easy to hit 80 without knowing it. Fortunately there is the "speed warning" light in the spedometer, which you can set to activate at whatever speed you want (or you can completely turn it off).

This vehicle has a top speed of 142 mph and it has 80 more hp than your BMW. I'm sure you will not be disappointed with its performance.

bodble2

Is there not a programmable option via BEST that you can set so that the car will lock and arm itself ala the Infiniti system?

Separate question is regarding the Smartkey system, and others such keyless ignition system, if you absentmindedly forget to push the button to turn the engine off, and walk away with the fob in your pocket, will the engine turn itself off, or would it happily (or maybe unhappily :P ) run all night long? I would like to think there is some form of safeguard against such conceivable human error.

dmk720

Dealer in MA.told me that LD option(2000$):xenon,tilt,dimmed mirrors,sensor wipers etc.will be put on all IS models.Either You like it or not.Parking assist will be removed.Any comments?

bodble2

I think he's saying all IS will come equipped with the Luxury Package (and the consumer will pay for it), whether they want it or not. Not an uncommon practice with a few manufacturers.