By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I lived in the Bay Area for a number of years. Either will treat you right. What is a nightmare in the Bay Area is having a domestic car. Old timers here can recall when it was difficult to find a mechanic (60's/70's) that could fix a foreign car. In the Bay Area it's hard to find a mechanic that knows what he or she is doing with a domestic car. I drove a Pontiac Grand Am with bad motor mounts for nearly 8 years because no mechanic (outside of the dealer) could tell me what was making that rubbing noise. I moved to TX. My first mechanic here instantly knew.
- Moving to San Fran. mostly parked on the streets. You will get scratches and bumps all the time unless you park in garage and have you own parking after you moved to the city. Subaru is more rugged; IS is more luxury (which one would you be comfortable leaving on the street overnight?)
- Weekend trips to Tahoe, camping, and Napa is definitely a fit for the Subaru wagon. The IS 250 does not have fold down back seats so trunk space is all you get unless you add a rack on top of the IS 250.
- On the other hand, the IS offers luxury life style which is suitable for SF urban life style; hanging out late---clubbing, giving a ride to your 'girls'.
A Lexus is pretty much a Toyota (parent company); well more luxurious. Maintenance cost is not too pricy comparing to European cars like Bimmers and Audi.
Suggestion:
If you are looking for the two combined: you may consider the Saab 9-2X. It's basically a Subaru Outback wagon but it has a more luxury interior and it's a Saab; a company founded by 16 jet engineers now under GM's umbrella. Due to GM's current company financial status...you might be able to get good quotes for the 9-2X.
Pls check out www.edmunds.com for details of the Saab 9-2X.
Hope this is helpful.
I really cant imagine you would even suggest a SAAB!!
have you looked at JD power rankings?
Bettewr yet talk to current SAAB owners .. they just "Love" their cars ... most would like to leave the keys in it in some undesirable neighborhhod and ... well, hopefully you get the point.
Suggest a SAAB only if:
1) the young lady is dating or married to a SAAB tech
2) if she really, really, really wants to get to know her service consultant
3) prefers driving rental cars instead of her own car (cause that's what's gonna happen if she buys a SAAB)
Now, years ago (read pre GM) SAAB was a decent car but now well just look to JD Power and they can do all the talking
Yeah, I know, those in glass houses should not throw stones. Benz is low on JD Power as well but not a low as SAAB!
Stick to the IS or the Subaru!
And the only Subaru I'd look at twice, BTW. Actually, the only SAAB I'd look at twice too.
I'd lean towards the wagon, if you're certain you need AWD. I spent many years traveling to Tahoe in a '65 Olds Ninety-Eight convertible with a set of chains and no issues at all, so the AWD argument is utterly wasted on me! But wagons rule; simple and straight up. Better weight distribution than their sedan counterparts (almost without exception) which equates to better handling, and of course utility even in sporting platforms.
I'd also throw a Quattro candidate into the mix, personally. Better tuned suspensions (IMO) than either of your first two choices...
The IS 250 is a awd isn't it? I'm not worried about my image, more which car is more practical in terms of post purchase prices--replacing parts, insurance etc. and of course what will serve me best in the next 7-10 years....
Unfortunately, itisn't available as a wagon.
Really, though, if you're looking at Subaru, the SAAB 9-2x is, in fact a Subaru with cosmetic upgrades and some enhanced amenities, and certainly worth a look, IMO.
Of options available to you, I'm also fond of Audi's A3 3.2 or A4 3.2 Avant (wagon). Both are AWD, very competent and and put smiles on your face when you drive them.
On a 7-year stretch, I'm not putting a bet on any one option over another in the group. I own a Lexus IS300, and overall my experience has been on par with other brands I've owned. Certainly no worse, but not substantially better either. The car has been overall a joy to drive and own, but has had its issues, including a full electrical system meltdown at about 15K miles. Fully covered and expedited in the service department, it nevertheless points out that cars are cars and they all break from time to time; period. That I get a loaner every time without having to ask is about the only advantage to Lexus ownership I've found in four years. Unfortunately, they tend to give out road-pigs like the ES or RX as loaners! That I chose to keep the car after lease-end is a testament to how much I have, and continue to, enjoy it. Frankly, I think it is a more enjoyable car than this new generation that replaces it.
On a 9-year stretch, I wouldn't hold any of them. By that time, no matter the mfr, the electric and electronic gizmachie that we as consumers appear to be obsessed with have begun to fail at varying rates, and my opinion is it's simply not worth keeping up with their repair or replacement. The car may well be capable of running for years longer, but if little switches, relays, screens and/or amenity systems require $100 here or $400 there, it's not worth it to me.
So, in the end, I think an IS250 AWD would be a fine choice no doubt, assuming you prefer sedan to wagon, but there are options worth looking at out there.
Thank you!
Happy shopping
IS 250/ IS 350
The popular IS sport sedans also add a shark fin-style antenna and VDIM/VSC cut-off function as well as foglamp indicator, illuminated fuel opener and illuminated trunk opener to their list of standard features for 2007. In addition, the High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with the Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) will now be available as a standalone option. New for 2007 is the X Package option for the IS 350, IS 250 rear-wheel drive and IS 250 manual models. This package includes a sport-tuned suspension, alloy sport pedals, illuminated scuff plates, front lip spoiler and 18-inch five-spoke wheels.
Pricing for the 2007 IS line-up (with the exception of the IS 250 AWD which remains unchanged at $34,285) reflects an increase of $265, or less than one percent. MSRPs for the IS 250 manual and IS 250 rear-wheel drive are $30,255 and $31,425 respectively. Base pricing for the IS 350 is $35,705.
It lists everything but the new color Obsidian Black which is on Lexus.com
Netwon
I'm in the market for a 250, and I just went to the Lexus website and found only two packages listed. One for $3,082 and one other for $5,632, which looks to be the first package plus the NAV system. This seems to go against what you say, that there are "a few more options/packages available." They seem to include the 18" summer tires and a Preferred accessory package, but I don't want the 18" tires, adn there's nothing on there to explain what's included in the Preferred package.
I'm in the San Fran Bay Area, by the way. (It's nice when guys post where they live, I think)
Would you mind commenting on what you found vs. what I found?
Thanks
Hope this helps.
Get the full list and talk to a dealer.
That helps a lot. I knew something was wrong.
On another subject, how good is the Nav in this car? $2,550 is a lot of $$ to spend unless it's almost flawless.
Thanks.
Thanks.
In certain circumstances, LEXUS "contracts" with indy shops to do (ie: are AUTHORIZED) to perform warranty repairs.
This sort of mutual relationship exsists where dealers are out of reach of some clients.
BMW & BENZ have this sort of relationship with the Hawaiian islands (think KAUAI)
Give them a call and ask them if they have any sucxh "relationship"
GOOD LUCK
Also, he told me unless I take the one without navigation from the lot I would have to wait for at least 2 months if I wanted the Luxury Package because Lexus is not producing this model fast enough. He said right now they can only produce 20% of what they are supposed to build. Again, I don't know if this is just his BS but it does seem like there is some kind of shortage here because I went to another dealer before that and they didn't even have one single 2007 IS 350 for me to test drive. The guy said I could try a 2006 model instead. Then I asked when they would get the next batch, and he said there is ONE coming in on the 18th.
On the other hand, GFM is a popular color. And I find it hard to believe Lexus would sell so many of them if the paint was that much of an issue.
Thoughts?
You want easy-to-match, opt for a no-mica paint. Oh wait, they don't have one... :sick:
I am interested in the IS 250 RWD Auto trans w/ 17" tires. I was saddened to see that I will need to replace these tires every 15-20K miles. According to posts, this will run me about $1000/year. I want to keep this car for about 10yrs. But this just sounds like a huge investment in tires over the life of the car!! I question whether or not this cost was truly included in the Edmunds TCO calcs also (http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/lexus/is250/100778048/cto.html).
I know I will NOT be able to rotate the tires, so are there any other options to increase tire life? How many miles have you been able to get out of your tires?
Also, I am only getting the auto. trans b/c it has better MPG than the manual trans AND the manual trans is so hard to find. However, it hurts to have such a sporty car that is auto. trans. How do you find this seq. auto trans shifting? Is it even close to the feel of manual trans?
Thanks. Wayne
To increase tire life, other option is park it often.
Schumacher has used seq. auto shifting to win F1 GP 5 times.
Yeah but the IS doesn't have the same sequential gearbox like the Audi/VW and BMW or the Ferrari. Even though the paddle shifter looks like the one on the F1 it is just a regular manumatic.
I drive an IS350 and I can count with 1 hand for how many times I have used the paddle shifter. The car is wicked fast but it's definitely not the sportiest in class. It's probably a distant 3rd (some would argue 4th) behind the 3er, G35 or even TL. I bought the IS because of its straight line performance, best-in-class interior and the sexy exterior. If you are looking for a sporty ride and shift-em-yourself I would recommend you to divert the attention to the 3-series or the new G.
For a manumatic with real manual performance, you need to look at Audi's DSG, which now goes by the moniker "S tronic". That's the real deal.
You may find the manumatic very useful, as I have, for selecting and holding a lower gear in spirited driving and/or curvy cornering and/or hilly terrain, or even for holding a higher gear when launching in slippery conditions. It is utterly useless for self-shifting through the range from any performance standpoint. It is a step up from automatic, but again, if you want a manual with automatic shifting, Audi would be the place to look, unless you're flush enough for a Ferrari or high-line Porsche product.
On tires, you can certainly find and apply longer-lasting tires to the car, but overall handling will suffer; no way around it. However, it may well be a trade you can live with. I can't. :sick:
I spend roughly $850 for rubber, installed, every 13-15K miles, for a premium performance summer tire with ultra-superior wet-handling as well. For me, it's worth it, and then some...
The tire is rated at 300.
Thanks,
I'm on set number three, and as I said, I get between 13K-15K miles per set. I also commute through a deliciously curvy, hilly canyon, and I love to drive; big reason why I kept the old IS and declined to pick up the new one. Someone driving more freeway, or at least more straight line could get more miles out of the tires, but where's the fun in that?
WV wood interior trim, Z1 Pkg Cargo-mat-wheel locks, Tungsten pearl, MSRP $39,072.00, so far the best price I have received is $35,057.00 plus tax, reg and dealer fees of $399.00...Is this a good price? They say it is $400.00 over invoice, but I did a search and it seems that invoice is $34,228.00
If invoice is $34,228.00 and they add $400.00, it adds up to $34628.00...The dealers reply was the additional money on their invoice is because they have to add an advertising fee, and would not budge. Went to 3 dealerships, and after price haggling with them, heard the same speech....That is the bottom line....so, I hope that $35,057.00 is still a good price, this AWD car is in great demand in the northeast, and the dealers can not keep them on their lots....please let me know about the price before I sign the papers!!!
Thanks!!!
I've got kids and safety is the issue - but I DO love the car and have to decide if I should buy it. HELP, PLEASE
Exclusive? Of course. Admission is strictly limited. Limited to only those select few who want to go...
Anyone out there who has run with regular fuel or who can comment?
Regarding gas mileage, I have been very pleased. I've driven my IS250awd for 10K miles and on several road trips (in excess of 500 miles) I've averaged over 31mpg. While driving in town (with mix of stop and go and some freeway
speeds) it manages to average about 25mpg. Of course it depends on how aggressively you punch the accelerator as it does have fairly quick acceleration from a stop, despite the modest 205hp rating. Using regular fuel, instead of premium, you may notice a slight drop in mpg.
I'd be curious how my mpg experience compares to your experience with the G35 and A4 ?? Real world experience is different than comparing window sticker numbers. I've been pleasantly surprised that Lexus tends to underestimate the mpg ratings. (conservative Japanese approach, I guess)
Lexus IS 350 driving experience in the snow
The amount of beef they must have added to that front end to carry the plant has to have thrown the balance that much further off.
I wouldn't give you dime one extra for it, but that's just me.
An improved sport suspension package (and much wider availability) for the existing 350 would be worth a simoleon or two, especially if it moved the battery to the trunk, further beefed up the bars and rotors all around, added a leather/Alcantara seating group, and threw in kill switches for all stability controls. I'd pay for that maybe...
Your mileage experience is great - I'm going to go do some looking this weekend.
If premium fuel is too expensive,I would recommend that you buy the V6 Camry XLE instead. It has way more bhp than the IS 250, and is pretty plush on the inside too.
Unfortunately, premium cars were designed for premium fuel.
Also, how are the inventories looking now that the 2007s have been out for a bit? Might nix the need to order from Japan in the first place. :-)