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Comments
They're not offering SMGs because they're better. And the manumatic mode on automatics is a gimmick, nothing more. And those gimmicks are designed to make more money now and make infinitely more on maintenance. I have two friends with steptronic BMWs, both have dumped over 4k into replacing them. Ouch!
CDs are cheaper, sound better, last longer and a player is a commodity, thus cheap to replace. Automatic trannies have been for around decades and decades yet they're still not reliable and are still more expensive to fix than manuals. When an automatic is cheaper to replace and better, lasts longer before needing maintenance than a manual, I'll agree with your analogy. At this point SMGs/autos are still more like a laser disc or DAT (digital audio tape), they're more exespensive to buy and when they break down, replacing them is more expensive too.
...when it's 500 times each day, yes it's too tough. After driving 65 miles to work everyday through stop and go LA traffic in my 5 speed BMW Z3, my foot would ache because of the heavy clutch.
Been there, done that. Keep the car in second and if it's a 3.0 it'll crawl before stalling.
Well you are one of the few who really doesn't care about gas milesage.
Uh, we bought sports sedans, not hybrids.
When I say more engaging, I mean, more engaging to drive than a pure automatic...you can't crash and die on playstation buddy. Get real.
Crashing and dying in a car is pretty remote too, imho. 280 million people and how many auto fatalities in 2004? 46000? That's like a .00016 chance and that's not including # of trips and miles. Given the miles driven, the number of cars, and the safety features today, the last thing I'm worried about in my car is death. I'm more concerned with a clunking sound or why the boob in front of me is weaving.
Would NEVER buy one with a stick! Both the stick AND the clutch are a total joke.
And it AIN"T FUNNY!
DrFill
Haven't seen anyone drive one who's second car isn't a Buick or Avalon.
Liked the mid-gen update, was pretty edgy and the interior made a HUGE leap forward.
Car is entertaining, even saddled with a 4-speed slusher!
DrFill
Which one is better-looking, the new 3 or the new IS?
7295 responses
IS - 61%
3 - 39%
That's cool!
DrFill
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
But the Mustang's interior came along nicely, as did the exterior was bold and edgy, to my eyes, with the hood scoop (non-functional) on the V8 (hate the one on the V6), and the 8 sounded great and felt even better when driven hard. Even Auto!
I can say what I want about Ford and American cars, but until you've driven a GT with the top down, and your foot down, you have missed a great ride, my friend!
My two cents on the 3's styling is the cover of C&D says it all. The front is BUSTED! Is it a CTS? No, but it has been Bangled enough. It's Rocky Balboa after 3-4 rounds. You can see the cracks starting to form. Too bad.
The profile still lokks awesome, though! Beautiful, classic design! I guess that's why those pictures are so prevelant.
The rear is too puckered, uptight.
The IS has everything flowing so gracefully, cohesively, from front to back.
Strange, but I saw a Solara Convertible today and I was like "I've seen that face before!".
It shares A LOT with the IS face. The IS is not as severe, but they are definitely bretheren.
DrFill
The new 3 series doesnt do much for me. I really dislike those little bits of chrome on the hood above the kidney grill. I also dont like the "baby 5" interior.
BTW, why are people citing polls online? That's about as scientific as asking people at a chevy get together who makes the best cars. It only takes one major forum to get all its members to swing by a site and skew an online "poll".
If only those are the sales ratio for the Lexus...
It might take some time, but no one can bet against Toyota, not even Michael Schumacher. 1,000,000,000,000.00 Yen a year of profit can do a lot, like trashing the BMW party.
50 to 1 in favor of BMW? if that were true, Lexus wouldn't have gone the way of Sterling or Merkur! Remember them?
Is the above statistic really so shocking??
If you favor performance/handling, ofcourse BMW will win hands down over Lexus. Unlike Lexus, every BMW model is meant to be the top in terms of performance/handling.
Why would 98% of the world prefer a BMW over a Lexus? The simple answer is this: The majority of Lexus sales consists of medicore vehicles like the RX and the ES. The majority of BMW sales are 3 series based. Those stats in itself prove why 98% of the globe shrewdly would prefer a BMW.
So why does BMW not have superior sales in N. America? At an emotional level a majority favor BMW but at a logical level they choose to buy a Lexus.
Most people do not favor performance/handling as an end in itself. I can argue that the majority of N. Americans prefer to purchase a vehicle with the silky creamy smooth luxury feel of a LS, ES or RX over a competent handling BMW. I dont need a survey to prove that. The high sales volume of Lexus as a whole proves that point(especially when you consider the success of the ES/RX)!
"Unlike Lexus, every BMW model is meant to be the top in terms of performance/handling"
And Lexus cars are all chop-liver ? How about this: unlike BMW, Lexus makes more reliable, higher quality, quieter, and more luxurious automobiles (we ain't talking of leatherette and vinyl seats here).
"Why would 98% of the world prefer a BMW over a Lexus?. The simple answer is this: The majority of Lexus sales consists of medicore vehicles like the RX and the ES"
Huh ? Which 98% of the world? Or do you mean 98% of Germans? Take off those BMW blinders !!! And calling the ES and RX mediocre is IMO silly. To you only RWD cars count. Hogwash ! Do you wonder why BMW sells an X3 and an X5 ? Maybe it has something to do with SUVs being good sellers here, eh ? Think sales volume and profit margin are important? Without the X3, where would NA sales of BMW be ?
Why not go to the BMW love-fest forum and spew your stuff over there, instead of Lexus-a-hating over here. Last I checked, this is the "Next Lexus IS Forum", not about BMW. And if many find the IS better styled than the 3-, feel free to disagree with facts, if you have any.
M
In case you forgot, BMW has been around just a tad longer than Lexus, so its not really surprising that they sell more cars world wide. The new IS is only generation 2. What generation is the 3 series up to now? I think the fact that the IS can even be mentioned along side cars like the 3 series shows how quickly Toyota can get something right when they set their minds to it.
The reason people buy more RX330s than X5s is because the RX330s tend to start when you turn the key. I mean after you drive it off the lot, it STILL does that.
It is clear to me that Toyota WANTS Europe, and with the plentyful resource, Toyota can bring out a new variation of IS every year, a new engine every two years if they want to. (maybe have to) Who knows? I would not be surprised a 400HP of V8 is in the making for next LS.
Let's not forget about those Hybrid motors. I for one thinks that is going to "win the heart and mind" of the European for Toyota - Now finally free of the quota limiting its growth.
The first major trouble for Euro Carmaker could be VW though, if the Jetta fail in the States, they are in deep trouble. Judging from the look of the Jetta, I think it is coming.
98% derived from the 50:1 ratio. I will leave the math to you! 50:1 ratio itself may not be statistically correct, but it is a fact that an overwhelming majority favor BMWs than a Lexus.
I love the Lexus brand, especially the IS, but I am no admirer of the RX and ES. Is that a contradiction?
I hate BMW x5s and x3s, but I love BMWs. Is that a contradiction?
Of course it would be a contradiction if this is a Lexus Lovefest Forum of devoted fanatics that loves anything with a Lexus logo. In that case I apologize if I sounded offensive.
They announce that the optional engine to debut at the NY auto show will be a 3.5L. They speculate that the next gen IS will include a hybrid powertrain. And as to styling: "the style is punctuated by concave and convex shapes that aren't busy - a far cry from previous Japanese design attempts." Needless to say, I agree.
Oh yeah, and dewey, you are just being silly. Sales may not prove much of anything, but one thing they do demonstrate is what you're talking about - peoples' preference. And Lexus sells more. :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Pardon my silliness, but based on your logic above the people's preference would not be Lexus or BMW. It would not be Toyota or Honda. The peoples' preference would be GM the number one seller of vehicles. :op
Anyway my future focus from now on in this forum will be the non-silly matter of the IS.
Stick to the IS, and stay away from personal attacks.
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Read my previous post. You pretty much stated exactly my point, which is that he is free to disagree "with facts, if he has any". Meaning: styling is subjective, no factual basis for disagreement since its just an individual's opinion....
I do indeed like your posts. I am sorry my response was that hash. My sincere apologies....
Hopefully, the IS350's trunk opening won't be horrendously small like on the GS.
Have a sneaking suspicion that the IS350 will approach that price.
DL
Ok got it, he can't dislike the styling on this board. There was no point of you saying anything in the first place.
M
- as a concession to the European market for its displacement taxation, the base engine will be a 2.5L V-6 making 201 hp at 6400 rpm and 184 lb-ft at 3800. They recognize that this is less than the outgoing car, but also state that the 250 will come in "somewhere below the IS300's $29,980 sticker".
- the other engine is a 3.5L V-6 (no surprise there) making more than 300 hp, and they have been told it will do 0-60 in the low 5's, making it quicker to 60 than the new 330i by almost a whole second.
They also mention that "the engines" (note the plural there) mate to a six speed manual or automatic. Manual for the 3.5? YESSSS!
The steering is electric, the interior is more conservative than the current model without being boring, the rims are 17s with optional 18s. The hood is aluminum as is the suspension.
Again, some of the things they mention are either stated so definitively or with such a level of detail (like hp ratings) it makes it hard to believe they are just speculations.
My favorite part: "park the IS and the forthcoming 3 series side by side, and reputation notwithstanding, the more visually dynamic Lexus pops as the BMW pings". :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB111111298686583401,00.html?mod=pj%5Fautos%5Fhs%5Fcoll%5- Fleft
Why would anyone buy a 200HP model when a 300+ model is the next level up? Leaving that big a gap makes no sense either.
I'll take this as further speculation.
The right strategy is getting the 245HP 3.0 in the mix as the BASE.
Lexus needs a 200HP model like BMW needs iDrive!
The lightweight says on the "Other side of the pond", IMO.
DrFill