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I don't really care how big the backseat is for other people in my car, afterall I made the compromises based on what I want for myself. Having a family is not going to occur to me for probably 10 years. Having some friends complain about the size of the backseat will absolutely not influence my car purchase. I bought the car to go fast, handle, have luxury amenities, and look sexy going fast.
Disclaimer: The IS is not a family sedan
One of the reasons (among many others) the 1st gen IS did not sell well was because its back seat was virtually unusable for the average American.
I have an Audi A4 and can say it comfortably seats 4 adults. I've driven in the current IS and haven't found the back seats to be small. Again we're talking about 4 average size adults on occation, not 5 250lb. football players.
No it doesn't. It's insanely uncomfortable. I was literally in pain riding in the back of an A4. No toe room, the seat is low and you have to splay your knees. BTW, I'm only 5-7 and 145 lbs.
I've driven in the current IS and haven't found the back seats to be small. Again we're talking about 4 average size adults on occation, not 5 250lb. football players.
Again, I'd say otherwise. I'm small and really uncomfortable back there. A normal american male - 5-9, 5-10 and what 170 lbs must be in hell in the back of any of these cars.
The demographics for the IS are young, urban, mostly single 20-somethings. They won't be needing to carry 4 adults *most* of the time.... The current demographics for the IS is 29, and represent the youngest lux car owners, bar none, in the NA market. I'd expect the age bar to fall even more with an IS350, which should be a blast to drive.
If the back seat in the new IS is too small, it will definitely hurt sales. Mine, for one.
I guess you gotta pay a premium to get a usable backseat in a RWD Lexus. When you think about it, a loaded IS350 will have the exact same features as a loaded GS300, but the GS300 will probably be $6000 more, equipped the same. What do you get for that $6000 other than more room?
2 for all the cars but the TL and G35.
The demographics for the IS are young, urban, mostly single 20-somethings. They won't be needing to carry 4 adults *most* of the time.... The current demographics for the IS is 29, and represent the youngest lux car owners, bar none, in the NA market. I'd expect the age bar to fall even more with an IS350, which should be a blast to drive.
I already said backseat is not relevant to me. Flipside, I'm not gonna misrepresent the roominess of a car. A4's a tight car in FRONT. The backseat's a nightmare.
from what we've seen in the stats, the IS looks just as miserable as its comp. I can't see the 35-45k IS350 going to many under 30 year old drivers. The IS250 is pretty much aimed right at that 18-34 year old demographic. We'll see...
IMHO, the Altezza was big with kids because of it's boy racerish looks, easy tunability (over 1000 hp on that engine was possible), badge and low price (a loaded one with an msrp of 35k could be picked up easily for 30-31k). It was rich kids civic.
You also get a smaller engine
Yup, all those packages leave out essentials like moon roof, Levinson... Add them to the basic luxury package (choose one) and....voila...MB prices. The packaging of options sucks.
give me leather, tunes, roof and HIDs, and I am on my way. All the rest is superfluous. Try to get these in a package without buying 2 or 3 packages. Oh, I almost forgot the turbo diesel the Euros get....
Has anyone heard or read this anywhere else or am I reading outdated material. I make it a point to do a daily web scan for all recent news of the upcoming Lexus IS350 and have pretty much come to the conclusion that I will not trade in my IS300 for an IS350 that does not have a manual gearbox, plus I would slap myself if I bought one this year only to find out that 2007 models add convertibles and coupe options to the lineup.
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So, if they came out with an '07 model this Fall, they would have to delay an '08 model until after January 1st, 07.... instead of bringing out the '08 next Fall..
They would be screwed, either way.. Why would you want to make it even more confusing than it is already?
Lexus did the same thing with the '01 IS300... It came out in April of '00....
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BTW, the options list include two different staggered 18" wheels, high performance exhaust system, and body moulding/kit and spoiler... yummmm ! And check out the 52/48 balance and gearing on the new IS.... Promises to be a true entry-lux sport sedan....
I would like a four door sporty car with good styling and power (under 7.5 sec 0-60) with AWD and at least 20 mpg city and 30 highway (minimum).
So which of the above mentioned cars fits the criteria best? I know the Acura TL has 270 HP and a 0-60 time of 6.3 or so AND gets about 20 city and 28 highway, but it doesn't come with AWD.
If Acura can make a car with 270 HP and a 0-60 time of 6.3 and still get close to 30 mpg on the highway, then I'm sure Lexus with their 205 HP engine can can get at least a 7.3 sec 0-60 and OVER 30 mpg. You'd think?
The performance specs are:
Not quite the numbers you are looking for.
Anyhow, my 04 got 32 avg on a 1200 mile trip MD on I 70 from OK. Not bad at all considering those gas sucking SUVS.
I experiment with my 25 mile hiway commute in the AM and make sport of going 60 mph and have gotten 35 mpg over a week. But hard to drive that way but nice to know you can use the smooth HP when needed.
IF acura added VCM man who would need an accord hybrid that costs almost the same with no sunroof!!
It won't be long - I think both the Accord and MDX are getting VCM for 06. Most Honda V6s will have VCM with a year or two.
While the standard IS250 will have cloth and no moonroof (making it the one of the least contented cars in its class in base trim) I have a feeling you won't find such a car on dealer lots. I wonder how many special orders for such a car will be out there..... :confuse:
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Hope this helps
The TL is a nice car. Very comfortable on the highway. 270hp is way too much to be driving the front wheels. My best friend's wife has an '05 TL (he says the torque steer is unbeable) he's driving an '03 325iA with Sport Package (his sister's car that he's using up the lease miles on). He says the BMW is the most fun car he's ever driven and considered buying out the lease.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I know how to modulate the throttle to avoid wheelspin. You'd think the same could be done for torque steer. I mean how often do you need full throttle in a car with 270 hp?
It's like the people complaining about the power in the IS250. Look at the competition...The TSX has 200hp and FWD. Acura like it's market performance. The C-class has less than 210hp in it's little 2.5L V6. Have you seen those prices? Audi has a turbo 4 with 200hp...that still has to push an AWD system too. Looks like Lexus is doing just fine with the IS power and even if the prices stay the same as the outgoing model, it'll be cheaper than many.
I can see where someone would rather have the TL over the IS. Especially if they drive like a sane person. Since most of my driving is on the interstate, 270 hp is just fine through the front wheels. Especially in a $32K fully loaded entry-lux car that has been known to top 30mpg.
Not much chance of VDIM geting in my way when the interstate is pretty much straight in the Southeast where I live.
That being said...That new Civic SI looks nice. Considering you can't get much in the back seat of the IS anyway, might as well buy the lighter, faster, cheaper, more efficient car and get a 65" plasma screen with the savings. I mean if performance is such a priority.
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It's not edmunds' fault that lexus is too shortsighted to allow drivers to turn off worthless nanny devices.
The reason for all those AWD models is Lexus' campaign of pushing what it thinks customers want in certain regions. The number of special orders is miniscule so you have to buy what Lexus has on the lot. That will also be the case with the IS - it doesn't matter what you want - you have to take what's available.
This is truth personified. We need to frame this paragraph and throw it in the face of any IS detractors who claims the IS250 is underpowered. The I-4 int he TSX is so buzzy that you can't really feel the 200HP until you get to much higher rpm. The e46 325i had less than 200HP, do I hear any complaints about it being underpowered for its price ? For many, an IS250/6MT would be plenty of car, if priced right. The key, as I see it, is the pricing. If Lexus gets it right, the IS will be a resounding success. Everything we've read so far says it will be a success.
A little more luxury? Have you been in an economy car and then immediately hopped into a sport sedan? The last gen civic (can't speak of the upcoming one), was a tin trap with flimsy doors, plastics, crap ergonomics, no engine power, zero insulation and in general didn't even feel as nice as the 88 civic si my best friend had in high school.
There's no comparing an economy car's feel to an entry level lux car. If you don't see the difference, then by all means go for it.