Lexus IS 350 and IS 250

Kirstie_H

Sorry folks, no salespeople's names allowed.

wale_bate1

Not to his face...

fatcat71

I have put down my deposit a few weeks ago and at that time the dealer was not too sure how many cars they would be getting and what the breakdown would be (Is250/awd/350) Living in CT and using this as a second car I'm all over the 250awd. The dealer stated that they had a 10-15 deposits already. If everyone wants the same car...... I hope they get enough! I have not seen one and am beginning to become inpatient. :mad: "> Thinking 33-34K for 250awd loaded. hope I'm close!

fatcat71

I was going to put the deposit on the 330xi. which also comes out this month (oct 18 i'm told). The reason I opted for the lexus is twofold. First, the interior design of the lexus is far mor luxurious than the BMW, which is a bit on the spartan side. Also, being a second car, saving about $100 usd a month or so wouldn't hurt
The BMW dealer actually tried to convince me that I'd be saving money because of the "free maintanence". On a 3 year lease, if I pay more than $3600 for oil changes and wipers and brakes then there is something seriously wrong with the car!

legar

Nice try but honestly if one writes that xenons "look cool in the dark" then I imagine one is trying to peacock with lights. That's pretty amusing. They're lights.

Wow, this is getting way out of hand. Peacock with lights...... sheesh

All I was trying to say is that Xenons would be a far more useful standard feature to put on the IS250/350, then a moonroof , that is all.

sdottrain

I spoke with a Lexus rep at an auto show in Anaheim and he said the is 250 would be priced at 34k and the is 350 in the low 40s.

mikegiller

Also, what is wrong with thinking that it simply looks nicer with xenons? I believe it is even more self-conscious to think that you can't put on xenons as a side feature because you think they look nice and that others would think so too. That is almost some sort of reverse self-consciousness?

"I can't do this because others might think it looks good, even though I think it looks good. I don't want others to like it because that shouldn't matter to me. But I like it. No, wait that's self-conscious." :confuse:

mikegiller

Yea, maybe for fully-loaded models. Don't worry, you have 5 days 'til prices are released. Those prices are very much so off the mark for base prices (way too high).

cdnpinhead

"Back in the day" there were these things called driving lights. They were the first quartz halogen lights and were thought at the time to be really bright -- 200K candlepower, that sort of thing -- derived from aircraft landing lights.

I did a lot of driving back then between 11 pm and 5 am. That's when the amateurs are off the road and there aren't that many of anyone else. Driving lights helped me not run into moose, elk & other wildlife. Up on the Yellowhead (those who care, know) west of Jasper the highway runs right next to the railroad, and the trains would dim their headlamps to accomodate those few of us who were out in the middle of the night.

Point being (yeah, there is one), really bright headlights are almost totally useless in today's world. How often does anyone get to run with high beams? I have fond memories of having to dim my lights once or twice an hour up in the great white north.

Those days are done, at least down here.

legar

Driving lights helped me not run into moose, elk & other wildlife

Point being (yeah, there is one), really bright headlights are almost totally useless in today's world

Seems to me your contradicting yourself here. Please explain. Its not like there is no more wildlife on the road today.

blueguydotcom

Aye to 1.

blueguydotcom

I wouldn't buy certain cars based on their bling factor. It could be the best car in the world but if the bling factor was too high - say Ferrari F430 - I wouldn't buy one.

Hell, I dislike people talking to me about my current car. I definitely prefer if the car is totally unnoticed.

blueguydotcom

Point being (yeah, there is one), really bright headlights are almost totally useless in today's world. How often does anyone get to run with high beams? I have fond memories of having to dim my lights once or twice an hour up in the great white north.

Pretty much half the time I get my lights I end up using the brights. Guess that's unusual?

stickguy

is probably going to be irrelevant for most people. That is, if they gut the equipment level to get a low price to advertise, you either a) won't want one, or (more likely) will never see a stripper on the lot. Sure, in theory you could order the no option model, but very few people are going to do that.

billinsobe

What difference does pricing make if Lexus isn't shipping any cars with all of the cool features?

I've had money down since June and if they don't have a car I want on the 14th I'm afraid I'm going to get my deposit back and buy something else.

Still waiting on my dealership to return my calls on what they are being allotted.

No ML is a deal breaker.
No park assist is a deal breaker.

I'm sorry, but I refuse to wait forever.

wale_bate1

OK, I can see wanting a chick sound system, even though having been a musician of sorts for 35 years even I couldn't really give a toss about ML, but park assist? Park Assist? As in "grandparent's garage guardian"?

Strictly Buick, Bill, strictly Buick...

stickguy

on something this small? You wouldn't enjoy parallel parking our Odyssey!

stickguy

don't you ever take a break and give someone else a chance?

I personally had high hopes for the IS. This whole back seat room thing has gotten me worried, since one reason (OK, justification) for me to get a new car is to get more room for the kids, and have enough space/somfort/cargo room to use this car on trips when we don't need to load up the moving van (aka the "Odyssey).

Tough sell to the boss if my 14 YO son won't fit!

But, I don't require much. The new 3 series is quite roomy, and I could live with a Volvo S40 back seat. It has to be at least as roomy as that one!

wale_bate1

D'oh!

Sorry...
[shuffles feet and slinks to back of room]

It was a hanging curve ball; I had to.

stickguy

I was just mad you got in first!

lbaily

I've driven both the IS 350 and IS250 AWD. They are beautiful vehicles, but not family cars. No more than 2 average-sized people can fit in the back seat and it's not roomy. I think your 14-year old would be uncomfortable after an hour or so if two people were in the back seat. Make sure he's part of the test drive. I don't have any kids, so I don't need a big back seat. I'll be buying one of the ISs once I decide which model I want.

cdnpinhead

My point (buried in the rhetoric) is that most roads are so crowded today that the occasion to use bright lights (high-beams, driving lights, xenons, or whatever) is very limited.

Certainly, if I were still running between Edmonton & Kamloops in the middle of the night, I'd have that opportunity.

I'm not, and I don't. I assume that most others on here are in equally urban and/or crowded areas. Perhaps not. If not, great. Enjoy it.

menezes

Hi: I'm new to the forum. I put down a deposit 3 months ago on an IS250AWD in Toronto. I was just at the dealership getting an appraisal on my trade in and noticed that the most current brochure seemed to imply that the Levinson stereo was only available on the 350. Is that what you are referring to? If so, that would suck. My sales rep (I bought a RX330 from him 6 months ago), said that with the package I ordered I would get every option except the nav/backup camera. Not sure I would care either way about the park assist, but the Levinson stereo is a Lexus hallmark. I have it in my RX and it is awesome.
Something else I noticed in the brochure was that Limited Slip Differential was listed as "available" on both the 250 and 350.
If that's the case, I'm second guessing my 250 AWD choice. I am sure a 350 with good snows and Limited Slip would do me just fine in Ontario.
My rep also told me that we probably will not be getting pricing on Tuesday. He said prices may only be available when the cars arrive (on the 17th).

.

slinglin

For what it's worth, I drove an IS 350 yesterday and I own a 2001 330Ci (5 speed). I'm short (5'8" but I play taller) and with the driver's seat set for me there was as much room in the back seat as in my 330Ci, that's not to say there was much room but no less than I'm used to. The overall build quality seems much higher in the Lexus and there was no comparison between the two in terms of technology (though I'm not sure if this is good or bad). If you plan on auto crossing your car, if you plan on having adults in the back seat on a regular basis or if you're tall and plan on putting your kids in the back then this probably isn't the car for you. If reliability, build quality and technology are your things and you don't mind a cramped back seat then you could do a lot worse than the Lexus.

legar

I dont know if this is a stupid question but what is ML?

Park assist.....LOL, are you serious?!

wale_bate1

Mark Levinson.

Audio equipment.

ben833

Hey,

I was wondering what the advantages of having the shifters on the steering wheel for the automatics are. It seems that it would be difficult to change gears while turning. Most other automatics with the shifting option have it on the bottom right hand side of the driver.

blueguydotcom

It's so people can "shift" and keep their hands on the wheel - in other words live out their formula one fantasy even though they're driving an automatic.

timbo3

IS has both methods of manual shifting: (1) steering wheel paddles, (2) center console stick (+ and -).

mikegiller

Good point. I forgot about that. You can also use the conventional way of shifting the automatic by using your centre console shifter, not just the steering wheel ones.

johnl2

can someone explain to me what is park assist? i hear about that all the time but just dont know what that feature is for.

fatcat71

Park assist varies from car to car, but on the lexus if you get the Nav system, or even if you don't, (I think) the car had a screen that projects an image from a rear facing camera that "assists" in allowing you to park or operate in reverse. I know that Volvo has a system of "beeps' that tell you when you are getting too close to something while in reverse and I'm fairly sure that most other lux car makers have this type of option. For the IS it really should not be an issue. The car is only 180 inches. If you cant parallell park this car go get a SMART!

billinsobe

I live in the city and it's nice not to have to worry about how close you are to the cars around you.

Some people like technology just for the sake of having it (I am one of those people). I refuse to compromise and in fact I'm weighing the option of getting a GS or Infiniti M if Lexus isn't going send reasonable allocations.

Just because you don't care to have a luxury car with all of the options doesn't mean that other people don't. OPEN YOUR MIND. Live outside the box a while. Car companies offer features because people want them. I happen to be one of those people. Don't judge.

fatcat71

I didn't mean to imply that I was being judgemental. But don't you think there is a bit too much reliance on technology these days. What did we all ever do before awd and 4x4's I think there are more accidents now in bad weather because people think that the technology will save them from their stupidity. Working in an ED I can tell you that this unfortunately is just not the case. Car dealers offer certain options because there are people like you who feel that they need every option. Perhaps it is compensation for other issues that you might have, I don't know. Once again, if you can't park, don't drive. What do you do about the cars around you on the highway. God help us all if your accident pre-collison avoidance system fails for you!

mikegiller

Holy moly... everything is in relativity. Just because the car is smaller than others, it does not mean that there will NEVER be a spot that it can barely fit in. Not all parallel parking spots could even fit a Civic in it. Now given this is a 30-44ish thousand dollar car, most people don't want to smash the bumper of it. Just because somebody embraces technology, does not mean he/she is an idiot or physically inadequate. Like billinsobe said, think outside the box a little bit; not everything is black and white like you make it to be.

"I didn't mean to imply that I was being judgemental...

... Perhaps it is compensation for other issues that you might have, I don't know. Once again, if you can't park, don't drive."

You were saying?

blueguydotcom

I am reluctant to parallel park expressly because I don't want others parking near me and possibly touching my bumpers. If PDC will keep other drivers from other coming in contact with my car - god bless, put it on every car!

mm9351

fatcat, this has gotten a bit off-topic, don't you think? The issue was options / pricing, but now you insist into getting into philosophical discussions and your off-beat personal anecdotes about how electronic aids and hi-tech options are "dumbing-down" the driving experience. Your posting would be just as appropriate for a forum on Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc. correct? The simple truth is that this technology is expected in this segment and driven by strong consumer demand. All auto manufacturers are raising the bar while higher level technology is finding its way into more entry level models. In fact, this cutting edge technology sets Lexus apart from most other auto manufacturers, even more so because the stuff works and is reliable! Your comment is crude and short-sighted to imply that "Lexus is going to save us from our stupidity."

legar

So what your are trying to say is that the IS 250/350 is not going to be offered with a Mark Levinson and Park Assist? Are you sure?

Just because you don't care to have a luxury car with all of the options doesn't mean that other people don't. OPEN YOUR MIND. Live outside the box a while. Car companies offer features because people want them. I happen to be one of those people. Don't judge.

Good for you, can we get back to talking about the IS now.

bobob20032000

Yahoo Autos has the Lexus IS 250 on its website. There is no pricing yet but it has the list of standard and optional features.

mikegiller

Yup, it does seem that way. In my Lexus IS250/350 brochure of the packages available sent to me by my salesman at the Lexus dealership, it says that the IS350 with "Luxury with Navigation Package" is the only IS in the line-up with ML It could be wrong. All we have to do is wait a couple more days (3 more).

kronogoose

Personal choice (and opinions) are great, aren't they?

If I may be so bold, I believe billinsobe's point was that Lexus should offer and provide models with the options he wants.

To me, extra options = extra weight = less sporty. What appeals to me about the IS is that Lexus describes it as a sport sedan to compare with the 3 series (I know, so many manufacturers are doing that), and in theory I can get one with a decent engine and a manual transmission. I'm not so interested in the luxury side of the equation, but the sporty side is very appealing. Like billinsobe, I hope that when it comes time for me to buy a car, that Lexus will have a car on the lot with the options I want. I am definitely sold on the looks of the car (it's utterly amazing in my opinion) but I'll have to wait on pricing and performance.

Is anyone else interested in the manual tranny on the IS250?

mikegiller

I am for sure interested in an IS 250 6MT. However, it all comes down to the test-drive. If the ML system isn't available with it then that is no deal breaker for me. I can easily do aftermarket stereo. The cabin is already very well acoustically tuned to make an aftermarket stereo sound just as good as the ML one. Does anybody know how much of an increase in price the ML system adds to the cost of the car? ie, how much is it worth...

kronogoose

Has anyone else noticed how some manufacturers now offer their higher-powered "sport" models in luxury trim only? I'm thinking of the new Accord (Sedan) 6MT which only comes in EX trim and the Legacy GT, which I've heard for 2006 will be offered in Limited trim only. If I'm not mistaken, the only way you can get a G35 (Sedan) with AWD and a manual is in the luxury trim (I'll have to research that). The message seems to be that customers who want sport-oriented goodies (at least in this segment) also want luxury trim. Is it a form of up-marketing(?), to make "enthusiasts" pay extra for performance? Or do luxury and performance truly go hand-in-hand? For me personally, I'd rather have a manual transmission, tighter suspension and extra HP than a bunch of creature comforts.

I guess Lexus' marketing research showed otherwise--no manual transmission, as of yet, for the IS350. From the forums I've read, there's already interest in a manual tranny for the IS350.

billinsobe

After a conversation with my dealer about allocations and a rather lengthy day of negotiations at a local Infinity dealer and with Lexus I've made the decision to scrap the IS and go with the GS. I take ownership of my pimped out GS300 Monday.

I wish everyone the best with their future purchases. Whether you get an IS250, IS350 or something else.

It's been a treat. Now it's time for me to part ways and possibly take up discussions in the GS forum.

mikegiller

It was good knowing you. Enjoy the extra room of the GS. It is one damn fine lookin car. (Looks amazing in black/white )

mvs1

Your post reminded me of comments made by a Lexus dealer I've purchased from and performed work for in the past regarding how they order only loaded units for their inventory. I think this was mentioned in an earlier post but I can count the times I've seen any Lexus model on a dealer lot with-out leather, one, and I believe this was a special order where the buyer backed out. Most luxury cars come loaded up to a point where the least costly vehicle on the lot deletes only Navi and an upgraded stereo. If in fact manual transmission vehicles make up such a small portion of overall sales in this category, manufacturers and/or dealers may choose to push or purchase for their inventory only loaded vehicles. It would make the sale of these low volume (manual trans) easier to sell in the pre-owned market place.

johnl2

Congrats! but you waited this long and you going to get a GS? the price is gonna be out the sameday you pick up your car! I been waiting for almost 2 months now for the ilexus to show us the price or else i would have gotten a new RL long time ago, as i need a car asap. but for some reason the the past few days has been torturous for me as the price is getting close to be revealed. I just cant wait to see the price and the car in person. I hope the is350 doesnt go beyond $42k fully loaded or else i will have to sell a few more pint of blood to get it.

timbo3

ML is probably an extra $1800.

digital_b

uh, unless the rule change is already in effect, F1 HAS auto transmissions.

1violinist

ML is probably an extra $1800.

I guess it's about $2k. I think NAV+ML package is around $4k!