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 just test drove the 330i/325i and IS350/IS250. The 330i just simply offered a better driving experience. The Lexus IS felt very nice, it is a big improvement. I really enjoyed the extremely powerful engine. But IMO, they haven't matched BMW's level of "driver enjoyment" Lexus still isolates you, but they are getting close to perfection. I really did enjoy the luxurious interior of the IS. But if I were to buy sport sedan, the 330i will be on the top of my list. To me, it offers enough luxury, comfort and pure enjoyment to be my perfect sport sedan.
Keep in mind, folks, that comment ("you are in the minority...") was only directed at the interior of the car, not the overall car/driving experience. I overheard folks talking about "this car is HOW MUCH? It sure doesn't look like it!". While, this was at a car show, and people couldn't drive them, they had a good long look at the interiors, with the cars in the "ON" position or whatever (electronics were on, engine wasn't). I didn't hear comments about the Lexus, because I wasn't interested in it as much, mainly because it is so small for my 6'5" frame. (Turns out that the BMW 3 was too:-()
My point here, is that people at the show were strictly focused on the styling and interiors of the cars, not the driving experience. And the commentary on the 3-series wasn't that great for $44,000 (I don't know what options it had, but for $44,000 I bet it was pretty well dressed up.).
Let me repeat, there is no doubt in my mind that the BMW is the sportier car, better for handling and corner-carving than ANY Lexus.
People think the BMW is a really nice car also. With 306 hp it seems most people who buy the "L" might be poseurs.
Anybody see all the ES-series Camr...I mean Lexus' on the road? He's right...
thegraduate: My friend just bought that Lexus ES...Camr :P
He bought it because of the badge. He told me he wanted a Lexus, and not a Toyota. Well at least he got a Lexus.
I am happy for you.
Yep. My girlfriend's mom wanted a Lexus GX470 b/c: She drove a 4Runner V8 and LOVED it, and told her husband that she wanted one, just in Lexus form. (Her husband is GM at Tom Williams Porsche-Audi, so he is always driving home luxury demos). She had to drive a Camry XLE (4-cyl) demo while her GX was in the shop; she hated it! Pesky Toyotas...ha
Remember, just because one opinion says one thing (yours), noone's opinion on which car is better is "RIGHT."
You forgot to put IMO
We can still debate until dawn on this topic and nobody cares if I WIN or you WIN...The real winner is the one (Lexus or BMW)who will generate the most profit with its products.. If Lexus enjoy their success offered to consumers they could care less about what you say or think.
I even said I like the 3 series but the IS to me was just as enjoyable, all things considered, and I liked the looks better, a far cry from your position of "my opinion is the only one that counts and if you don't agree with me you're an idiot"
I never challenged you on the fact you thought the IS was better for you. I challenged the notion that it was the "better" car because it had a bigger engine and JD said Lexus was more reliable than BMW as a manufacturer.
Who else thinks that would be a good match up. IF the IS won that, would people think differently, or, instead does it not matter because the 330i handling still 'feels' better?
Autobytel runs a website for ESPN ("ESPN Cars, powered by Autobytel"), has an American website, Norwegian website, Japanese website, and UK website. They are I suppose, the equivalent of Edmunds.
The article clearly has as much relevance as a review by Edmunds and co., whether or not you have heard of them.
Anywho, as far as racing, it will be fun to see the soon-to-come V8 M3 and V8 IS500 to go toe-to-toe. Here, I am sure that Lexus will have full VDIM off and manual tranny since that is the market they are going for!
I mean, if it were not for that you would have?
Now IS blows top
exus looks like it's trying to top the success of its IS range by taking the roof off! The Japanese brand is working on an all-new CC version of its executive car. We can also exclusively reveal the firm is working on a sporty coupé version powered by a monster V10.
When it hits showrooms, the CC will rival Volvo's all-new C70 and the forthcoming BMW 3-Series Convertible. Like the Swedish and German models, the Japanese car will feature a clever three-piece folding set-up when it arrives in summer.
However, there's more than the CC on the way from Lexus
. Toyota's luxury arm is clearly targeting its European rivals by developing a sporty coupé version of the IS, too. Featuring more pronounced rear haunches, the two-door will have a much more aggressive stance than the model it's based on, but feature the same distinctive face as the standard four-door car.
According to company insiders, Lexus is also working on the storming 4.0-litre V10 engine to ensure top-end IS models go as well as they look. With 400bhp, it would rival Audi's RS4 and the new BMW M3. It could be offered in both saloon and coupé bodystyles.
Peter Lyon
Article from: Auto Express
Actually, I happened to drive WRX Sti extensively and while it is fast, I did not feel as connected to the road as in BMW.
I actually tired of hearing this “most people” argument, I’m not most people and I don’t think you are. Most people are driving Camrys and Accords.
If you don’t like BMW styling, by any means don’t buy it. I can not change your opinion, it is to subjective.
People buy cars for different reasons, what I need in sport sedan is the following:
1. Driving dynamics, handling, manual tyranny, and so forth.
2. Styling
3. Leather, sunroof, power seats and windows, climate control, Bluetooth and an okay audio system. I can’t care less about navigation system and other gadgets.
I know, I was just backing you up.
If it’s that simple, what are you arguing about? Just check all auto manufacturers Statements of Income and you got your winner. Who cares what kind of cars they make as long as profits are high, right?
Perhaps somebody with a greater knowledge of the business Toyota has in the US - plants employing american auto workers, dealerships, money spent on advertising to US companies, etc. - can blow that arguement out of the water?
moving on
Yes and I was highly unimpressed, in fact very disappointed.
The drive reminded me of that Pink Floyd song(a band that was popular during my youth) called "Comfortably Numb".
After driving it I was so thankful to drive off with my old and dated manual BMW.
BMWs are built in South Carolina and are creating American jobs(as if that really matters to me as a Canadian). :confuse:
And if it did matter I would buy the predecessor to the Lexus philosophy: A Buick manufactured in Detroit.
This discussion is becoming somewhat degenerated with all this senseless focus on profit margins and where cars are made. In fact the financials of BMW are awesome. But that is certainly not the reason why I would choose to buy a BMW. Nor would I buy the shares of either Toyota or BMW since they are both overpriced.
Replying to: dewey (Mar 16, 2006 8:05 pm)
Pink What? Sounds like just another brick in the wall to me... Never heard of them. Perhaps they were just eclipsed by the better known bands out there.
NICE :shades:
Perhaps somebody with a greater knowledge of the business Toyota has in the US - plants employing american auto workers, dealerships, money spent on advertising to US companies, etc. - can blow that arguement out of the water?
My mistake and you are correct my post 1043 does not make sense. I was just responding to Mike Giller's above statement thinking that he was suggesting Toyota is more worthy because they create more US jobs.
It appears that is not the case! I just dropped by here last night and had difficulty finding the time to read thoroughly the 100s of new posts posted here these past 24 hours.