Lexus IS 250 vs Honda Accord V6
Just returned from the SF Auto show, great event. Anyway, I'm surprised this comparison hasn't been discussed.
I sometimes think these 2 vehicles are "apples" vs. "oranges". Clearly the Accord is cheaper, so I guess my question - is the IS250 worth the extra $4-6K. On one hand, the IS was much nicer, and I personally like the exterior better. But, it does lack the HPower of the Accord as well as features like folding rear seats, standard vs. premium gas, etc. Curious about others opinions.
I sometimes think these 2 vehicles are "apples" vs. "oranges". Clearly the Accord is cheaper, so I guess my question - is the IS250 worth the extra $4-6K. On one hand, the IS was much nicer, and I personally like the exterior better. But, it does lack the HPower of the Accord as well as features like folding rear seats, standard vs. premium gas, etc. Curious about others opinions.
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>4yr warranty vs a 3 yr warranty
>Rear-wheel drive (I'm in Cali, so AWD isn't so important)
>Keyless ignition
>Tire pressure monitoring
>Better gas mileage (somewhat offsetting the higher gas price)
>and several other less important items (IMO).
I figure when the Accord is updated in '08(?) it will be more competitive, but currently it seems a step below.
I believe if you choose the "expensive package" :P on the East coast you'll be able to get xenon as well. I know in the South that's that case. However I don't understand why the xenon is standard equipment on the ES350 but not the IS. You would think that at least the IS350 should come standard with xenon if not all the IS. If Acura can offer xenon as standard eq on the TSX I think Lexus should do so on the IS as well. What pissed me off the most that one can't even get the xenon as a stand alone option for the 06'. Fourtunately they addressed that issue with the 07' but that still leave us 06' owners stranded. :sick:
$27,995 (vs. $30,970)
244 hp (vs. 204)
40 more horsepower
211 lb-ft (vs. 185)
26 more lb-ft torque
(The Lexus weighs more than the functionally larger Accord - which doesn't help the power deficit).
0-60 5.9 sec (Lexus cites the IS250 0-60 time at 7.9 sec - although I would think it would be quicker into the low to mid 7s).
21City/30Hwy on Regular (vs. 20/29 on Premium)
MUCH more room (nearly 5 inches more legroom than IS250)
More cargo space
(Basically, you get GS size at IS price)
Sure, you get more features in a Lexus (because frankly, at over $30k for s subcompact car, you should), but the Accord certainly seems to hold its own against the Lexus, considering the price advantage it holds, and that it is a five year old design soon-to-be replaced. For someone over 6' tall, the Accord's extra room will definitely come into play. It sure was important to me!
Doesn't look totally bogus of an argument to me. I mean, if it was a pointless thread, you wouldn't have clicked on the link to it except to make tongue-in-cheek deragatory remarks about people's decisions, right? And I think we all have more tact than that, don't we?
I don't mind responding to what you call "idiotic comments" when I'm making a seperate point of my own.
My point, this time, is that since you find the topic idiotic, I can't figure out why you keep coming back only to bash the comparison of these two cars without making any real points about the vehicles themselves. You are bashing the messenger (the thread and the people in it) and not the message, which gets nobody anywhere.
now im not completely bashing the car but some of you honda enthusiasts go overboard when comparing to other cars
I can't see where you've made a specific point making the Accord to be a poor automobile, so I don't think you have bashed a thing (anything you've said has had no evidence behind it, and no real subjective OR objective opinion about either of the two vehicles).
I am beginning to think you are right about going overboard though... Comparing a car that costs over $3,000 less that also has 40 more horsepower, 6 inches more rear legroom, better fuel economy (and on regular fuel) is pretty far-fetched, but it's a discussion in which I'm more than happy to participate. If you don't like the discussion, and only want to say over and over that comparing the vehicles is idiotic, well, I don't guess there's anything stopping you.
I think this is an apples to oranges comparison. Honda's 2.4L is a 4 cylinder engine but Lexus' 2.5L is a V6. As matter of fact, Acura TSX's 4 banger puts out more horsepower than Lexus' 2.5.
I personally would never pay more than $36K for an IS250. For $40K, an IS350 with Navi is more worth it. However, if you must have AWD then it's a different story.
BTW, assemlble the IS AWD on the lexus website, it goes up to 41k (MSRP). I got mine (2007 model) for around 36k (after dealer discount) plus taxes and the other charges, came to around 40k.
What is that supposed to mean? The TL is a very competitive player in this segment (ELLPS). It is a sporty FWD sedan that offers tremendous value, luxury, performance and technology. By the way, most people come no were near 40k when buying a TL.
Personally, IMHO when the next generation TSX comes out w/ its redesign and turbo charged 4 cylinder w/ AWD it will leave the IS 250 behind.
The TL and TSX is neither here nor there so I won't discuss them anymore in this forum.
You misunderstood me, Acura is a different brand from Honda. Here I am simply saying the TL is a better model than the Honda at that price. Enjoy your TL, the IS and TL have been compared before on this website so I will not get into that either.
As for the TSX, I think we should "go to war with the army we have, not the army we wish to have". The possibilities are infinite if we start comparing future models.
That said, I initially decided to purchase the Accord and save some money. However after taking a closer look, it really is missing some nice features (IMO), as some else pointed out: bluetooth, driver/passenger power seats, etc. The refreshed Accord next year will probably make it a different story, but for now, it wasn't "up-to-date" enough. And because the Lexus also has some key weaknesses (I do have kids, so backseat space is important), I decided to look elsewhere altogether.
I was looking at the IS350 earlier this year and finally ended up in the Accord SE V6... the stripper V6. About the feature that I can truly say would be nice is if there was an aux input jack since it doesn't come with XM radio, using the FM tuner on my Roady 2 with it is just sub-optimal (had a cassette adapter in the old car). Could do a hard-wire install for aux, but its a lease (December lease deals were great, just a quickie 2 year and then I can decide if I want the next-gen Accord and get a 2nd year of the new model).
Zero regrets, the car drives beautifully! My wallet is happy too.
The AWD nature of the car is amazing and you can do whatever you want, that is the biggest bonus that I see. The level of sophistication is very nice in the Lexus and clearly beats the Accord. Acceleration is better in my case, but that's cuz I have an I4 Accord.
I love my Accord-- just got it a week ago and am looking forward to the next few years. The IS250 is amazing, definitely-- but they're for different people with different needs and bigger wallets.
A 7.9s 0-60 for a $33K car (sports sedan?) is unacceptable. anyone buying an IS should get a 350, its a much better deal.
....based on ten years with a Toyota Supra Turbo, I cornsidered the IS 250.
..the manual shift (IS350 is auto only)is dogshXX compared to the Honda/Acura 6M......
..I laid out $23.4 prior TTL for my AV6 6M, 10k buys a lot of Crown Royal.........
..C/D indicates 5.9 0-60 for the Honda AV6 (6M)......(yeah, I know they drop clutch beat it to death for the 5.9).......
..ez..
There is no such thing. They (Accords) are all made here (Ohio). Honda actually ships some from here, to other countries. The "made in Japan means batter quality" thing is nonsense IMO.
Those whose VIN's start with a "J" are from Japan; those from the US start with a "1". A simple Google search will confirm this.
In addition, I just took delivery of my 07 accord with VIN starting in a "J" and I was told directly by the dealer that it was coming from Japan, I even knew where it was as it came (at one point)
I can't speak for Japan vs US quality, but I hear Japan is better. IDK.
Why do you ask?
Oh amazing Wikipedia. Specifically,the positions that show nation (1st) and plant name (11th). Mine are J (for Japan) and C (for Saiyama, Japan) respectively. With the 11th letter, you can see if your US-built Accord is from Marysville Ohio, Lincolnville AL, or East Liberty, OH (although IDK if all of them are open, i think so?)
1st digit: VINs that start with "JHM" are Honda Motor Co. of Japan. 1's are from the US.
Data One Software seems to have an XML-based VIN decoder tool w/ a 15-day free trial; it will give you loads of info including production plant.
I entered my VIN, which starts with JHMCM563... and got (this is the meaningful part of it)
VIN Decode Results:
Decoding Error: VIN: JHMCM563***...
Valid VIN: Yes
Year: 2007
Make: Honda
Model: Accord
Body: Special Edition 4dr Sedan
Number of Doors: 4 Doors
Where Built: SAYAMA, JAPAN
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Engine Block Configuration: I
Engine Displacement: 2.4
Cylinder Quantity: 4
Fuel Induction:
FI Cam Type: DOHC
Valves Per Cylinder: 4
Aspiration: NA
Fuel Type: G
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic Vehicle
Type: Sedan
Curb Weight: 3192
...
So there you go I guess that's pretty reliable. This program tells you EVERYTHHING, even (approximate) manufacture date.
Take care all
I am not sure which car I would pick, it would be tough. Big horse power isn't a big deal for me, refinement and quality is high on my list. I would have to sit in the drivers seat.
Hello,
After testing both cars which 1 did you decide to buy?
Did you test the Accord or the IS yet?
I'll just say that IS is not for big guy, if your 6ft tall, not very comfortable as the Accord is.
The rear seat leg rooms are like a coupe, again, not comfortable for tall guys, and if 3 persons are going to sit in the rear seat, I am not sure how they can, especially for a long trip.
After testing both cars which 1 did you decide to buy?
Neither. I was test driving the Accord against an Altima (I bought the Altima), and my Mom owns a 2009 IS 250.
If you're a big guy, you're going to like the Accord's space. The IS 250 is a small car. I probably couldn't live with it on trips in excess of 200 miles. However, the IS 250 is the more luxurious car; Memory seats, 6-speed auto-transmission w/ manual mode, heated/ventilated-cooled seats, Xenon headlamps, LED taillamps, and other interior conveniences/accents are NOT available on the Accord. I also stand by my opinion that the IS 250 is extremely planted and refined in how it drives. The car feels very tight at all ends; no rattles or extraneous noises. The engine is also extremely quiet and smooth. It has a nice sound at high-revs as well.
They are two completely cars for completely different markets, but the IS 250 is a decidedly higher quality car. There's no comparison IMO.