I like the look of the original IS better, it had more character. This new design is nice and clean, but kind of bland, and nothing special (IMHO).

I think it looks sweet and top end at 306hp? Ridiculous. Imagine if they made a 2-door.

For some reason I think they wont be selling too many 350's for 40K. Most people that buy lexus's aren't look for that kind of power. On a side note, I have a 04' LS 430 with the sport suspension, that shit is fast.

The thing that would worry me with those completely shear flat door panel with no lines, ridges or whatever, buy it with metalic paint pray to god someone doesn't ding your car.

Imagine a small ding in the center of one of those big flat door panels. You'll be able to spot it a mile away.

-Mr. Wigggles

A better review at The Car Connection

True - that is why 80% of IS sales are expected to be the much cheaper and less powerful IS250 model. Similar ratio for BMW 325 vs 330.

BTW I just priced out a BMW 330i at over $46K with Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, NAV, 6-CD Changer, Metallic Paint, Keyless Entry and 6AT. That is getting quite expensive...

I like how you think. :D A little car like that with neutral weight balance would be an abolsute terror with a turbo...AWD or RWD.

The Edmunds numbers are in on their full road test and review:

6.1 to 60
14.2@99.8 in the 1/4
123 from 60
64.1 through the slalom.

And the bottom line: "But as capable and solid as the car feels when tearing along Angeles Crest Highway, I'm left with an undeniable impression — I'd rather be driving a BMW 3 Series"

hey, do you have a link to the article?
my friend told me on the IS forum that people are saying the is350 would float around 46K....which to me DEFINTELY means i'd rather be driving a 3 series (maybe even an acura rl)

I found the article
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=106455

they seem to like it, though accuse it of the basic lexus critique, almost too high on luxury and could use a bit more driving 'experience'.
nonetheless for me i like it, but am dying to see the cost on it and the other auto journalists get their numbers up too. If they charge more than 40 or so for it its plain too much i think.

Yup...that's where they lost me too. Nice looking and performing car...but give me pick the gears or else you can keep your car.

Hmm. From certain angles the new IS looks like a BMW 5-Series. Maybe I'm just going blind from spending about 13+ hours playing SS4.