We will just have to agree to disagree on this one

 

Yep, and it was an good exchange.
I wonder if the djseto made a decision between the two... maybe he's busy driving around showing off the paper tags.

 

Considering that most IS drivers specify the automatic, the IS250 automatic is left wanting. It was tested by C&D I think and it did okay, but really needed another 20HP to be competitive.

I think the price difference between the 250 and 350 is really severe.

 

I was lucky and they had a MT. I only found out afterward how hard they are to find.

 

Aaaactually the IS is based off of the JDM Crown platform and as such compros have been made in JDM mags between the IS and the Crown Athelete (sport version).

 

335i. Definitely. Probably my next ride.

 

Man I can't see how if you've driven both you could be asking this question. I drove a is250 (less power) but the things that mattered like the steering feel and the handling were terrible. Extremely boring car, made more boring by the fact that it has a auto only.

335i is a very expensive car. I'd say get a well-kept used or maybe new M3 instead of that car for around the same price. Or look at a few well-kept latemodel NSXs.

Depends on what you want though. You'll be very heartbroken when the new M3 comes out if you have the 335i. If you get a E46 M3 you know you've got a classic that is timeless. Same with the NSX, they aren't produced anymore so again, another classic.

 

The 250 is not auto only. I have MT, 6speed. It had a decent enough feel for me. I wanted the Lexus reliabitly, service...... or at least I hope it turns out that way

They consistantly rank High in both.

 

I'm sure you're right that the new M3 will be far beyond the 335i in performance, but I bet it's gonna be in a whole 'nother tax bracket.

I also think that the M3 will have a much harsher suspension than the 335i. Not that there's anything wrong with that... it's just not for everybody. My Type R gave me back problems, but I have no issues in the 8 or the STi. An M3 would probably send me back to the chiropractor.

 

the E92 M3 will pretty surely cost around 60k after taxes and tags with a few normal options. the E42 is already getting terrible gas mileage with such a highly tuned NA engine that makes more than 100hp per liter NA... Id hate to imagine how bad the fuel economy is with a 4.0L V8 making more than 100hp/liter NA... sounds as scary if not scarier as the sick performance that it will deliver

 

This is a good way to look at it. The IS is an incredible car and has a lot of advantages over the BMW, but the 3 series is just much better in terms of fun to drive. The IS is pretty disappointing as a driver's car compared to the BMW. (I test drove the 330 and the IS350). But if you ignore the fun to drive factor IMO, the Lexus is the way to go.

Only you know how much the fun to drive factor matters to you. I found regrettably that it matters a whole lot to me. I returned my RX-8 lease and got a Mazdaspeed 6. Which is a very nice car, but loses out for me on the fun to drive factor, so I really don't like it. Even though I have no real reason to not like it and the sound dampening is SO MUCH BETTER than the 8, I just can't help but think "damn, I made a mistake, I should've just bought an 8 or gone cheap and saved money".

I know different things matter to different people. I know alot of people HATE the 8 because of the lack of torque, but for me personally, I'd gladly give up my 280 lb/ft torque for the 8's fun factor.

 

 

Sorry, I meant the 350 is auto only.

 

Well the E46 M3 gets better gas mileage than the RX-8 at least.

Also if the E92 M3 follows the path with which BMW took the latest M5 and M6, it's going to be a terrible car for purists. If they banglify, and then stuff more technology into then it will be ruined, and the E46 M3 (especially the CS and CSL) will be the best driver's buys as their prices will plummet when the new M3 arrives.

A 4.0 liter V8 is gonna add more weight. And more technology will add more weight. I hope BMW does the right thing like they did with the M Coupe and M Roadster. Keep it simple.

 

I only read the first and fifth pages of this thread, but in case it hasn't already been mentioned, the 335i Coupe is nearly as fast an M3. It's reaching 60 in 4.8 seconds, and 1/4 in 13.5. I'm sure a couple bolt ons will make those numbers even lower thanks to the turbo.

Basically there's no point in buying an IS350 anymore. The IS350 may still have a better looking exterior and interior, but other than that, it's a waste of money compared to this bimmer beast, which blows it away in both performance and handling.

 

^^^Speed isn't everything. Just because it has near M3 acceleration performance figures it does not mean it automatically a driver-oriented sportscar like the E46 M3 is. Handling, balance, steering feel, weight, chassis communication, shifter feel. These are the things that make sports car. Not saying the 335i is a dog, but it's just that it is not a "M" car meaning its not tuned to the level that a "M" car usually is.

 

Well if a 911 is an option then the lexus and bmw are not even on the table. e46 M3 is an awesome care, the 335 looks like it will be a great car as well but neither compare to a 911.

 

not to mention the 335 is plagued with an open rear differential

 

If you enjoy your 8, the IS will disappoint you because it won't handle nearly as good or be nearly as organic and communicative.

 

I'd be willing to put money that the 335i will trump the IS350 in all 6 categories you mentioned, except shifter feel of course, because the IS350 doesn't come in stick.

 

^^^Never said it wouldn't.

 

Even then the IS has their own advantages. BMW obviously destroys the Lexus in terms of being driver oriented. Lexuses really are more passenger oriented. Also they do incredible in terms of reliability. I seriously think that if I didn't really enjoy the actual act of driving, then there's a good chance I'd just go with the Lexus. Less to worry about most likely. But anyone that actually enjoys driving would definitely discount the Lexus.

 

Even if IS350 came with stick it may not be any better. I drove the IS250 stick, and it was terrible.

Agree with spork, BMW is still way more fun to drive. As much as Lexus wants the IS to be sporty, it can't shake it's Luxes feel.