I'm still half-heartedly keeping my eyes open for a new car, and was wondering if any of you came from (or went to) a Lexus IS250? Or any experience with the car in general?

I love driving my 8, but the stress of worrying about it gets to me at times. It runs perfect (second engine), but you know how it goes when you read the forum... you realize all the things that CAN go wrong, lol. And I have no idea if engine #2 will run for another 100,000 miles... or begin fading in a year.

I realize the IS250 isn't a sports car like the 8, but at this stage of my life I'm leaning more towards some luxury and worry-free reliability (though still with some driving feel and fun) rather than a raw sports car. I don't modify, I don't race anyone, I don't work on my car; I just commute with it, enjoy a twisty back road now and then, and keep up on all normal maintenance.

And yes I know, I need to go drive one. Still, I'm just curious if anyone has any experience with them?

 

In my experience, lexus is about the furthest you can get from a car with driving feel and fun. My friend has an IS250 and I've driven it a couple times, so I wouldn't say it completely lacks any potential for fun, but if that's something that matters at all, it's not the car I would look at. The only reason I'd look at the IS is if I wanted a nice luxury car for getting around and nothing more. It is a reliable, well built car with a great interior.

I think audi or bmw would be a slightly better compromise for sportiness and luxury.

 

One of the cheapest models of a Lexus. The IS250 is a basic car compare to the IS350 with more options in it. If i were you, try to test drive it, and see how it is.

 

I can't say I'd agree... There really aren't significant differences between the 350 and 250 in terms of options. I definitely wouldn't spend the money on the 350. You're pretty much paying for extra performance in a car that still doesn't drive like a performance oriented car. I'd absolutely look at other brands if the 350 is being considered.

 

In that price range, I'd be looking at a 328i or a TSX Tech.

 

I've never driven one but for the price, it's really an over-priced corolla.

I know there's a guy who works at an autozone where I live who has one with a JZ motor in it and when I asked about purchasing a new optima battery for my car he started bashing the Rx-8 with his buddy so much that I just left. Pretty random story, basically just saying I'd never buy one as they're just a higher quality corolla with a bigger price tag.

Acura > Lexus IMO. Besides the LFA.

 

It's reliable and comfortable. I like them. I think the 250 has a smoother engine than the 350, in the same way the G25 is much smoother than the G37.

Great transportation.

 

I wouldn't say it's an overpriced corolla. They are built pretty solid and the interior is pretty exceptional. They're definitely nice cars and I'd say they do the luxury aspect better than the other cars mentioned so far. It's pretty feature packed. The mark levinson sound system is also one of the best I've heard in terms of stock speaker set ups. It might not be a fun car to drive, but it's a nice car and I definitely wouldn't call it an overpriced corolla. You could say the TSX is a higher quality honda. The G series is just a higher quality nissan. An audi is a higher quality VW.

Thanks for mentioning... I always seem to forget one of the luxury brands, and it was infiniti this time. The G would be a good car to look at as well... I generally like inifiniti interiors and it's definitely going to be the car that is more fun to drive when compared to the IS.

 

The Corolla comparision lol, I dunno what to say

I agree about the Audi's and BMW's being more fun. It's just I also read all these scary reliability and expensive "scheduled maintenance" stories about them. Though I also read how the 8 "burns oil" all the time too, so I know it might just be an unfair stereotype. But still, I rarely hear that Lexus reliability is poor (though any car has it's problems).

Inifniti... I have this completely irrational and unfounded avoidance of them. They're perfectly fine cars, it's just a personal prejudice I can't explain.

The TSX is nice too, except it's front wheel drive and Accord sized (as is the A4). I'm used to smaller cars.

So yes lol, I've been through this circle of choices too and keep coming back to the IS. I've been looking "low" too (Civic, Elantra, Mazda3), but after the 8... I dunno, it'd be difficult having been so spoiled now.

On the other hand, the Lexus is a lot of money for me. I could justify spending it for the 8 because the 8 was just so magical and special. But the IS... well I guess I do need to try one out

 

Well... Infiniti could more or less be compared to Skyline as Skyline is the branch of Nissan for the Japanese market as compared to Infiniti and the US Market.

I'm sure the quality is higher but so is the price and both serve the same purpose. Infiniti has exceptional build quality, I almost purchased a g35 but the engine sounds like a cow dying when you get higher in the rpms.

Hondas have great build quality as well, which is why I would recommend Acura. Only problem with Honda is the luxuries. We have an '07 CRV EXL in our family as well and I'd have to say the quality is the great but it doesn't even have courtesy lights. Bought the car brand new in mid '06, has 75k miles on it never had a problem with it ever.

I'd recommend the G25 or 37 to anyone though. Great cars and quality.

 

My buddy has one they drive decent nothing close to the feel of an 8. One thing I liked was the interior it was pretty nice, if I was looking for a daily this would be a good choice.

 

Sounds to me like you've already strapped on the colostomy bag and have one foot in the grave.


And you'll burn in hell for posting such a thread ... rotary gawds have mercy on on your SOOOOUUULLLLLLLLLLLLL mouhahahahhahaaha

 

How small are you looking for? The A4 is a little larger than the IS but it doesn't really feel much larger. I'd at least take a look at the cars mentioned so far unless there is absolutely no appeal. Spending 15-20 minutes with a car in person can tell you a lot more about the car than anything you'll find in pictures or comments from people on the internet. It's especially important since it would be based off of your own feelings, rather than just numbers or the opinions of others.

Ehhh... it is the skyline in Japan, but it never seemed like part of the skyline legacy, and especially with the release of the new GT-R. It's still a nice car, but something about it lacks the spirit, in my opinion.

I still feel the need to fight the corolla comparison... It's not even reasonable to compare them. Pretty much completely different cars, from the ground up. Different chassis, engine, drivetrain, interior design, exterior design etc. Just the fact that the tsx is front wheel drive makes it more similar to a honda than the IS is to the corolla. Unless you've sat in one, I don't think you can really make that comparison accurately. I am by no means a fan of the car (it goes against my personal preference in cars), but it is definitely impressive as an entry level luxury oriented car. I've driven a 335i, G35, A4 and I've ridden in a friends TSX. The interior of the IS is simply much better than all of them, when it comes to luxury and overall design.

 

I understand where the corolla comment is coming from. For the price of it in NZ a decent second hand version can fetch close on $80k in a dealership, etc. It seems to be quite bit for an overpriced, and for want of a better word "toyota".

I have actually driven one for a decent long trip. Not a bad drive. Decent grip and oomph but something is just missing from this luxury car. It just doesn't have that "luxury" feel. Especially considering the price. There are other japanese cars, for instance the new Honda accord v6, or hyundai i45 that are far better priced and appointed. If you want a better drivers car, and with a bit more class why don't you look at an Alfa 159, etc?

 

My wife drives an is250. The creature comforts and reliability are typically Lexus very well done, but it is somewhat underpowered. The is350 would be a better choice in this regard (obviously a good deal more costly tho'.).

 

Toyota (in all its iterations Lexus/Scion as well) Doesn't do it for me anymore.

They abandoned the enthusiast back in 2004 and only build "transportation I-pods" ever since.

If you Do like the IS 250, keep in mind, they made one with a Manual transmision for some years, & the IS-F is the Sportier of them ( but waay more expensive)

 

Find a first gen IS manual transmission and stuff a 2JZ-GTE with a mild 400whp tune!
Mwahahahaha!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uEidFyC6vg

 

LOL, well haven't you ever envied the serene calm of the Camry driver next to you? No obsessing about losing compression, no OMG is my catalytic on fire? thoughts after a fast drive, lol. Just... soothing serenity and security.

Hmmm, it does sound a bit like death, doesn't it?

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions! You pretty much echo/confirmed much of what I've been thinking too. I'll try one later this week...

 

They also don't obsess about the line of traffic behind them calling them all sorts of unmentionable obscenities because they're driving in the left lane at 5 below the speed limit. (sorry but I see it too many times to consider it a stereotype anymore)

For what it's worth, the TSX is smaller than the US-spec Accord, because the TSX is the European Accord. The TL is built on the same platform as the US Accord.

 

I think an IS250 with the manual would be far more compelling than one with the automatic. However, I think I think I'd take a Infiniti G25 auto over either of the IS250s.

The G25 has better handling dynamics and can actually fit 4 people in comfort. I sat in the back of an IS350 and it is tight back there!

 

I test drove a RWD manual IS250 when they first came out. It was very clear it was a car made for people who hate driving.

 

If I wanted that and didn't want my 8, I'd get a VW GTI, Audi A3 or maybe a BMW 1-Series. Worth checking out.

 

I think the GTI and A3 both have recurring PCV issues and failing cam followers for the HPFP, while the BMW had fuel pump issues. Not sure if all of these have been worked out.

I do love the GTI Mk1, Mk5 and Mk6, and the BMW, but not the A3, which is essentially an overpriced GTI, like the sucker, Saab 9-2x).

Yet IMHO (flame suit on), German vehicles (in sweeping generalization) are over-engineered and thus is certain to have higher probability of problems.

There is a great paper in the field of software engineering that directly relates bugginess in code to size (implies complexity). It basically states that all factors become irrelevant when it comes to the number of bugs. The only thing that matters is size of code.

I think it can be stretched to include all complex systems.

http://blog.vivekhaldar.com/post/106...f-code-quality

 

Alfa 159, in the USA? No such luck.

 

Or if you want a sculpted work of art true grand touring ride, with also great gas mileage, the Audi A5 coupe 2.0T. Also easily "chippable" for significant hp/tq gains. That's what I did.