http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...9012/1532/FREE

 

I actually agree with everything they said. The lack of a manual with their 300hp model is unforgivable. So is limiting the AWD offering to their 250 trim. I love the lines on this car but, sadly, I think that's where it will end for me. Toyota has all but turned their back on true performance. The IS350 is just the latest in a long line of head-fakes going back 10+ years now.

 

it's still a nice car for someone who want an automatic. lol. lots of nice accessories too.

 

beautiful car, but for what lexus calls one of thier sport models it's not that impressive, the weight and most definatly the auto. only take away from what a true sports car should be.

 

"And? And the BMW is still better. "
Best line in the article. I'm about as anti-lexus as you can get, not a fan of numb steering, weird handling, and cheap interiors that don't last.

 

Toyota should install the AW 8 speed automatic (and rear axle ratio) from the LS460 into the IS350. Hopefully for the '08 model year.

Faster and better mileage.

and the IS250 stick isn't any faster or get better mileage than the IS250 auo. (plus the 4gr-fse is the weakling in the GR family. MB dropped their 2.5V6 which matched the IS250)
So maybe an IS300 will be returning.

 

In my opinion, there aren't many sedans out there that have a very sporty and aggressive look that turns my head. The IS350 is one of those few.. but as most ppl have put it, the lack of a manual transmission was a deal breaker for me.

 

I know of a sedan that will turn heads and will kick the crap out of the lexus and BMW. Its the Mercedes CLS....385HP,over 300 + TRQ. Test drove one and i was in love!

Despite its weight, the car hustles and has beautiful lines, and one thing i love about the car, its not on every corner like the Lexus or BMW. If i had to get a sports sedan the CLS would be the only choice in my book!

 

Comparing the CLS to an IS350 or 335 is pretty ridiculous considering it's twice the price. How about we compare it with the new M3 and see who will kick the crap out of who?

 

The new M3 or the old?..... if its the new, then it wouldn't be fair to compare the CLS55/63 AMG as that car totes more torque than the new M3 has HP, tree ripping out of the ground 516 TRQ to be exact! So i guess i would throw the new ClK63 AMG at it which boast 450Hp and still more torque than the new M3, which equates it would run circles around the new M3.

Opps forgot the new CLS 63AMG has that new all motor V8 now, its no longer has the SC to it so torque is down from a tree ripping 516 to a impressive 465. Still would hurt a M3!

 

But the new M3 will cost the same as the CLS550, and about 30 grand less than the CLS63. The CLS550 will not run circles around the M3. The CLS63 will run away in a straight line.

 

nice thread jack

 

Back on topic, "And the off switch—so far, anyway—isn’t enough. "

That quote to me illustrates Lexus' deep rooted personality problem. This, argueably their 'sportie' car, after several hurkie, jerkie attempts over the years at actually trying to join the sport car crowd, is now a pretty decent luxo-touring-performance sedan. The only place it could ever be a sports car is in some rich tools mind.

Oh yea, now you can turn of the full time nanny. But you can only have decent power, acceptable safe handling, and no driving soul nor any street cred, except perhaps at the country club between golf rounds.

Toyota simply HAS to be run by a bunch of rich old women, advised by a bunch of bespeckled lawyers, with engineers too old to remember what it was/how to design a fun, light, sports car (those guys retired or quit long ago...) no matter how much money is thrown at the design. Bleck....

 

I've never been a big fan of Lexus and honestly I don't like anything about the new IS except the power of the 350 model. I think its pretty stupid that even if you sit there and hold down the stupid button the traction control "really" doesn't turn off. I mean, if you want to turn off the stability controls and have a bit of fun, then let them have a bit of fun. It's not going to be by accident that some old lady is going to hold down that button and push it on a mountain road and suddenly crash because she didnt know the stability control was off. Honestly, I think Lexus is so full of it and they have no idea what the IS-buyers really want. All they know how to do is rebadge toyotas and put softer springs in and some gimmicks like auto parallel park to sell cars.

 

you guys obviously haven't driven the IS... the car is wonderful!

 

I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a car. I drove it and thought it was wonderful....for my 55+ year old parents.

 

yeah seriously comparing the is350 and bmw 3 series to a mercedes CLS is like comparing a dodge charger to a jaguar S type. Mercedes' competition to the is and bmw is the C-class sports sedan.

 

The IS-f should be a VERY nice ride!

I agree the lines on the 350 is nice.

 

Meh.. I see these things everywhere now. They seem to be for people that just want to fit in or show the world they 'made it' and so forth.

 

i dont think the is everywhere, their sales seem to suck compared to the 3 series, tl and g35

 

The IS is a very nice looking car, inside and outside, plus you got Lexus reliability. That's pretty much where the good news ends. Drive one...car does not handle as well as RX-8, ride quality is not better than RX-8 (this is a sedan, supposed to have to good ride quality). The G35 is much better in all aspects, price, ride, handling, power, just no comparison.

 

is350 6 spd awd would be sick. i would totally pick on up if that was offered