2006 Lexus IS350

[snelldogg]

The new Lexus looks great and is supposed to have the goods to back it up. The 2006 IS350 will have more than 300hp. Do I wait for it to come out or buy the G35 now. I really like driving a 6sp and am concerned the IS will only have paddle shifting. Pricing hasn't been announded yet either.

Anyone hear anything else?

[EZZ]

Originally Posted by snelldogg

The new Lexus looks great and is supposed to have the goods to back it up. The 2006 IS350 will have more than 300hp. Do I wait for it to come out or buy the G35 now. I really like driving a 6sp and am concerned the IS will only have paddle shifting. Pricing hasn't been announded yet either.

Anyone hear anything else?

The lexus will have a manumatic just like the G35 but no 6-speed manual. Their manumatic also has a torque converter so its not a true clutchless manual like the BMW and Audi. Also, the price will be higher for the IS350. Good luck in your decision.

[KingJames]

I was in a very similar situation. I was going to wait for the IS350 to come out because I loved the new looks and it was supposed to be at least equal to the G35 as far as performance goes. I ended up buying a G35 2 weeks ago as I realized the IS350 was going to cost somewhere around $8,000 more than the G35 with the same options. That $8K was not worth it to me. Now that I own a G35 I absolutely love it and I have no regrets.

The decision is up to you but I went with the proven product that is beautiful and powerful and made more economic sense. If $8K isnt a big deal to you then I suggest waiting to see which car you like better, but I promise you the G35 is awesome.

The IS250 will be resonably priced but that wimpy engine is just not going to cut it, might as well buy a Camry.

[GeeWillikers]

Until the IS hits showrooms and we all have a chance to put our hands on one, we're all speaking in hypotheticals, yes?

We don't know what the MSRP will really be, only a ballpark that's written in smoke. We don't know what initial availability will be - it could be like the M cars - only a few at first with a premium to take one home. We don't know if limited availability markup is going to be applied, but I bet MSRP will be a good starting point so maybe the difference will be $8K, maybe it will be more. Finally, we don't even know how the car really performs so it's impossible to project it's value as compared to the G.

All we know right now are Internet insinuations. To me, there aren't enough facts to make a good decision so if you really want to weigh the two, you have some waiting to do.

Personally, I can't wait until the IS arrives so we can stop asking and comparing and wondering. We keep asking the same questions even though we know the car isn't available for us to be able to get the answers. Hell, we don't even have good numbers on the 05 G yet and it's been out for some time... It's like trying to compare the current G to the 'new skyline' that supposed to be coming. Impossible.

[Blue_Batmobile]

I am waiting on the new IS as well .

Bat™

[ashadiow]

For the price of the new IS350 can't you get an M3? or an SLK55? The new IS will be sweet though.

[Blue_Batmobile]

no pricing yet I don't think.

Bat™

[Rumble]

Pictures below...enjoy...very sweet ride!!

http://www.exoticcarsite.com/pages/lexus_is350.htm

2006 IS250 (base model)
$ 27,585 - Manual - RWD
$ 28,955 - Automatic - E-Shift - RWD
$ 30,905 - Automatic - E-Shift - AWD

2006 IS300 (base model)
$ 32,925 - Automatic - E-shift - RWD
$ 34,875 - Automatic - E-shift - AWD

2006 IS350 (fully loaded)
$ 42,475 - Automatic - E-shift - RWD

notes: Transmission choices haven't been set in stone as the choices for each model change weekly. The IS350 will sell only in a fully loaded configuration. est. release date 2005.10.31

From http://www.lexusport.com/

[Garnet Canuck]

Typically, I am not a big fan of Lexus exteriors, however the new IS350 is really growing on me. The interior, just like every other Lexus is very nice! I'd like to see it with a rear spoiler though.

[G35_coupe_6MT]

It does look really good. I just cant do 4 doors cars unless its an M5. If you are debating on G35 Sedan and IS, it hurts me to say, IS. But I like the G35 Coupe more than the IS.

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by G35_coupe_6MT

It does look really good. I just cant do 4 doors cars unless its an M5. If you are debating on G35 Sedan and IS, it hurts me to say, IS. But I like the G35 Coupe more than the IS.

I still like the exterior appearence of my G sedan over the IS. The G still stands out in a crowd more than the IS does IMO. Now if I could take the IS interior and slap it into my G sedan I would definitely be a happy camper!!

[P_Diddy]

When the G35 was released, it had a major impact on the IS and 3-series market. Now they are both refreshed, but the 3-series is even more expensive and the IS only has a 4dr model.

Infiniti will have to put in bluetooth and some other features in a year or two to keep things fresh.

[blazinZ]

saw it at the auto show in person looks great.

[JDM 350GT]

wow its AT car...
is it going to let the gears to shift faster than nissan/infiniti?
BMW's SMG has the fastest gear shift
any ideas?

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by JDM 350GT

wow its AT car...
is it going to let the gears to shift faster than nissan/infiniti?
BMW's SMG has the fastest gear shift
any ideas?

There will be a manual tranny offered in all models however the higher models will have a delayed release on the 6MT. They did this with the first gen IS300 as well. This will NOT be solely an AT car. All of this is per the Lexus reps at the NYIAS.