Taste of Lexus Washington DC fedEX field impressions

[terryw]

So i finally got a chance to check out the not yet released IS350 pre production models that they claim is the very same cars magazines used in their test drives. I was really impressed with the numbers and the look of the car, the interior was definetly better than our cars. Its also was very quiet and dosnt rattle like our cars. Thats about where my compliments ends though.

The exhaust is very muted, not sporty at all. I floored the gas and it didnt have the same punch as my car... I dont know why that is, considering it has more toruque and 8 more hp... maybe its because of the weight? or because my car is a manual and the IS350 was automatic? Anywho there was also a lot more body roll during cornering and the steering response generally felt a bit slower. I stepped into the car feeling really impressed, and came out of the car feeling not so impressed. I think its a great car for another type of driver who wants a sporty feel but prefers a smooth and luxurious ride over performance. Its definetly more luxurious and have a more high class feel than our cars. Ohh and I temporarily broke one of their IS350s, I pushed it very hard and floored the gas just like they told me to, but at the end, there was soap water all over the hood and engine bay of the car... I think the windshield fluid container broke or something.. they had to take the car to the back after I drove it.

Then I tried the SC430, which i thought had 300+ hp with a 4.3L V8, but it turned out that it only had 288. The handling was not on par with IS350, and the accleration wasnt that great either considering it weighs 3800+ pounds.
I can see a rich housewife would love this car though, but i doubt anyone young would like it. It also looks kind of wierd to me... sort of like the bastard child of a 350Z and a porsche Boxter...

Lastly I drove the bmw 330i, which totally impressed me and I like it a lot. I can honestly say that overall it handles better than my car, and much better than the IS350. The steering response was definetly better than my G35 coupe. The engine might not have the same punch as my car and the IS350, but it felt very responsive. The max torque comes at around 2700rpm instead of 4800 like G35 and IS350. I walked out of that car extremely impressed.... until I saw the stick price starts at 37k+... which i think is way overpriced.

It was a great day, and they had tons of food and entertainment and even ESPN golf pros giving tips on your golf swing. I dont think the IS350 is that great, but its definetly a step in the right direction to give Lexus a sportier image.

[Triji]

Thanks for that write-up, I am looking at getting the IS350 for my wife in Oct sometime. I was hesitant to get it for her since it would have more HP than my coupe (how can I let that happen).

Did the IS have a price on it? I have not seen any info on a sticker price yet.

I am in between the BMW 330 and the IS for her at this time. I prefere the reliability of the Lexes by far, she currently drives a 93' GS 300 w/ 90k+ miles on it and not one hic-up at all.

Triji

[terryw]

no price, the MSRP was TBA, and i even asked the staff, they said they dont know yet. Magazines estimate its starting MSRP to be around 35k. There is a lot of elecrtonic nannying going on, the prevents the car from loosing control. Its a proactive system that tries adjust the power, traction, braking etc before something happens. It makes the car unsporty, but i think its a great car for the wife.

[g35cas]

Thanks for the unbiased right up.

[limeg35]

Originally Posted by Triji

Thanks for that write-up, I am looking at getting the IS350 for my wife in Oct sometime. I was hesitant to get it for her since it would have more HP than my coupe (how can I let that happen).

Did the IS have a price on it? I have not seen any info on a sticker price yet.

I am in between the BMW 330 and the IS for her at this time. I prefere the reliability of the Lexes by far, she currently drives a 93' GS 300 w/ 90k+ miles on it and not one hic-up at all.

Triji

They wont release the pricing until week before the releasing the car for sale which is on 17th of Oct. , they are all sorts of speculation as what the pricing going to be, some are pretty wild(50K for fully loaded ), just have to wait for it.

Eventhough its Lexus! it is still an first year production car, so who know what kind of problem it might have...

[gto2050]

Well after a little research and caling a few friends at Lexus, here is what I was able to come up with in pricing:

Pricing
2006 IS250 (base model)
$ 27,585 - Manual - RWD
$ 28,955 - Automatic - E-Shift - RWD
$ 30,905 - Automatic - E-Shift - AWD
2006 IS350 (fully loaded)
$ 42,475 - Automatic - E-shift - RWD

[limeg35]

Originally Posted by gto2050

Well after a little research and caling a few friends at Lexus, here is what I was able to come up with in pricing:

Pricing
2006 IS250 (base model)
$ 27,585 - Manual - RWD
$ 28,955 - Automatic - E-Shift - RWD
$ 30,905 - Automatic - E-Shift - AWD
2006 IS350 (fully loaded)
$ 42,475 - Automatic - E-shift - RWD

with what kind option> or its just base MSRP? 42475 seems every high if its just an "base" with no options....
oooppps, I was so excited that i didnt read all the way...sorry...ITS FULLY LOADED...

[limeg35]

42475 dont seem too bad, if its truly loaded, like Navi, M/L sound, vented seats, lux/perform package...can hardly wait...

and you should post that at clublexus.com

[limeg35]

Originally Posted by gto2050

Well after a little research and caling a few friends at Lexus, here is what I was able to come up with in pricing:

Pricing
2006 IS250 (base model)
$ 27,585 - Manual - RWD
$ 28,955 - Automatic - E-Shift - RWD
$ 30,905 - Automatic - E-Shift - AWD
2006 IS350 (fully loaded)
$ 42,475 - Automatic - E-shift - RWD

Those arent offical numbers, just someone's guess(leak) from edmund.com, or are them?...will see how close are them to "offical" numbers in couple of weeks!

[gto2050]

Originally Posted by limeg35

Those arent offical numbers, just someone's guess(leak) from edmund.com, or are them?...will see how close are them to "offical" numbers in couple of weeks!

Leaked from Lexus. I have friends that work there in NJ.

[candyman99c]

are those invoice prices? or msrp? lol, how can the new model cost less than the old one? the IS300 starts at 29,980 or something, you telling me the new is250 starts from 27k+, where is the line, i will be on it. i dunno if i should get the new is250 awd or 06 g35, i live in ny, so its gonna help with awd during winter, but if awd starts from 30k, im getting is250, i was expecting something like 34k'ish for awd thats why i want the g35, caz it end up around the same price plus g35 gets more goodie for that price, but 30k... sorry g35 coupe . i hope the number u give out are right

[F23A4]

Originally Posted by terryw

Lastly I drove the bmw 330i, which totally impressed me and I like it a lot. I can honestly say that overall it handles better than my car, and much better than the IS350. The steering response was definetly better than my G35 coupe. The engine might not have the same punch as my car and the IS350, but it felt very responsive. The max torque comes at around 2700rpm instead of 4800 like G35 and IS350. I walked out of that car extremely impressed.... until I saw the stick price starts at 37k+... which i think is way overpriced.

I was at the event at Belmont Raceway NY a couple of weeks ago and I totally agree with your opinion of the 330i. The E90 330i was a MUCH better car than I initially thought it'd be. BMW did an EXCELLENT job with it. Even with only 255hp, it definitely seemed to have pull across the entire rpm band. Very impressive.

[G35SHAWN]

Lexus is having Taste of Lexus event this weekend in Miami. Matter of fact this afternoon i was there..My last car was modded 03/Is300 which i traded in 4 weeks ago for the g35 coupe. I was following the IS350 for over a year i even went to NY auto show last March to see the car but, at the end i felt g35 coupe is a car for me... My thoughts after driving the IS350 this afternoon overall it's a awesome ride..but no joke the g35 felt much faster then the new IS350. I also drove the Is250 which seems more faster then the current IS300. Allthough i haven't took my G35 coupe to the track, but i love the way the new IS350 handles the corners. & it felt solid ...One thing for sure the new IS350 is definetly not a tuner car. But then again Lexus is offering Hks dual exhaust as option on the new IS.

Here is few Pics..

[limeg35]

Straight from the Lexus press release:

$29,990 - IS 250 RWD manual
$31,160 - IS 250 RWD auto
$34,285 - IS 250 AWD auto
$35,440 - IS 350 RWD auto

The 35,440 for IS350 is just an base MSRP

"

The robust 3.5-liter V6, mated to the sequential six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, carves out class-leading performance with a zero-to-60 time of 5.3 seconds

with the IS 350 obtaining an EPA-estimated combined fuel consumption rating of 24 mpg (21 mpg city/28 mpg highway)

here is the link...IS pricing

[gto2050]

Originally Posted by limeg35

Straight from the Lexus press release:

$29,990 - IS 250 RWD manual
$31,160 - IS 250 RWD auto
$34,285 - IS 250 AWD auto
$35,440 - IS 350 RWD auto

The 35,440 for IS350 is just an base MSRP

"



here is the link...IS pricing

Wow....my numbers were way off. I have no idea what numbers he gave me though. I can see $42K fully optioned. They are charging a lot for AWD unless there is some kind of package in there.