Anyone like the new lexus IS350 better than their coupe

[RocketRoss]

Wow, I think lexus has finally hit the jackpot. Want to drive one really bad now. Everything from the exterior to interior looks quality. I bought an 05 coupe and absolutly love it (even chose it over an used m3, new S4, or 330), but the IS seems to have it all. I love the interior and if your a gadget buff like me, you can't go wrong with voice activated nav, bluetooth, and a 14 speaker audio system, plust really nice style throughout the cabin.

Of course pictures always boost the vehicle, and I have not seen the car in person yet. Anyone seen it?

A fully loaded IS350 for a little over 40,000! Thats almost what I paid for my LOADED coupe, not including my 20" wheels...etc. Seems fairly priced for a lexus. I was expecting something much higher priced.

Other coupe owners let us know what you think about the new IS!

[G35Luver]

Why would you want to drive a pumped up civic?
new IS doesn't realy seem to have any attraction to me.
price range is about the same as bmw and the 3 series is > is350

[Hyde]

i dont think the price is reasonable

the fully loaded one cost more then a 330i full load! even the base model is already more expensive then the G35 sedan full load!!

but i really like the car, it made the 330i felt like a civic and the G35 felt like an Altima. the interior is definatly nice

[survivor1420]

Originally Posted by G35Luver

Why would you want to drive a pumped up civic?
new IS doesn't realy seem to have any attraction to me.
price range is about the same as bmw and the 3 series is > is350

Civic?!? Let me some of that you smoking.

[Triji]

I test drove one and the pictures are better than it is in person. The dash is very plasticy / rubbery. It does have GREAT speed tho but that is not my main priority when looking for a great car. I test drove the 330I after the
IS350 and to me there is no comparison between the two. The 330I is much more of a car than the IS350 for the same money in my opinion. The interior alone on the 330I is hands down at least 5X better than the Lexus.

Triji

[Picus]

Guys - anyone interested in this car just drive one. At the price they're trying to sell it I almost gaurantee your first thought will be "I sure got a great deal on my G35". The inside is way too small, it doesn't handle as well as our G's, VDIM is too intrusive, and it's the same price as a 330i, which is a much better car imo.

[Speedoholic]

Yeah, just too bad they don't offer the 350 in AWD and MT...

[limeg35]

Originally Posted by RocketRoss

Wow, I think lexus has finally hit the jackpot. Want to drive one really bad now. Everything from the exterior to interior looks quality. I bought an 05 coupe and absolutly love it (even chose it over an used m3, new S4, or 330), but the IS seems to have it all. I love the interior and if your a gadget buff like me, you can't go wrong with voice activated nav, bluetooth, and a 14 speaker audio system, plust really nice style throughout the cabin.

Of course pictures always boost the vehicle, and I have not seen the car in person yet. Anyone seen it?

A fully loaded IS350 for a little over 40,000! Thats almost what I paid for my LOADED coupe, not including my 20" wheels...etc. Seems fairly priced for a lexus. I was expecting something much higher priced.

Other coupe owners let us know what you think about the new IS!

, you sure you didnt look at the IS250 instade? the base 250 premium with Navi is around 36K already, fully loaded IS350 is lil over 50 not 40k and most likely the fully loaded ones wont be available till next year.

[Finiti35]

I didn't like it at all. Great acceleration, but that's about it. Looks smaller than in pics, handles like a boat (after driving the 330), the ride is too soft for my taste and the most annoying thing is the VDIM nanny that simply won't let you be in control of the car the way you want to. And no manual, what were they thinking. If you want a decently optioned, entry level luxury car that can haul @ss, then you might like it. But it's not a driver's car at all.

[giddyup69]

i really like the styling on the car both inside and out. but i don't want 4 doors right now and i must drive a manual. i luv it too much to boast for a crappy auto (no pun intended to our auto guests )

[RocketRoss]

I doubled checked online and the IS350 with the most options is 40,700$. Thanks for the responses for those who drove both the new bmw and the IS350. I have not yet had a chance to drive either, cause I want enough time to drive them back to back.

People who drove the 330i that liked the bmw better than the IS350. Did you drive a stock MT. I loaded a 330i up and it was like 46,000$.

For those who said the interior did not look as good in person and the size was rather small makes me feel much better that I did not wait for the new hype of lexus
Thanks

[Picus]

Also remember when you looked online and got that price of $40,700 that was just in your area. Lexus is having serious allocation issues and their online builder will only show you whats available in your area. If you check other areas some places the only option you can get is 18" wheels for $720. In some areas they have weird sports+ packages, no one has ML audio, it's really messed up.

[Triji]

Yeah,

Here in AZ there is NO ML radio in the IS350's yet, the (P.O.S.) sales guy actually told me that it was not an option at all on the IS350 and only the GS and up had ML upgrade.

When I priced out the Lexus with the options I wanted they said they could not even price it out because they did not have it on the lot. I actually laughed and asked to use an internet connection and I could price it out for him. He then (out of nowhere) produced a document (WoW) that had the options pricing on it.

The Premium Lux pack I wanted would come to $43,555 give or take a few. They were also going to charge for floor matts, cargo netting, and a frickn trunk matt. I said if I buy the car you can throw that in or take it out of the car and I will buy them myself somewhere else.

On the drive the guy was dissing BMW, Acura, and then the G35... I said "Whoaaaa, hold on a sec... Did you see what I pulled up in?"... He back tracked his words and was like... "Well, they are good cars but..." I said "there are no butt's about it!" and he shut up...

The car was FAST and tight but I did not "feel" the car and the steering was a bit floaty for me... But that interior... What was Lexus thinking?!?! I even looked at a new GS300 while I was there and that interior was on par with the IS 350... It was just as bad.

It might have been this dealership that gave me the bad taste (and I own a 93 GS300 and like it) but I believe the IS350 is OUT of the picture personally for my wife.

Do yourself a favor... Test drive the IS350 by ALL MEANS... It was fast and impressive in that department (I was going 120 before I knew it) (thats another way to shut up an irritating sales guy )

Then after the IS350 test drive do not go anywhere but the closest BMW dealer and hop into a 2006 330I and compare for yourself and let us know how YOU feel about them.

Good luck,

Triji

P.S. We test drove the Auto 330I since it will be for my wife, the power was very adequit for what we need. This is not a speed race for us it is a quality / value thing.... Also think about the warranty...

Lexus 4 year 50K (you pay for service)

BMW 4 year 50K (All services included, even windshield wipers)

That alone now makes the BMW a less expensive car...

Triji...

[UFGatorG35]

i just stopped by jm lexus in coconut creek, they have the 250 but no 350s yet. interior is awesome! if i was in the market for a smaller sedan, there would be no competition. shift paddles, smart key, dual exhaust, etc.

[XCELR8]

Ask me when they come out with a coupe