OK, so I couldn't stand it anymore and went down to Servco Lexus to check it out. (To preserve the salesguy's anonymity and save some embarrassment, I won't mention who I worked w/, except to say that he was really cool.)

Anyways, as it turned out, they only had a 6AT IS250 available, semi fully-loaded, though (sans Mark Levinson system) - $34K.

Pros
- Super Nice Interior
- Plush Leather
- Fancy Electronic Gizmos (auto-dimming outside/inside mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, push start/stop button)
- Very solid construction - door slams like a dream with a well-engineered and satisfying "thump" with very minimal effort (mimicks the previous generation Passat, which was the only other car I can think of that has a door that slams with the smallest push, unlike most cars' doors which will leave the door partially shut)
- White LED light in cupholder in center console
- Attention to smallest detail
- Nice overall exterior styling

Cons
- Cheaped out exterior componentry - light-bulb based taillamps/turn signals (unlike the G35s, which have always been LED-based)
- Huge intrusive trunk hinges coated with plastic that severely cuts into already tight trunk space
- Very tight interior - I hit my head on the A-pillar trying to get in the driver's seat (I'm 5'11") - good thing the A-frame was well padded lol
- Rear seat cramped with almost no leg room with driver seat all the way back - which it was absolutely necessary to reach a comfortable driving position
- Significantly smaller than the G35 sedan, feels smaller inside than the BMW 3-series
- Significantly more expensive than the G35 - the RWD IS250 fully loaded tops out at $37K!
- Hawaii car buyers left as afterthought - Servco will not order anything with Nav system and will probably not offer the backup camera, the optional rims (the 18" standard rims are available, just not the optional ones on the website) or even the Bluetooth
- Mark Levinson system not DVD-Audio based

Overall Impressions
The car was pretty well built but is very heavy for a car its size (3400-3600 lbs.) and is pretty cramped. After whacking my head on the A-pillar getting in the driver's seat, everything else was typical Lexus. The "keyless" fob is pretty big but after tossing that in the center console, you hit the brakes and hit the Start button and take off. The mirrors turn downward when you put it in reverse, which can be annoying, but once you get driving, the car pretty much isolates you from everything else - even with the sport-tuned suspension (the downside is that it comes with fake painted metallic plastic; the wood trim doesn't come with the sport model).

The funny thing is that they had an IS350 demo (if you can call it that; they were planning on selling it as a new car) they took out to Hawaii Raceway Park yesterday, but according to my host, apparently the car's "broken" because someone "damaged" it while driving it too aggressively. (Should we be worried? Honestly, I've NEVER heard this happening to a G35.) So that's how come I was stuck with the IS250.

Pricing/Options
It ain't cheap. The top-level IS250 retails for $37K - no markup. Here's what a fully-loaded IS350 will cost you at Servco:

IS350 Black Onyx/Black Leather
Base: $35,440
Freight: $650
Total Options: $5,821
Total Retail: $41,911
Tax: $1,753
Doc Fees: $175
Registration/License: $155
Total: $43,945

Options: ($5,821 total, according to Servco)
Headlamp washers w/ cleaner: $100
Premium Luxury Plus Package (18" RWD): $4,215
Wood Interior Trim: $0
18" Summer Tires w/ Alloys: $0
HID Headlamps w/ Adaptive Front Lighting System & Dynamic Auto Leveling: $0
Heated/Ventilated Front Seats: $0
Perforated Leather: $0
Intuitive Parking Assist: $500
Mark Levinson Audio: $940

Currently, there are no other options available to Hawaii buyers, including perhaps the illuminated scuff plates; no word yet if we'll be able to buy it with the rear spoiler/bodykit...

Bottom Line
If you drive a G and are thinking of switching to an IS, you'll probably want to go w/ the above options, but plan on losing some of your space (and wallet). In fact, this car brings it straight into M35 Sport territory, which is ridiculous. If you're going to go for an IS for "value", get the cheaped-out IS 250 w/ nothing. That'll cost you about $31K. (Basically, you get a TSX-equivalent w/ 4 more hp and RWD - oh, and the wood in this car's real; the "metal's" fake.)

The ironic thing is that Lexus was all about "value" - their '90 LS400 was a full $15K/20K less than the equivalent E-class/5-series of the day and they got huge marketshare b/c of that. Now, it seems that they've done an about-face and are charging a little less than MB and BMW and isn't really "value" anymore.

If you're thinking of getting an IS, get an M instead.

 

Very good review...

I've been meaning to check out the IS250 as a family car for my fiance. But I think she wants to get a G35 sedan after test driving a loaner one. lol...

 

good choice. I've got a sedan and i love it!