So, now that I'm a complete dirty whore of a sellout after purchasing my first non-GM vehicle, I have totally and utterly been converted after my first two months with my '05 IS300.

Two items to address your initial thoughts:
1) Sure, Lexus is NOT historically known for performance, but I would offer two subpoints:
1a) There's nothing wrong with discussing luxury in The Garage
1b) Lexus is branching out, with the IS, the LF-A, the F series, and their hybrids
2) If you post here with your BMW (or other) fanboyishness, just don't be a dick about it. I think most will agree that they're also a DAMN fine brand, and most will also agree the 3 series still tops the IS...but a few do not.

Anyways, Lexus...discuss.

9/12/2008 10:27:37 AM

Toyota

9/12/2008 10:44:46 AM

^ under their umbrella, yes.

9/12/2008 10:52:31 AM

The IS is going in the right direction, but Lexus = BORING.

9/12/2008 11:43:35 AM

acura > lexus

9/12/2008 12:04:13 PM

My girlfriend has a IS250 and it's made for grandmas.

9/12/2008 12:24:14 PM

If I'm looking for a luxury sedan, Lexus is the one I would buy. Excellent resale value, reliability, bang-for-the-buck.

9/12/2008 12:55:09 PM

yes but what if you want to be a RACE CAR DRIVER with seating for 5!

9/12/2008 1:08:24 PM

I'd consider the IS300 now that they're available in the ~$10k range. They remind me of what it would be like if BMW decided to start making the e30 again. I wouldn't pay much for one though.

The IS350 seems like a different beast altogether. I've always liked the GS models too. They just seem pimp.

9/12/2008 1:17:46 PM

Lexus is for people that don't enjoy driving.

BORING

9/12/2008 1:21:33 PM

I would take an audi/mercedes/infiniti over a lexus anyday just cause I enjoy driving.

9/12/2008 1:30:28 PM

mercedes? seriously? I guess if you like overpriced, automatic sport car.

9/12/2008 1:47:00 PM

Mercedes depends on the model. The new C-Class sport models are sexy as hell. Don't know how they drive, but they look damn good. I also wouldn't turn down a CLK430, or really any of the AMG models.

9/12/2008 3:35:52 PM

^^as opposed to Lexus, where everything is an automatic? MB actually has a few credible sports cars. How could you not prefer a Benz over a Lexus? And if you haven't noticed, Lexus has copied Mercedes styling from the day they were created.

9/12/2008 3:39:17 PM

I test drove IS300, IS250, IS350, Acura TL, 330i, and G35

I bought the G35. The IS250 and IS300 were so weak.

G35 = 280hp

9/12/2008 4:17:21 PM

^^so you would buy a Benz, which is less reliable and more expensive (when in the same class), over a Lexus? Doesn't the IS come with manual?

9/12/2008 4:47:24 PM

^ The IS 250 comes with a manual as an option. IS 350 and IS-F with auto only.

For those of you hating on Lexus, just think how much Toyota has been able to accomplish in17 years with their experiment with luxury.

A LOT.

Now imagine where Lexus will be in another 17 years from now.

Sure, their cars maybe boring or formulaic, but when it comes to luxury, they beat almost everything. All Lexuses come better equipped than comparable Infinitis (Infinitis look hot!), and at least as well equipped as the Germans, if not better, and at a much lower price than the Germans.

The IS-F looks hot, and at least in a straight line, it is much quicker (0-60 in 4.2!!!) than the M3 and the RS4. The C63 AMG is, of course, the quickest. The IS-F is their first real try at luxury combined with serious performance, and they have done hell of a job on the first try!

I can't wait for the LF-A to come out... it looks very hot, especially the convertible. And the upcoming GS-F will be a killer too, competing with the M5, RS6, XFR, and E63 AMG.

A few iterations later, their F-series cars could become as good as the Ms, RSs, and AMGs.

9/12/2008 5:12:45 PM

Quote :

"^^so you would buy a Benz, which is less reliable and more expensive (when in the same class), over a Lexus? Doesn't the IS come with manual?"

Yes I would, as well as a Bimmer or Audi. Just like I wouldn't buy a 350Z over a Porsche Cayman even though their performance is quite comparable.

9/12/2008 5:36:54 PM

Quote :

"I would take an audi/mercedes/infiniti over a lexus anyday just cause I enjoy driving"

I don't care that its more reliable or whatever, I know how to take care of a car. If all I wanted was luxury that would las forever with minimal effort to maintain and was like driving a 15 yr old cadillac, then sure I'd buy a lexus.

9/13/2008 2:29:10 AM

Quote :

"Lexus is for people that don't enjoy driving. BORING "

Not anymore.

Quote :

"I test drove IS300, IS250, IS350, Acura TL, 330i, and G35 I bought the G35. The IS250 and IS300 were so weak. "

That was pretty much my list when I went shopping, minus the G35 - it's style was too immature for my tastes. But "weak?"...are you sure you didn't drive a defective IS300?

[Edited on September 13, 2008 at 1:01 PM. Reason : ]

9/13/2008 12:56:37 PM

^no, it still is. One model does not an exciting car lineup make. The IS doesn't have the hp to compete, so i doubt it was defective.

9/13/2008 1:30:22 PM

^ Understand. Must just be my personal low automotive standards. 0-60 in 5.5 seconds is fine for me and my wallet.

9/13/2008 1:32:44 PM

not bad but not that great either really

9/13/2008 1:40:27 PM

^^and fast in a straight line isn't everything.

9/13/2008 2:25:48 PM

There seems to be some confusion here.

The [old gen] IS300 CANNOT do 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. More like ~7.5 (or more) seconds.

The [current gen] IS350 can do that sprint in 5.3 seconds, which is tied with the G35. They both have identical hp and straight line performance. In looks, the G35 looks far better for me and for most people I guess. In track performance, I don't know which is better. And in terms of luxury and features, most people say the Lexus is better than the Infiniti (for other models as well).

Quote :

"I bought the G35. The IS250 and IS300 were so weak."

Yeah well the IS250 and the old IS300 don't compete with the G35. The IS350 does. IS250 competes with the TSX.

9/13/2008 7:34:55 PM

toyota = fail.

its not an exciting brand. not fun.

i would own a supra or a is300.. thats IT. what other car company makes 2 exciting cars?

ive had experience with a few toyotas too. so its not just a image thing.

a celica is a bitch to work on... the yamaha head is so freakin deilcate to make work.. and they are notorious for burning the #2 exhaust valve.

a 04 tacoma... super slow. super bad MPG. super boring to drive.

i dont understand why they hold their value so well. sure, it was a good truck for what it was, but really? my v8 silverado gets better MPG and cost less to buy. Maybe it will throw one or 2 alternators more than the tacoma.. but it will be half the price to fix and easier to boot.

so in conclusion

toyotas are good, reliable, dependable, commuter cars.

if you are looking for excitement, go elsewhere.

too harsh??

[Edited on September 13, 2008 at 7:45 PM. Reason : tooharsh?]

9/13/2008 7:45:15 PM

Quote :

"The [old gen] IS300 CANNOT do 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds"

I've personally disproven that.

9/13/2008 7:49:45 PM

one thing i dont understand

the IS-F costs $20k MORE than the IS350

and you can't even get a stick


fuck that

9/13/2008 7:58:12 PM

the acceleration in the g35 doesn't feel as smooth as the is350 to me.

9/13/2008 8:31:42 PM

thats because nissans suck ass

9/13/2008 9:41:28 PM

my friends own IS's and they are nice. the inline 6, while N/A is very smooth and torquey (if that's even a word). the interior is also very nice. it's worn MUCH better than acura's made in the same year.

9/13/2008 9:58:09 PM

Quote :

"one thing i dont understand the IS-F costs $20k MORE than the IS350"

You're seriously questioning that price increase? Really?!? Given the upgrades over the 350 its not bad at all.

Wyloch, I'm not calling you out but I'm very curious how you beat 5.5 to 60 in an IS300, a car that has 215hp.

9/14/2008 1:26:43 PM

Quote :

"I've personally disproven that."

I don't see how you could shave > 1.5 sec off the 0-60 mph time if the car is stock.

And that's > 1.5 sec off the time achieved by experts. The car has 215 hp and is a luxury sedan, so there is no way it can do it in 5.5 sec. The IS250 has 205 hp and takes > 8 sec. And the IS300 is basically the same thing.

Also, you are saying that your 215 hp IS300 is basically as quick to 60 mph as the 306 hp IS350 and the 340 hp Audi S4?

Someone help me out there... what was the 0-60 mph time of the IS300? I remember it as being 7.5-8 sec.

Is this possible?

EDIT: I didn't even see that ^ post! I had the reply to window open for a while.

Quote :

"one thing i dont understand the IS-F costs $20k MORE than the IS350 and you can't even get a stick fuck that"

You get an 8-speed auto with paddle shifters... But seriously, it is very competitive against paddle shifter equipped M3, RS4, and C63 AMG.

And the price increase is of course justified. It is just like an M3 vs. 335i.


[Edited on September 14, 2008 at 1:45 PM. Reason : ]

9/14/2008 1:41:20 PM

Geez - the LS hybrid starts at $105k:

http://www.lexus.com/models/LSh/

Loaded with features though.

9/14/2008 5:26:49 PM

I'm pretty sure only indian ppl drive Lexuses

9/14/2008 6:44:37 PM

Nice, but I'd still take an S 550 every day of the week over it.

The current Lexus LS has copied the styling of the S class from two generations ago.

9/14/2008 6:48:28 PM

^^ I think the plural is "Lexi"

9/14/2008 6:50:31 PM

Lexus makes very fine transportation appliances.

9/14/2008 7:05:14 PM

Infiniti have way more features than a comparable lexus and they are cheaper too. Mainly because they all share the same platform, engine, transmission, and brakes.

Self healing paint, rear back up cam starting with the q45 6 years ago, etc...

The G35 easily out handles a IS350 on the track. The g35 doesnt measure up to the 335i though, but it is $5000 more for the BMW.

The new G37 with more power and a 7spd auto should edge the 335i out.

9/14/2008 7:45:19 PM

Quote :

"Nice, but I'd still take an S 550 every day of the week over it. The current Lexus LS has copied the styling of the S class from two generations ago."

doesn't the Benz cost over $20K more? I would expect it to be better than the LS if it costs $20K more.

9/14/2008 7:56:02 PM

Quote :

"toyota = fail. its not an exciting brand. not fun."

Notice that almost all of the posts in this thread mention the IS series, the sporty series. The rest of Lexus' cars are boring just like the Toyota's that they are based off of. I have an 09 Camry, it is the most boring car that I have ever driven. I prefer the 90 Camry or our Dodge Minivan over that car. The ride and acceleration are too smooth and it turns with absolutely no effort. It has no excitement to it whatsoever.

9/14/2008 10:01:03 PM

Lexus cars are NO LONGER DIRECTLY BASED ON TOYOTA MODELS so thats the last I want to hear of that.

9/14/2008 10:02:47 PM

all a lexus is is a toyota in a dress...

so if toyota = boring shit

than all lexuses are is boring shit in a dress

9/14/2008 10:04:04 PM

Quote :

"Lexus cars are NO LONGER DIRECTLY BASED ON TOYOTA MODELS"

9/14/2008 10:11:46 PM

^That statement is only half true. The ES350 and the RX models ARE based on Toyotas.

Quote :

"doesn't the Benz cost over $20K more? I would expect it to be better than the LS if it costs $20K more."

Wyloch stated the price of the LS Hybrid. The LS Hybrid is compareable to the baseline S-Class model (in performance), which is the 550. The 550 starts under 100k. So no, its not $20k more.

9/14/2008 10:38:17 PM

Ill concede the ES350 part, but the RX is definitely not a car.

9/14/2008 11:05:34 PM

^^wouldn't a better comparison class-wise would be the LS460 and S550? instead of hybrid. Of course it'll cost more if it's a hybrid.

9/15/2008 12:12:52 AM

^ exactly, i was just about to say the same before you posted.

LS460 ~ S550

the hybrid is altogether a different animal. the LS600h has no competitor. neither does the GS450h, nor does the RX400h. that's something where Lexus wins. (whether the hybrids are justified or not, is another issue, but just the fact that Lexus was and still is the first one to make a luxury hybrid... 3 of them! MB, BMW, Audi, and Porsche are following suit in the near future)

9/15/2008 12:33:03 AM

Dont forget the escalade hybrid.

9/15/2008 12:42:49 AM

being the first one to make something doesn't always mean its the best.

9/15/2008 2:18:18 AM