psteng19

supraken

iTrader: (1)

The do, but psteng19 was asking if they had the 6MT at the event..... or at least that's what I thought he'd asked....

supraken

iTrader: (1)

AFAIK, something that you can get out of the showroom, the IS250 will be ~$31k and ~$35k for a IS350....fully loaded for $38k or so... I think if you shave off about $2000 from 325(i/xi) and 330i pricing, you'll get the respective prices for the IS...

From what I have heard the IS250 feels a little bit sluggish off the line, but once it gets rolling, it's got pretty good pickup, which was exactly what I felt for the 325i......

IS350 on the other hand, is quite a fast car.... I would take it over anything in the M45/RL/GS class except for the 545i...... probably because I prefer smaller and more nimble cars in general...but the 545i is THAT good that it would be on my list (well, if I can afford it) even though it's relatively big for my tastes.

xizor

i'm going on the 25th, too bad i'll miss you guys

static808

The IS250/350 is a sub-compact car. I have no idea how and why Lexus keeps comparing this small car to a TL/G35 or even a 330i. Lets face it, Lexus built a small sub-compact car so people can own a Lexus for $40K. Its the Mercedes syndrome. They have good build quality but in the end, save the $6K and buy a TSX. The '06 TSX with Nav should be $30k out the door with tax/ttl, etc...and its bigger inside than the IS250/350.

vwong

Where did you get the info? All the sources (magazines, Lexus forums) that I've read, base IS350 won't be $35k. It's more like $37k-38k. A fully loaded IS350 is gonna be around $42k.

vwong

What do you considered as "well equipped"? I'm estimating the model that my dealer will be ordering for me will probably be around $35k. The IS250 I want will be 6MT with the Performance Luxury Plus package (includes leather seats, heat and ventilated front seats, HID with adaptive feature, sport suspension, 18" wheels and tires, and some other things), navigation, ML audio, and sunroof.

jmathew34

fyi, i wont be driving my tsx to the event

TypeRS

i remember wen i went to the NYIAS in spring, the Lexus lady at the booth told me the IS250 will start at $25k

i walked away laughing.... no way lexus is gonna price it at tat. i think the high the 28k range is more realistic.

KJLite

"well equiped" = comparable to a TSX without navi. i'm most interested in switching to RWD platform, so i may be able to forego some extras. I'll have to wait till official pricing is established. I'm just hoping lexus doesn't pull a "BMW" where you get nothing on a base car, and have to add $7K in options to get leather/moonroof/6 cd, etc.

I haven't ruled out a G35 6mt sedan either. I thought that car was due for a major redesign for 07? i read recently, just a styling freshening.

anybody got news on next gen G35?

xjdmb16a2six

the IS aint that compact. I sat in my friends is300 and it was pretty roomy. and im 6'0" about 180lbs. i sat in another friend's 330xi and there wasnt that much room. i sat in my cousin's c-class and there was like no room at all. i agree that lexus shouldnt be comparing the IS with the TL/G35. they should be compaing the ES330 with the TL/G35. but the ES is not sporty enough.

dom

First time I've ever seen the words roomy and IS300 used in the same sentence, seriously.

ianS

The driver room are so clamp! There is no room between the door panel and my hand. I feel like sitting in a mini (the old one, see the lower case! )

xjdmb16a2six

well NOT roomy like my accord. but there a good amount of room left.

TSXforme

I agree...I'm 6'2" and I found the IS300 interior to be around the same size as a civic. Add the sunroof and say bye bye to the head room.

xjdmb16a2six

hmmm i dont know then. it wasnt that bad for me. i didnt feel cramp like i did in the c-class.

drkangel348

IS300's are smaller than TSX's...

xjdmb16a2six

i never sat in a tsx . is it as big as the accord???

AlterZgo

I don't know about that. I think cars like the Mini-Cooper, CRX, Lotus Elan, Honda Prelude, can all easily outhandle a stock TSX. Heck, I think my old Infiniti G20t handled better out of the box than my TSX.

AlterZgo

No. They're about 7 or 8 cu ft smaller in terms of interior volume. TSX feels noticeably smaller. The Accord feels similar in size to a TL in terms of interior space.

ilitig8

I agree, most people forget the Prelude and CRX as neither got their due, most people wouldn't recognize a Elan if it T-boned them, probably think they got hit by a Miata and the Mini is also in a different class of handling. The TSX may be the best handling FWD 4 door ever BUT it is certainly not the best handling FWD car ever, each one of the above is in a different league.

AlterZgo

There's a few other obvious FWD cars I forgot to mention - Integra Type-R - DUH! and RSX Type S will both very likely outhandle a TSX. Cars like the old Nissan Sentra SE-R and the NX2000 would also outhandle the TSX and match it in acceleration.

As for 4 door FWD cars, I'm betting an old school 4 door Integra GS-R would likely also outhandle a TSX.

ilitig8

Two other current FWD cars that will likely beat the TSX in handling are the Mits Eclipse GT and the Altima SE-R.

TypeRS

lexus sent a preproduction IS350 to my company and it's in the parking lot right now for testing. sick car! coems out later next month...

Powered by Honda

WOW you guys named like 100 cars that can outhandle the tsx.

But Hondas 2005 Integra Type R *japan only* is the best fwd vehicle and will always will be.

drkangel348

I believe a Prelude Type-SH, Mini Cooper, Sentra SE-R, and a *tuned* CRX could out handle a TSX.

Severely doubt a Eclipse GT, Altima SE-R, and Infiniti G20t could.

A 4 door Integra GS-R would be questionable though...

Better tires and a thicker swaybar does a world of wonders for the TSX. Also against a RSX-S its questionable as well. It depends on the configuration, stock for stock yes... But the TSX has more potential with its double wishbone suspension.

vidgamer

Heck, better tires does a world of wonders for the stock Prelude! (World of wonders?!)

Nikki

I'd take a 330i over an IS350 anyday.

6spd manual is something I cannot do without.

ilitig8

Driven them? I didn't think so, I only said I "think" since I have haven't driven any of the three on the track but the Altima SE-R I have driven pretty hard on the street and given how it feels at 8/10ths and the numbers the magazines get I say it is a no brainer.

drkangel348

I've driven a Prelude Type-SH, Integra (LS and GS-R), RSX-S, and the new Eclipses.

I'm not going to bother driving an Altima SE-R.
Its size and longer wheelbase already tells me it will not handle better than a TSX.
Not to mention the TSX has a better suspension setup.

dom

Most mags can't stand the handling of the new Eclipse

The SE-R would be an interesting comparo. And don't look at numbers only as the basis for what handles better. Handling feel has alot to do with it.

With better tires and the rear sway installed the TSX is the best handling FWD SEDAN on the road IMO.

savageTL

The Eclipse is somewhat numb but the limits seem to be high again haven't had one on the track.

The SE-R I mentioned feel specifically but again only at 8/10ths.

Adding sways makes the whole argument moot but I agree with a little money the TSX is a fantastic handler.

Now to the poster mentioning wheelbase and double wishbone, both are a little naive for example the C6 has a longer wheelbase does the TSX handle better, the M3 has struts and a longer wheelbase does the TSX handle better? Before you say it is a FWD argument my point was simply that those issues are about implementation and not raw numbers, particularly in regards to wheelbase, since haveing a long wheelbase and wide track can both be a good thing depending on the situation.