Originally Posted by newbie75

Hello everyone,

Wow !!!! , I did not realize how many of you have posted on this thread. I value all of your opinions and respect them as well. Well, not sure how many of you had a chance to test drive the IS 250 AWD, BMW 325xi and the G35 or has your feedback been based on auto magazines. Before I made my decision, I test drove all four cars, IS, TSX, 3 Series and the G35. All cars are great. I know in comparisons, the IS is being compared to the TL and not TSX, but I have not considered the TL. First the TL is made in the USA and then on the TL forum, people had listed all the problems with the car.

I was patiently waiting for the 2006 TSX to be out. However, once it did, I thought the styling of 2005 to be more appealing to me than the 2006, 2006 looked softer to me vs. the previous years.

Well, my final 2 choices were then IS and the 3 Series. As many of you have pointed that the car buying experience is both subjective and objective, so was mine. I liked the way the 325xi handled, but Lexus was not at all far behind IMO. What I did not like about the 3 Series was the interior (subjective?) to me it looked Spartan and designed to be only functional. Since the concentration on the "ultimate driving machine" was perhaps the driving. IMO there was the lack of comfort and Luxury in that car. The IS's leather for one is smooth and really refined Luxury, the stitching is perfect. BMW's leather felt like vinyl and I did ask the dealer and I was informed that the car I was test driving came with the Luxury package and it was leather.

I also have talked to few of my acquaintances who have the BMW, that they mentioned the little troubles that expressed with the car and often have to take the car to the dealer to be fixed (like the sun roof glass dropped - while in motion he heard a loud noise and it was stuck - in his 2006 330i).

Well, if I were to spend over $40K in a car, I was also looking for the reliability, which by reputation Lexus has (objective). I also love the way the car looks and feels inside out (subjective).

My budget set aside for the car was around $44K so a fully loaded BMW's price was not an object for me. I did not want to either finance or lease the car.

The IS to me feels very sporty when I drive, there is great feedback from the road (unlike GS or other Lexus line up), yet the car is pure Luxury (unlike the BMW 3).

Not sure if this write up helps or hurts, but this is how I feel, to each his/her own. The important part is that I am very happy with my car, hope you guys are as well with yours.

Sorry about this long write up. Perhaps I will stop by some other time (if I am still welcomed LOL !!!)

Originally Posted by newbie75

Hello everyone,

Wow !!!! , I did not realize how many of you have posted on this thread. I value all of your opinions and respect them as well. Well, not sure how many of you had a chance to test drive the IS 250 AWD, BMW 325xi and the G35 or has your feedback been based on auto magazines. Before I made my decision, I test drove all four cars, IS, TSX, 3 Series and the G35. All cars are great. I know in comparisons, the IS is being compared to the TL and not TSX, but I have not considered the TL. First the TL is made in the USA and then on the TL forum, people had listed all the problems with the car.

I was patiently waiting for the 2006 TSX to be out. However, once it did, I thought the styling of 2005 to be more appealing to me than the 2006, 2006 looked softer to me vs. the previous years.

Well, my final 2 choices were then IS and the 3 Series. As many of you have pointed that the car buying experience is both subjective and objective, so was mine. I liked the way the 325xi handled, but Lexus was not at all far behind IMO. What I did not like about the 3 Series was the interior (subjective?) to me it looked Spartan and designed to be only functional. Since the concentration on the "ultimate driving machine" was perhaps the driving. IMO there was the lack of comfort and Luxury in that car. The IS's leather for one is smooth and really refined Luxury, the stitching is perfect. BMW's leather felt like vinyl and I did ask the dealer and I was informed that the car I was test driving came with the Luxury package and it was leather.

I also have talked to few of my acquaintances who have the BMW, that they mentioned the little troubles that expressed with the car and often have to take the car to the dealer to be fixed (like the sun roof glass dropped - while in motion he heard a loud noise and it was stuck - in his 2006 330i).

Well, if I were to spend over $40K in a car, I was also looking for the reliability, which by reputation Lexus has (objective). I also love the way the car looks and feels inside out (subjective).

My budget set aside for the car was around $44K so a fully loaded BMW's price was not an object for me. I did not want to either finance or lease the car.

The IS to me feels very sporty when I drive, there is great feedback from the road (unlike GS or other Lexus line up), yet the car is pure Luxury (unlike the BMW 3).

Not sure if this write up helps or hurts, but this is how I feel, to each his/her own. The important part is that I am very happy with my car, hope you guys are as well with yours.

Sorry about this long write up. Perhaps I will stop by some other time (if I am still welcomed LOL !!!)

Originally Posted by newbie75

My budget set aside for the car was around $44K so a fully loaded BMW's price was not an object for me. I did not want to either finance or lease the car.

The IS to me feels very sporty when I drive, there is great feedback from the road (unlike GS or other Lexus line up), yet the car is pure Luxury (unlike the BMW 3).

Originally Posted by Black_6spd

At $44k, an E90 330i is within reach, right? I agree with you -- to each their own. For someone looking for more luxury, the Lexus was a good choice. On the other hand, for someone who's looking more at driving, I'm sure many would love to get their hands on a 330.

And of course I have to bug you again about it....

Would love to see pics of the new ride. I think the model makeover for the IS was the best out there for sedans. The E90 BMW has taken awhile to grow on me. I'm still a fan of the E46's lines (minus the moldings, of course).

On another note, I tried messing with a IS430 on the way home yesterday. Bad idea.... Let's just say I like the way the tailights look on your car.

Originally Posted by Black_6spd

At $44k, an E90 330i is within reach, right? I agree with you -- to each their own. For someone looking for more luxury, the Lexus was a good choice. On the other hand, for someone who's looking more at driving, I'm sure many would love to get their hands on a 330.

Originally Posted by 04EuroAccordTsx

Don't you mean IS350? Or was it a GS430?