I'm a little worried that the speed bug is going to get me to sign on the dotted line after a few blasts.

That is all.

 

Hot diggity. If you can afford it, go for it! That thing has about everything I could ever want in a car, except maybe a back seat.

Are you test driving any Bimmers for comparison's sake?

 

I'm pretty much going is350 or keeping my tsx! I would really prefer to pick one up certified pre owned later this year with a sports package so this trip is more about making contacts at the stealership so that I get first dibs on anything come in...but you never know what can happen....

 

i used to have an is300 i like the tsx better but the speed is what bothers me but the is350 is sick and faster then the old one i dont even want to see it. its like dumping a girlfreind for another then she comes back 6 months later wth bigger breast and looking sooooo good but now, she is too high maintanance. yeah, im in love.. see why'd you get me thinking about her.. but i'll make make my tsx look and drive better with the 13,000 dollars difference....

 

Speed bug or not, the fact that the IS350 is AT only should be enough keep you from getting it right now. That and the fact the the stability control system cannot be easily turn-off fully.

I say keep the TSX until Lexus puts the MT in with the 350 motor and offers the ability to fully disable the stability control system at any point the driver chooses.

 

man,if you are no problem with the price,go for it. I drive IS350 almost everyday... When comes to work and it's not busy,I would pick a car and go for coffee and later for lunch.I usually pick IS350 . The driving experience is good,by all means,it's a fast car.Though automatic,but 0-60 in less than 5.6 is really good.
Try to put in sequential mode and use the pedal shifter,you will like it. The gauge looks cool when it just starts up.13 Pionner speakers not the best till you upgrade to the top line Mark Levinson,still not bad though.Premium leather seating with ventilation fan,led reading lights.The package itself is great.
There are downsides as well.The backseat is and some people will like the L-Finesse,some don't and picky about the windows being out of proportion.
Overall it's one awesome ride.Good to get the full package with back up cameras,blue illuminated lexus scuff plates and of course,the Mark Levinson.However,I am still gonna get my TSX,the unbeatable priced fully load car.

 

it's easy to turn off the whole system actually which is the VDIM. I turned it off couple of times already,but,never dare to drive out of the parking lot.

 

If you're talking about the brake/handbrake dance you have to do, that's hardly easy compared to just hitting a button like on the TSX or a BMW.

And if you just hit the button, if you accelerate above 30mph, the system reactivates itself automatically.

 

Tinky don't do MT :ghey:

 

yeah,true....... but,VDIM is what lexus trying to sell.....humm,don't know if they gonna bring out one with a button yet.

 

 

Looks like we may be losing another. A test drive in the 350 may convince Tinky here to pull the trigger right away.

 

the only thing is,the stock availability won't be that good.so,won't be easy to negotiate that way.... if can wait a while,could be better.

 

Don't be so sure. Without spending close to $40k, you're not going to get as satisfying a driving experience in the IS as you would in the TSX. The base suspension (actually, even the sport suspension) is a tad too soft and the steering makes you feel like you're driving a Buick (I'm sure you, of all people, should know what driving a Buick feels like ). Sure it's handling limits are high, but the experience is a tad underwhelming unless you're going in a straight line.

EDIT: Post 17,000 marked right here.

 

Yeah that's the big concern for me. I'm set on getting the sports package and mark levinson which means that most likely it will take some time which is why I want to get to the dealership and start a dialogue.

No doubt i'll be tempted after a test drive but i'm not settling on anything but the right combo for the right price. The tsx is a great car to drive so i'm not going to take a step back in the fun factor.

So unfotunately you guys will probably have me to kick around fo ra while longer and I won't be leaving here anyway!

Somone on the IS boards ran a bone stock through the quarter mile at 13.67 and over 100 mph..that's crazy. In an AT

 

yeah,2GR engine is crazy,with Direct Injection.The exhaust tone is nice too,at least better than the other lexus'. Don't know the pricing in states,but heard usually better than what we have here,and better discount,no?

 

It's not about the transmission type it's about the number of gears and their ratios. The 6 speed AT has gearing every bit as aggressive as a manual would have and the paddle shifters would be fun!

 

Trust me, not as much fun as you think. The novelty wears off really quickly.

 

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. As said it's AT or bust for me. I put on too many miles in too much traffic! As far as ATs go this seems to be apretty good one...

 

the only thing I really really like about IS350 is the feeling when take off from a red light.... don't know about the long term feeling though.

 

I can't see the IS350 being a fair comparison with the TSX. It's also no fair to compare it to a Buick, as they feel nothing alike. The IS350 is superior to the TSX in virtually every way, from fit/finish, acceleration, driving dynamics, etc. But it also costs much more, so it should be better.

I'd take the IS350 over a TSX. If you can afford it, go for it!

You're getting 101 more hp and 112 more tq. That's a huge upgrade right there alone. And I bet gas mileage differences aren't extreme, either.

 

Yeah, they definitely are not competitors. My career has got to a place where I'm going to soon be ready to step up to something bigger/better.

Not to knock the tsx it's a great car for th emoney and has been a ton of fun to drive and I won't be dissapointed if I keep it for another year.

 

If the speed bug is getting to you waite for the IS 460 it is supposed to have 400hp-500hp and be direct competition for the new V8 M3

 

All well and good IF is happens but Lexus has yet to produce a great handling chassis, not that I do not think they can, but just don't think they will. The IS doesn't match the E90 for driving dynamics so I am pretty sure they won't come near the M3 with the IS460. You have to have a lot more than HP to compete straight up with the M3, as both Merc and Audi have learned. When it is resonably arguable the TSX handles better than the IS, it has a LONG way to go to match the E46 M3 much less the E90/92 M3, plus if they don't have a manual or at least an automatied manual and a BUTTON for VDIM defeat then it is a non-starter in the M3 niche, those that compare a IS460 (with auto and no VDIM defeat) to the new M3 and pick the IS have to resign themselves to the fact they are posers.

 

M3s are good.....but......I always think that some people prefer the handling of BMW,some people prefer the riding comfort in Lexus,two different market here.

 

Given the driving characteristics of a high-revving Acura/Honda, I'd have to say the majority of "us" would prefer bimmer.

A good cure for the speed bug after your test drive is the Comptech SC.

 

Does the new IS350 still beeps like the old IS300 when ESC is active? I remembered the IS300 I test drove was beeping like crazy when it's on. Thank goodness Acuras only flash when VSA kicks in.

 

First the bad news -- You guys are going to be stuck with me for a while.

Now the good news -- I will most likely be defecting to the Lexus camp within the year so you all will be rid of me! I made it out to the lexus dealership and unfortunately they didn't any 350s on the lot as they had sold their late one that morning. They will be receiving 4 this week so I have an appointment to go get a feel for it. The interior of the new IS is gorgeous and the 250 I took out had a very nice road feel. I can't wait to take the 350 for a spin. Unfortunately I would not want a base model IS350 since it's seriously lacking in features like xenons and the wait for sports/luxury package is350s is pretty long so I'm not going to be going anywhere anytime soon!

 

 

BTW - You suck at giving driving impressions. How about alittle more info on the 250.

 

Ill give you impressions once I drive the 350.

But for starters I'll say that the non sport 250 I drove seemed every bit as capable as my tsx with the caveat I didn't push it to the limit like I do with my car which is where you really can tell the subtle difference in suspension tuning. The ride was pliable, but firmed up nicely with a little pushing. The steering was a tad more numb but it reponded well to driver inputs. Turning circle kicks ass compared to the barge i'm in now I'll have some more input when I get to test a 350 sport...i'm expecting that one to be a serious test drive. THe six speed is great, shifts fast and the gearing is light years ahead of the tsx.

 

you won't regret driving a 350,though may still not a BMW,good enough to give a thrill.