xjdmb16a2six

i see a lot of is250 now. mostly white guys in their 30-40s driving it.

xjdmb16a2six

ya, the is350 feels slower cuz its too damn smooth. its definitly fast, but driving at 100mph feels like your going at 40mph. haha

F23A4

...too bad the rest of the changes for 06 didnt include another 30hp/30lb-ft and at least AWD (if not RWD)

The TSX is a sweet little car but even the IS250 is a step above it. IMHO, it's more direct competition is not from Lexus...rather VW (Jetta) and to some degree Honda (Accord).

Dan Martin

Those changes are unrealistic for a car that's been on the market for 3 years. SH-AWD and 240hp/240lb ft for '08 will make things interesting.

Here, the IS250 goes for about $8K more than the TSX, and for a car that's no faster, that's asking a lot. $8K could certainly go a long way to pimping out a TSX.
When me and the Mrs. sat in one in a dealership, I wasn't blown away. I like the exterior styling, but I thought the interior plastics were a little on the cheap side. I'm 6'5" and although I could get comfortable, but when I had my right leg against the center console, you could see the whole console flex and squeak.

It's a very nice car, but not for the money they're charging. It should be in the $35K range, not $45k+.

F23A4

I dont disagree necessarily and I alsow wouldnt offload $42k for the IS250 AWD.....ESPECIALLY when a fairly loaded IS350 is $43k.

As for my '30hp/30lb-ft, RWD-AWD', that was a metaphor for the type of TSX that would interest me. Even my "rudimenatary knowledge of cars" alludes to the fact that such an intragenerational update is unlikely...particularly with Honda products.

DLTSX6MT

"L" badge = higher price


IMO "L" car is generally not better than "x" car of the same price.

exexexex

the badge somehow does play a role here.nameplate does add some price into IS250.

peter_bigblock

As almost all of everybody drive their car on the road and test it's handling, if at all, on the occasional highway interchange, the RWD 50/50 > FWD 60/40 equation is highly subjective considering that about half of everybody drive their car in the snow.

Also, I think the Lexus IS250 looks fat.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

The IS not NOT a better car. Certainly not $7k-8k better.

ianS

No MT on IS350 = Not interested at all

ianS

BTW, on the bimmer forums there are a big discussion on TL sales is dropping and E90 sales is climbing and they all agreed the E90 eat up the market of TL but I think most of the lost from TL was went to TSX, wasn't it? But who cares neway...

DLTSX6MT

I'd say they're neglecting to admit that TL shoppers are probably holding out for the TL's MMC.

yukit

A very small sample, but I noticed 3 IS350s & one 250MT while I was walking to my car in a company parking lot. One 05 TSX MT as well.
I think I may still be the only 06 TSX in this corner of the parking lot, but I am just paying extra attention on the IS because I am planning to get rid of a Passat for an IS.

ostrich

I have seen only a few IS (250 and 350) in the Cleveland area. They are quite rare here. I think it's a beautiful car, but I think that one can get tired of its styling pretty quickly.

On the other hand, there are TONS of TSX around here! Everyday, I see several TSX (comparing to NONE a couple years ago! LOL). I also think that the classic styling of TSX is going to outlast many of the other entry level luxury sedans.

BTW, I know they are completely different cars, but how can they justify the price difference between IS350 and ES350?

exexexex

Actually,for canadian market,a full load ES350 is about 5500 less than the full load IS350.But you missed about 35 hp and rear wheel drive.Plus the ES350 is not at the same segment as IS stands.The L-finesse design is nice IMO.Whether getting bored of it quickly or not is very objective......