I was pretty set on getting a TL until I saw this beauty...whatcha guys think? This is going to be a damn tough decision....appreciate your input.

lexus.com
Boasting a 305 HP V6, the IS350 will be the superior of the two new models planned to be released. With 'paddle' style shifting.
The IS250 supports a smaller engine but all time 4-wheel drive.
Theres probably going to be a soft top(coupe and sedan), hard top(coupe), and a wagon.
Supposedly the IS350 will reach 60 in about 5.7-5.8 seconds.

Pricing
2006 IS250 (base model)
$ 27,585 - Manual - RWD
$ 28,955 - Automatic - E-Shift - RWD
$ 30,905 - Automatic - E-Shift - AWD
2006 IS350 (fully loaded)
$ 42,475 - Automatic - E-shift - RWD

 

309HP and in a lighter car than ours? I think the zero to sixty will be closer to 5.2 than 5.7 and should SMOKE the TL. Of course, this IS a MUCH SMALLER CAR than the TL for more money than the TL ($42K) but it is starting to look more like the rest of the Lexus line and that is a GOOD thing!

 

its a nice ride man, tough choice.

 

not really a tough choice at all. If u want space and a family size sedan then get the TL but if u want a more sporty vehicle then the IS should be a better choice. THat is a nice car. Much better than the new GS. That thing looks exactly like a maxima

 

Apparently I can't edit my prior post in this forum so... I was wrong on the wieght/size of the new IS. It now appears that it will be slightly heavier than the TL (3651 vs. 3570) and have nearly an identical wheelbase (107 vs. 107.9)

 

Fear not, I reckon Lexus has their gunsights set on something other than Acura and its TL. The folks who build "the Ultimate Driving Machine" are probably more worried than anybody else.

 

Hey!!!! That BMW stole badges from lexus!

 

Nice ride, no doubt but for 10K more, the usual TL shopper is not going to cross shop the IS.

 

Love the interior. However the exterior looks too BMW like. The side is too bland as well. And the rear looks like a subaru or something.

Performance wise I am pretty impressed.

 

for me not even 60sewconds to decide, only acura, check specs, design and price for IS350, I would appreciate design of new maxima, and you got a half price

 

Looks like a 3 series from the exterior, I like the interior. Nice improvement over the 1st gen.
Sales of from last year were <10K, so this redesign should help sales.

 

that car is hot!

I would like one but it seems the only engine available in the TL price range will be the 206hp V6....I can't see the 350 going for less than 40K.

 

Absolute BULLSHIT. You know how many people on this board cut checks for their TL? How many on this board use their TL as a family/winter beater? Many choose the TL for its value but that doesn't mean they wouldn't pony up a few extra bucks for something as inspiring as THIS car. I love my TL but damn, I have to admit, the new IS does it for me.

 

The rear looks like a Hyundai. heh. That car would look awesome if it were a coupe too.

 

Here's a link to edmunds review. Looks nice, a little small. Some good stuff, the ipod connection and audio system. Some not so good, interior looks bland

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=106455

 

Yep, thats what I meant!

 

I cut a check for my A Spec TL and I would have spent the other 5k on the Is350 in a heartbeat.

 

so Lexus did away with the Inline 6 and made it a V6? My friend's IS300 I believe is a I6.
Anyhow, I say if you have the money, get the IS350. After all it's a Lexus

 

Sweet ride .. I Like the lines, but it is smaller than the TL ... I'll stick with my ride, but If I didn't have two kids to cart around it would get a serious look!

 

Those are the best pics I have seen yet for the new IS.

I almost considered waiting and getting another IS, but really I wouldnt be happy in the IS250...only 205 hp I believe, my last IS had 215hp and it was way underpowered. The IS350 would rock, but prolly 45k out the door and only available in Auto <<<atleast the 1st year.

The new IS's are bigger...they are built on the new GS base. Great lines IMO

BTW notice the stainless steel levers/paddles over the steering wheel. That is the new E-shift instead of the old buttons on the steering wheel. How Cool.

 

Regardless, its always good to see a new competitor in the field. More (tough) options to choose from plus maybe it will serve as a wake up call to the other manufacturers and lead to more features being added (like awd) and/or better prices Look out G35, TL, and 5 series!

 

The people on this board are the minority of TL owners. Someone who uses the TL as a family/winter beater is going to get the IS for that purpose? Possible, but I doubt it. That same person is also probably not going to have an IS as their summer car either, instead going for something like a Merc SL, Porsche, etc. But then again, there is no real way of homing in on what people are going to do, you can only guess based on what we already know.

Do you know how many people not on this board will never own a car more expensive than the TL? an Aspec TL owner is not the usual TL owner, and the price difference is almost nothing. But for someone who has the base non-navi model, the difference is alot of money, with not that much value for the additional 10K, except Lexus reliability.

So chill with the "BULLSHIT", because you're missing the point.

 

I saw the IS350 at the NY Auto show and have read whatever was available about this car. At the show, we were informed that Lexus would be offering the new IS in AWD config so we decided to wait for the IS. I really wanted the 350 with AWD (it snows a lot around here), and was prepared to spend well over $40k for one.

Once we found out that the IS250 (205hp) was to be the only model offered in AWD, we went to DCH Acura and walked out with a new RL. We bought the RL for a little more than what we were expecting to pay for the 350, and couldnt be happier!

If you compare the Lexus line with the Acura line, I'd say it goes like this:
IS250=TSX
TL>IS250
IS350>TL
IS350=RL
GS300awd=RL
GS430>RL

 

I cut a check for mine as for a winter beater... it sucks for that... value... I like how people define that term... value = cheap. spending more is ok, it all depends where you want to put your cash. From what I can see, many TL buyers do not have the extra cash to purchase a 40+K automobile.

 

very impressed with the specs on that 350.... but in the styling dept, come on - that design is so bland. the previous gen IS was so much more distinctive and eye catching... this just looks like cookie cutter design to please as many demographics as possible. the only view i like of the new IS is the front end. btw way, feel the same way about the GS, amazing specs, but bland & uninspired styling.... i almost confused the new GS for a plain old camry the other day....

 

Styling sucks, specs are good, price is bad. Surprised this isn't in Car Talk...

 

lot of styling stolen from bmw here. if u look in the instrument panel, u can see they used the instananeous mpg meter, which is upside down like in the bimmers

 

Rest assured, I'm completely cool. I don't know about people not on the forum because I can't reach them, but I do know that we have a pretty diverse group here and I think it would be fair to say that we're a fairly representative group.

So at least for the people here, we'll see what is bullshit and what isn't.

 

I still think it looks hot...but it does ressemble a Scion TC. More so then a BMW, specially from a side profile IMO.

 

Hyundai Rear



Lexus rear

 

Thorin78:

The rear view resembalance is uncanny.

I actually think the Hyundai is a more attractive car than the new IS, though I'd probably NEVER buy a Hyundai.

Regards,

 

In the pics they may appear similar. But I bet in person, the level of detail in the IS will set itself apart - from hyundai or anything else. I'm not digging the plain-looking sideview.

I'm not shocked by the specs of the IS350 - new cars are getting more and more powerful...

The IS250 won't come close to the TL's performance, but sure, the IS350 will be a "TL killer."

But you know what? No MT in the IS350!

Has anyone else notice that the interior layout is really, really close to that of the TL?

 

Agreed, I think BMW is probably worrying their little bavarian pants off with Infinity and Acura coming up in the world. At first only toyota was a MB and BMW competitor, but now it seems there is even more selection in the luxury sedan world. As far as the new IS goes, it looks snazzy and im sure it is powerful. One thing though, how much farther are posh car companies going to go with this horsepower craze?? I remember when having 500 hp was the magic number back in 2000, now it seems all the super cars are doing it. Bentley, Aston Martin, and almost every friggin ferrari. Even the 35 to 70K luxuries are doing it. Whats the damn point?? My car already goes 100 mph in like 14 seconds... What do I need it to do 100 mph in 6 sec to get to work faster?? Honestly, what are they thinking. Most people with 30K plus to spend on a car are prob going to be in their 40s to 60s, and are probably going to be done trying to pull 130 down the interstate. its just going to get the point where ever Honda Accord is a race car stock lol.

 

that is crazy!!!!!! lexus being compared to a hyundai!!! hahahha

the hyundai one does look a little better than the lexus but next years IS the tailights will be half red half clear.....auto makers always do that...

 

I think the Hyundai looks more like an Accord, the car it directly competes with, than the Lexus IS.

 

i love the look of the new IS..though i would wait for the second year for them to address small quirks that people might complain about. for example, a 6spd on the 350 would definitely be worthy of a wait..possibly get rid of that amber on the taillights and replace it with clear as someone had mentioned earlier..does anybody else find it funny how the sideview mirrors come out of the top of the door instead of being next to the pillar?

that being said..i think it's a beautiful car, but i wish they did the front bumper a little more like the GS..the triangle foglights look a little out of place.

 

I don't like the "angry tail lights" look. But other than that, it's a beautiful car. Now, Lexus, about that manual transmission...

This car is in no way a TL killer. Like the person who bought an RL said, it's almost in that price range. If I were Acura, I'd be worried about the IS250 being a TSX killer. I think that's what Lexus was aiming for. If the 250 is the right price, of course. The 350 is in no way aimed at the TL. It's aimed at the 3 series BMW and C class M-B. It's a shot right between the eyes for MB...

 

Personally I think the IS has a few elements from the G35 and the BMW 5. The rear is the biggest resemblance to the bimmer with the aggressive frowning tail lights. I actually like the clean, elegant side look. This is a lexus for crying out loud, it doesnt need little frilly things on it. Theres a nice flared out design from the wheelbase to the top as well which is probably best experienced in person. I also love those supersized side mirrors =)

 

That is one dope car. I would get it over the TL any day.

 

I saw this car in news when I was shopping for my TL in May.

First, it looked small - probably comparable size to 330i/A4 3.2 / TSX
Second, 300hp+ version seemed to be another C$10k+ with Navi


BTW, Hyundai is growing fast. Yes the new sonata borrowed outgoing Accord's tailight(as we know Accord is getting new tailight).

Those new Sonatas are built in USA. It beats any car in that range. Would you spend money on Malibu or get more room with more featured Hyundai? It's best bang for the buck in that category.

They also have "Azera" coming out soon. It's got about same features as our TL. However I would not buy it over TL because it's definitely less refined car.