I love the look of the 2nd Gen IS. If I had the money I would pick it up in a minute.

 

I test drove an IS250 before I bought my TSX. I looked at the one with Navi and the my first impression of the interior was good. Dash and gauges are sporty. The wood trim blends in nicely. But as I start going through the car, the touch of the interior material feels a little "thin". They're not as sturdy as the Acuras. Other than that, (and the price) I think the car is great. The exterior is definitely more sporty than the TL. If you're 22 and want something less Sedanee, IS250 is one of the top choice.

 

I actually really like the old gen IS. a little bit less aggressive but i think it looks more classy. My friend's been looking for one so we've been test driving a few. I think the old is300 was pretty good. you can get an '04 around 20k and it seems to have decent power. I also thought the interior space was bigger in the old model, but it might just be in my head.

 

Oh, is that all you have to do.

 

^

if you like a cars looks...and it lack a little power...of course


PS- i mean disable the TCS, stability, and whatever else they throw on now requires a combination of hitting the brake pedal etc etc.

S2000s have the same compression ratio and can run quite a bit of boost tuned right.

I mean...what other options are you go to have...FWD Acura..notta

RWD nissan/infiniti...yell yeah...

 

o...and you cant swap the motors. something with the drivetrain not being able to support it etc(AWD)

PS- check signature

 

I finally checked one out yesterday. It just isn't appealing in person to me, and the interior is kinda meh... It reminded me of the TSX's interior.. but not as nice... Also, wasn't too impressed with the leather.

 

You should try saying that on ClubLexus and just watch as the flaming begins...

As for the IS250, I drove it pretty extensively when I was looking at cars at the end of 2005. After beating one into submission at the Taste of Lexus event, I ended up going back to the TSX because the Lexus just did not justify its higher price tag from a dynamics standpoint. Sure it's RWD, but that vague, uncommunicative steering and the so-so shifter feel just were not engaging. Add to that the fact that the price tag climbs astronomically with any options and the appeal keeps falling at an ever increasing rate.

To the OP, if you are looking for a sportier car, then the IS250 will be a major disappointment. It is not a driver's car. You would be better off looking at something with a truly sporty feel such as the late model G35S. Even disregarding its power advantage, it just is a better car dynamically.

 

Nice

 

That is a MUST at a TOL event.

 

Sporty but not sedanee? I briefly read through this post ... is having a 4-door a necessity? I mean, are you going to truck around classmates, etc? If not ... a 2-door is definitely anti-sedanee. With the coupe coming back into fashion, your choices are greatly improved. In the price range of a IS250 -- S2000, upcoming G37 coupe, BMW, Audi ... there are a lot of choices to be had!

If you're going the route of a 4-door and don't want to spend a lot, why not look at the choices people have already mentioned ... I am biased towards a TSX (since my wife has one) Good luck on your search. My advice is if you're doing a lot of commuting, pick a fuel efficient car with some creature comforts. You don't need the bells & whistles that Lexus marketers promote (particularly the name). Heck ... why not a Prius if you want a Toyota?

 

to the OP, so have you decided yet?

 

Thanks for the input guys.


No, I have not decided yet. I work full time and am working on a double masters right now (MBA + MIS), so I have little free time to look in person. Still very much all over the internet on it.

I do require navigation, and a nice interior. I like the audi's (A4) on the outside, but the interior seems a bit squarish for me. I also like the Volvo s60r, but again, not impressed with the interior. Engine and exterior are sexy though. I feel the is250 is perfect except maybe be lacking in engine (though I have not test drove yet, so this is only an assumption). The G35 would be perfect, however I would need to get the 07' becuase of the lacking interior in previous models. But, for similar money as the Lexus, I would want more of what the IS and TL have. The dimming mirrors, heated/cooled seats, navi w/voice command, bluetooth, etc. I'm not looking into Lexus for the name, because to be honest, I've never in my life thought of owning a Lexus until recently. Why can't they make a TL coupe? I also like the C32 AMG as far as performance and exterior styling goes, but terrible navi and guages. Also a bit squarish interior. Choices choices. Looks like G35 (07'), or IS250.

Anyone think I can get one of the two for around 32K OTD? Is that too much to bargain for. I bought my 04' TL, in 05', with 20K miles for 31,800. I thought that was a good deal. Especially at the time with how hot they were.

 

i got my awd with everything in without navi or the bluetooth for 32k out the door and that was invoice. the awd does have a higher start price but the navi and bluetooth can offset it. go to edmunds.com and price out the 250 with the options u want in it. when i did that and compared it to their sticker and the edmunds one and their invoice to edmunds it was right on the money.

 

That dollar price is certainly doable if you forgo a lot of options. Personally, I don't see the IS250 or the G35 as a big step up from your TL, other than RWD dynamics.

 

I doubt it. You're better off just keeping your TL until you finish school. Either one of those two will be way higher than 32k if you're looking at ones that have the factory Nav and all that ish.

 

To the above. I do not drive the TL anymore, I leased it out to my mom a few months ago. Explanation above. Also, I'm not looking for a step-up from the TL as far as features and all that...just trying not to go too far down. I started looking for a used G35 with navi, like an 04 or 05...thinking about around $25K, then saw the IS and was very interested. The 04 - 05 G seems to be a downgrade from the 06/07 IS and 07 G. So thats why I started thinking about those. So you guys think a used 06' IS with Nav for $32K OTD wouldn't be doable?

 

right now you can get a brand new IS250 for 32k, but without navi. With navi, you can prolly get it for 34k. Depends where you are though. If you're in so cal, you can get those prices. It's really competitive.

 

I just got a flyer in the mail from Lexus of Orland Park today...funny how I'm thinking about Lexus and a flyer shows up in the mail. Anyway, its for special offers starting on August 1st, with low interest rates and great (they say better than expected, and that I'll be surprised) trade-in prices on a vehicle like the kind that I own. It says they are looking for luxury trade-ins and paying top dollar. I'll see what all there promos are and keep you guys informed. But that won't be until the 1st.

 

do you live in the Chicagoland area man?

 

Yup, suburbs.

 

If this promo isn't too good. I may just wait for the December To Remember Sales Event...that's Lexus right. Or some diamond company. I can't remember, but they do always have promos with the big bow on the car.

I don't think mid-summer is the best time to buy a car. I bought my TL and Colorado in January, and I think I got great deals because of the timing. Specifically the Colorado...it was an 06' (bought in Jan of 07'), sticker $29K (4X4 crew cab). After 8 hrs I got them down to $23K plus TTL, so $25K OTD with them throwing in bed liner, trailer hitch, taneu (sp?) cover, and remote start. After the deal was done, my sales guy (who was not part of it at all....basically only the managers got involved to close the deal), told me they only cracked because they needed the sale very badly, and the board showed only 11 cars for the month.

Anyway, back on topic. What to do about the IS.

 

I think you'll get bored with it. Save some bills and get a 350.