Lexus IS looks serious ... sorta TSX-ish
03-18-2005, 10:33 AM
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Lexus IS looks serious ... sorta TSX-ish
Just got the new Auto Week and boy, I gotta say that the new Lexus IS sedan looks like it's gonna be a homerun --- and --- dare I say a bonafide TSX and TL-fighter??
Of the bat, though, there are a few stylistic marks on the IS that will truly remind TSX-owners of their car like the door handles and the crease on the door.
Base price is 29 large and it comes with a V-6 with roughly 300 hp (!) and an interior that boasts bluetooth and a six-disc changer that plays mp3 and wma files and a nav that's "supposedly" better than anything out there. Personally, I don't think people realize how great the Honda/Acura nav is.
While I think the TSX's interior look is much much cleaner than the IS (silver and wood just don't go), this car truly has many other cars in its crosshairs and will surely be a favorite among car magazine editors.
check it out at www.autoweek.com
Of the bat, though, there are a few stylistic marks on the IS that will truly remind TSX-owners of their car like the door handles and the crease on the door.
Base price is 29 large and it comes with a V-6 with roughly 300 hp (!) and an interior that boasts bluetooth and a six-disc changer that plays mp3 and wma files and a nav that's "supposedly" better than anything out there. Personally, I don't think people realize how great the Honda/Acura nav is.
While I think the TSX's interior look is much much cleaner than the IS (silver and wood just don't go), this car truly has many other cars in its crosshairs and will surely be a favorite among car magazine editors.
check it out at www.autoweek.com
03-18-2005, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by avenutolo
Base price is 29 large and it comes with a V-6 with roughly 300 hp (!)
Other than that I agree with everything you've said.
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03-18-2005, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by domn
You sure? Last we heard their were two versions. A 2.5L V6 with 204HP and a 3.0L with 245HP. I'd imagind the 2.5 would start at 29K with the 3L in the mid 30's.
03-18-2005, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by domn
You sure? Last we heard their were two versions. A 2.5L V6 with 204HP and a 3.0L with 245HP. I'd imagind the 2.5 would start at 29K with the 3L in the mid 30's.
Other than that I agree with everything you've said.
Other than that I agree with everything you've said.
Some say a 2.5L V6 204 HP engine and an optional 3.5 HP V6 280+ HP engine. But I think the 2.5L engine is for the european market only.
I think they will use the '06 GS300 Engine in the new IS.
But no one knows for sure. Every car magazine tells a different story. We will all know at the end of this Month at the New York Auto Show when the debute the USDM Spec IS.
But I have to admitt the interior does look alittle like the TSX. Which is a good thing.
I love lexus products. There quality is outstanding. I have been browsing the IS300 forum for over 2 years now and I never heard any complaints about rattles or any major problems with the car.
I'll probably be getting the new gen IS300. It looks nice and you cant beat the quality that Lexus has to offer.
03-18-2005, 11:26 AM
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My first impression from all those pix is that it's a much needed update-look (the current IS look has got boring); however, it doesn't look all that nice to me. Though I am sure a new IS will stir up some renewed competition which is always a good thing 
Definitely seems like they stole styling cues here and there... dual tail pipes, rear bumper reflectors, curiously trapezoid-shaped tail lights...
Here're some observations for thoughts:
Definitely seems like they stole styling cues here and there... dual tail pipes, rear bumper reflectors, curiously trapezoid-shaped tail lights...Here're some observations for thoughts:
- the shoulderline seems high and personally I am not a fan of that.
- one big diff I notice about the crease on the door is that it's above the doorhandle where on TSX it's below. I love where the TSX has that crease. On the IS the crease being so high, it leaves the lower part of the door panel looks big and flat (no character)
- the side profile look reminds me of the Mazda 3
03-18-2005, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by vkewalra
From some of the pictures I've seen it looks a lot like the Scion Tc on the exterior. I wouldn't want to spend 30K+ on a sedan that reminds me of a sub 20K coupe.
03-18-2005, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by gsrthomas
Well you sent 30k on an accord.
03-18-2005, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Stokeless_TSX
Over seas in Hong Kong they have an IS200...looks just like the IS300 but a smaller engine.
03-18-2005, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by n3ok318
There are goign to be IS250 and IS350
since they're going to use 3.5L, it should be 350
since they're going to use 3.5L, it should be 350
Thats not certain. The GS300 uses a 3L rated at 245/230.
Unless you know otherwise?
03-18-2005, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by vkewalra
From some of the pictures I've seen it looks a lot like the Scion Tc on the exterior. I wouldn't want to spend 30K+ on a sedan that reminds me of a sub 20K coupe.
I don't know why you would say that ... The Scion is a hot lookin' little car. If I was in the market to buy a cheapo vehicle, THAT would be the one. Plus the interior kicks booty. I've actually seen that car turn heads. Why? Cuz you really don't seem all that often and it's looks like it cost more $$ for the money.
03-18-2005, 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by avenutolo
I don't know why you would say that ... The Scion is a hot lookin' little car. If I was in the market to buy a cheapo vehicle, THAT would be the one. Plus the interior kicks booty. I've actually seen that car turn heads. Why? Cuz you really don't seem all that often and it's looks like it cost more $$ for the money.
03-18-2005, 12:27 PM
#24
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IMHO it looks 
Not perfect, but a vast improvement upon the old IS, particulaly the instrument cluster. I hated the chronograph gages of the old IS and the new instruments look like they were designed with an eye towards the TSX instruments. Still love my TSX tho. It'll take some time before the TSX starts looking dated.
Not perfect, but a vast improvement upon the old IS, particulaly the instrument cluster. I hated the chronograph gages of the old IS and the new instruments look like they were designed with an eye towards the TSX instruments. Still love my TSX tho. It'll take some time before the TSX starts looking dated.
03-18-2005, 12:33 PM
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I'm not saying anything negative about the appearance of the Tc. If I had wanted to spend 8-10K less on my car I probably would have gone for a Tc or a Mazda 3. It's just kind of odd, that's all.
The interior appearance is much improved over the previous IS, the size probably isn't though.
The interior appearance is much improved over the previous IS, the size probably isn't though.
03-18-2005, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by ClutchPerformer
All he said was that the IS looks like the tC. Now the tC is very good-looking IMO, but it is still a "cheapo vehicle" (your words). Why would you want your $30k car to look like a "cheapo vehicle" I don't know.
A few points if I may ...
1) Just because something is inexpensive isn't a BAD thing ... I mean, the watch I wear costs $75 but I still get compliments on it. It simulates design cues from watches costing 5 times as much
2) I refer to the tC as a "cheapo" vehicle because, in effect, that's what it is --- an INEXPENSIVE CAR!!!! It's a "cheapo" car!! I didn't mean it as a negative adjective.
3) The fact that our friend above says "I wouldn't want to spend 30K+ on a sedan that reminds me of a sub 20K coupe" is just a foolish statement. If the sub-20k coupe looks cool as the tC, then WHO CARES if you're reminded of it. Oh that's right, we gotta be in "pimpin'" mode ...
03-18-2005, 12:50 PM
#27
Originally Posted by avenutolo
... Oi vey, the curse of literalism ...
A few points if I may ...
1) Just because something is inexpensive isn't a BAD thing ... I mean, the watch I wear costs $75 but I still get compliments on it. It simulates design cues from watches costing 5 times as much
2) I refer to the tC as a "cheapo" vehicle because, in effect, that's what it is --- an INEXPENSIVE CAR!!!! It's a "cheapo" car!! I didn't mean it as a negative adjective.
3) The fact that our friend above says "I wouldn't want to spend 30K+ on a sedan that reminds me of a sub 20K coupe" is just a foolish statement. If the sub-20k coupe looks cool as the tC, then WHO CARES if you're reminded of it. Oh that's right, we gotta be in "pimpin'" mode ...
A few points if I may ...
1) Just because something is inexpensive isn't a BAD thing ... I mean, the watch I wear costs $75 but I still get compliments on it. It simulates design cues from watches costing 5 times as much
2) I refer to the tC as a "cheapo" vehicle because, in effect, that's what it is --- an INEXPENSIVE CAR!!!! It's a "cheapo" car!! I didn't mean it as a negative adjective.
3) The fact that our friend above says "I wouldn't want to spend 30K+ on a sedan that reminds me of a sub 20K coupe" is just a foolish statement. If the sub-20k coupe looks cool as the tC, then WHO CARES if you're reminded of it. Oh that's right, we gotta be in "pimpin'" mode ...
03-18-2005, 12:58 PM
#29
Originally Posted by n3ok318
i thought they were going to use 3.5L for sure
03-18-2005, 12:58 PM
#30
And I don't think the interior looks anything like the TSX. I like it a lot.
03-18-2005, 01:14 PM
#31
She said: it's GINORMOUS!
i like it overall. not digging the silver console inside.
and i don't know how their nav can be better then honda's (honda's latest partnered with ibm voice recog). we'll have to wait and see.
hope the radio has fm, xm, wma, mp3, dvd-a, aux-in, audi-input jack
and i don't know how their nav can be better then honda's (honda's latest partnered with ibm voice recog). we'll have to wait and see.
hope the radio has fm, xm, wma, mp3, dvd-a, aux-in, audi-input jack
03-18-2005, 01:27 PM
#33
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^^^^Me too.
no one has touched on my observations list...
03-18-2005, 02:17 PM
#35
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The 6MT equiped IS220d at the Geneva show looked a bit different than the ones in these pics cause of the different interior - color makes a big diff. The Lexus fanboys will be looking down snobishly at anyone comparing their darling new IS to a TSX - they want to be associated with the likes of 3 series not he lowly FWD TSX. The paper facts however have the IS250 and the TSX very close to each other with the exception of the drivetrain layout. I've seen the interior of both - it's a toss up - very subjective. Same with the exterior.
The only debate will be - is the interface screen (comes on all models even without NAV), push button start and RWD worth the extra 5K over a TSX (assuimng the TSX can be had for 26K and the similar IS250 will be 31K)?
The IS350 will be a totaly different animal - that will be competing in a different league. But like the high end models on most cars the sales figures of the IS350 will be miniscule compared to the volume IS.
The only debate will be - is the interface screen (comes on all models even without NAV), push button start and RWD worth the extra 5K over a TSX (assuimng the TSX can be had for 26K and the similar IS250 will be 31K)?
The IS350 will be a totaly different animal - that will be competing in a different league. But like the high end models on most cars the sales figures of the IS350 will be miniscule compared to the volume IS.
03-18-2005, 03:01 PM
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Is comparison
I just got my tsx in oct and when I saw the lex I had the same issue but
Dont be too concerned, I have info from a designer in cali honda studio that the 07 tsx will be all new and hot hot hot, thats really all I can offer at this time for you though.............but dont quote me on that because in this biz things can change in a heart beat.....
Dont be too concerned, I have info from a designer in cali honda studio that the 07 tsx will be all new and hot hot hot, thats really all I can offer at this time for you though.............but dont quote me on that because in this biz things can change in a heart beat.....
03-18-2005, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by biker
The 6MT equiped IS220d at the Geneva show looked a bit different than the ones in these pics cause of the different interior - color makes a big diff. The Lexus fanboys will be looking down snobishly at anyone comparing their darling new IS to a TSX - they want to be associated with the likes of 3 series not he lowly FWD TSX. The paper facts however have the IS250 and the TSX very close to each other with the exception of the drivetrain layout. I've seen the interior of both - it's a toss up - very subjective. Same with the exterior.
The only debate will be - is the interface screen (comes on all models even without NAV), push button start and RWD worth the extra 5K over a TSX (assuimng the TSX can be had for 26K and the similar IS250 will be 31K)?
The IS350 will be a totaly different animal - that will be competing in a different league. But like the high end models on most cars the sales figures of the IS350 will be miniscule compared to the volume IS.
The only debate will be - is the interface screen (comes on all models even without NAV), push button start and RWD worth the extra 5K over a TSX (assuimng the TSX can be had for 26K and the similar IS250 will be 31K)?
The IS350 will be a totaly different animal - that will be competing in a different league. But like the high end models on most cars the sales figures of the IS350 will be miniscule compared to the volume IS.