Lexus 350 is

[Music to my Ears]

Anybody have any input on the new 350is? I need a new car and the new "is" looks interesting. 306 HP ought to make it move. :D

[phebus]

Is the Beemer going away?

[Music to my Ears]

Is the Beemer going away?
Maybe. Getting up there on mileage. Driving a little too much. :hammerhea

[Cole Trickle]

Anybody have any input on the new 350is? I need a new car and the new "is" looks interesting. 306 HP ought to make it move. :D
I have wondered the same thing?
I have seen the new commercials and past one on the toll road last week and though it looked good.
I hope it feels better than the old car because the previous generation was a dog.(I liked the car and RWD but always wished it had 300-350hp to fight the BMW M3)
Brandin

[Jyruiz]

I wish they had the turbo diesel version here like in Europe.

[Music to my Ears]

I looked at one today. Definetly seems like a better car than the last model. It's been getting good reviews but so has the new 3 series BMW. :)

[2Driver]

Wasn't the old IS 300 just a Corolla dress up for $12K more? Wonder if the new one is too.

[1stepcloser]

Wasn't the old IS 300 just a Corolla dress up for $12K more? Wonder if the new one is too.
No. not even close. The IS was based off of the Altezza chassis, available previously only in Asia.
The new IS is again not based off of a toyota line product. Very cool new car.
306 HP 3.5 liter, direct fire sequential injection paddle shifted 6 speed auto trans, available all wheel drive.....
Going after the 3 series with a vengeance... :)

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

Ive owned a lexus for 6 years and will never sell it! It has no major problems and runs like a champ. Not to mention that I drive the snot out of it;) My new car will be another lexus;) I cant do anymore gm vehicles...... :2purples:
396

[RiverOtter]

Anybody have any input on the new 350is? I need a new car and the new "is" looks interesting. 306 HP ought to make it move. :D
I blew one away through a set of "S" turns with my Gcoupe :D

[MagicMtnDan]

Lexus IS350 has 306 HP but it does not have all-wheel drive or a manual. It does have 6-speed automatic and paddle shifters (which are pretty much a waste of time if you corner aggressively).
The car is much nicer than the previous IS300. The 350 with all options including nav, except the Mark Levinson super stereo is about $44,000 (the standard stereo in the IS is much better than previous models and should be more than adequate with 11 or 12 speakers). It is not a competitor to the M3 but it will compete for customers with the BMW 3-series. A loaded 3-series is closer to $50,000 (not the M3 -that will be even more when it comes out in a while). The IS350 should be a bit faster off the line but it won't handle with the 3-series and it's not meant to. The Lexus IS is more luxurious and refined inside with very good performance (350) and lots of high-tech features. The IS250 has about 100HP less than the IS250 and is available with all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual.
The IS350 is like a "baby GS" but, in my opinion, it's a better value than the Lexus GS. The GS' 6-cylinder doesn't have the HP that the 6 in the IS350 has. The GS430 is an 8-cylinder and it has "only" 300HP and that car weighs a lot more than the IS. If you want a Lexus that performs then the IS350 is the way to go. And inside it's every bit as nice as the GS but smaller (and lighter weight making it a better performer).
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/images/lexus-is350-ny-1.JPG
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_newyork/is350/images/z2006_IS_350_19.jpg

[MagicMtnDan]

I blew one away through a set of "S" turns with my Gcoupe :D
Probably only because the IS350 owner didn't want to race you. Those cars are very close performance-wise. I suspect the IS will be faster off the line (if both are automatics since the Lexus has a 6-speed auto tranny). They're two very different cars and the Lexus wins hands-down in luxury, quality/refinement and resale. :idea:

[Ziggy]

Going after the 3 series with a vengeance... :)
Uh, huh.... :rolleyes: :D :D :D
One thing is for sure...competition has made all these cars better no matter how you slice it.

[RiverOtter]

Probably only because the IS350 owner didn't want to race you. Those cars are very close performance-wise. I suspect the IS will be faster off the line (if both are automatics since the Lexus has a 6-speed auto tranny). They're two very different cars and the Lexus wins hands-down in luxury, quality/refinement and resale. :idea:
Mine is a manuel. He started it. And couldn't hang in the turns. I agree in a drag race he may have won. I have the 280 HP coupe. Need to trade for the new 300 HP coupe :cool: The dealer offered me $27,000 for a trade on my coupe that cost $34,000 and some change.

[Music to my Ears]

Great input everybody. Thanks!!
Anybody else? :shift:

[phebus]

Yea, talk to me before you get rid of the Beemer.

[Music to my Ears]

Yea, talk to me before you get rid of the Beemer.
You got it! :shift:

[Throttle]

I used to drive this one around town and to vegas, I thought it was a little go cart. The new one is over 300 hp? wow... how much? just curious...
I liked the service at lexus better than mbz too, just .02... :D
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/510/2610000_0122.JPG

[MagicMtnDan]

Mine is a manuel. He started it. And couldn't hang in the turns. I agree in a drag race he may have won. I have the 280 HP coupe. Need to trade for the new 300 HP coupe :cool: The dealer offered me $27,000 for a trade on my coupe that cost $34,000 and some change.
Why would you trade in for new payments (take the depreciation hit) for 20 more HP? :hammer2:
If you want more power, spend $ on aftermarket upgrades. Now if they were offering a different tranny or something more critical than 20 HP I'd understand it...

[MikeF]

Still have not driven one yet. They've only been on the lot for about a week.
There will be a convertible 2 door next year if you want to wait a little longer.
The hybrid GS will kick ass over all of them when it gets here! :D

[PHX ATC]

I saw 2 of them at the Lexus lot today. I pulled in for an el cheapo, "courtesy wash" and oggled them.
They look nice.

[1stepcloser]

Lexus IS350 has 306 HP but it does not have all-wheel drive.
The 350 will be available in an all wheel drive platform.... very few will make it california though.

[1stepcloser]

The new one is over 300 hp? wow... how much? just curious...The 250 is around $36,000 nicely equipped...
The 350 will be heading out at around $44,000 with all the bells.
I liked the service at lexus better than mbz too, just .02... :D
No comparison.....:D

[MagicMtnDan]

The 350 will be available in an all wheel drive platform.... very few will make it california though.
Lexus says it won't happen (at least not this year).
The GS hybrid (and the coming LS hybrid) both will have a lot more power but they weigh a lot more so performance-wise the only thing they might be better at is straight-line acceleration. Weight is the great equalizer - if you want to talk about cars that perform then let's talk about cars that weigh about 3200# or less. Everything else is just too heavy to corner well or brake very well (unless they have upgraded brakes).

[Beer-30]

Lexus Civics are for chicks. Get one for the GF or wife, and snag a Vette for yourself. The Vette will run rings around the 350is or M3, and cost about the same.

[RiverOtter]

Why would you trade in for new payments (take the depreciation hit) for 20 more HP? :hammer2:
If you want more power, spend $ on aftermarket upgrades. Now if they were offering a different tranny or something more critical than 20 HP I'd understand it...
Well I don't have any payments, the new one has 20 more HP (I know this is silly :wink: ), 19 inch wheels, and blue tooth technology, and no front end paint chips :D I tell you one thing I don't like about the new ones, they stopped using the Brembo Brakes! That sux!