CD Article: 2006 Lexus IS 250 AWD

[mdxtasy]

Watched the latest fifth gear, they ran an e30 M3 and it was SOOOO Slow, slower than or close to the same speed around their track as a suzuki swift!

It's funny, but the M3 is well balanced and fun to drive.

Suzuki Swift TURBO right?   

[Snowman]

Yes, love the cold temps. Nothing like a turbocharged car at -15C on dry pavement spinning all fours…..My RE 92’s are taking a beating this year.

[wing]

Haha, my reason it a little odder than dense air.

My speedo fails to work below -20 some, it's fine once it warms up though, it spins ultra fast, I was going 100km/h around my neighbourhood this morning

[safristi]

  depends ! on what the meaning of IS..IS...... I did not have FULL OUT..err acceleration with that
 AW'Damn ......so IT sucked what can I say...$55K is too much even though I feel yer pain!!!!ha ha..Hillary did ya think they BOUGHT THAT TOO>>>?.....

[ghost]

It's gonna be snapped up by females who prefer other 'features' in this car more than hp and accelerative figures. I'm sure my wife will like it and will not careless if it can do 100km/h in low 5s... otherwise her 92X Aero would've seen more mods than it is now. 
I think the new IS is a handsome car.

[Zoo]

Isn't the Acura TSX a similar car (almost more chassis than motor)? Reviewers have talked about how the TSX could use another 30-40 hp.

[Shnak]

Isn't the Acura TSX a similar car (almost more chassis than motor)? Reviewers have talked about how the TSX could use another 30-40 hp.

Yeah and it's even worse because the TSX gets those 200hp from only a 4 cylinder... so no torque what's so ever. It could really use the V6 3.0L from the Accord... it'd be a much better buy IMO.

[wing]

The TSX was a Top 10 Car pick from Car & Driver for the 3rd year in a row.  I don't think it needs a bigger engine.  Seems to be doing above expectations the way it is

[Shnak]

The TSX was a Top 10 Car pick from Car & Driver for the 3rd year in a row.  I don't think it needs a bigger engine.  Seems to be doing above expectations the way it is

Yeah I know. But most of the reviews you read, they'll compare the TSX to luxury V6 sedans (because the TSX is the only luxury, or semi-luxury, sedan that doesn't have at least a V6) and say that the TSX needs to rev it up to get some power, that it doesn't have a whole lot of torque compared to its competitors and that it could really use more torque.

But I wouldn't mind a TSX with its current 4 cylinder engine, I think it offers an excellent compromise between performance, fuel economy, refinement and reliability. It's just that to compete with the big boys (3-series, G35, IS, etc.), you NEED a V6... it's a perception and image thing.

[Snowman]

The TSX was a Top 10 Car pick from Car & Driver for the 3rd year in a row.  I don't think it needs a bigger engine.  Seems to be doing above expectations the way it is

Yeah I know. But most of the reviews you read, they'll compare the TSX to luxury V6 sedans (because the TSX is the only luxury, or semi-luxury, sedan that doesn't have at least a V6) and say that the TSX needs to rev it up to get some power, that it doesn't have a whole lot of torque compared to its competitors and that it could really use more torque.

But I wouldn't mind a TSX with its current 4 cylinder engine, I think it offers an excellent compromise between performance, fuel economy, refinement and reliability. It's just that to compete with the big boys (3-series, G35, IS, etc.), you NEED a V6... it's a perception and image thing.

IMO the only way the TSX will be considered a serious contender to the 3 Series, IS, and G35 is to offer RWD.

[Shnak]

The TSX was a Top 10 Car pick from Car & Driver for the 3rd year in a row.  I don't think it needs a bigger engine.  Seems to be doing above expectations the way it is

Yeah I know. But most of the reviews you read, they'll compare the TSX to luxury V6 sedans (because the TSX is the only luxury, or semi-luxury, sedan that doesn't have at least a V6) and say that the TSX needs to rev it up to get some power, that it doesn't have a whole lot of torque compared to its competitors and that it could really use more torque.

But I wouldn't mind a TSX with its current 4 cylinder engine, I think it offers an excellent compromise between performance, fuel economy, refinement and reliability. It's just that to compete with the big boys (3-series, G35, IS, etc.), you NEED a V6... it's a perception and image thing.

IMO the only way the TSX will be considered a serious contender to the 3 Series, IS, and G35 is to offer RWD.

Well that too... but can you imagine a RWD TSX with only a 2.4L I4 engine? How would that be supposed to compete with the many I6/V6 RWD competitors?

[wing]

The BMW I6 in the base models is less powerfull than the TSX they are pretty pathetic and uninspiring realy.  But I guess because it's a "6" that means more to some.

BMW 323i  3329lbs curb weight
HP 174 @ 5800   
Torque (ft/lb @ rpm)    170 @ 3500

Acura TSX 3318lbs curb weight
Horsepower:     200 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque:    166 lbs-ft @ 4500 rpm

Now of course the Acura NEEDS a V6 because it ONLY has 166lbs-ft of torque a entire 4 lbs less than the BMW at 1000rpm higher. But it has 26more hp and 10lbs less to haul around.

I don't buy the I6/V6 is required theory.  I would go for it RWD though.

[Snowman]

Acura could very easily drop in the 2.2l 247 hp S2000 mill and make the BMW and Lexus go home crying to mommy. Now that would be an exciting car!

[msian]

Acura could very easily drop in the 2.2l 247 hp S2000 mill and make the BMW and Lexus go home crying to mommy. Now that would be an exciting car!

Probably an economic thing...the TSX would cost quite a bit more with that engine, I presume.

[msian]

IMHO, the "issue" is the power-to-weight ratio...if the IS250 is a couple hundred pounds lighter the 2.5L 204hp would be "sufficient".

[Snowman]

Acura could very easily drop in the 2.2l 247 hp S2000 mill and make the BMW and Lexus go home crying to mommy. Now that would be an exciting car!

Probably an economic thing...the TSX would cost quite a bit more with that engine, I presume.

Acura has a big gap between the TSX and TL. A higher priced and better performing TSX option would fill this gap. Perhaps a solution would be to move the AWD system to the TL and TSX.

[mdxtasy]

There's roughly 5K difference between the TL and TSX.  Add the AWD and the engine may need to be upgraded.  That might bring the price awfully close to the TL and it's big power V6.

[msian]

Acura could very easily drop in the 2.2l 247 hp S2000 mill and make the BMW and Lexus go home crying to mommy. Now that would be an exciting car!

Probably an economic thing...the TSX would cost quite a bit more with that engine, I presume.

Acura has a big gap between the TSX and TL. A higher priced and better performing TSX option would fill this gap. Perhaps a solution would be to move the AWD system to the TL and TSX.

I believe they do offer AWD for the Accord in Japan (which is sort of our TSX here). BUT not SH-AWD though and ONLY available on the lesser 2.0l-engined (155hp) ones.
So, heavier, less engine and likely FWD-based AWD...no thanks right?

[sportcross]

I guess I better chime in here...

I have a 2006 IS250AWD that now has about 1000kms on it. I had an IS300 Sportcross before and a big fan of Lexus (obviously).

Firstly, the IS and the TSX compete only in price, drive the two back-to-back and you will understand.
Secondly, the old IS and the new IS are completely diferent cars. The old IS was quirky, the engine was an inline 6 that was 80s tech, but silky smooth and always able to provide torque. That car is destined to become a cult classic.

The new IS is totally diferent. When I saw it I put in an order without even driving it and don't regret it for a second...I am a Lexus fan, despite being a car freak and in the market in perhaps the most exciting segment I didn't look at anything else, mainly due to the reliability, service and trust I have in Toyota.

Initial thoughts

204 HP is more than enough
Lexus has kept the jeckal and hyde personality-smooth quiet and luxurious when cruising and a beast when thumping it
the chassis balance is perfect
steering is a little lighter and with less feel than the old model
brakes are awesome
interior is very nice, they obviously ripped a page from the Audi book
stereo is awesome
interior could be bigger, back seat and trunk
gas mileage is less than expected, but I have not been kind in the break-in period
the AWD is rear biased so you can still have a little fun, I have some Nokian WRs I need to install

Its a great car...I could not be happier. Lexus nailed it on the head with this one. The only problem I see is that there will be a bunch on the road.

[wing]

I agree the car, is great, I think Lexus nailed it for one market and missed it for another market.  They made it MUCH more luxurious and more for the older crowd, not the young up and comings the IS300 appealed to.

I have heard some bad things about the IS300 reliablity how was yours?