CTC Review: 2007 Lexus IS350

[safristi]

  WELL "STOP_IT" now.....ohh ya wanna START SOMETHING.....

[The Mighty Duck]

I am in agreement with the issue around the transmission - Lexus got it all right and then some to make this a 3-series beater, until they dropped in the gear box. It would be a showstopper for me if the $$ wasn't already 

With a proper six-speed manual, this would be my first choice over even a BMW 335i.  As it is, those flappy paddles just don't cut it.  I don't understand the logic of offering the IS250 with manual, but not its bigger brother...

[safristi]

Scared of Cons Reviews 'bout CHIPPED COGS from the 300HP??? OR NO DEMAND from the Rosedale Shoppin SET!!!?

[haris]

Scared of Cons Reviews 'bout CHIPPED COGS from the 300HP??? OR NO DEMAND from the Rosedale Shoppin SET!!!?

I'd say a little bit of both.

[safristi]

and MONICA!!!!..

[ghost]

very nice car. Too bad it's being driven alot by asian ladies going to the local TNTs.

[mrthompson]

 

[airbalancer]

I believe Lexus probably knows it's market better then us, and found they probably could not make enough money on the car by putting a manual in it

[kc567]

"the price difference with USA"

.....  We’re Canadian, Eh, so we suck it up and take it like men .... and then thank them for it!

The fact is, Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Lexus are only competing against each other …. if you compare similar vehicles between these four you will find in fact that Lexus is well positioned price wise. They all do it to us.

Interestingly enough, the Canadian is250 model prices compare much closer to their American model price ….. its just so underpowered in comparison to the is350 it hardly seems worth it.

[mdxtasy]

very nice car. Too bad it's being driven alot by asian ladies going to the local TNTs.

And the point would be......

[ovr50]

very nice car. Too bad it's being driven alot by asian ladies going to the local TNTs.

Comments like that do nothing to advance the discussion, and it's not even funny. 

[The Mighty Duck]

I believe Lexus probably knows it's market better then us, and found they probably could not make enough money on the car by putting a manual in it

I wonder.  The BMW 3-series offers a manual, the Mercedes C-class offers a manual, and the Audi A4  offers a manual, Cadillac CTS offers a manual...  the IS350 is the only car in this segment that does not have a manual gearbox.   

It seems to me, if the other manufactures are doing it, it must be viable at some level.  It seems even stranger to me that Lexus gives you a manual in the base model, but not the AWD or 3.5L variants.  Why?

[wing]

The CTS offers a manual but good luck finding one, they are hard to get.  The others as well... minus the BMW.  The USA is the reason for no manual.  Typically americans don't care for manual it's a small percentage of sales.

[BJB]

I just don't understand the appeal of this car.  Clearly I'm in the minority, but I think the styling is incredibly boring and I really don't think the interior is overly special either.  For my money I'd take the G35. $53k for this car seems insane (but in-line with its main competitor the 3-series, also ridiculously overpriced)

[MKII]

I just don't understand the appeal of this car.  Clearly I'm in the minority, but I think the styling is incredibly boring and I really don't think the interior is overly special either.  For my money I'd take the G35. $53k for this car seems insane (but in-line with its main competitor the 3-series, also ridiculously overpriced)

Same here BJB, not on my radar at all. At the 50G price point I'd favor the S60 T5,A4 3.2 Q, or the 335i
From Wing's pics of the go and stop pedals of the IS,there doesn't appear to be enough room for a clutch pedal as it looks a little crowded. Also the  exterior side panels are much too tall with the wee side windows. Just too much metal. But as Wing writes, looks are subjective. 

[The Mighty Duck]

The CTS offers a manual but good luck finding one, they are hard to get.  The others as well... minus the BMW.  The USA is the reason for no manual.  Typically americans don't care for manual it's a small percentage of sales.

Is the IS350 sold in the Euro market, and if so, with a manual?  I realize it would be a small percentage of sales, but (imo) the others have taken the right approach by offering a manual, for that percentage that does want it.  It might be hard to find, but I imagine those that really want the manual are not quite so impulsive, and will wait for the right car.  *shrug*

Financially, probably a good move.  And given Lexus' emphasis on luxury over sport, not terribly surprising.  But disappointing, nonetheless.  But I'll manage...  a manual IS250 with a twin turbo sounds mighty tempting... 

[conix]

Just got one of these. Canadian IS350 is slightly different from base US IS350, which does not include the premium leather seats. Still, Canadian price is heck of a lot more $$$ than US, and option package are very limiting in Canadian model. Radar cruise control is not even offered.

I think G35 is better deal for money, if you like driving - although I don't like that clutch pedal in G35. New G35, styling wise, I like older better. Overall, I still think IS is prettier both inside and outside, and it's a lot quieter in general. For some, this is appealing. Good power, enough luxury feel inside, good seats, etc. However it's still fun to drive and relatively safe to push it. Insurance rate is relatively low too. Overall, I'm very happy with it, but again it's expensive!

[mdxtasy]

very nice car. Too bad it's being driven alot by asian ladies going to the local TNTs.

Comments like that do nothing to advance the discussion, and it's not even funny. 

Agreed Ovr....think before you post.  Stupid comment.

[Loudpedal]

This is a very nice car, with it's powertrain IMO, being it's most appealing draw.   When driving a colleagues IS250, I feel, lets say "cozy" in this car.  I very much put it in the 4 door "coupe" category, as it's rear seat is ...a very small rear seat.  Overall I like much of the styling, particualarly the front and rear. 

The numerals on the gauges however...I've neve been a fan of the "lying down" font style.  I prefer my numerals standing up. 

In the end, for the cash, I belive a G35x would be my personal choice in this segment.   Lexus has done a good job on the car however.

[Blueprint]

Newbie here.  I'm a traffic engineer and here's my big idea to clear the roads : outlaw automatics !!!! 

Back o/t, the current IS series has me spinning my head everytime I see one go by  .  The previous gen was peculiar, but the current bod is the segment's prettiest.  IS250 with stick is within my budget, but with 3 kids, I will need a real back seat when (if) I manage not to buy another minivan  ... and a stick will be a mandatory item.