Malloric

Yes, I know you never said that. You said "where did HE compare the 350 and M3"... I just quoted where he (y2ks2k) compared them. So yes, my reading abilities fine. It's my typing ability/name recognition that needs work. Sorry for the confuscion.

If you're going to compare the straight line acceleration of the M3 to the IS350 then you have to compare EVERYTHING. The comparison shouldn't be made in the first place - except maybe for shits and giggles - because the cars are not in the same classs. The Evo MR can do 0-60 in 4.5 which is comparable to the 4.1 a GT3 can do. Yes, it's true... but it's trivial information that doesn't say anything about the cars as a whole.

My personal observation is that the majority of drivers I see in sports-luxury sedans are in their mid 20's to late 30's. Of the ones I know they have no family obligations or are double income no kids. Again, could be demographics... but that's what I see. Statistically I have no clue who is driving 'em.

My point isn't that it is a BMW wannabe... it is that as (that's a hypothetical as, because imo it isn't and wasn't meant to be) a BMW clone (better word than wannabe) it doesn't do very well. They are quite different cars. Obviously not as much as an Elise and a 3 series or 350 and a Camry, but noticeably different. Simply put the IS350 does not drive as excileratingly as the 3 series. Even in the normal aggresive 7/10ths day to day driving. Not everyone buying a 3 series over an IS is your friend the M3 owner. Certainly a lot are... but let's be honest, many of the people buying an IS350 are status/badge whores as well. They'd be just as happy in a Lexus that drove like a Camry. Same holds for many BMW drivers.

y2ks2k

[QUOTE=Malloric,Jul 26 2006, 08:51 PM]
Yes, I know you never said that. You said "where did HE compare the 350 and M3"... I just quoted where he (y2ks2k) compared them. So yes, my reading abilities fine. It's my typing ability/name recognition that needs work. Sorry for the confuscion.

If you're going to compare the straight line acceleration of the M3 to the IS350 then you have to compare EVERYTHING. The comparison shouldn't be made in the first place - except maybe for shits and giggles - because the cars are not in the same classs. The Evo MR can do 0-60 in 4.5 which is comparable to the 4.1 a GT3 can do. Yes, it's true... but it's trivial information that doesn't say anything about the cars as a whole.

My personal observation is that the majority of drivers I see in sports-luxury sedans are in their mid 20's to late 30's. Of the ones I know they have no family obligations or are double income no kids. Again, could be demographics... but that's what I see. Statistically I have no clue who is driving 'em.

Malloric

[QUOTE=y2ks2k,Jul 26 2006, 09:55 PM] 95% of the IS 350 owners that purchased an IS350 cross shopped a 330 and purchased the IS350. Most of the m couldn

rai

IMO it's all well and nice to speculate on how good or bad the IS500 will be vs the M3, but I'm willing to wait until they both are out to pass judgment.

The first link had prototype 'close to 8-min lap of the Nurburing' which would put it close to a C6 lap time, not bad if it's true.

QUIKAG

[QUOTE=rai,Jul 27 2006, 05:57 AM] IMO it's all well and nice to speculate on how good or bad the IS500 will be vs the M3, but I'm willing to wait until they both are out to pass judgment.

The first link had prototype

rai

We'll see this is a prototype testing so it could be anything and it could mean nothing for the producton car. But they say it's quicker than the current M3 and RS4 times so I think they mean it's closer to 8-flat than meaning 8-something (close to 9 min).

I just looked at it and they said 'close to the magic 8-minute mark' meaning 8-flat.

duboseq

That is awsome if it is true.

QUIKAG

True. It could be a 3000lb stripped out skeleton of an IS car with race slicks and the V8 motor. I could believe close to an 8 flat at that point.

I do hope Lexus gives the IS500 a harder edge and the ability to full disable stability electronics, etc. with the push of a button. If so, it could be a very awesome blend of performance, handling, and relability. That 'reliability' part is typically where BMW and Audi are lacking.

derryck

First of the 1320 is hardly an end all be all for performance but I have personally run 12's in my M3 show me an IS350 that can do that. The more important indicator is trap speed and M3's pull 107-108mph stock. Let's put the IS350 on a track with an M3...how do you think it's gonna fair? I'm sure that slushbox in the IS will work well against the superior M3.

duboseq

But the only thing that can be compared to an M3 is 1/4 mile times.

The IS 350 was not built to be competition for the M3 as discussed earlier.

It was built to be competition for the 3 series segment i.e. 330i which performance wise is no match.