The common owner of the car is going to buy it for looks and the fact that it is a Lexus. For the performance enthusiast, both models fail IMHO. I'd look elsewhere. No way in hell would I buy the 350 even with a manual tranny, at that price with options I'd head over to Bimmer.

 

Here's another view.

I doubt I will win anyone over with this but here we go.

I have a new IS 350 and am enjoying it very much.

Would I like it more with smg, a bigger back seat and handling more like a 330I? Of course.

I had my S2000 for six years and it was a blast.

I changed jobs and have some commuting now so anything without a clutch would be a plus.

To me the car is more a C class killer (power, luxo) but is being presented as a take marketshare from BMW product.

The handling is very nice but not like hey take me autocrossing nice. Let's see what the aftermarket give us in terms of suspension stuff.

The power is a happy thing as are the brakes and the toys.

The paddle shifters are more fun running down through the gears than running up.

In terms of build quality, I have not found anything better. Take an objective look at a BMW or MB against this car and see for yourself.

Yes the pricing is up there, but these folks build a nice toy that stay on the road instead of in the air and they get a premium for that.

I agree the 250 is sleepy. The enthusiasts would like the car at that price point ($30K) with all the go in the world but it looks like Toyota is not looking to do that for you.

 

I don't care for the new look. I thought the old style was a leap ahead and I really liked it when it came out. I think it has aged well and the new one does not do it justice.

 

why would you get this over a 325? I think the extra $5K is definitely worth it.

 

I was on the wait list for an IS350 until I learned it wouldn't be available in a 6MT.

Picked up an '04 S4 instead.

The 1st gen. ES300 was available with a manual transmission too.

 

I sat in an IS350 today. I was impressed that I fit comfortably (I'm a big boy). The cabin sensation is tight even though we had enough room. Not so happy that the rear seats don't fold forward, just a small pass-through. Also not so happy that the sport package rules out the wood trim interior.

Here's why I looking -- my wife will not drive a stick and doesn't like it when I drive the Z06 (I have a hard time holding back). So we end up driving her Jeep Liberty everywhere and I don't really like it.

So the IS350 is on my radar -- cars I might like but she would also drive (semi-sport/luxury with an auto, should seat four). I really want to like the M35/M45 but the seats feel like a wooden bench. I don't want to spend more than $50K.

The Avalon is probably THE value leader but even though they restyled it, well, it is front drive and I'm not that old yet. I like the MB CLS but the price is a bit over my limit. The C-class and bottom of E-class are possibles. The BMW 3's are a bit spartan (yeah, I know they still win road comparisons). I might look again at the Audi A4 and the Acura TL/RL (RL is straining the budget).

If it wasn't for maintenance worries I might consider a used 2002-ish S-class or 7-series. Same for a Jag X (I don't trust 'em new).

Am I missing any sedan winners?

 

[QUOTE=rockville,Dec 3 2005, 02:31 PM] I stopped by my local Lexus dealer today with the intent of looking at an IS250. I want the 250 because I don

 

Good info, thanks for the tip!

 

Lexus should offer an AWD 6-sp manual version of the IS350. Hopefully within next year so I can hop into one.

 

This car is and always has been about looks. I think Toyota knows their buyers for this car...Either 25 year old women (like my girlfriend) or young men, the know will tune it up themselves...