I would say in the past 3 days I saw more IS300 ads than anything else. Plus I got the $500 rebate in the mail, what's going on with that car? Is it not selling well?

 

Yup. I got that $500 ad too.
Base on road observation and its forum participants, it seems the IS is not reaching its age 35 - 50 w/ > 100K income target audience, but just the teens and early 20's who can afford it (there aren't that many of them around).

I believe its tail-light is a little much for their TA, and its interior material quality is not nearly up to par of what people would expect from Lexus.

I think many dealers are selling it at merely $500 over invoice, yet still have many overstock lined up in their lot.

 

I think it looks like a Honda Accord w/ clear/red lights in the back. Different interior though. I rather have the older body Accord for the looks/money.
Unless Lexus added a 6 speed w/about 280HP at the wheels. then i may consider buying it. Other than that not that bad of a ride. I thought it was selling well?

 

The main reason is that since the winter was soo bad back east, Lexus swapped a majority of our (Western US) RX's with the Easterns IS's. Thus, there is a HUGE surplus of IS300's on the West coast. They are offering huge rebates in an effort to move them all before the MY2002 shows up. That one will have quite allot of new features including a much needed 6spd and Nav system. This will make the MY2001 very un-attractive.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tims2k
[B]I think it looks like a Honda Accord w/ clear/red lights in the back. Different interior though. I rather have the older body Accord for the looks/money.

 

I don't think they're selling all that well in this market, either. I've only seen two at two different times. Since they were both yellow, it may have been the same car.

 

Has anybody actually driven one? Does it have the road feel of the BMWs or is it deathly quite like all the other Lexus models. Is deathly a word? I've only read the magazine articles and it's difficult to get a good sense of the car.

 

**Note: (I own a Prelude Si & a S2000 and I'm really used to sporty cars with stiff suspensions). . .

That being said, I've driven my best friend's IS and I wasn't impressed. . .

As I've stated in similar posts, the exterior is crisp & looks really nice. . . But, isn't as visually stunning as the new M3 or an S4. . .

Further, the interior needs a lot of work. . . Too many contrasting fabrics and styles on the interior make the car seem "cheap".

The engine is Lexus smooth and quiet. But, for a sports sedan I would expect a little more noise. . . Also, in terms of handling, the car feels very soft** & the acceleration seems average. . .

Overall, a nice car. . . But for the money I'd rather get a TL-S (w/ nav) or a S4. . .

 

1 word....Automatic.

Nuf said.

 

For the money?? I am not sure what the TL-S is going for but since the CL-S is the same price as the IS, you can expect the TL-S to be more. As for the S4, you are talking about a car that is 20-25% more expensive Lexus is selling their "loaded" IS300's with an MSRP of $35 at around $31-$32. Last I checked, you can't even begin looking at an S4 for under $39.4. Once you add in a decent stereo and Leather seats, you are at $41.4. Loaded, you are talking $43-$44k...and that is IF you can find one without a markup.

Too you must consider that these cars appeal to two totally different people. The IS is going to attract two kinds predominantly. Those who are steping up from their camry/accord/civic up into a "luxury car" and are scraping to get into the IS and those who can afford pretty much anything under $50k but are buying the IS because they like its looks (of if you are my wife, "because its cute"). The TL-S might fit into the former category when it comes to stepping up. The S4 however is completely different. It appeals to people like us who LOVE performance and to people who want a german badge.

[Edited by Humanatek on 03-06-2001 at 07:37 AM]