The IS350 is such crap...

[deadfresh]

The following are quotes from members of clublexus.com about the IS. By way most of the posters compared the 350 to the 330 at the Taste of Lexus Event Taste of Lexus Driving Event .

Took the wife out to alameda point to drive the IS350. Have to say that this car is a huge dissapointment. Lexus took a gigantic step backward in driving dynamic with the IS. My 2001 IS was fun to drive, easy tossable, and give driver a real sense of confident in pushing the car. This is simply not the case anymore with IS350.

I have to admit that the new is350 stock suspension is a little softer and floaty compared to the is300. but guess what, lexus is trying to attract a larger market which will consist of older buyers who like a softer feel. i have yet to test drive a sport tuned is350, but i'm sure it will be alittle tighter and stiffer than the stock suspension.

yes the suspension is not as good.. as is steering. But the IS350 when the throttle is on full is like a rocket. I had a good time in it. I still think I would rather have the 350 vs the 330 just due to reliability.

I agree the 330i is still going to be the handling king. But a little aftermarket suspension work on the IS350, that can be a different story.

[QUOTE]I can agree with you on this one. As I went to Taste of Lexus today.

I felt somewhat unsafe to push the IS350 through the turns because of the suspension and power delivery. I was a bit dissapointed, as this is the car I wanted. I then drove the 330i, having driven this car many times, I went through the track like a king. I decided to try the IS350 a second time around, this time I commented to a track official how I didn't like the body roll, then he asked me if I wanted to hop into a Sport Packaged 350, of course I happily obliged. After driving that, I can tell you for sure it was a improvement already. Still not on par with the 330i. But I felt more safe and pushed the car to my limits. I left the event pleased. QUOTE]

I was at the event today as well and i drove the 330i first then the IS350. i have to say that the bmw stills handles better though nbot by much.

Nice review and I do feel that the steering was way too light!!! With more than 300hp you would like to feel the road as you are driving fast. I also thought the suspension was too floaty too but that can be fixed by spending $1500 for an aft mkt coilovers such as TEIN's. Other than that the IS350 is a pretty good car.

[davezaristo]

Here's my thoughts:

I think the test track setup by Lexus really gave the driver a good comparision on how much better the e90 is on the handling and cornering. On the GS track, th E500 outperforms the GS430 in almost every dept...power, cornering, body roll, etc.

The stupidest part of the event was the drag racing between the e90 and the new IS. Although we all know that the IS is slightly faster on the straight away, it was so obvious that it was a setup since the driver in the bmw really took his time on stepping on the gas and the IS won it by like 10 car lengths.

And btw, I am a Lexus owner...just speaking the truth and how i really felt about the new Lexus models. However, I am currently waiting for the 335i and hopefully i will get my e90 soon since i miss my e46 very much.

[sunchild]

we all know who's better, this is a done deal.

[ryry_s54]

I wouldn't call it crap. I just test drove one the other day and I must say, it is quite impressive, although the rear does need some getting use to, it isn't that bad overall. I do like the interior though, looks much better than BMW's 3series line, new & old.

[petefalzzz]

Originally Posted by BMW786

Well, right now they're still relatively rare down here...strange but when I do see them they are out all in one day. But E46, yes they come a dime a dozen...hope E90 doesn't end up that way (wishful thinking...)

Just wait until all those lease mature in the next year or two...

[pharding]

I test drove the Lexis IS 250, 350 and BMW 325, 330. The 3 er definitely handles better. The BMW cabin is more spacious. the A pillar on the Lexis is in the way if you are over 6 feet tall. The maintenance costs on the Lexis IS averages $40/month according to Edmunds dot com. BMW is $0. My son was enthusiastic about buying the IS 350 until he drove one. He ordered a BMW 330.

[england1987]

I agree somewhat. I think that the IS350 is a lesser vehicle in many ways. The fit and finish lacks fit and finsh. the exterior styling lacks certain styling. The interior comfort lacks certain comfort. the only thing that is good about it is that it is fast, but it isn't fun to drive because of the multple electronic nannies. the price is good, but it doesn't come with full maintainence.

[JamieA]

Interesting how the Lexus posters noted the handling has been turned back a notch or two.

I remember when the IS200 was released, reviewers were saying it was a 4 door Mazda MX-5 (Miata in the US market). Handles well, entertaining, but underpowered. Handling was the only thing the IS had going for it. The interior was a horror, and not up to proper Lexus standards and it had no guts.

I remember at the time that the shape was very seductive in the flesh... though as a package certainly no E46.

You would have thought that the next gen IS would have had much better handling being a bigger car, and benefiting from suspension advances, not a worse one... esp if the E90 was in its crosshairs.

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by BMW786

I saw the IS the other day...good - ppl. are buying it. I see these threads "Should I buy a C-class or E90?" or "IS250 or 325i?" - I personally don't go out of my way to convince anyone to get the E90. Shoot, then everyone will have the E90! - I want my car to be rare!!

Yes, bmwbenz - get the IS350, you'll be different.

Absolutely
I wish all E46 owners hate the E90 and stay with their cars and we will be some of the very few individuals, at least a bit longer

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by Atty

It's fair game to hit Lexus for making an imitation that falls short of the mark, but there's no reason to knock them for trying. I support what they are trying to do. Again, the more competition BMW faces, the harder BMW has to try; thus, by Lexus coming out with competing models, BMW has to offer more. Heard of the 335i? Cadillac is also in the game, as is Nissan/Infiniti. I'm not saying I like those cars or would rush out to buy one, but with every new model, they get closer to the Target. If BMW wants to stay ahead, they have to produce. I remember the days when you couldn't buy a BMW V8; but now you can, courtesy of Nissan and Toyota. So who wins from all this? We do.

I have to agree with you on this. This also applies to my mild ranty thread about not recommending BMW to shoppers. If there continues to be added competition and BMWs sales slump they will have to stare into the mirror. As much as I adore my cars, I don't like the way BMW is supporting and servicing them. BMW is and has long been considered a driver's car. Yet, they seem annoyed when an educated owner wants information about the specifications, updates to the software, and generally knows more about the car than the SA. You can't have it both ways.

My next door neighbor has had his Lexus IS on order for a long time and should be getting it soon. I'll get to have a good look and maybe a drive then. He also considered the E90, and even took my car for a drive. He chose the Lexus. Good for him.

[ksfrogman]

I don't totally agree with this assessment. The Lexus has top-notch interior materials, fit and finish, and its reputation for quality and reliability speaks for itself. After looking at the IS350, I went to an Infiniti dealership to look at the G35, and what a difference. The G35 looked like it had very cheap plastic by comparison.

I didn't like the IS exterior styling because overall it looks like a GS, a Hyundai, and is not distinctive enough to set itself apart from what appears to be an econocar, which the Japanese have done a good job of making as one of their stereotypical niches.

The other problem I have with exterior styling is the unnecessary redundancy of styling. The front headlight and grille seems to be emulated down below with the opening under the bumper and foglights. Looks like the front top is IS350, the bottom half is Mini-Me IS350. Likewise, the rear shows tail-lights, and the bottom lights, reflectors (or whatever they are) on the bumper are really unnecessary. It's a bit too Japanese-Zee for my tastes. Toyota did the same thing with the 4Runner rear end, and I don't like it.

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

I don't totally agree with this assessment. The Lexus has top-notch interior materials, fit and finish, and its reputation for quality and reliability speaks for itself.

You are wasting your time to explain to bimmers what is interior quality - something the bimmers have never owned before.

[JayNM]

I actually prefer the e90 interior to the IS. The IS has some cheap plastic in there, albeit not as much as the G35. If you don't opt for wood on the center console of your IS, what do you get? Sparkly painted plastic, which impresses no one. Even Infiniti doesn't do that anymore. I was impressed by the quality of the e90's soft-touch plastics, even on the lower dash and all the way down the panels.

The 3's center stack looks more solid and modern, and I don't like the shape of the IS dash. BMW may have lost that driver-oriented curve in the center stack, but its dash design still looks more upscale and harmonious than the Japanese competetors.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by aw_330i

I find that the people on this board are too biased. I mean Lexus is a nice car. Great quality and reliability, but to say it is crap is abit far.

It is your opinion so to each his own.

It's a BMW board, it is to be expected. I see the same with every forum I go to and I am a member of Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, and Toyota boards. Every single one of them has a large group that thinks their maker is the best thing. Some things can't be disputed, such as things that have solid numbers such as HP, tq, braking speeds, etc but much is opinion based such as looks, interior quality, fit and finish, reliability, and more. I think you'd be hard pressed to come to a board of a brand new car and tell the people that the vehicle which they just chose over competitors such as the IS350 that their car is worse.

[poldim]

Originally Posted by bmwbenz0101

Ok so some of you may know I started a thread in which I was deciding between the 325i and the IS350. Well I went to the Auto Show last weekend to actually get into the IS350, and let me tell you they messed up big time. The IS350 looks good in one color and only one color, black. The IS350 does not stand out one bit, it is the definition of bland. I don't think I've ever seen a car that has such a nice exterior and such an ugly interior like this since the Corvette. The IS350 has crappy palsticy leather, and the so called aluminum trim looks like what you would get in a Hyundai. To even compare the IS350 to the 325i is a stretch.The IS350 has such an akward seating position and the dash is at a 90 degree angle which makes it almost impossible to see the controls on the dash. Using the nav. must be really dangerous when you drive. The IS350 has a horrible blind spot, which is not good. In the back the windows are tiny and you feel like your in a cave. Honestly, for the same price as a BMW there is no comparison between the two. I was pleasantly suprised by the updated G35 coupe. While the center console a bit cheap looking, it has beautiful leather, and is much more luxurious than the IS350. Also, I saw the A4 with the S line package for the first time. Man that car looks hot. I cannot believe Audi would make the S package so similar looking to the actual S4. The interior on the Audi definately needs to be updated, its nice but its old looking. Once you sit in the BMW you know its special. It by far has the nicest interior. The one at the show had it without idrive. I personally think the interior looks wierd with only one hump. The BMW has the perfect seating position. You feel enclosed tightly yet it is spacious and open, and you can see the front end of the car, which I could not in the IS which I did not like. The trunk space in the BMW is Huge. BIG PLUS!!!I cannot believe they fit that huge trunk in such a small looking car.

The nicest car at the entire Auto Show..The ASTON V8 Vantage.. That is one sick ass car. My father has one on order and we saw it for the first time. All I have to say is...WHY BUY THE DB9. The Vantage is much bigger in person than I thought it would be. It is better looking than the DB9, plus the interior feels bigger because they got rid of those useless back seats. Opened up the hood. The engine is really far back in the front. That will be great for performance and handling. All I have to say is why buy the porsche. For 10k more after options you get a special car with equal handling, that is much more luxurious, and is an exotic. Honestly in South Florida porsche and a bentley are on every corner and you feel ripped for spending 100k on a car that everyone has. Only 2-3 thousand Vantages are going to be imported to the US every year, so hopefully it won't get to popular.

Lexus is, was, and will continue to produce great cars. I think the IS350 is a nice car, but my reason for turning away was its lack of a manual transmission. Seems strange to make a SPORTS SEDAN without a manual, kinda takes the sport part out of it.


The V12 Vanquish is by far my most favorite Aston, albeit a far more expensive one. The exhuast, the drive, the engine, are all near ultimate perfection. I would have opted for another color, but shes still a beauty:

[IDENTITY_MOTORSPORTS]

All I have to say is the side mirrors on the IS could be a little bigger. LOL

[aapriadi]

lol i've been in my friend's IS and he admits that the e90 is a better car, handling-wise and performance-wise..but somehow i've gotta give it to Lexus for the cool-looking interior despite the IS is being so japanese-looking on the outside coz of the sharp angles it has .. imho thats what makes the IS special it looks japanese on the outside but feels european on the inside..in the end, i guess it all depends on people's preference..however i still feel that the e90 is better than the IS overall..e90 is a bmw and it has lived up to its expectations of being the ultimate driving machine! cheers to bmw and not to forget lexus

[cntlaw]

the highways must be pretty boring if everyone is driving a E90 and look at who has got the better rims and wider tires.

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by JayNM

I actually prefer the e90 interior to the IS. The IS has some cheap plastic in there, albeit not as much as the G35. If you don't opt for wood on the center console of your IS, what do you get? Sparkly painted plastic, which impresses no one. Even Infiniti doesn't do that anymore. I was impressed by the quality of the e90's soft-touch plastics, even on the lower dash and all the way down the panels.

The 3's center stack looks more solid and modern, and I don't like the shape of the IS dash. BMW may have lost that driver-oriented curve in the center stack, but its dash design still looks more upscale and harmonious than the Japanese competetors.

I have to agree. The IS dash looks like it has been out in the sun and melted... not a straight line on it, where as the E90 looks modern and crisp, just like the outside. The quality of the materials and fit and finish is way above the E46 of my friend's car, and on par with my A4.

[RadM5]

Listen, I'd give credit where credit is due. As I said in another thread...I agree...IS350 is boring. My fiancee, who HATES my car b/c she's jealous of it, even thought that it was a corolla...i swear. And you can't get more unbiased than that my friends!

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

You are wasting your time to explain to bimmers what is interior quality - something the bimmers have never owned before.

According to Auto reviewers worldwide, Audi is the undisputed king of interiors. And to many manufacturers who have been trying to emulate their X-factor.

I have owned an Audi, and have to say that the interior of the E90 is rough in some places, but pretty damn good mosty. The E90 is adventurous in styling, and as someone who likes the avant garde, the IS looks like a dull little place to spend driving a dull little car, to paraphrase Apple...

[bmwbenz0101]

Test drove em about a month ago..I still stand by what I say..The IS is crap. I mean I expected it to at least drive nicely. So it has a lot of power, didnt feel like it. The BMW engine felt much smoother in power delivery and much quicker off the line. The IS would start slow and then zoom,and it was jerky. The IS cannot compete with the BMW handling wise. Im sorry, there is no comparison, the IS steering is too loose, and then at higher speeds it becomes numb. The one thing i really liked about the IS were the brakes, the BMWs brakes were too grippy, while the IS was just right.The IS interior is still ugly, less so with the navigation and wood, but still cold looking. What I find so wierd is that when I first saw the IS in pictures i loved it. Then I saw a few on the road, loved it. Then at the autoshow it looked ok. Now that I see more and more, I think it has gotten uglier. They need some better color choices, everything is so bland. Now the BMW, I hated it at first, then the more I saw it the more I liked it. Now I love it. The lexus will age very quickly. The lexus drives like a mercedes or audi, not like a BMW. The 3 series is in its own league, it really is. When will other manufacturers realize that horsepower alone cannot overthrow the 3 series.