http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=116539
Check out the video.

I'm pretty excited about this car but am afraid of being let down by what could end up being unrealistically high pricing.

If they price this somewhere near the CTS-V for a similar level of performance and features then I think it'll be great. But if they price this out there somewhere near the new V8 M3 and RS4... I wouldn't even give it a second thought.

 

Well, the IS350 *starts* at $36k, and you must pick at least the least expensive option package @ ~$2k. The most expensive package is $9k.

I'm willing to bet that the IS500 will start @ ~$60k. . . over priced imo.

It already kills me that you need to spend $38k for the IS350. . .

It looks great in & out. . . but would be dusted in every conceivable category by the SRT8 charger for $36k. I guess the luxury just isn't worth it to me.

 

Well, for what it's worth, at 38k sticker, invoice is 33k, which is not too awfully difficult to obtain at or near. It also comes with an impressive array of standard equipment, IMO.

Most runs I've seen with it are in the high 13s - like 13.7-13.8 @ 103-104... which to me is very nice performance specs. still nothing like the Charger SRT8 but I don't see those cars as even remotely similar in most ways - the IS is definitely a far more luxurious car with a much different market focus - but like you mentioned, if luxury isn't worth $$ to you then you'd be crazy to buy the IS - just go with whatever gives you the most performance for the dollar.

 

They say Lexus executives feel a V8 would kill the car's handling with its weight....but doing a V6 hybrid would weigh less? How much do the hybird bits and those batteries weigh? I would have to think that stuff would at least offset the weight a V8 would carry.

They need to study the LSx-series.

 

Perhaps but you can stick the hybrid parts near the trunk, solving that distribution issue.

 

Should be interesting to see what the specs are for the finalized version.

 

Where did you see an IS350 result of 104 (or even 103 mph) result? Edmunds tested it twice and got a 13.9@101 and a 14.23@99.82. The former was tested with a 330i, which got 14.7@96 mph, so it's quick. Their Charger SRT8 was 13.48@105.31, so you're right -- it's faster. The Magnum SRT8 (no guzzler tax, because it's a truck!) is 13.7@103.5. Maybe that's the best choice. A local dealer has them at $7000 off this weekend (hmm).

 

On the lexus boards it seems it's not difficult at all for people to run a best of 13.7-13.8 @ 103-104.

C&D ran a 13.7 @ 104 and some other mag ran a 13.6 @ 103... IIRC.

As far as best choice - go drive the two cars and decide that for yourself. To me I don't even see how you could consider both cars in the same sitting - they're so drastically different. The Lexus is most definitely a smaller and more cramped car but is also much more luxurious inside, smoother driving, etc and as mentioned - you can get the SRT-8 for less, especially after discounts, so price wise it definitely comes out ahead.

Again, I just don't see them as comparable in most ways.

 

Edmunds, HA!
They have very poor acceleration results, but at least they're consistent across the board.

They tested an 6spd LS2 GTO vs. a Subaru STI.

The GTO pulled a whopping 14.0@102.2 in the quarter mile!
6spd LS2 GTO's have pulled as fast as ~12.9@109mph by guys at the dragstrip!

The STI in the article went 14.1@97.2mph! These typically see low 13's @ as fast as 102mph.

FYI: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...3/pageId=63966

 

You want to see the worst example?
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/chev...op=3&tab=specs

2006 Corvette 0-60 in 5.23 seconds

 

So these are from memory? Do you know which issue of C&D?

 

I thought about buying an IS350, went out to drive it and boy did it suck. It's quick, but there's no sense of urgency when stepping on it. You just hear the engines revs spool up and then release as you accelerate. It's over refined, which is by and large the norm for Lexus cars. Even with a V8 I don't see this car doing much to move the game on, that duty will be fulfilled by the new E92 M3 (same engine block as the E60 M5, just two less cylinders). If you've ever driven an E46 M3, you know there's a lot to look forward to.

 

Right. If you specifically want a compact sporty four door, the Charger won't work well, and if you want a big, roomy four door, the IS350 won't work well. Often times though, people are more flexible in their car purchasing decisions, though, so those two may compete for a car-buyers dollars.

 

Deutsch, Lexus specifically stated they were not trying to 'out-BMW', BMW. They've managed to become the best selling luxury brand in North America by doing things their own way - offering something different than the competition.

Lexus is about refinement and reliability first, and what comes after that, comes... but it's not first priority.

October 2005

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...xus-is350.html

 

Thanks. I don't see numbers in that. I'll have to find my copy at home. Or are the numbers hiding in a link somewhere?

I do remember vaguely that despite being the only auto, the IS350 still walked away from the competition -- good thing for BMW that they have the 335i coming . . . .