CarMad Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 Ok so I know this is meant to be performance but its the best place to ask about Jap motors. I've had an IS200 before and although I haven't had my current A3 Sportback for that long a change in jobs on the horizon has me thinking about a new IS. So who else likes it ? And anyone else considering it as their replacement. I have posted some pictures and info in the news section already New Lexus IS250/350/220d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 I think they look extremely nice, a powerful diesel would be an enticing option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Yeah the diesel looks great but it has to be its been a long time waiting. It looks like it will be better than that in the 320d on the spec sheet anyway. I however want to get back into muli cylinder motoring. The IS200 wasn't the fastest car in the world by any marging but the engine was fantastic. Had a great noise to in and every rev was a joy, through into that a gearbox that felt better than any BMW (Lets not mention Merc or Audi) and it was a great car to take by the scruff of the neck down a back road. You only have to look how well it did in Performance Car of the year when it was launch beating some top motors and a couple of performance Audis too boot that year. Nice V6 and no doubt all the standard equipment you can throw at it and a very competative price, plus great build and top reliability and I think I might be treating myself, well that or a 325 will have to see. The new 325 I have driven is a very good car and has a honey of an engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Found these official pictures today. Looks even better than I thought. I hope the sat-nav is standard, looks great and has a touch screen. Very impressed. New IS250/350 Information and lots more pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Why are all car manufacturers making their cars look the same It could almost be a new BMW 5-series sport dont you think? The side profile reminds me of a 350Z too. Overall, it does look very nice I'd still never buy one though... it's not german. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Looks good, that interior is very nice too (are you listening BMW?!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 See what you mean about the five but at the same time I think it comes togeather better as a package. Can't see anybits where I think, ooo not sure about that. Whens the last time you thought that about any current range BMW ? As for it not being german, MMm your right, the 5 series only got 3 star euro N-cap before major mods to take it to 4, the new GS got 5 start and almost top for pedestrion child safety. Much much better reliabilty on a Lexus and an Audi or BMW / Merc and I can see what you mean, should be german all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 [ QUOTE ] See what you mean about the five but at the same time I think it comes togeather better as a package. Can't see anybits where I think, ooo not sure about that. Whens the last time you thought that about any current range BMW ? As for it not being german, MMm your right, the 5 series only got 3 star euro N-cap before major mods to take it to 4, the new GS got 5 start and almost top for pedestrion child safety. Much much better reliabilty on a Lexus and an Audi or BMW / Merc and I can see what you mean, should be german all the way. [/ QUOTE ] Sorry I'm a brand snob. Can't help it. It looks like a lovely car, but if i was spending that amount of money, it wouldn't be on a lexus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 I have to be honest, I class Lexus as on exactly the same 'level' as the German 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 I don't. Don't know why. I know they are well built, but seem too ordinary for the cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Lexus are certainly keeping them very honest at the moment and it set to improve a lot in the future. Lexus are now a global brand as they are no longer called Toyota for some models in Japan. They are now a division in their own right and Toyota / Lexus are pushing more in the premium segment to gain market share than any other. V12 LS in a few years time maybe ? And even more hybrids to counter increased fuel costs. Not trying to convert ya Chav, but they really are worth a look. I get invited to more events with Lexus and still get better service than Audi even though I own one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Let's be honest, if Lexus would've had a decent diesel range, they'd be right up there in Europe, like they are in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Who needs diesel when you have Hybrid? Thats their take on it. I don't like that central console at all, only marginally less than I dislike the RX central console. Still, its quite amazing what they've done with the new look IS vs the old Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Your right, best in class 2.2 3rd Generation common rail Diesel anyone might just to the trick to start with. Then maybe get a multi 3.0 litre in soon after. Or a hybrid maybe. The new RX Hybrid is selling light hot cakes, Diesel economy and 4.0 petrol power what more can you ask for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 I'm not so sure about hybrid technology yet, sure it looks promising and offers the best of both worlds, but I'd imagine it is horrendously expensive if it goes wrong, which will hammer used values. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Apparently when asked of all the Prius that they have sold 2 have failed or had problems. But it will take a while for the use market to adopt them unless they put a good warranty on them for 5 years maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 They are talking about hybrid in performance cars though, let's be honest, the Prius doesn't get driven hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Erm in a word No. Will have to see how it goes, good for the independant car lover seeing it all evolve. There could even be a new petrol engine on the horizon that is better than a diesel for economy. God I hope that gets into production soon ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 I really like the look of the outside, but the inside looks typically jap, a lot cheaper than german interiors. Sorry I am with Chav on this one, its not as good as German! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted May 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 Depends which german car you are looking at. I think its miles better than the interior of the new 3 Series thats for sure. And as for the Audi interiors well to be honest they are starting to look a little boring to me especially the A4 that hasn't seen a change in a long time. The A3 has taken a few TT bits to lighten things up. When it comes to equipment, value, depreciation, refinement and service where Lexus are leagues ahead of Audi and BMW I think Lexus are going to take an even bigger slice of the market over the next few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megalodon Posted July 7, 2005 Report Share Posted July 7, 2005 Go for German if you want slightly better looking cabin materials, but on all other counts I reckon the Lexus will bash The German Three into the ground. Anyway, what would you rather have - peerless reliability or a slightly nicer dashboard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted July 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 If the current 3 dash I have sat in is anything to go by and the all the pics I have seen of the new IS250 are right. Then I think the 3 series and Audi are about to see a very major new contender arrive on the market. Can't wait to have my test drive... who knows I might even get one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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