Lexus IS500, the "everything" killer.......

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Apr 17, 2005
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Originally posted by: randomlinh
I'd get an m3 for driving, but the lexus for the interior (if I can get it w/o the damn wood panels) and reliability. i hate BMW's interior. It feels so dated, even the new ones.

audi can give you both
 

redgtxdi

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2004
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Originally posted by: randomlinh
I'd get an m3 for driving, but the lexus for the interior (if I can get it w/o the damn wood panels) and reliability. i hate BMW's interior. It feels so dated, even the new ones.

I was just about to reply when I saw this post.

On the money!!

QFT!!!!!

And we still kinda' have to hold out judgment on the "driving" factor of the 500 as we don't know what Lexus has in store.

BTW, I know that some don't like it, but I actually *do* like ALL of the Bangle designs since he came aboard. However, I have to admit that the new IS series is one of the baddest (can a car actually look "mean"?) designs I've seen in a Japanese car.....for sure!
 

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
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$70k for an Asian import?
Not a frickin chance. I'll walk to the VW/Audi/BMW/Benz/Volvo dealership if I ever find myself spending more then...ohhh....$20k on a car.

Just like I did with my last one.
 

LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
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why 70k for an IS-based car..... or A4-based car.. or 3-series based car... or C-class based car for that matter.
70k = porsche.
 

Cruisin1

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: secretanchitman
70k? i'd rather get an M5 for almost 15 grand more.

*M5 lover*

HA! good luck getting an M5 for that much... my friend had to pay 110k for his M5
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: redgtxdi
Originally posted by: randomlinh
I'd get an m3 for driving, but the lexus for the interior (if I can get it w/o the damn wood panels) and reliability. i hate BMW's interior. It feels so dated, even the new ones.

I was just about to reply when I saw this post.

On the money!!

QFT!!!!!

And we still kinda' have to hold out judgment on the "driving" factor of the 500 as we don't know what Lexus has in store.

BTW, I know that some don't like it, but I actually *do* like ALL of the Bangle designs since he came aboard. However, I have to admit that the new IS series is one of the baddest (can a car actually look "mean"?) designs I've seen in a Japanese car.....for sure!

It looks like a tweaked Camry to me.
 

Cobalt

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2000
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Originally posted by: LS20
why 70k for an IS-based car..... or A4-based car.. or 3-series based car... or C-class based car for that matter.
70k = porsche.

The point some people made, including myself, when mentioning the M3 is that it doesn't cost 70k, and will offer a far better driving experience, and possibly performance.
 

Shlong

Diamond Member
Mar 14, 2002
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That photoshop says $70k while the R&T magazine one estimates between $50k- $60k which is much more reasonable.
 
Nov 3, 2004
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Originally posted by: Specop 007
$70k for an Asian import?
Not a frickin chance. I'll walk to the VW/Audi/BMW/Benz/Volvo dealership if I ever find myself spending more then...ohhh....$20k on a car.

Just like I did with my last one.

why would being an asian import matter? :confused:
 

CowZ

Member
Apr 24, 2006
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Also consider that Lexus is on top of the consumer reports for reliability while you see the bmw at the other end of the spectrum (correct me if im wrong). I personally love the m3 alot, but if I am gonna spend that much money, I'd like the car to last me more than 5 years. Well who knows, we'll see when the is500 comes out and see how it compares.
 

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
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With that kinda money, I would buy something that's not made in Japan.
 

LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
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Originally posted by: cobalt


The point some people made, including myself, when mentioning the M3 is that it doesn't cost 70k, and will offer a far better driving experience, and possibly performance.

i think 50s for an ///M car is appropriate. when it came out, didnt people end up paying 60s for loaded M3s with markups? that, to me, is ridiculous

 

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
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Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
Originally posted by: Specop 007
$70k for an Asian import?
Not a frickin chance. I'll walk to the VW/Audi/BMW/Benz/Volvo dealership if I ever find myself spending more then...ohhh....$20k on a car.

Just like I did with my last one.

why would being an asian import matter? :confused:

Because of the price. If I'm spending more then around 20K (ok, honestly 35k) I'm going European. I'm just not going to spend that kind of dough for an econobox or a wanna be luxury racer from the Asian market.
 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
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meh, the exhausts look fugly

I drove the IS350 couple times around a (short) track at the taste of lexus event. At last year event, they had the 330 also so I got to drive that as well. I think the IS is a nice looking car but I like the looks of the new 3 series more. Although I felt the IS is more refined (marginally) on the inside and is definitely faster than the bimmer, I liked the handling and the balance of the bimmer better, and thus enjoyed driving the 330 more.

Also a new lexus can never win over countless young professionals like me who grew up drooling over the M3.
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
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Not impressed. That other article from the IS forums says it's 50-60K with a 0-60 "should be near 5.0"

The M5 and M3 would both eat that care for lunch. We won't even mention the handling :)

German > Jap
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
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Originally posted by: Tommouse
Lexus doesn't mean performance/enthusiast, it means luxury, and boring to me at least. Admittedly I'm an Audiphile and would take an RS4 over most any other car on the market.

fellow audiphile checking in! :D

RS4 FTW!
 

swtethan

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2005
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Originally posted by: raildogg
Love the title "everything" killer.

What is so special about this? The performance? Or the driving experience?

Are there not equal or better cars out there?

you will want to kill yourself after wasting your money on it.
 

BD2003

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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As far as I'm concerned, they can keep the IS350 engine as long as they can pull off AWD and DSG for it. The IS series is like pure perfection in my eyes.

Small and light = good handling and mileage.
RWD or AWD = no torque steer, better balance.
6 speed auto with paddle shifters = shift when you want to, but won't have to deal with it in traffic, and no blasted clutch.

All of that, and a cushy, quiet interior, and reliable. What more could a man want out of a car? Oh yeah, a hybrid model for added performance. :p

I plan on picking up one as soon as I graduate. Can't quite decide between the models or trannys yet, but if they made a coupe out of it, especially with rx-8 type suicide doors, I think I'd lose my mind.
 

randomlinh

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,846
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linh.wordpress.com
Originally posted by: BD2003
Small and light = good handling and mileage.

heh, I think we have different opinions on light :)

Originally posted by: pray4mojo
70k = Lotus Exige :evil:

really? Why did I think it was a bit more...

and HELL YEAH. actually, $70k, I'd import the ariel atom based on the type r supercharged :)