YACT-Test drove the 2006 Lexus IS250 and IS350 today.

[JulesMaximus]

I drove the IS250 first and came away very impressed. It was a metallic dark grey with black leather interior and this one had the NAV system which was very nice. The car was relatively quick and steering was quick and responsive. The car rode nicely over uneven pavement and wasn't harsh at all.

Then I drove a dark metallic blue IS350 with tan interior...Wow, what a car. This thing leapt off the line and was very quick. It has a nice exhaust note and the engine and transmission were top notch. I drove an Acura TL about a month ago but the IS350 was worlds better in performance.

I think the IS350 might be in our future. :thumbsup:

 

[HardcoreRobot]

just needs AWD and manual transmission!

 

[anxi80]

did you go to a dealership jules? when i went to car country carlsbad a month ago they only had a couple on the lot and werent doing test drives yet. then my friend went to the taste of lexus in l.a. and had a lot of positive things to say about the 350. but i didnt get a chance to go and am curious myself on how it drives.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Yeah, I definitely liked the IS350 as well, the 6 speed tranny was an automatic however this was one of the few automatic trannies that I actually liked. It was geared very closely and had a smooth ride. I really liked not having to put the key in to turn it on as well.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
just needs AWD and manual transmission!

Nah, better off RWD in my opinion. As for the tranny, it's one of the few auto trannies I liked, it's a 6 speed. It's geared closely and downshifts very easily and quickly, not the kind where you push the pedal down and then wait a few seconds for it to shift.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: anxi80
did you go to a dealership jules? when i went to car country carlsbad a month ago they only had a couple on the lot and werent doing test drives yet. then my friend went to the taste of lexus in l.a. and had a lot of positive things to say about the 350. but i didnt get a chance to go and am curious myself on how it drives.

Yes, that's where I drove it. They had at least 7 or 8 of them on the lot. I saw a metallic red one in Carlsbad today while on my bike ride and it looked really sharp. Don't bother with the IS250. The 350 is so much more powerful, you really notice a dramatic difference between the two.

I punched it a couple times, once from a stop and that transmission is smooth and sweet. No abrupt jerky shifts just smooth and quick. Not mushy at all like some auto transmissions are.

 

[sandman018]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
just needs AWD and manual transmission!

QFT

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
just needs AWD and manual transmission!

I'd just settle for the manual trans myself. That feature alone excluded quite a few cars. Then again, so did lack of RWD/AWD.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
just needs AWD and manual transmission!

I'd just settle for the manual trans myself. That feature alone excluded quite a few cars. Then again, so did lack of RWD/AWD.

Ditto.

 

[OS]

friend of a coworker got an IS250, went for a ride. Incredible build quality and ride for sure. Nice trade off between ride isolation and composure. Acura needs to step up the TSX/TL.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Bump for the morning crowd.

 

[InlineFive]

I would much rather have AWD, I think most AWD drivetrains has fairly huge power losses in comparison to RWD trannies.

 

[CraigRT]

I love the new IS.. always been an IS fan!!

:heart:

 

[mikelish]

the 350 needs manual transmission

 

[PricklyPete]

If I were in the market for a sedan in the next 4 years...I'd definitely be looking for one of these. Pretty much exactly what I would be looking for. Something comfortable and functional that can really rip it off the line when pushed.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: sandman018

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
just needs AWD and manual transmission!

QFT

Ditto.

I don't know what Lexus was thinking. This would have been the configuration for me.

 

[Triumph]

I believe the 250 is available with a 6 speed. The 250 isn't a bad motor, just not a complete powerhouse like the 350. The 250 + aftermarket turbo + 6 speed would be perfect.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: sandman018

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
just needs AWD and manual transmission!

QFT

Ditto.

I don't know what Lexus was thinking. This would have been the configuration for me.

It really doesn't need AWD. The only thing AWD would give it is a little more capability in the snow. Fact is though that most RWD cars with close to even weight distribution f/r will handle just fine in the snow. AWD is useless in SoCal though. The RWD platform in this car is excellent. I'd say this car rates higher than the new BMW 3 series in all categories.

As for the manual transmission, the 6 speed automatic gearbox in this car is superb. It shifts quickly and without any abruptness. I was very impressed with the function of this car.

 

[RagingBITCH]

So are all the AWD fanbois in this thread just chiming in b/c they wish it was an Evo/WRx?

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: sandman018

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
just needs AWD and manual transmission!

QFT

Ditto.

I don't know what Lexus was thinking. This would have been the configuration for me.

It really doesn't need AWD. The only thing AWD would give it is a little more capability in the snow. Fact is though that most RWD cars with close to even weight distribution f/r will handle just fine in the snow. AWD is useless in SoCal though. The RWD platform in this car is excellent. I'd say this car rates higher than the new BMW 3 series in all categories.

As for the manual transmission, the 6 speed automatic gearbox in this car is superb. It shifts quickly and without any abruptness. I was very impressed with the function of this car.

that was my impression as well except looks (like the looks of the new 3 better) and handling (3 has less body roll than the IS350)

here are my thoughts after the Taste of Lexus event

 

[psteng19]

Did you also happen to notice there was absolutely no backseat room at all?
A Civic or Corolla is roomier in the back.

It's bad enough that the driveshaft hump takes away 20% of total available rear legroom, but the hump on the seat itself makes the middle seat useless for anyone over 5'7".
So the middle passenger has no where to put his feet and is going to bump his head on any pothole.

And in the front you've got that protrusion in the driver seat by the right foot/leg area.

These alone caused me to not even consider a test drive.
The interior was very nice though, classiest and most luxurious in class IMO.

 

[SZLiao214]

Originally posted by: anxi80
did you go to a dealership jules? when i went to car country carlsbad a month ago they only had a couple on the lot and werent doing test drives yet. then my friend went to the taste of lexus in l.a. and had a lot of positive things to say about the 350. but i didnt get a chance to go and am curious myself on how it drives.

Random fact. Here in Houston we have this high end streak restraunt called the Taste of Texas. When the taiwanese president was visiting, that is where Bush decided to take him.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: psteng19
Did you also happen to notice there was absolutely no backseat room at all?
A Civic or Corolla is roomier in the back.

It's bad enough that the driveshaft hump takes away 20% of total available rear legroom, but the hump on the seat itself makes the middle seat useless for anyone over 5'7".
So the middle passenger has no where to put his feet and is going to bump his head on any pothole.

And in the front you've got that protrusion in the driver seat by the right foot/leg area.

These alone caused me to not even consider a test drive.
The interior was very nice though, classiest and most luxurious in class IMO.

Yeah, with the front seats all the way back my son was hitting the back of the front seat with his shoes (he's 3 years, 3 months old). I didn't try to sit back there but we had a 3 series BMW and I wouldn't say the back seat looked any smaller than the 3 series.

I didn't notice any lack of foot room while sitting in the front seats. I'm 5'11" (without shoes on) and had plenty of room.

If my son was a teenager or if we had more than one child I'd say that this car wouldn't be in the running.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Aharami

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: sandman018

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
just needs AWD and manual transmission!

QFT

Ditto.

I don't know what Lexus was thinking. This would have been the configuration for me.

It really doesn't need AWD. The only thing AWD would give it is a little more capability in the snow. Fact is though that most RWD cars with close to even weight distribution f/r will handle just fine in the snow. AWD is useless in SoCal though. The RWD platform in this car is excellent. I'd say this car rates higher than the new BMW 3 series in all categories.

As for the manual transmission, the 6 speed automatic gearbox in this car is superb. It shifts quickly and without any abruptness. I was very impressed with the function of this car.

that was my impression as well except looks (like the looks of the new 3 better) and handling (3 has less body roll than the IS350)

here are my thoughts after the Taste of Lexus event

Nice writeup! I agree 100% with your views and comparison. :thumbsup:

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Yeah, with the front seats all the way back my son was hitting the back of the front seat with his shoes (he's 3 years, 3 months old). I didn't try to sit back there but we had a 3 series BMW and I wouldn't say the back seat looked any smaller than the 3 series.

I didn't notice any lack of foot room while sitting in the front seats. I'm 5'11" (without shoes on) and had plenty of room.

If my son was a teenager or if we had more than one child I'd say that this car wouldn't be in the running.

You didn't notice the hump by the gas pedal?
That's the first thing I noticed when I slid into the driver seat (IS250 AWD I believe).
Maybe it's not there in the RWD models.

Regardless of that, this car is closer to 4 passenger than 5 due to the backseat itself.
And even with 4 persons, rear leg space is very limited. It's hard to slide your feet under the front passenger seats if you have big feet/shoes.