Best Lexus you've ever owned-Here's mine
07-22-10, 04:34 PM
#16
we've had a 92 LS for nearly eight years, a 92 ES for about 18 years, and an 08 IS F for two and a half years. comparing the older models only, as the F is still practically new and has not endured the length of ownership as the other two, the ES was a clear winner. drove it hard, drove it often, and it would always start and get us to where we needed to be. cold or hot weather, and even in two feet of mud in the first week of owning it....nothing but praise for that car. other than minor electrical problems and a shortage of a few fuses, it has been the most reliable for us. the LS had a few problems with engine and the fuel pump, but we did buy it used and were unaware of any imminent problems. the LS and ES are no longer with us, as one was used as a part of a trade in for a new car and the ES was part of the cash for clunkers to help get my sis into her ride. the F gets a bit lonely, but we're looking into the RX for the parents just so they'll have something luxury but still ride high up (compared to the low riding F) 
92 LS- 40k miles (traded in)
92 ES- 185k miles (clunked)
08 IS F- 10k miles
92 LS- 40k miles (traded in)
92 ES- 185k miles (clunked)
08 IS F- 10k miles
07-23-10, 09:07 AM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
07-23-10, 09:08 AM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
07-23-10, 09:15 AM
#25
The '06 IS was rock solid.No rattle or creaks or dealer warranty visits except for the less dust brake pads.
Last edited by Joeb427; 07-23-10 at 09:22 AM.
07-23-10, 09:27 AM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
I've only owned one Lexus, a bright-yellow 2001 IS300, but kept it for almost 5 years, so I had a lot of experience with it. For a unibody car, the frame/chassis was solid as a tank. It was refined, extremely well-built (along with my Outback, one of the two most reliable cars I've owned). I liked the chronograph-gauge panel, look-at-me paint job, durable interior materials, button-shifters on the wheel, solid polished-metal chrome-ball shifter, SMOOTH, quiet in-line-6, and the reasonably good ride/handling combination with the 16" all-season-tire option....(the standard 17" hi-perfs were too stiff). But the transmission shifter-gate pattern had some annoying quirks, the transmission's ECU sometimes caused a little slip/flare or thunk in the 2-3 shift (a factory computer-reflash didn't help much), and I didn't like the delay in cold-engine transmission upshifts that blocked out the upper gears for awhile (an emissions measure designed to heat up the engine and catalyst faster). As a relatively high-powered RWD car, it also s***ed in the wintertime on really frozen or icy roads, even with the traction control (no stability system), snow-mode torque management in the transmission, and all-season tires. I liked the car in many ways, but I don't think I'll ever have a RWD car again...at least not as a primary driver.
07-23-10, 09:31 AM
#27
I've only owned one Lexus, a bright-yellow 2001 IS300, but kept it for almost 5 years, so I had a lot of experience with it. For a unibody car, the frame/chassis was solid as a tank. It was refined, extremely well-built (along with my Outback, one of the two most reliable cars I've owned). I liked the chronograph-gauge panel, look-at-me paint job, durable interior materials, button-shifters on the wheel, solid polished-metal chrome-ball shifter, SMOOTH, quiet in-line-6, and the reasonably good ride/handling combination with the 16" all-season-tire option....(the standard 17" hi-perfs were too stiff). But the transmission shifter-gate pattern had some annoying quirks, the transmission's ECU sometimes caused a little slip/flare or thunk in the 2-3 shift (a factory computer-reflash didn't help much), and I didn't like the delay in cold-engine transmission upshifts that blocked out the upper gears for awhile (an emissions measure designed to heat up the engine and catalyst faster). As a relatively high-powered RWD car, it also s***ed in the wintertime on really frozen or icy roads, even with the traction control (no stability system), snow-mode torque management in the transmission, and all-season tires. I liked the car in many ways, but I don't think I'll ever have a RWD car again...at least not as a primary driver.
I love the IS but the backseat is just too small.
Now with a IS350 AWD,the IS even better but still that small backseat.
Last edited by Joeb427; 07-23-10 at 11:12 AM.
07-24-10, 07:51 AM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, the backseat is a problem in both the 1 and 2Gen IS (particularly the 2Gen model). I didn't list it as a specific complaint in my IS300 experience because I rarely carry back-seat passengers in my own vehicle.
07-24-10, 07:57 AM
#30
Lexus doesn't do AWD with the IS350 (which, IMO, is a mistake). It is limited to the 250.
Yes, the backseat is a problem in both the 1 and 2Gen IS (particularly the 2Gen model). I didn't list it as a specific complaint in my IS300 experience because I rarely carry back-seat passengers in my own vehicle.
Yes, the backseat is a problem in both the 1 and 2Gen IS (particularly the 2Gen model). I didn't list it as a specific complaint in my IS300 experience because I rarely carry back-seat passengers in my own vehicle.
2011 IS350 AWD.
At least that's what is said in autoguide.com
Looking forward to your review.
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...ular-fuel.html