spwolf

well i am still not sold on those lights, but otherwise it is very good from lexus (personally if i dont like the lights in person, i wont buy it regardless of superb interior and anything else). However, BMW is a lot more toned down, bland if you want vehicle. They are very different cars quite possibly. For instance, I was really annoyed by subpar interior quality of new 3 series, even if exterior looked very good in my eyes.

doublehh03

+1. When I helped buy my friend the new 3 series last year, I TRIED so hard to convince him not to buy it for several reasons.
1) price will go down after supply equals demand
2) He just graduated from school so needs to pay off his loans
3) the interior isn't on par with something you pay $45k for

I guess he got obsessed with the name brand, or his girlfriend was

Back to the OP, the interior design of the IS F is awesome as usual. Lexus has hit it out of the park with their new interiors. And I personally like the new GS/LS re-designs (was in the middle with the new ES). I just feel this new ISF should be toned down.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

You raise a good point - one that Lexus actually publicly acknowledged a while ago. I am not going to search through all of the press and commentary, but a Lexus rep said something along the lines of, "You aren't going to lead the segment if you aren't bold and don't push the envelope. The next IS will absolutely do that with a radical design." There was some further commentary about how the IS is 3-4 spots back in terms of popularity and sales, and Lexus was taking a gamble on the design.

ES/RX are the stable core. IS and GS can push the envelope in a different way than 3, C, E, 5.

spwolf

yes... lets just make sure I like it though :P

otherwise, GS looks very bland compared to IS... IS looks like a wild animal.

speedflex

I've been studying it now since yesterday and while I do admired the design, I can't say I actually like it. It's brave, bold, futuristic even, but it doesn't stir lust in me.

RocketGuy3

iTrader: (1)

You know, it's weird, the 3IS doesn't look that great to me by itself, but when I've seen comparisons, like this one between it and the 3-series, or another one between it and the 2IS, it looks better to me.


This I agree with. The 2GR-FSE is a great little engine, but... it's time for an update.

pbm317

the IS has much more detailed lines in the trunk lid that are currently kind of washed out with the lighting and color. It does not look like the TSX.

Tee

I agree, My guess they are using white because it is the # 1 color for cars in the US now, white can't show al of the lines like a darker color can you loose depth.

+1
I made the same point when the 4th Gen GS came out, Lexus is moving forward and being progressive. Mr Toyoda said it best our customers are getting younger and the brand/cars need to reflect that. Porps to Lexus for sticking so close to the concept car which is RARE for any car company.

cino

iTrader: (1)

Meanwhile in Acura/Honda forums... http://vtec.net/forums/one-message?m...mber=1#1124808

Ps. Not comparison between the IS and the 3, but the impression of car enthusiasts.

Infra

iTrader: (1)

Please name one ~$40k near-lux / sport sedan that outperforms the current generation IS350.

The 335 doesn't qualify as it's a driver's race, and the internet shows that the IS350 wins the drag race the majority.

C350? Less HP and torque. MB matched what Lexus did 7 years ago.

A4? 2.0T is the only option. S4 starts at $48k and must be optioned ~$53k to match the options.

ATS has more HP and less torque. I'd call that one even.

G37? Let's not pretend it's on equal footing with any of these.

Does Lexus need a new engine? Yes. But not because the 2GR-FSE is unpowered. Because it'd be a deathblow to other brands given an objective car buyer considering the current alternatives.

Infra

iTrader: (1)

Which is sad because I'm one of those who loves white, specifically Lexus' white pearl. Even non-premium brands offer the color now.

But I also love Smoky Granite Mica. I can imagine the 3IS would look lovely in that hue.

G Star

iTrader: (2)

Folks, GOOD DESIGNS and GOOD FEATURES and GOOD PRICES are GOOD for CONSUMERS.

Competition is GOOD! for US!

We WANT Lexus and BMW and MB and Audi to look HOT and be MORE reliable so they can compete their asses off for OUR purchase.

Remember that.




This new IS could be a real contender to the 3 series directly. It has all of the things people like to show off to their friends, the finger touch control climate, the cool shifting odometer screen, the free traffic and weather, and to be frank, the design is stunning. It is more bold in design than any production model I've seen from Lexus so far.

SteVTEC

Both the 335i and the IS350 will run low-13's at 103-104 mph at the drag strip stock, so yes pretty much a dead heat there. Chip the 335i though and they're running 12's, 11's, etc. The 335i has significantly more torque available pretty much anywhere in the powerband. During normal driving not at the track that makes a difference, but six of one half dozen of the other. The 2GR-FSE clearly does put the power to the ground very well, and always has.

If the 2GR-FSE is falling short anywhere right now it's not power or even power delivery but rather in fuel economy.

2013 BMW 335i Sedan 8AT: 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, 26 mpg combined
2013 Lexus IS350 Sedan 6AT: 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, 22 mpg combined

Huge difference. If the IS had an 8-speed automatic it might be able to do 1-2 mpg better, but the big advantage of direct-injected turbocharged engines is the fact that they do make so much of that torque just about anywhere, and can pull significantly taller gears as a result. That keeps average RPM lower, friction lower, and average load on the engine higher all of which means better fuel economy, on top of the fact that it's lower in displacement also. When I'm not flogging it, I've been amazed at the fuel economy I can get in my heaviest possible 4000lb E93 convertible, 31-32 mpg straight highway, and that's with the 6 speed automatic.

I do love the crisp feel of nicely tuned naturally aspirated engines and have no problem if Lexus wants to stick with those (it's nice that everybody offers something a bit different), but smaller direct-injected turbo engines do have plenty of advantages to them and BMW in particular is doing a very nice job of exploiting those advantages with their impressive fuel economy numbers.

dmvp29

My thoughts exactly.

I haven't been bashful with my criticism of the 3IS design (although I have said that it's starting to grow on me a little).

But when I compare it to, say, the newest 3 series, the 3 series looks totally bland and uninspired.

I may not like the 3IS right now but there's no question that it's an extremely bold and inspired design.

The thing is, I feel like moving the slider towards conservative by just 10% on the front would do wonders. For the rear tail lights, I wish they didn't extend down so much towards the sides. If they just cleaned that up a bit (again, heading 10% towards "conservative") it would do wonders. I think someone actually photoshopped the 3IS with the tail lights trimmed up and it looked much cleaner.

The side profile is fine for me.

The 3IS is bold and inspired and could've been aesthetically pleasing for me if they went just a bit more conservative.

cino

iTrader: (1)

I agree with you on this one. I would like a carbon copy rear light of the concept car better. The production one has a bit too long extent down slope.