In the name of cost cutting
#46
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
It's not about the ashtray per se, but that damped ashtray combined with the damped cupholder and even the overhead handle had a unuqie damping mechanism to it which the 3IS doesn't have.
Point being made here is that the 2IS was indeed a very fine car in which Lexus cut back on the 3IS
Looking at below photos of the 2IS, ignoring the female character, very easily is it observed that the 3IS significantly lacks this level of finesse & luxury.
Point being made here is that the 2IS was indeed a very fine car in which Lexus cut back on the 3IS
Looking at below photos of the 2IS, ignoring the female character, very easily is it observed that the 3IS significantly lacks this level of finesse & luxury.
From an actual driving perspective theres no question that the 3IS is a superior car.
#47
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The 2IS might have luxo bits that are missing on later cars but I'd rather take the current Lexus lineup any day. That waterfall console IMHO looks dated on all the models Lexus used it on because the Camry and Corolla also had it. I much prefer the current horizontal LFA-inspired layout, it might look stark in some colors but it looks classy.
#48
Lexus Fanatic
#49
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have a 2IS. I definitely feel that the 3IS interior is more modern and well-built, although I dislike the "boy racer" design layout.
In the 2IS, there is definitely a feeling of cheapness in parts. My other car is a '10 3-series which competed with the 2IS at the time, and there's no comparison that everything from the quality of the carpet to the quality of the buttons, dashboard material, gauges, etc. are of much higher quality in the BMW. Those annoying panel gaps between the air vents and the dash in every single 2IS are unacceptable from a brand like Lexus that prides itself in the "pursuit of perfection."
In the 2IS, there is definitely a feeling of cheapness in parts. My other car is a '10 3-series which competed with the 2IS at the time, and there's no comparison that everything from the quality of the carpet to the quality of the buttons, dashboard material, gauges, etc. are of much higher quality in the BMW. Those annoying panel gaps between the air vents and the dash in every single 2IS are unacceptable from a brand like Lexus that prides itself in the "pursuit of perfection."
#50
The pursuit of F
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-smod2.gif)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The girl helps in the pics above
but her aside, I preferred the materials and overall luxury look of my 2IS' interior compared to my 3IS.
However, the 2IS was not as tightly put together, HVAC plastics squeaked and rattled, and the car's structure felt far less solid.
Comes down to tradeoffs in chassis over the posh interior. If one wants both at this time in a Lexus, you'll need to go the GS.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
However, the 2IS was not as tightly put together, HVAC plastics squeaked and rattled, and the car's structure felt far less solid.
Comes down to tradeoffs in chassis over the posh interior. If one wants both at this time in a Lexus, you'll need to go the GS.
#52
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The girl helps in the pics above
but her aside, I preferred the materials and overall luxury look of my 2IS' interior compared to my 3IS.
However, the 2IS was not as tightly put together, HVAC plastics squeaked and rattled, and the car's structure felt far less solid.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
However, the 2IS was not as tightly put together, HVAC plastics squeaked and rattled, and the car's structure felt far less solid.
#53
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm also very unimpressed with the Jaguar XE (and XF and F-pace as well). All have the same boring interior design with questionable material quality (the lower half of the doors in all of them are cheap hard plastic). I've been inside several of each at a couple different auto shows.
#54
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm also very unimpressed with the Jaguar XE (and XF and F-pace as well). All have the same boring interior design with questionable material quality (the lower half of the doors in all of them are cheap hard plastic). I've been inside several of each at a couple different auto shows.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Though I was never a fan of the J-Shift-pattern, with some Jaguar models, at least, gone are the days when a Jaguar interior was a work of art, although the latest XJ does retain at least some of the elegance.
This is what a classic Jaguar interior once looked like. No more.
![](http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/vehicle-pictures/2003/jaguar/xj-series/03407081990004-480.jpg)
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-14-16 at 12:20 PM.
#55
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Oddly enough I stopped by the Jag dealer today because I saw an F Pace out front. Someone whisked it away on a test drive before I could get a look at it, but I walked around the showroom anyways. I too don't care for the interiors of the XF or XE, but the XJ still has a beautiful interior. Everything covered in leather, wood, metal or piano black trim. It's as high quality or higher quality than that older XJ picture posted above.
#56
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
But have any of you driven the new XE? It is what BMW was like. It has great road feel through both the steering wheel and seat. The suspension is compliant yet when pushed is very much like a sport sedan should be like. At $35,000 it isn't meant to be Bentley luxury. It is ment to be a nice sedan that drives very sporty. It's more about the driving experience than the spa experience
#57
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
#58
Lead Lap
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
But have any of you driven the new XE? It is what BMW was like. It has great road feel through both the steering wheel and seat. The suspension is compliant yet when pushed is very much like a sport sedan should be like. At $35,000 it isn't meant to be Bentley luxury. It is ment to be a nice sedan that drives very sporty. It's more about the driving experience than the spa experience
#59
Lexus Test Driver
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Waterfall interiors are not completely dated. Many new makes, like Infiniti, continue to sculpt them.
What happened with the 3IS is they went full on SPORT with the design. The 2IS blended both.
I have always liked luxury on the inside, and sport on the outside. To me, that is the best compromise and prize for the best of all worlds. The 3IS interior turns me off with it's lack of luxury. Yet, the modern colors offered for the leather help make up for some of it.
What happened with the 3IS is they went full on SPORT with the design. The 2IS blended both.
I have always liked luxury on the inside, and sport on the outside. To me, that is the best compromise and prize for the best of all worlds. The 3IS interior turns me off with it's lack of luxury. Yet, the modern colors offered for the leather help make up for some of it.
#60
Moderator
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-mod2.gif)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,052
Likes: 0
Received 73 Likes
on
44 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Waterfall interiors are not completely dated. Many new makes, like Infiniti, continue to sculpt them.
What happened with the 3IS is they went full on SPORT with the design. The 2IS blended both.
I have always liked luxury on the inside, and sport on the outside. To me, that is the best compromise and prize for the best of all worlds. The 3IS interior turns me off with it's lack of luxury. Yet, the modern colors offered for the leather help make up for some of it.
What happened with the 3IS is they went full on SPORT with the design. The 2IS blended both.
I have always liked luxury on the inside, and sport on the outside. To me, that is the best compromise and prize for the best of all worlds. The 3IS interior turns me off with it's lack of luxury. Yet, the modern colors offered for the leather help make up for some of it.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)