Lexus Introduces Next Generation IS Luxury Sport Sedan
03-24-05, 09:30 AM
#63
Super Moderator
BTW, a hardtop convertible version of the IS350 should be a very different car from the SC430, & I don't think should be called an SC, just like the difference between a SLK/CLK & a SL.
03-24-05, 09:42 AM
#65
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First post and big fan of new IS350
I've been a visitor to the forums for a while, following the excruciatingly slow release of info about the new GS. Then I discovered the new IS following its introduction in Geneva. WOW! The exterior is great from all angles, sporty without the "boy-racer" look, and the interior looks better than the GS, luxurious but with sporty touches like the leather 3-spoke wheel with shift paddles, bolstered sport seats and aluminum trim. The IS350 is exactly what I have been waiting for - a great looking 300 hp RWD 4-door sports sedan with a paddle-shift 6-speed manumatic, excellent stereo, heated/cooled seats ( I live in north Alabama so I need both), room for four (hopefully) and minimal exterior dimensions, all for around $45K and Lexus quality. I'll take an Ebony one with Cashmere interior.
The new GS was my favorite but I like the IS better and will be less expensive. I'm not a member of the Lexus family yet, I own an '02 Mazda Tribute and '96 Ford Contour SE Sport, but hope to some time next year after our house is built. I just hope the increased wheelbase and overall length and width make the backseat and trunk more spacious than the current IS300 and my Contour. My Contour is about three inches longer than the new IS but the backseat is tight. Hopefully advances in engineering since '96 will produce interior room closer to the Volvo S60/G35 sedans which I can live with, or at least my two boys can. Please post interior dimensions as soon as they are available.
ROLL TIDE!
The new GS was my favorite but I like the IS better and will be less expensive. I'm not a member of the Lexus family yet, I own an '02 Mazda Tribute and '96 Ford Contour SE Sport, but hope to some time next year after our house is built. I just hope the increased wheelbase and overall length and width make the backseat and trunk more spacious than the current IS300 and my Contour. My Contour is about three inches longer than the new IS but the backseat is tight. Hopefully advances in engineering since '96 will produce interior room closer to the Volvo S60/G35 sedans which I can live with, or at least my two boys can. Please post interior dimensions as soon as they are available.
ROLL TIDE!
03-24-05, 09:50 AM
#66
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Getting flamed.....
YIKES! Okay guys okay, I get it.....no SC430 owner wants to be grouped with the IS's. But there was a in line 6 in the SC300 for a long time..and it was a very good car at that. Certainately not the prestige of owning the SC400, but still a very nice car, nonetheless. And they offered a 5 speed in the early years! I think SC350 is a real possiblilty, I don't think IC350 sounds right for some reason. Don't hate!
03-24-05, 09:54 AM
#67
Lexus Connoisseur
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by T2Green
I've been a visitor to the forums for a while, following the excruciatingly slow release of info about the new GS. Then I discovered the new IS following its introduction in Geneva. WOW!
03-24-05, 09:59 AM
#68
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by Longo Lexus
YIKES! Okay guys okay, I get it.....no SC430 owner wants to be grouped with the IS's. But there was a in line 6 in the SC300 for a long time..and it was a very good car at that. Certainately not the prestige of owning the SC400, but still a very nice car, nonetheless. And they offered a 5 speed in the early years! I think SC350 is a real possiblilty, I don't think IC350 sounds right for some reason. Don't hate!
but I just prefer they call it the IS350 coupe or something else other than using the SC designation, it's a different model afterall.BTW, it is definate that the SC430 will get a facelift this fall right? If so the current SC430 should last at least a couple more model years, any ideas when the next redesign SC will be launched ?
03-24-05, 10:15 AM
#69
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Thanks for the welcome. More new IS350 pix at autoweek.com under 05 New York auto show. Love that interior! Can't wait to see it in person. Pictures didn't do the new GS justice.
ROLL TIDE!
ROLL TIDE!
03-24-05, 11:37 AM
#70
Lexus Test Driver
thx flipside,
y are they saying that the IS350 will have more than 300 horses and 0-60 in less than 6 seconds? r they not sure what the exact number is yet or something? no testing has been done or anything? or do they want us to guess?
y are they saying that the IS350 will have more than 300 horses and 0-60 in less than 6 seconds? r they not sure what the exact number is yet or something? no testing has been done or anything? or do they want us to guess?
03-24-05, 11:55 AM
#71
Lexus Connoisseur
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by AJL0365
thx flipside,
y are they saying that the IS350 will have more than 300 horses and 0-60 in less than 6 seconds? r they not sure what the exact number is yet or something? no testing has been done or anything? or do they want us to guess?
y are they saying that the IS350 will have more than 300 horses and 0-60 in less than 6 seconds? r they not sure what the exact number is yet or something? no testing has been done or anything? or do they want us to guess?
03-24-05, 12:03 PM
#72
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by flipside909
The release for the car is October 2005. Since we're still in March, more R&D work will happen until then. 300+ is what we've heard since October 2004, we will eventually see those real numbers appear soon.
The only thing that's certain to Lexus is that they're gonna make it "over 300hp". How much over 300, they're still trying to experiment and figure out, much like how the M45 was detuned with less hp after Nissan found out that with less hp the M45 resulted in better acceleration times.
Last edited by XeroK00L; 03-24-05 at 12:29 PM.
03-24-05, 12:24 PM
#73
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So, at least it would be 301 hp! 
I care more for the torque, especially at low RPM's. It's that "oomph" factor that distinguishes, for example, a V8 engine from a V6 with the same hp.
I care more for the torque, especially at low RPM's. It's that "oomph" factor that distinguishes, for example, a V8 engine from a V6 with the same hp.
03-24-05, 12:49 PM
#74
Originally Posted by Longo Lexus
YIKES! Okay guys okay, I get it.....no SC430 owner wants to be grouped with the IS's. But there was a in line 6 in the SC300 for a long time..and it was a very good car at that. Certainately not the prestige of owning the SC400, but still a very nice car, nonetheless. And they offered a 5 speed in the early years! I think SC350 is a real possiblilty, I don't think IC350 sounds right for some reason. Don't hate!
anyway, i wasn't trying to mix the sc and the is together. i think they are different cars. it's just like thre is 330i and 330ci, and yet there is the z4 and z8, or the 6 series. different cars. the IS can have a coupe say 1 or 2 yrs later that's cool with me.
but regarding the sc family. since 01 they already had plan about the sc300, but the sc430 has been selling way too well for them to consider that. personally i hope they won't have sc330, i don't want to see too many sc around
03-24-05, 03:23 PM
#75
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by rominl
. . .but regarding the sc family. since 01 they already had plan about the sc300, but the sc430 has been selling way too well for them to consider that. personally i hope they won't have sc330, i don't want to see too many sc around
Personally I still think they should keep the SC line all V8 & more exclusive.