alasbr

I went into the dealer thinking GS430 and came out thinking IS350

current car: 1998 BMW 540i automatic 128,000 miles

looking to get a great year end deal, I stopped into BMW dealer and drove:
2006 545: great car, slightly larger than my 545, I hated the idrive.
2004 540: since I love my current 540
2006 330 since it has a bigger engine than old 3 series. It had more horsepower but not enough torque for me.

considering how much time and money my BMW spent being serviced, I asked my wife about service on her 1998 ES300. She said: "I don't know, nothing ever goes wrong."

Next stop was my Lexus dealer. I expected to love the GS and didn't even consider the IS base on my V-8 reference at BMW.
GS 430: excellent but not sporty like my BMW. An old man's car?
IS 350: spectacular, quick, sporty and reliable. Great torque. It feels much faster than the GS , as quick as my 540. Much slower than the BMW 330. I made an offer but didn't get enough in trade.

My only other decisions on the 2006 IS 350: Sport suspension or not? 17" or 18" wheels? All season or summer and winter tires? I am leaning towards 17" all season and standard suspension.

Tony1

Well, If you don;t mind how the smaller rims and raised ride height looks, then your
better off not getting the sports package,, I personally got it for more of the look
it gives the car.. Also, remember, if you get the sports package the ride is noticealby
firmer..almost as firm as the bmw with sports package,, "so i hear"

Bichon

The luxury package also comes with the 18" rims and summer tires. I love the look of the wood trim and illuminated scuff plates, and wanted a bit less punishing ride, so my choice was obvious.

My only regret is that Mark Levinson wasn't available in our area (except by special order), the stock system doesn't even sound as good as the (barely adequate) Bose system in my old Audi.

isdsms

In fact, the IS 350 is MUCH FASTER than the BMW 330. Just look at the specs. However, I will agree that the 350 doesn't feel as fast as it really is. I find that it seems that way with all the Lexus models, probably due to the insulation used.

Bichon

Agreed, the IS350 is at least half a second quicker to 60 than the 330i, even one with a stick.

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

People on this board ahve been running 13.7 1/4s which is pretty good

codex57

IS is tiny inside. It has the same problem as the G35 coupe. Large on outside, tiny on inside (particularly in the rear). Really it's main flaw. That's why I doubt if anyone who has a GS430 really regrets it.

dmz

You should look at the new BMW 550i. It's got a new 360HP V8. It's pretty much unmatched in the midsize category. Most people don't like iDrive during a quick test drive. But most owner lowes it after learning the system. Did you also look at the M45?

mcfly

Tiny is subjective. I could care less how big the back is in terms of its ability to hold people... no one is ever back there. And I like a "snug" car... anything that makes me feel more in touch with the car the better.

The great thing to me about the IS is that it feels like a cockpit in the cabin like a sports are and it does feel relatively compact.

dmz

Then why get a 4 door sedan at all? the whole point of a 4 door sedan is to carry people. Maybe instead of lugging those 2 extra door around, you should have gotten a 2 door coupe.

mcfly

- because I love the way it looks
- because at times I HAVE to put someone back there
- because those back seats serve more in terms of utility than just holding peole... you can throw all kinds of other stuff back there should you need to.
- there's generally more space than in any coupe, even if it is built on the same platform.
- because the back seats hold kids nicely, and one day soon I may have some (kids that is)

Bean

iTrader: (1)

It will be obsolete when the GS is carrying the newer motor. I've heard different on the Idrive... most people even after learning it still don't like it.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

new 4.6 liter going in the LS460 will kill the 550 engine (which is actually a 4.8L from the X5). Once the LS comes out all V8s will changed to the new 4.6L 380 hp/370 torque engine (little more hp and torque than the BMW). 07s GS will be the GS350/460, ES already is becoming the ES350, RX is becoming the RX350, not sure about the GX or LX

M45 is an excellent car for that price range, killer looks, good engine but it really needs a 6 speed auto since all other cars in that area have it.

LexFather

Sorry your wrong. The IS is the correct size for its class, aboug 180in long, the Germans, 3, C etc are around this length.

The G35 is huge for its class, 186 inches long. So the car is larger with a smaller interior. The IS is smaller with an interior deserving of its size.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

holy back from the dead

I killed the thread last time