That's the point. I think I would have paid much more than $34,400 for the IS250 AWD. The MSRP for that car is just under $35K; add the features I have on my A4, plus taxes and tags (another $2600), and that will bring you to about $41K for an IS250 AWD out the door. The $34,400 I paid for my A4 included all of the features I identified, taxes, and the cost to register the car. Since my goal was to pay no more than $35K, I couldn't have gotten there if I had went with the IS250 AWD.

 

well said.

 

does having AWD makes a lot of difference?
i have driven in colorado using studded tires, very good in snow/black ice.
i live in silicon valley, i thought about that it would be nice to have AWD, I can
drive to ski resort this coming winter without using chains. But i only do that only
one weekend out of a whole year, so I think i will not opt for AWD.

 

that is nice, i would take a bare bone IS250, do you think they will sell a standard
IS 250, without any options?

 

so everyone, let's not buy lexus car this weekend..
let's all wait a few more days...
maybe Lexus will wonder what happen, they might reprice it lower

 

do you compare lexus with audi?

is like comparing banana with apple.

 

is that why car and driver , other magazines, and people in forums compare a4, g35, 3 series, and tsx/tl to the IS? cuz they all seem to be in the same category to me. i think he was making a fine comparison

 

No kidding. Why not compare Lexus to Audi? Audi's interior is full of class and they are a fine comparison to Lexus. If anything Audi is a much better comparison than say BMW since BMW goes for Performance and then luxury. Lexus goes for luxury and then performance and Audi is much more in the middle for both performance and luxury.

 

That's your opinion and you're entitled to it. However, I think comparing the A4 with the IS is fair comparison for my particular circumstances. I already own 2 Lexus automobiles. I've owned a total of 5 Lexus cars. I don't need to buy a third Lexus car just to prove how savvy I am about Lexus' quality. My circumstances were that my job was moving further away from home and I needed to get a car that would serve as my "daily driver" that also would be good on gas, have all-wheel drive, and have a certain amount of style (cause I'm not dead yet). Because this car would be serving as an "extra" car, I set a goal in price ($35K out the door) and promised myself that I would stick to that goal. Based on what I wanted and the fact that I also wanted a car that had a certain amount of "quality", I selected the Audi A4. To use your analogy, I happen to like both apples and bananas and am fortunate that I was in a position to afford either one. It just happens that my selection of the one was a matter of personal and informed choice.

 

personally i think you made a fine choice based on your needs. i too am deciding between an a4, is250 and a g35. a4 looked great, i liked the interior, mpg, 4 years free maintenance and the price tag. on the other hand, though i've heard audi has progressed quite well in this category, reliability is an issue for me. you just cant top the japanese cars and once a german car does breaks down...that means more $$$ and i dont have 5 other lexus' to fall back on . i still have awhile to decide but man that a4 is so tempting...

 

I currently have a 2004 A4. I need to get rid of it because I changed jobs and am driving farther to work. I leased the car because I like to get a new car every 3 or 4 years. I am giving it to my dad (as he needs a winter car) so I have 1 month to decide on a new car. I have nothing bad to say about the A4. It is quick, has all the luxury interior styling and the exterior styling is solid too. Free maintenance and reliable. Good luck.

 

I encourage you to test drive the A4, if you haven't already. I can't speak for the G35, but everything I hear about it sounds like it's also a very good car. As for the A4's reliability, I have some prior experience with Audis going back to the mid-`80s to early `90s. I was never stranded in one of them, and I was a LOT harder on cars back then. Audi's quality may not be up to Lexus', but all of my research disclosed that it is clearly above BMW's and Mercedes Benz's (see JD Powers). Even though my choice was primarily driven by the amount of money I wanted to spend, I think I probably would have chosen the A4 anyway because of Audi's long and proven track record on all-wheel drive technology. Also, as you point out, having to only put gasoline in the car for the next 4 years is not a bad deal either.

 

The A4 has always been based off the VW golf, much like the ES 330 is based off the Camry. And both are great cars. the A4 and Audi as a whole still is out the publics eye in America, but in Europe, they are now the best seller.

They make great cars, not the most reliable, but quality parts, good power, and awesome luxury.

 

Leslie...THX for the comments VERY helpful. I have talked my wife into getting the new 2007 ES 330 when it becomes available (she currently has a ES 300) so I will get to drive a Lexus after all. The A4 fits my cost plus analysis model. So I will lease one for 3yrs and who knows then buy/lease a LEXUS. All I have to do is make my lease pymt and put gas in the car. That fits my budget constraints in this WORLD of taxes, and ever changing economy.

 

You nailed it. The debate of the IS250 AWD versus the A4 boils down to personal wants and simple economics. Both cars do an excellent job of marrying the concept of fun to drive with practicality. I think both these cars are going to be compared and discussed in the same conversation for a long time to come. As that occurs, they will become better and we (the consumer) will be the beneficiaries.