jlin101

Most Lexus buyers probably don't listen to cassette tapes anymore (I haven't touched one for at least 10 years). Lexus finally phased it out in the new IS, what with the Aux connecition. Six CD/DVD's of MP3 ought to last a LONG time.

TheRupp

The only thing I use my cassette for is my iPod since my ES300 doesn't have an aux port. I'm guessing the aux port is what Lexus replaced it with as well.

SGT

It's a shame Lexus didn't do the same for the 3GS.

maz

I did see a cassette player in the concept photos of the new IS. Not sure if there are any production models with one.

XeroK00L

This is the Japanese IS. Is that slot at the bottom for cassettes or for MDs? There's nothing there in the US version.


BTW, Lexus has phased out the cassette player starting from the '04 ES330 already.

TheRupp

The 2006 GS's have cassette decks

I use it for my iPod since the GS's don't have aux jacks

heyheyhey

i think thats an MD slot... it should be, japanese people LOVE their md's

Kailua250

Notice in the picture the button to the left of the "AM/FM" button is "MD"

NotFatBoy

and they have a freaking TV button

sweet

flipside909

I would think so. It says MD instead of TAPE on the functions.

the lndr

I love my nano I think cds will soon be a thing of the past like cassettes. I thought it weird they brought back the ashtray. my old rx330 did not have one.

TheRupp

I don't think that's true with the growing popularity (and recent discovery) of DVD music and MP3 CD's. Would I rule it out as a future outcome? Well, definitely not. I just don't think it's likely.

Why do they have an MD button? MiniDisc? I know maybe 3 people that have a MiniDisc player, and they don't even use them. Another example of a great idea by Sony that failed because of greed *cough*BetaMax *cough, cough*

jp82729

Failed in the US, yes. But that is a Japanese IS. MD is still big in Japan.

Rockville

the popularity of books on tape. Now we are seeing books on CD. A lot of commuting time can now be used for hearing authors read their own titles or my favorite, learning a new language. When this phases out then the tape slot will disappear... The ES330 with Nav was the first cassette casualty. It also has 2 CD drives and and Nav DVD slot. The non-Nav still has a cassette as do the sport utes and everything but the IS. I am now curious whether the next gen ES will jettison the familiar slot and have IPOD input. Ironically the high end Cassette recorder is what made Nakamichi famous. They also are in the Lexus history book...

Rock

diablo1

I think CD's and DVD's both will soon be outdated. I read in the Wall Street Journal that Bill Gates said the current debate over HD-DVD formats is basically a moot point, since no one will be using removable optical media 10 years from now. The same way that iPods have made CDs obsolete, large hard drives and fast download times to set-top boxes, cars, and portable players will render video discs obsolete as well.

But, most people don't keep their cars for 10 years anyway, so it's not an immediate concern in this context. I just thought it was an interesting point...