The is350 as a second family car?
#16
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: So Cal
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have 2 pre-K boys using 2 Britax marathons in the back seat. At this point they have just enough room, with the driver's seat in my normal 'driving' position (I'm 5'10" 200lbs). In another year, I'll switch them into booster seats which will give them more room and they should be good for the next 5 years. That said, there's no way you can get 3 kids in the back seat, so if you have a newborn on the way, you're better off with a bigger car. IMHO, there's no difference in backseat room b/w the IS and Bmw 3 series, so you really need a larger backseat. If your wife doesn't like the new ES, you should look at the GS. You can try to talk yourself into the IS, but in a true emergency, if you had to take all 3 kids at once, you can't safely do so in the IS or the 3 series . . .
#17
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: arizona
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks for the responses. I went to drive the 325 just now and, like socaljd said, there is no improvement in back seat room. Driving japanese cars my whole life I think conditioned me because didn't care for the vaunted ride of the 325.
#18
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another vehicle to keep an eye out on is the 2007 G35 Sedan. Looks a LOT nicer than the current model and I belive the back seat is noticably roomier than the IS. It's performance figures should be right up there with the IS350 as well.
#19
11 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
The way the controls look in relation to the brushed aluminum (or plastic...whatever it is). It just looks like they took a blank canvas and just started throwing stuff at it. It doesn't look particularly well integrated at all. This is the thing you normally sit in kit-car interiors where they'll take controls from an existing car and place them on a pretty barren surface.
Last edited by caymandive; 08-14-06 at 01:41 PM.
#20
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: So Cal
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The G35 is still a 'compact sedan', like the IS, 3 series, A4, C class, S40 - they will not accomodate 3 kids (newborn - 5yr) at once. The OP said he had a 3 and 1.5 yr old with a newborn on the way - that's 2 child seats w/an infant carrier for the next 2 years, minimum - NO WAY that will fit in the backseat of any compact sedan. Kids cannot safely sit in the front seat until they're >75lbs and over 54". IMHO the OP is looking at midsized sedans, ie: ES, GS, M35, E350, etc . . .
#21
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
The G35 is still a 'compact sedan', like the IS, 3 series, A4, C class, S40 - they will not accomodate 3 kids (newborn - 5yr) at once. The OP said he had a 3 and 1.5 yr old with a newborn on the way - that's 2 child seats w/an infant carrier for the next 2 years, minimum - NO WAY that will fit in the backseat of any compact sedan. Kids cannot safely sit in the front seat until they're >75lbs and over 54". IMHO the OP is looking at midsized sedans, ie: ES, GS, M35, E350, etc . . .
#22
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: So Cal
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do not know of any button, LPS settings or factory sequence (like the Navi hack) that can disable the front & side airbags on a temporary basis to allow kids to sit in the front passenger seat. Please enlighten me . . .
#23
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
Some cars have a button (or key switch) to disable it, and some don't. The 2IS does not, but my brother's Lincolm LS does. Even if it does not have a factory disable switch, one can be added. It is rather expensive though (~$400 I think), since the shop has to be certified by the DOT to do it.
#24
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
'07 IS have a gel pad to disable the airbags for small occupants. See my post on the official '07 update thread.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post