IS_Mine

No its not bad at all but if you bought a Lexus and researched the brand you (not you in general) would know that Lexus is about luxory first -- over everything. Or so that is how I approached the purchase of my IS350. "Ohhh horsepower in a straight line.. Perfect!! And a nice interior!!" If I wanted something that handled I'm pretty sure I would have bought a Porsche, or 2 seater type roadster. And sure there are things Lexus could improve on, but.. technically speaking I'm still driving a four door sedan, I'm not expecting it to handle like a Porsche GT, and I'm sure 97% of the other consumers who purchased their IS think the same way. Besides do you think half of the BMW drivers out there know their cars can *handle*? Probably not because car enthusiasts are a minority.

Who buys a Four Door Sedan and expects to be taking turns at eleventy billion miles an hour anyway??

If we could get it all that would be fantastic! Well, we might get it all with the IS-F.

tex2670

I think you will find that most people on CL will say the Lexus is great. But it's just not going to be as fun to drive as the BMW. There are things that can be improved upon in all cars. In the Lexus, handling is one of those things. Considering that a comparably equipped 3 series would have been signficantly more expensive than my 250AWD, I didn't even test drive it--I knew that if I did, it would be harder to dismiss that car as a choice.

Some people will put a higher value on handling than they will on reliability and quality of materials. Maybe the IS isn't the best handling in this class, but it drives way better than my former 2000TL. Plus, the quality is great, I love the styling, and it has the techno gizmos I wanted (and no iDrive). I know that some who lease their cars seem to think that reliability isn't a factor, since the car will be under warranty during the lease--if you have the time in your schedule to be making extra trips to the dealer to take care of things that shouldn't go wrong, great for you. I'd rather not do that. What's the most consistent issue on CL? Brake dust? A vibrating rear view mirror? Some squeaks?

If you are ready to sell your IS for a BMW or Audi because the Lexus doesn't handle like a German car or have that German feel, you just didn't do your homework before you purchased the Lexus.

nehal51086

there will always be away that something can be better....just my .02


i may get bashed for this..but since the 2is just came out recently shouldnt people understand that there will be kinks that need to be worked out and shortcomings fullfilled...if im not mistaken (and dont take me for a car guru) the bmw 3's have had some time to iron out all their shortcomings.....

sirkfc

It's one thing for people to say they wish this was better, that was better, etc, but that overall they understand and appreciate the package they got for the price they paid.

But I agree with the OP, I see so many posts just flat out regretting the purchase, saying that you just can't love the car because it doesn't quite handle like a BMW at the limits. Really? Handling at the limit makes the car unenjoyable for you? If you are that sensitive to handling prowess at the limit, and you need it to enjoy a car, then I'm afraid even BMW won't be good enough for you, Andretti.

iSuxeL

iTrader: (21)

I agree on this thread, y'all complain too much!

jdanon

Handling wasn't a factor for me in my purchase of the IS350. The reliability I have come to know through owning other Toyota and Lexus cars was the main factor. I'm not looking to go racing with my car, nor am I looking to take hairpin curves above the speed limit, so what some are calling the driving satisfaction and experience never enters my mind when buying a car. Most of my driving is on interstates and main roads in urban environments, so perhaps I'm the worst kind of driver to comment on this. I'd rather be anywhere else than confined in a small space on four wheels on some stretch of pavement, but unfortunately we all need to go places, and Lexus makes that comfortable and reliable. If I were Lexus I wouldn't change their successful formula just to make a handful of people that want a BMW without actually having a BMW happy.

FiveOhNine

I sure hope so

FiveOhNine

I don't really agree with the 'dont mess with success' mantra. It didn't work for detroit, and it won't work forever with Lexus either. The good new is, they don't believe it either as evidenced by some of the concepts and new models they are coming out with. Anyone who sells anything always needs to be looking for ways to improve, to appeal to a wider audience, and to sell to as many niches as possible.

One huge niche is becoming the former-BMW-owner segment filled with people like me.

I knew what I was buying when I bought my Lexus and I don't regret it at all. In fact, I really like my car and would buy it again in a heartbeat. However, I do think that there are things that can be improved upon.

So, for the point-a-to-point-b folks, the IS might fit the bill perfectly. For the rest of us, it's close, but we see room for improvement.

I do agree that people complain too much about it. If you don't like something, suggest improvements. No one wants to hear your whining.

JensBoo

I personally think the IS handles better than my old Celica and my Celica handled beautifully. I don't see why anyone would complain about the handling at all. If you want an autocross or rally car, get an Evo or something.

jdanon

This is who the big car makers are generally marketing to and building the car for. Most people are point A to point B drivers. Not too many people are worrying about how fast they can take a curve or their 1/4 mile time. I think the big factors for people in buying cars is the outward appearance of the car followed by the reliability and quality of the car. After that I'd say it's probably the interior that matters as in what kind of modern driving conveniences are provided. I'm talking on a percentage basis by the way, so at the far end of that long list of things people want/need in a car before they'll buy it is the performance related specifications. How many people even know about the horsepower or displacement of their engines? I bet less than 0.1% of all car buyers and drivers can tell you either of these two very rudimentary numbers. If I'm a car maker am I really going to pour tons of money into capturing that last fraction of a percent of the market? Given that does not come without risk, probably not.

Yay-Z

hahahahahahahahahhahahahahaha

fantom

Excellent discussion....

The IS250/350 is a sporty car, not a sports car. I do however, wish the Sports Package offered a bit tighter handling. Of course I could then whine about the ride being too harsh.

The IS350 does what it was designed for better than any other product on the market. Like all in life, it's a series of compromises, done very well.

Those who buy BMW's deserve exactly what they have, as do those who whine about the "lack of fun" driving their IS's. I don't know where the people putting 20" wheels on their IS's fit in this thread.

rfx45

For the simple fact that no car is perfect. It's a trade off as stated before but we paid for the car and the IS is advertised as a sport sedan. Of course don't expect it to drive like a porsche but "Intelligent Sport" is what the "IS" stands for. I have no complains about my IS250 and would not trade it off for a 3-Series but they are in the same market. So by saying the 2IS is not a sports car then saying you should go to a BMW dealer for one, doesn't make much sense since your practically saying that the 3-Series isn't a sports car either.

IS_Mine

I will say this..

If the IS350 was AWD I would EXPECT much more out of it.

Supershyguy

lol so true, people are always asking my friend which one is his real bmw, the 2 door or the 4 door

he drives the rental they give him more then his own 330ci