Lexus IS And GS Could Be On The Chopping Block
06-17-18, 07:49 AM
#46
Lexus Test Driver
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Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
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I don't think MB and BMW drivers really own the cars long enough to find out what POS they really are, cause they have them within the warranty period on a lease, and the repairs don't cost them anything but the inconvenience.
Don't get me wrong, the cars are fast, have tons of power, and some even look really nice...but...for all that good, there's gotta be some bad...and that's the reliability and the costly repairs.
06-17-18, 06:30 PM
#47
Instructor
Have you ever been in a CLA? AMG or otherwise? It's so poorly built it's crazy! Interior is all hard plastics, definitely not "luxury" to me. If you feel that an engine makes a car, I think it's time you start looking at the Mustang (totally serious).
In any case, the bottom line is that the German competition in the comparable trim are going to cost way more. You can hang your hat on the CLA AMG all day if you want, but I would not want one over the IS 350 F Sport.
Oh and if you try to configure a CLA AMG with the premium package (only thing that comes close to a fully equipped IS350), it is a hair over $56k...To get it to a comparable IS, that would be the premium plus which will bring you close to the $60k category. So no, it's NOT cheaper. Do your homework "bro".
In any case, the bottom line is that the German competition in the comparable trim are going to cost way more. You can hang your hat on the CLA AMG all day if you want, but I would not want one over the IS 350 F Sport.
Oh and if you try to configure a CLA AMG with the premium package (only thing that comes close to a fully equipped IS350), it is a hair over $56k...To get it to a comparable IS, that would be the premium plus which will bring you close to the $60k category. So no, it's NOT cheaper. Do your homework "bro".
06-17-18, 06:33 PM
#48
Instructor
Here’s my take on Lexus vs MB and BMW.
Lexus F cars are powerful but fall short of the big numbers (that’s why RR-Racing is here
. Owners of these cars read car magazines and want to be wowed by the big numbers. Never mind that 95% of us mere mortal drivers could not come within 5-10sec of the magazine lap times.
I find that most Lexus owners purchased their car in large part due to the reliability. Many come from the other brands and don’t want to deal with problems.
Lexus COULD Supercharge the v8, or ramp the boost up on the new V6 TT, make 600hp+, but their overriding concern is their reputation for reliability. BMW/MB don’t particilarly care because their customers for the most part are willing to accept reliability compromises.
Why are M and AMG owners willing to accept these compromises? BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE CARS GET LEASED, NOT PURCHASED! In 2-3 years they get turned in and owners don’t give a crap how long they last.
We all know that a GSF purchased today will drive like new 15 years and 150,000 miles from now.
But this is Lexus’s problem.... when they make a car, they are really building it for the 2nd or 3rd owner
Rafi
Lexus F cars are powerful but fall short of the big numbers (that’s why RR-Racing is here
. Owners of these cars read car magazines and want to be wowed by the big numbers. Never mind that 95% of us mere mortal drivers could not come within 5-10sec of the magazine lap times.I find that most Lexus owners purchased their car in large part due to the reliability. Many come from the other brands and don’t want to deal with problems.
Lexus COULD Supercharge the v8, or ramp the boost up on the new V6 TT, make 600hp+, but their overriding concern is their reputation for reliability. BMW/MB don’t particilarly care because their customers for the most part are willing to accept reliability compromises.
Why are M and AMG owners willing to accept these compromises? BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE CARS GET LEASED, NOT PURCHASED! In 2-3 years they get turned in and owners don’t give a crap how long they last.
We all know that a GSF purchased today will drive like new 15 years and 150,000 miles from now.
But this is Lexus’s problem.... when they make a car, they are really building it for the 2nd or 3rd owner
Rafi
06-17-18, 06:50 PM
#49
personally i think lexus would do good with an IS400 with a TTV6, they know how to style a car nicely so if they added that to the 4th gen IS it would be even more of a game changer than the 3rd gen was back in 2014. and the IS350 is “supposed” to be competing with the 340i, S4, C43, etc. bc it is the range topping base model IS without being an F. back in 2014, the IS350 did just fine against the 335i, some even chose it over the bmw but then all of the germans started bumping up the power, so i think lexus just needs to fix the engine issues and they’ll be fine. i’m also just as proud to say i own a lexus as others would a BMW/mercedes, my car receives plenty of compliments especially with the exhaust installed now
06-17-18, 06:57 PM
#50
Instructor
personally i think lexus would do good with an IS400 with a TTV6, they know how to style a car nicely so if they added that to the 4th gen IS it would be even more of a game changer than the 3rd gen was back in 2014. and the IS350 is “supposed” to be competing with the 340i, S4, C43, etc. bc it is the range topping base model IS without being an F. back in 2014, the IS350 did just fine against the 335i, some even chose it over the bmw but then all of the germans started bumping up the power, so i think lexus just needs to fix the engine issues and they’ll be fine. i’m also just as proud to say i own a lexus as others would a BMW/mercedes, my car receives plenty of compliments especially with the exhaust installed now
06-18-18, 12:00 AM
#51
Lexus Test Driver
personally i think lexus would do good with an IS400 with a TTV6, they know how to style a car nicely so if they added that to the 4th gen IS it would be even more of a game changer than the 3rd gen was back in 2014. and the IS350 is “supposed” to be competing with the 340i, S4, C43, etc. bc it is the range topping base model IS without being an F. back in 2014, the IS350 did just fine against the 335i, some even chose it over the bmw but then all of the germans started bumping up the power, so i think lexus just needs to fix the engine issues and they’ll be fine. i’m also just as proud to say i own a lexus as others would a BMW/mercedes, my car receives plenty of compliments especially with the exhaust installed now
However - back in 2014 - the Lexus IS350 never competed against the S4 and C43 AMG (C400 back in the day). The S4 and C43 AMG (C400) was a class up above the Lexus IS350. The price was no where never similar; the S4 and C43 AMG (C400) could top close to the 60 grand while the Lexus IS350 floated near 50 grand. At the time - the 2014 Lexus IS350's main competition was the 335i, C300, Q50 3.7, A4 Quattro, and TLX V6.
What happened later on was that, BMW restructured their line-up. They made it 320i, 330i and 340i. The 320i competes with the Lexus IS Turbo. And the 330i competes with the Lexus IS350.
The 335i moved up to "near M" segment and was facing competition against the C43 AMG (was the C400) and the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport.
Like the post mentioned above - Lexus (Toyota) biggest issue with powerful engines is reliability. All Japanese car brands take forever to change their engine. Its all in the name of reliability. Hell - Acura still uses a V6 that's under 300HP. They do this because that J series engine is bullet-proof.
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