Former 2002 330ci owner.......

E46fanatics has two classes of people on it: 1. I sit at home and do nothing and everything was given to me, and 2. True enthusiasts.

IMO, BMW has spent too much time focusing on engine innovations while letting styling and electronics suffer. Sure, my BMW was the best driving car I have had, but the best all around car? No. To each his own, but my IS satisfies my requirements for owning a great car.

 

Toyota's endurance test facility is out in Arizona just outside of Phoenix. It's even bigger than the Ford Proving Grounds! That's what justifies the Arizona plates.

 

These photos look like I-10 going through Indio, Cathedral City, Palm Springs area. They have ugly concrete pavement with tar covered expansion joints just as they are in the photos. They use those guardrails heavily in that area.

BTW, Those photos are no where near the 91 Freeway. Take it from someone who has travelled the 91 freeway from each end several times (Riverside to Gardena and back) in the last 2 weeks.

 

What a waste (knolex2001, correction) of time.

I thought it was going to challenge the //M5, the IS350 should be the //M3 challanger, as it almost cost the same, 50-55k...

 

haha, i dont think you know just how much the M3 goes for brand new. when i was shopping for my car i also looked at the m3. granted, it was at a time it was nearing the end of production, so almost all models came with the competition package. the car was going for 67k MINIMUM. at most dealers would take off 500 bucks. not even a fully loaded IS comes out to 50k and i mean every single option, its more like 47k.

 

Last time I checked, the IS350 challenged the 330i and lost. I'm with you in that the IS is a better all around car with great acceleration, but an M competitor it is not. I have to imagine that the 335i closes the gap, if not better.


The new M3 raises the ante with a V8. It's fitting for Lexus to bring out a new model to target this car. I know some of you are worried about the handling--and it must be a focus to be taken seriously--but, also rest assured that the S4 competes in this area and is very heavy and a bit sloppy in the turns.

 

I seriously doubt that funny looking, riced-out 2IS with a tacky body kit will "challenge" the next new M3 in any meaningful performance category. Unless the M3 owner opts for the gold rims and strange exhaust box on the order form, then it might tie it.

 

Those BMW owners are so ignorant and stupid sometimes...

"A Lexus is a Toyota and a BMW is still a BMW. You will never see me drive some glorified 4-banger."

Little do they know that both the 3-series and 5-series are sold in Europe with 4-cylinder engines as small as 1.6 liters, and diesel engines as well. In Germany, the 3-series is the equivalent of a Honda Accord over here; everybody has one!

So in fact, the 3-series is a glorified 4-banger, whereas the Lexus IS was designed from the ground up with 6 cylinder engines!

 

It's a camouflaged test mule, you can be 100% sure that those rims and exhaust won't be on the finished product!

 

Not a fan of that exhaust...

 

I really wonder, who is behind the wheel on those photos

 

If Lexus wants to make a serious statement with this car, then they have to make a serious attempt to appeal to enthusiast drivers. Merely slapping a powerful V8 into the existing 2IS chassis is going to steal away some AMG buyers, but the typical M3 buyer won't even look at it. You must also consider the fact that the M3 name has HUGE badge cachet - it's a widely recognized automotive icon.

Here's what I'm wondering:
-What does Lexus plan to do about weight? These are performance cars, remember, not luxury cruisers. The IS350 is already a fat pig, and this greatly damages the car's agility and roadholding manners. It can only follow that the IS500 will be even heavier with a V8, unless Lexus makes extensive use of aluminum alloys or other composites - which will drive the price up considerably. In order to penetrate this segment, Lexus must do what they've always done - try to win buyers on value for money.
-Manual transmission?

 

First off, IS350 can be bought for 36900 MSRP. M3 STARTS at 47-50K. No almost about it. For an extra 10K an owner could buy ton of engine and handleing bits to roast an M3.

BTW genius, you spelled "waste" wrong.

 

Unless you buy an IS in Europe, where 4cyl & diesel versions have been available.

 

LOL, the only 4 cilinder available in europe is the 2nd gen IS220D.
The old IS200 was an inline 6 and the new 250 like yours is a V6.
Japan got a 4 cilinder (beams 3sge) powered altezza.

Research is your friend