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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16087 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2013 at 9:32 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1003 of 1609

#10020 of 16087 Re: I love this board... [louiswei] by jzalkin

Jul 28, 2007 (9:47 pm)

Replying to: louiswei (Jul 28, 2007 8:41 am)
Here is my take with the following disclamer: I own a 2006 IS250 RWD and had a 2004 A4 Cab 1.8t before it.
 
I chose the Lexus over the BMW because of value and comfort. I am in South FL and the roads are a grid system. Only handling I get to experience is 90 degree turns so the BMW handeling factor was out. The BMW was more and did not include a power seat and leather on the car I test drove. The Lexus luxury is the best quality wise and I continue to marvel at the leather (12 months and 23,000 miles later) - so smooth and soft. Lexus does luxury the best and will appeal to you if you value that.
 
The Audi was great fun and I like the interior the best (the cab is better than the sedan), but quality was an issue. It maybe cliche to say about the German cars, but I always had a list of things that needed to be fixed under warr in the Audi from the start and even had to get them to cover the top when it was 1,500 miles out of warr and seperated from the rear window (2 years into ownership) Top would have been $6,000 to replace and I figured the car would be expensive to keep. The Lexus is much better than my Audi for the little things that go wrong and are annoying.
 
The Lexus back seat is tight, but I have had adults in it every so often. Since it is not a weekly thing - not a major factor for me.
 
I'll wrap it up by saying this:
- Lexus for Luxury and peace of mind quality
- BMW for logo and the privilage for paying a premium for it
- Audi is about to be replaced, but maybe the best price
 
PS - My IS was $32,500+TTL including Premium, NAV, 18" wheels, minor others. 75% Highway and have averaged 28.4mpg since new which is why the 250 and not the 350.

#10021 of 16087 Re: I love this board... [jzalkin] by blueguydotcom

Jul 29, 2007 (10:31 am)

Replying to: jzalkin (Jul 28, 2007 9:47 pm)
'll wrap it up by saying this:
- Lexus for Luxury and peace of mind quality
- BMW for logo and the privilage for paying a premium for it
- Audi is about to be replaced, but maybe the best price
 
So basically, if you want a Toyota with a nicer badge and no back seat, get the IS.
 
Of course a TSX or Camry V6 would offer all the same for a much lower price and give you a backseat. So really, if driving performance isn't important, why bother with an IS250?

#10023 of 16087 Re: I love this board... [blueguydotcom] by jzalkin

Jul 29, 2007 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Jul 29, 2007 10:31 am)
I hope to not get into a pissing match so let me clarify.
 
"if you want a Toyota with a nicer badge and no back seat, get the IS" Please share the Toyota that Lexus just put the IS badge on to make a Lexus? The Lexus IS is based on the Lexus GS platform so it is not a glorified Toyota as you implied.
 
The Lexus is more Luxurouis IMO (and most other including car mags) than the BMW. Just touch the inside of the A pillar to see what I mean. The BMW is better at handling which does me little good in South Florida since there are no winding roads (grid system)or even any hills. A perfect place for raw, straight line performance (my old Ford Cobra was a lot of fun).
 
The BMW costs more for similar equipment and has a worse reliability record. Thus, there is a premium price to be paid for the logo compared to Lexus,Infiniti, Audi for similar equipment. I would say the same for Mercedes as well.
 
If he had mentioned the TSX, I would summed it up as the best value, but without the style or Luxury as some of the others.
 
For me the IS250 is perfect since it offers Luxury, quality, reliability, style (subjective), and gas efficiency. For me the BMW offored less luxury, less reliability, better handling, so-so styling (sedan - subjective), run-flats (I consider a negative) and increased cost.
 
BTW - The 3 series back seat is small (slightly larger than the IS) and not ideal for frequent adult use either. For that the 5, CTS, GS is ideal.
 
PS - Equipping the 328 as my Lexus Edmunds shows MSRP to be $40,300 with invoice of $37,120. I paid $500 over invoice (+TTL) for my Lexus at $32,500. Is the BMW worth $5,000 more - that is question only the person buying can answer.

#10024 of 16087 Re: I love this board... [jzalkin] by louiswei

Jul 29, 2007 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: jzalkin (Jul 29, 2007 1:11 pm)
Pss...
 
Don't know if you are new or what but I'll let you into a little secret...
 
This board is anti-Lexus.
 
Don't share this with other people okay?
 
 
 
PS. it's a joke (well...sort of)

#10025 of 16087 Re: I love this board... [blueguydotcom] by dontbuylexus

Jul 29, 2007 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Jul 29, 2007 10:31 am)
I do agree that there are people who put a logo factor on the BMW, which is weird to me, but I would hardly say that the Lexus offers peace of mind. I have had nothing but problems with mine. Things were much better with my 330i. It had the same performance but it was totally better quality. For the entire 3 years I had the 330i, I only had the sunroof stick, they regreased it and it was fine. for the 18 months I have had my IS250, there have been countles problems, and they fight me on them. BMW always said "i'll be right back" and then it was fixed. Lexus finds a way to try to blame me for it. The Audi, I no noting about.
 
My friend put it to me this way, cars are mostly computerized now a days, so would I want a computer made in Germany or made in Japan. I chose the latter but what I didn't account for is that all the mechanical items on the IS250 are cheap and made to be replaced frequently. Lexus sees that as big $$$$ for the American market. BMW still believes in making a quality product out of pride which will last. and they make a decent amount (enough and to not gouge) for it.

#10026 of 16087 Re: I love this board... [louiswei] by dontbuylexus

Jul 29, 2007 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: louiswei (Jul 29, 2007 1:18 pm)
Sorry to ruffle your feathers, but it's not a war buddy. It is a disussion. You actually came into a curent Lexus discussion to try to smear me because I don't like my lexus experience and was helping a person who was asking for help.
 
Geez it's like those old movies with high school gangs (ie the jets and something else).
 
Louis, Its ok, no one is attacking you personally. Why are you so scared that people will say bad things about your IS250 that you have to send "secret" messages and crash an ongoing discussion about the cost of owning an IS250 to a new buyer?
 
Relax, no one is here to hurt you. But on the same note I would say if you don't like the bad with the good statments, then why are you here?

#10027 of 16087 Re: I love this board... [dontbuylexus] by louiswei

Jul 29, 2007 (1:33 pm)

Replying to: dontbuylexus (Jul 29, 2007 1:23 pm)
Yawn...

#10028 of 16087 Re: I love this board... [jzalkin] by dontbuylexus

Jul 29, 2007 (1:38 pm)

Replying to: jzalkin (Jul 29, 2007 1:11 pm)
I would've gladly paid addl $5000 just to get the service and corporate responsibility that BMW offers that Lexus does not.
 
You get what you pay for. mostly. I would've been better off getting the Accord than the IS250. Maybe it goes a little slower and doesn't have those neet little buttons that open my garage, but at least I would know that I would be taken care of by Honda Corporate attitude.
 
BTW, everyone knows that the rags are rigged to say what the auto makers want them to. Only the internet is true when it comes to facts. (ie asking actual owners).

#10029 of 16087 Re: I love this board... [louiswei] by dontbuylexus

Jul 29, 2007 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: louiswei (Jul 29, 2007 1:33 pm)
Do I care about your overly dramatic comments?

Messages Page 1003 of 1609

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