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Acura TL vs Lexus IS 350

447 messages,  Last post on May 30, 2007 at 10:42 AM

You are in the Lexus IS Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Lexus IS, Lexus IS 350, Sedan

Messages Page 45 of 45

#440 of 447 Re: 07 Manual transmission [trackstarr] by ggesq

May 29, 2007 (10:28 am)

Replying to: trackstarr (May 29, 2007 9:16 am)
"The '05 and below IS300 was such a joke for Lexus that they went back "licked their wounds" and did their homework so they don't come back out and get embarrased again."
 
Maybe they should have done a little extra credit huh?
 
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=120903?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..3.*

#441 of 447 Re: 07 Manual transmission [trackstarr] by ggesq

May 29, 2007 (10:34 am)

Replying to: trackstarr (May 29, 2007 8:59 am)
"I'll take a bit less driving dynamics anyday if it means having more luxury."
 
If this doesn't further substantiate habitat's premise that you are a perfect customer for Lexus, I don't know what is.
 
"If car enthusiast's just drive manuals, than why DOES BMW make an automatic for the 335i, E46 M3 (yes SMG at its heart is not an all-out stick shift with a clutch), and M5????"
The point is and somebody correct me if I'm wrong- they are all available w/ a manual tranny. Period.

#442 of 447 Re: 07 Manual transmission [ggesq] by louiswei

May 29, 2007 (10:38 am)

Replying to: ggesq (May 29, 2007 10:28 am)
Well, the 05' and older IS300 might be a better car for the enthusiasts and a more credible 3er fighter but one can't deny that the new IS totally trump the older one in sales.
 
The new IS, IMO, is how Lexus defines Entry-Level Luxury Performance Sedan rather than just making another 3-series with the Lexus badge. Lexus will leave that task to Infiniti.

#443 of 447 Re: 07 Manual transmission [trackstarr] by habitat1

May 29, 2007 (11:11 am)

Replying to: trackstarr (May 29, 2007 8:59 am)
"By the way, I own a '05 M3 (stick) and a 997 Carrera S as well so nice try there with the "lexus customer thing".
 
Well then, take it from another 997 Carrera S owner that you are barking up the wrong tree if you are trying to convince anyone that the Lexus IS350 competes with the 335i for the "serious enthusiast". Even in the most recent comparison by Edmunds, where they "level the playing field" by castrating the 335i with a paddle shifted slushbox, it wins across the board. And, for those that really are serious enthusiasts, the 335i can be had with the proper 6-speed manual.
 
In fairness, you don't see me here defending my 2004 TL 6-speed as an all out sport sedan. It is a well balanced, sportY, family sedan. But with FWD, it is never going to compete with the 3-series. Yet, IMO, with it's short throw 6-speed and sport suspension, it is more entertaining to drive with a little enthusaism than the auto-only IS350.
 
If you are changing your tune and claiming that the IS350 might be taking sales away from the non-sport 335iA or the 328iA, perhaps. But that space is shared with the TL, G, C-class and a few others. There are a lot of competitors in the ELLPS space, but there is a pretty clear winner in the ELLPS segment. There is absolutely nothing wrong with preferring the former, just call a spade a spade.
 
So tell me, why does someone with an M3 and 997 Carrera S feel so compelled to exhult the sporting virtues of the IS350? I already put 80% of my miles over the past 18 months on my 911 vs. the TL (13,500 vs. 3,000). I can't imagine ever driving an IS350 if I owned one. At least my TL with FWD gets me through the occasional winter snow, pouring rain or times when I need to carry 3+ adult passengers.

#444 of 447 Re: 07 Manual transmission [louiswei] by trackstarr

May 29, 2007 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: louiswei (May 29, 2007 4:44 am)
Yes it sure does.
 
The car also feels like it has even more hp with it on.
 
Lexus says "no" it doesn't increase hp but then when I run the 1/4 mile with it on, it slows it down into mid-to-high 13's. Furthermore, when I dyno it with it turned off, it measures 268 at the wheels. With it on, 276.
 
WTF?

#445 of 447 Re: 07 Manual transmission [habitat1] by trackstarr

May 29, 2007 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (May 29, 2007 11:11 am)
I'm in nooooooo way implying my IS350 is "the shit". I'm just saying that people can look to something else on the menu and say "Ok, this car might not have the sporting intentions of a BMW or handle as good but I like the other traits about it". Some people are hard-core BMW fans, some are the same for Lexus or whomever. But there is an alternative out there.

#446 of 447 Re: 07 Manual transmission [trackstarr] by habitat1

May 29, 2007 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: trackstarr (May 29, 2007 4:40 pm)
Sorry, I'm still having a difficult time understanding how someone who already owns $150k worth of a 2005 M3 and 997 911S decides to get an IS350 as a third car. It's not like the former are not capable daily drivers. And it's not like the IS350 offers more capacity with respect to passenger or trunk space. A GS450h maybe, but an IS350?
 
So, not to upset louiswie, but what specific 997 model do you have and why aren't you driving it 80% of the time like I am?

#447 of 447 Re: 07 Manual transmission [habitat1] by trackstarr

May 30, 2007 (10:42 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (May 29, 2007 6:18 pm)
Why not the IS350 as a 3rd car. The Carrera is a 2dr.sports car and the M3 a sport-coupe/GT, whatever. The IS350 has 4 doors and a decent trunk. I don't need anything larger. All I was looking for was a compact, 4-door, luxury-sports-sedan. The 450h's trunk is cut in half and therefore has about the same trunk space as say, a 350Z.
 
And to answer your other question, I have a 997-S, stick, Black, PASM, Sport Chrono Pkg, etc....
 
I would love to drive it 120% of the time but I personally like to keep my favorite one for weekends or events. But don't get me wrong I still do take it out every-now and then on weekdays if I get the urge. Yes, its an awesome car and a wonderful daily-driver but I'll rack-up the miles on the M3 or IS instead.

Messages Page 45 of 45

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