mmarshall

Thanks.

Yep...one of the better-looking Lexus models. It's a little on the small size, though, physically.....about the size, on the exterior, of a typical compact....and substantially smaller than its brother ES. That's not a whole lot of car (even with V6 and AWD) for 46K.


Yes....agreed. I griped enough about that in the review.....I won't re-hash that here.


Yes, the 250AWD is sluggish, by "enthusiast" standards. Lexus never did a 6MT version, which would have taken out some of the weight/drag and given it slightly better performance. But, perhaps (?) the Lexus marketers figured that, given the 250AWD's popularity with females, that a manual transmission probably wasn't needed....they tend to prefer automatics.

I myself would find the 250AWD perfectly acceptable as a daily-driver, myself (as I do with my 2.5L AWD Subaru), but its power level is clearly inadequate for a number of people.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Lexus did have a manual version of the IS250 but not in AWD.
The AWD only really needed about 30 more HP to be quick enough,IMO.

mmarshall

Thanks.

Yes, that issue has been pretty much covered with a number of posts.

Joeb427, above, seems to agree with you.

I didn't check every single 2011 color and package option off against the 2010 specs. But I believe that the F-Sport package can now be ordered without buying the actual IS-F model itself. The AWD for the 350, of course, is new....(the thread topic). There were some changes in how the NAV screen works (it now includes detours, construction, etc...). And a system similiar to the former Lexus-Link (and GM's On-Star) is included with that package where you can actually contact someone through it in an emergency (the salespeople demonstrated part of it). And, of course, with the F-Sport package goes the Ultrasonic Blue color...that, as I indicated above, is now available in a package, without buying the actual IS-F model itself.

mmarshall

Yes, I know...that's what I was referring to. As I indicated, the Lexus marketers (probably) figured they didn't need a 6MT on the 250AWD, with the 6-speed automatic's strong popularity with females.

For acceleration, torque is what matters more than HP........HP is more an indication of a vehicle's top speed by overcoming air resistance. And the 350AWD has much more torque than the 250AWD.....277 ft-lbs. to 184, an increase of almost 100.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

I can see why no AWD manual.You're right.
Ok,30-40 more lbs of torque.Usually a bump in HP will increase torque.

mmarshall

Thanks.

Yes, I know. But the reason I used the comparison is, because of a number of corporate and economic factors, there really hasn't been much inflation in the general auto industry in the last 10 years or so, except for a couple of entry-level Hyundais/Kias, which cost substantially more than back then. But, those low-line Hyundais/Kias are substantially better-built today, with more quality, and more equipment, than back than. Most new vehicles, though, haven't really gone up that much. And then, of course, you had the Cash-for-Clunkers program last year where the federal Government was subsidizing up to $4500 on each new vehicle, and Federal/State tax credits on new diesels and hybrids....in addition to any manufacturer rebates/discount financing. So, for the most part, many vehicles have been attractively-priced for a number of years. That is why I felt that the IS350AWD (and some of the BMW 3-series models) are priced a little on the steep side for present market conditions.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

$48K with every option(and there's only 4-5) is high,though.

mmarshall

Well, with the 350AWD, you have a 93 ft-lbs torque increase (from 184 to 277) instead of just 30 or 40 ft-lbs. So much the better.

Yes, the 3.5L V6, in 350AWD-spec, runs 306 HP to 277 ft-lbs. of torque. But more HP than torque is (usually) the case with non-turbo, N/A V6 powerplants. It's generally the same (or close to it) with the roughly same-size V6s used by most of the Lexus competiton.

mmarshall

Agreed. That was the point I was trying to make. Yet, the same 48K a loaded 350AWD runs will (still) get you only a RWD BMW 335i...the AWD 335xi model is substantially more.

mmarshall

To compete with the AWD 7-series, though, Lexus DOES offer AWD on the LS460....which, I agree, should have been offered on the previous LS430 as well, but wasn't.

mmarshall

Though I'm not an engineer, my guess is that it will be more difficult to do AWD on the ES models, because of the transversely-mounted powerplant, than it was for the IS/LS models and their longitudionally-mounted engines. Usually, it is easier with a north-south powerplant, because the engine's output shaft and transmission doesn't require as many diffent gears (or as much hardware) to change direction and re-route the power to the center/rear differentials and drive-shafts.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

I think we'll see some big discounts after it's out awhile.Maybe 4-6 months.
The dealers will want list or close to it now..

bagwell

in Jan 07 I bought an 06 IS350 with an MSRP of $44K for $38K, so they will discount them.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

You may be right but we'll see.
I could be wrong but I don't think dealers will have many of them.

metalgear

Great review! Now I gotta test drive one .