yowps3

The Lexus is in a different level compared to the Verano, which is a rebadged Opel

Toys4RJill

Exactly....

mmarshall

So? The original Lexus IS was a rebadged Toyota Altezza....even MORE so, as it shared the Altezza's 2.0L and 3.0L powertrains. The Verano doesn't use Opel drivetrains.

Toys4RJill

IS/Altezza is not the same as your Verano-Opel comparison. The IS is in a league of engineering that is two levels higher than a Verano. The Verano, while somewhat quiet, still has roots in the Chevy Cruze. The Verano-Opel is pretty much an upscale Cruze.

Cars such as the IS, should be compared to cars like the ATS, C-class, 3 Series and A4.

mmarshall, you must keep in mind that the Verano is FWD, has MacPherson struts at the front, a torsion beam at the rear, lacks a V6, does not offer AWD and is a lot less heavy compared to the IS and the pool of competitors in its class.

Baaed on mechanicals, I would put the Verano on par with my Corolla, a Civic, yes a Cruze, and its direct competitor is the Acura ILX.

The Acura ILX really is the only car that compares with the Verano, it should be noted that the Verano did win in two different Motor Trend comparisons. And almost all major legit publications note the Cruzes roots that the Verano is based on.

mmarshall

Can you speak from experience? I owned a Verano and a 1Gen IS for years, and have done full-reviews on EVERY version of the 2Gen IS (including the convertible) and at least one version of the 3Gen. I don't claim to know everything, but I know these two cars from experience.


Thank You...but I'm well aware of how these cars are designed. I've stated before that I thought one of the Verano's shortcomings was a lack of a V6 option (same with the Regal). But I'm sure you are well-aware that V6 engines are simply disappearing from small and mid-size cars because of CAFE. Even the one in the IS is a relatively small 2.5L displacement.

I don't see a beam-axle as that big a shortcoming in the Verano. It rides and handles like it was a full-independent......and makes service/alignment a lot easier, with fewer parts to wear out.


The ILX doesn't sell in high enough numbers to be a true competitor. And even though the Cruze is not the Verano's roots, it itself is a very nice car. Except for maybe the ignition switch, GM has little to apologize for with that car.

Here's a quote from Car and Driver magazine;

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/bui...nvertible-news

The next-generation Verano, though, WILL differ a little more from its German Opel roots.............but not necessarily depend on the Cruze.

Please, let's not continue this discussion any more. You and I are never going to agree on the Verano/Cruze/Astra/Delta-Platform origins. I see little reason to keep discussing it.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

ok, think we've enough verano discussion here. it's pretty unrelated to the IS. thanks.

LexFather

mmarshall for the record the IS 200 debuted in Europe with an I-6 the same time it was called a Toyota Altezza in Japan. The IS had its own SPECIFIC platform. The IS never got a 4 cylinder engine FYI. Funny how things change, back then Lexus reasoned a 4 cylinder was not acceptable for a Lexus so we got the 2JZ instead. The Altezza had a high revving 4 with a 6 speed manual. They tried the 6 speed manual with the 2jZ but the torque was too much for it and not proved to be reliable enough, so we got the 5 speed.

The last two generations of the IS have been based off the GS, a more expensive car, not the other way around.

I'm super excited to see the new 2.0 I-4 make its way into the IS in 2016.

mmarshall

Yes, I know. I asked about that when I bought my IS300 in 2001. The Lexus reps (dealership, auto-show, and customer-rep) I talked to at the time all said they didn't think the IS200/Altezza would sell in the U.S. I had asked about the 200, because I wasn't impressed with the V8-like EPA gas mileage figures on the 3.0 straight-six (on premium gas at that), though it was otherwise, admittedly, a wonderful engine. Then, I figured, well, if I could afford to BUY a Lexus (which I could)....heck, I could afford to run it. The rest is history.....and, off course, that is how I joined CL.

I had several conversations/posts too, with Ryan, about whether four-bangers were proper or not for something with the Lexus nameplate. And, of course, a small hybrid four wound up in the Lexus CT.

Toys4RJill

The more I see the 14 IS the more I am appreciating the styling. I don't like the front grille but the rest of the car looks better with every view.

yowps3

Just noticed that the 3IS has a very massive rear passenger window, which doesn't have that sleek chic appearance the high belt-line 2IS profile had.

The 3IS has less metal, more glass in its side profile! Which gives it a more dopey appearance.

More function over form i guess :P

pbm317

We get it, you don't like the 3IS.

Toys4RJill

I actually the think the rear window is interesting and rather stylish. I thinky Corolla takes some cues from the larger rear window trend. Or it might just be that the interior is closer to the window in the rear if that makes any sense.

Anyways. , I have started to appreciate the 3IS styling.

tex2670

I'm starting to agree with this--but I can't get past the grille.

Toys4RJill

Me too, the grille is pretty bad.

yowps3

I like this photo of the 3IS