dbs600

To start, I'm retiring a Black / Black 2000 Range Rover 4.6 HSE (which I've had since new; going to be very sad when removing the plates) for a Grey / Red 2014 IS350 AWD F Sport.

Considered and test drove the 328i xDrive GT, 335i xDrive, C300 4Matic, A4, A5 Coupe, Q5, ATS, CTS4, Beetle R-Line, Touareg, Cayenne, Grand Cherokee, ES350 and IS250 AWD.

Would've gotten a Touareg if they weren't as expensive.

Wish the RX350 looked better, as could've used the room.

But looking forward to my new sports sedan!

jhs82

2005 Quarts grau Audi A4 Avant 2.0T quattro. Replaced with an IS300h.

CtSFox

I retired a blue 2002 BMW 330xi, premium package, sport package. I have a 2014 Nebula/Red IS350 AWD F Sport, Nav/ML on order.

I considered the BMW 335i xdrive and the BWM 435i xdrive. I test drove the 335 f30, the IS was a better driving experience hands down. The handling in the 435 was somwhat better that in the 355, probably due to lower center of gravity and stiffer front end, but it is the first year of production for the 4 series. I know, of course, that this is also the first year of production for the 3IS. With the new IS, one may have to wait a little for firmware solutions for some software glitches. With BMW, there is a much bigger risk buying in the first production year. Are the problems finally gone with the N 55 engine, is the auxilary fan issue fixed in the M sport version or will the car go into limp mode occasionally, will I need to trickle charge the battery so the car will start after a few days idle, etc, etc, etc. ?

And yes, I suppose, I was one of those blue BMW owners they talk about!

hangandrew

My 3IS will be here in two weeks! Anyways, I'll be giving up my 2001 Mercedes Benz C240, standard transmission. Will definitely miss this car and runs like a champ still. 149k miles!

Looked at the MB C250, BMW 328i, and the new ES 350.

carderoni

Retired a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT red/black with 95k miles on it. Considered a BMW 335I M Sport and Audi S4, but only test drove the bimmer and IS 350 F Sport.

dbs600

Very neat to hear where we're coming from and where we're going!

And, yes, CtSFox, I ‘m a current BMW owner and HATE my ownership experience with dealers and corporate; the product, when it works (if it ever worked) correctly is very good, but overall experience, in a word: bad. :|

Otherwise, sounds like we have twin vehicles on order!

Standard C240, hangandrew(?); very nice!

corsjr28

I'm retiring a 2006 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro - have an UW/Red IS350 F-Sport AWD on order as of mid-August.

I test drove the 328i, 335i, M3, A5, S4, S5, C300 and IS350... I also heavily considered a used Lotus Elise/Evora and the soon to be out CLA45 AMG (but didn't drive them). Some were better than others, but decided to go Lexus at the end of the day after considering overall driving experience, repairs/maintenance, looks, and price. The only real competitors (for me) was the S5 and M3 - but you're paying 15-20k more to get into those cars loaded with some options. Also, I've had 3 Audi's and my experience has been nothing but issues and high expense with all of them. I'm hoping getting the Lexus pays off from a reliability perspective. Disclosure: I've been researching/looking at buying a new car for 10-12 months, took me a while to make this decision. Just my 2 cents...

moose66

This is really my wife's car. Sold her 2010 IS350C and have on order, since Aug 3rd, the 2014 RWD 350, black w/gray leather.

Only looked at a new 350 IS-C. Was looking for a refresh on the C that has not happened. The wife loves gadgets and could not wait on a replacement, if there will be one, for the SC. We owned a 2006 SC before we bought the IS-C.

CtSFox

I ordered my half of the twins in August, supposedlly arriving around Thanksgiving. How about yours?

c3po33

Replaced my 2010 G37S that was at the end of its lease.

Considered the new 2014 Q50S but with the new steer by wire, run flat tires, and touch screen did not want to be a guinea pig to too many new things at once. Also Q50 it a very nice car but IMHO it is now leaning a little bit more toward luxury that sport. A few of the magazines' that I've read are panning the artificial steering feel. Also equipped similarly to my 2010 G37 the Q50 is about $6,000 more. I do love the new center console I think it's absolutely gorgeous.

dbs600

Placed a deposit on mine a week ago and it should be here in one week; was another customer’s who cancelled, so I got lucky!

vbx

Steer by wire is an option. Not sure why they think this will catch on. I also saw a review on youtube where they claimed that there is an "artificial" vibration added to make it feel like a normal steering wheel.

I won't trust my life on electronic steering. Anyone see the news where a hack group claims they can hack into cars and control it? Cars controlled by drive by wire and brake by wire can get hacked.

CtSFox

Good for you! There was one Nebula/Red 350 F sport AWD in the pipeline when I was ready to buy in August, but it did not have the Mark Levinson that I wanted, so I ordered. Hope that sound system is worth the extra wait!

SW17LS

Out of curiosity, did you look at the RX F Sport? I agree the RX is no looker, but the F Sport is much better looking IMHO...

The IS will be way more fun though.

dbs600

I wanted ML and the power rear window shade too, but couldn't wait, was having a car crisis. Nice to special order exactly what you want! I hope the standard stereo isn’t that bad (actually didn’t even bother to listen to it).

Thanks for the thought. Yes, I saw a few RX F Sports on dealer lots, and you're right, the front is much better, but there's just something about the rear and rear 3/4 that I'm keen on, that and the fact that a neighbor two homes down has THREE of them! Otherwise, the interiors on them are GREAT.