Fizzboy7

I still do not get the complaints about the IS250 being slow. Just how fast does the average driver really need to be going on today's streets and highways ? It's like a disease.... there really isn't any reason for massive speed unless you are on a closed race course. I too had a new IS250 loaner for two weeks and it was plenty quick off the line and on the highway. Even quicker than my 2008. What I did not like about the new one was lack of luxury inside and cut up dashboard with all it's angles, slots, perches, and holes. Clearly, the 3IS has leaned to the sporty side of the coin.

Slplknight

That's it. That's what i told in 2 posts before.
I could complain because i can go full speed ahead on the Autobahn-but there is no reason to complain. The IS 250 runs 225km/h on top speed. Mercedes,BMW, VW and Audi mostly cut at 250km/h (IS 300h at 200kmh!!!).So once for all-the car is not slow. i maybe reach the top speed not so fast like some higher powered competitor or have that fast response when you do a drag race or do some traffic light hopping.

dasbuch

There are a number of factors that drive the juvenile 350 snobbery we see sometimes see, or the "horsepower wars" that seem so odd to folks in other countries. Here in the USA we have this car culture history that involves muscle cars, big heavy cars with crazy amounts of HP that do one thing and do it fast -- go in a straight line. The moment you try to turn the steering wheel on them, you realize they suck to drive, but they do the straight line well and make interesting sounds doing it. Many of the older muscle cars are truly beautiful machines, and if original or nicely restored are worth insane amounts of money. Sure, most of those cars would get embarrassed by an IS250 on just about any road in Europe with a few curves in it, but because handling wasn't deemed important by US automakers in the 60's then why should it be now? But, there is an entire culture around them and sometimes the importance of a performance benchmark that is only relevant in drag racing starts to shadow other factors that are perhaps more important in the overall picture of performance driving. 0-60 is easier to benchmark and measure than many other aspects of performance driving, so it is convenience for those who don't want to think too much to reach for that number as a simple "greater or less than" measure.

Slplknight

Good point. I agree with that.

drbazing

Or I just can wish it was lighter by a few hundred lbs lol

corradoMR2

+100%

Human nature = never content; relentlessly seeking happiness

link13

An important thing to consider with regard to Autoblog is that most of the negative comments about the IS are likely made by people who have never driven one, but hate it anyway.

jennypenny

I mean, the Lexus IS was never meant to be quick in the straight line. There's an IS-F for that.

I've driven the IS, 3 series, Audi and Merc back to back (advantages of living in the city)

I find that the IS is the most dynamic and has the best balance in terms of comfort and handling. Slowest in a straightline? yes. slowest around the bends, no.

the 3 series (328i, non-M Sport) is soft & comfy but quick in the straight line but it has vibrations when idle and the air con stopped working while test driving it. the boot sensor stopped working when i parked.

the merc (C250 AMG line) is good, i like it, but the interior looks dated. and in my country the steering is offset to the left (quite uncomfortable after a longer run). The seats were too hard but I think dynamically, its the closest to the IS.

The audi (A4 2.0T Quattro, S Line) feels the fastest in a straightline. but the steering is slow & numb and feels really stiff around the good roads of Singapore. Every single groove on the roads can be felt.


The IS isnt perfect. But i dont care.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Right on point bud

Hou250

I have a 250, and I am more than pleased with it. It is quick enough for me. I not zipping through traffic or trying to race others. I came from a BMW 330, and honestly don't see the need for anymore HP..especially here in Houston.