2006 IS250/350 Official Thread
02-27-05, 11:26 AM
#61
Originally Posted by MPLexus301
I wonder exactly how much information we'll get tomorrow. I'm thinking that we'll for sure see the official pics of the sedan and get all of the information on the IS250 and IS350...But I wonder if we will also see the coupe/convertible hardtop and Sportcross (if the rumors are true)?
-Michael-
-Michael-
02-27-05, 06:07 PM
#62
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bet they won't show the IS350 until New York. The coupe/convert will probably shown next year at this time. Lexus is supposed to be learning from BMW...bring out new models or significant upgrades spaced 12-18 months apart.
02-27-05, 08:46 PM
#64
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by JMizzle87
bigger picture of the interior... looks liek the smaller picture on the magazine scans, so im guessing this is the real deal 
credit: is300.net
credit: is300.net
02-27-05, 10:25 PM
#65
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: None
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by spwolf
real question is what exactly needs to be "destroying" - in the US, 70% of 3 series are sold with 2.5, 177hp engine and it is actually much worse in Europe with wider range of small engines and base equipped 3 series that have similar equipment to Corolla or less. It is hard to see all these people buying base 3 series because of its "sportiness", it is the image of "sportiness" that they are buying
I doubt Lexus thinks it can outsell 3 series in Europe or in USA within next 5-7 years, but I am sure they would be quite happy with some 40k-50k sales in the US, per year. As to the Europe, IS200 has received every possible owner award in every possible survey - from JD Power (GB, Germany and Netherlands), to local surveys from biggest magazines. It is just that the car was never appealing to wide range of people as with BMW 3 series, can you really see an 40 yr secretary, 55yr old executive and 60yr old nanny in current IS? I didnt think so. And no matter what they do now, IS cant just climb above every other car in single model, it doesnt work that way... same as with RX outselling both X3 and X5 in the US, by wide margin ;-).
IS200 is confirmed for Europe, so we shall have IS200, IS220d, IS250, IS250 AWD and IS350 so far.
I see no reason for most of these engines, if not all to have manual transmissions in Europe. AWD diesel would be a big plus due to all the torque in that 180hp and some 300lbs of torque in 2.2d engine.
I doubt Lexus thinks it can outsell 3 series in Europe or in USA within next 5-7 years, but I am sure they would be quite happy with some 40k-50k sales in the US, per year. As to the Europe, IS200 has received every possible owner award in every possible survey - from JD Power (GB, Germany and Netherlands), to local surveys from biggest magazines. It is just that the car was never appealing to wide range of people as with BMW 3 series, can you really see an 40 yr secretary, 55yr old executive and 60yr old nanny in current IS? I didnt think so. And no matter what they do now, IS cant just climb above every other car in single model, it doesnt work that way... same as with RX outselling both X3 and X5 in the US, by wide margin ;-).
IS200 is confirmed for Europe, so we shall have IS200, IS220d, IS250, IS250 AWD and IS350 so far.
I see no reason for most of these engines, if not all to have manual transmissions in Europe. AWD diesel would be a big plus due to all the torque in that 180hp and some 300lbs of torque in 2.2d engine.
I like the car, based on the photos. Interior looks just like the GS interior, just smaller. My main concern is the price of a loaded IS350. It will have EVERY single feature that a loaded GS300 RWD ($50,500) has, plus some things that the GS300 does not have, such as a bigger V6 and VDIM. The volume seller will be the IS250 with some basic options though, so we'll see.
Last edited by jrock65; 02-27-05 at 10:28 PM.
02-27-05, 11:52 PM
#66
Lead Lap
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: VA
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jrock65
Infiniti sold over 71,000 G in 2004, with just one engine and two body configurations. Lexus is probably gunning for at least that much in sales, especially since the IS will have 2 engines and 4 body configurations.
If that is the standard interior, the IS will certainly raise the bar. It will be first in its class to offer an interface screen standard.
With all the goodies supposedly in there, you'd have to have a lot of love for the GS to pony up the extra 10K.
02-28-05, 07:19 AM
#67
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by biker
It's gona be tough to go from less than 1k/mo to 6k/mo in sales . . .
02-28-05, 07:43 AM
#69
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: None
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by spwolf
Problem with 70k sales is that IS wont be priced to sell like G35 is... We shall see of course...
I would think that a similarly equipped IS250 will be cheaper than the G35, and the IS250 will be the volume seller, no?
02-28-05, 08:37 AM
#70
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by jrock65
I would think that a similarly equipped IS250 will be cheaper than the G35, and the IS250 will be the volume seller, no?
02-28-05, 09:00 AM
#71
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like this IS a lot! It is sporty and classy at the same time. 
Now, after seeing the pictures, waiting to get my hands on the wheel of one will be an arduous experience.
Now, after seeing the pictures, waiting to get my hands on the wheel of one will be an arduous experience.
02-28-05, 10:04 AM
#72
Lexus Fanatic
Saw these at IS300.NET. The new IS is said to be the one in the far back left in the first pic, and the new wheel in the 2nd pic and 3rd pic is the evidence. You can see the shape of the new grille in the 4th pic. In the 5th pic you can see the same car cover from the rear.
Last edited by XeroK00L; 02-28-05 at 11:48 AM.
02-28-05, 10:04 AM
#73
Driver
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Austria
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
02-28-05, 11:49 AM
#75
Instructor
Originally Posted by actham
I bet they won't show the IS350 until New York. The coupe/convert will probably shown next year at this time. Lexus is supposed to be learning from BMW...bring out new models or significant upgrades spaced 12-18 months apart.