LexFather

I don't think we'll see 250/300/350 b/c the 250 already starts at 31k and the 350 starts at 35k. If a 300 came, the price would be what 33k and that makes NO sense from a businees standpoint., 3 cars with 3 engines so close in price.

What they need as some have stated, a manual 350 or bring a true high performance version, the IS 500. Then IS 250/350/500. 31k, 36k, and say 47k.

Lexus is not entering the sub 30k market, which is an oxymoron for a luxury car maker. Also since the IS is based off a more expensive car, the GS, they might not make any money pricing it any cheaper.

MSMLexIS

Lexus should launch the IS300 for europe only so it will have better gas mileage and lower taxes then the is350 would in europe as for the is250 give it about 10-15 more lbs-ft of torque so it will be closer to the 1st gen is for america and europe.

LexFather

BTW, IS production is not fully ramped up yet. We don't even know how well they can sell yet. Production is ramping up and we'll see hopefully by summer 2006 how this car can really sell.

jlin101

it will be interesting to see if Infiniti can ehance the new G35's performance by enlarging the corporate V6 to 3.7 or 4.0, improve the much maligned interior, AND still keep the price competitive in relation to IS and TL.

rinthiran

LS600h

...and I don't think Lexus will ever have more than 2 engines per model.

XeroK00L

They already do.

The GS300, GS430 and GS450h.

Or IS220d, IS250 and IS350, though in this case only two of the three models are offered at any given place at this time.

Gojirra99

Not just yet, they will in May . . . when they'll have 4 GS variations : GS300/350/430/450h

biker

Any reasonably well informed person could see this coming - it's just a matter of time. Lexus can flip the switch at any time - the marketeers will thell them when.

The marketeers are taking polls from owners and based on that, sales numbers and outside factors (like what BMW and others are doing) they'll decide when. The GS change is more obvious than the IS since it is already sold as the GS350 in other markets. The only reason they would change so swiftly is the success of the new 3-series (sales didn't dip when IS came out) and doubts about future sales numbers.

HP numbers don't tell the whole story. You'd think that 204HP in IS250, 205HP in the TSX and 215 in the 325 (and 200 in the A4) would be about equal in performance - you'd be wrong. The IS trails by quite a margin. Even Joe Bloe entry luxury buyer can probably feel the diff between the 325 and IS. That reply alone to some poll might make Lexus flip the switch.

Biker, who hopes Lexus keeps the MT in IS300.

lunar_glow

well...

just how long should we wait for some documentation to this unsubstantiated rumor posted to begin this thread???

I have an IS250 on order and would certainly like to see this e-mail purporting to say what is alleged.

Are we going to see it any time soon??

unit74

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like scuttle butt........


Show the proof or let the thread die...........

I don't believe for one moment that the 250 is dead for at least a couple years........

DuttyLeXus

Couldnt agree anymore....it makes no sence for them to bring out an is300 to replace the 250....if anything they would upgrade the is350.

spwolf

i dont get your point at all. 3 series success is bringing GS350 sooner? eh? When GS460 is ready to hit the streets, so will GS350. GS has had crazy months, but so did 5 series, obviously the two dont exclude each other. Same as IS and 3 series dont exclude each other either.

IS250 is slower than 325i? It is actually less slower than 330i from IS350. Or, IS350 is faster than 330i for wider margin than 325i from IS250. Yet, most people downplay that difference. Now, is it more important that your faster engine goes faster or your base engine? :-).

flame

This shows how huge the power difference is between the IS350 & IS250. This is the single most valid reason for an IS300.

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

There is a reason that people complain that the 250 is a lot slower than the 325, is that the IS250 is very SLOOOW. Compared to the 325, the IS250 is slow, you could also compare the 250 to a 4cyl TSX, Accord or RAV4, and the 250 is slow.

The 330 is still quick, even if it is slower than the 350.

Also, I am not sure if there is a true need for a new IS300. If car manufacturers can get 205HP/165Tq, out of an 2.4L 4cyl, Toyota should be able to squeeze some more HP/TQ out of the 2.5L 6cyl

If they could get 220HP/200TQ, then I think the IS250 wouldnt be bad.... still slower than the 325, but not horrific.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I see it differently though. The IS250 to me is slow and underpowered. Even a 4 cylinder TSX is faster. Sure it is not all about HP, but the IS is marketed as a compact sports sedan. Who in the market for a small sports sedan is NOT into performance and HP? Lexus already has the ES330 for those buyers that want soft cushy luxury rides. Why bring out the IS250 at all if it is not going to perform? The choice we have right now is the somewhat slow IS250 (For a sport compact sedan that is) or the insane monster IS350. Why would they want to upgrade the IS350 to be even more powerful and faster and leave the IS250 alone? The IS350 is about perfect. It is among the fastest if not the fastest in its class. The IS250 on the other hand will be out performed by the Civic Si, the Camry V6, the Rav4 V6, the Avelon, the Accord V6, and TSX, and BMW325, and I bet even a Scion tC. Sure, it is not all about HP, but it does start to get interesting when economy cars make nearly as much HP and are faster than the luxury sports sedan that cost $15K more.