Which is what makes flat fours better than inline. But, they are more expensive to manufacture.



Keeping something else in mind. We know that Lexus is working on a Prius variation. So the question is, will it come with the 1.8L like the next gen. Prius?

 

I'm in a Nissan Altima 2.5 loaner car and the motor is as smooth as a 6 cylinder. At idle I can't even tell the engine is running....pretty impressive.

 

Just wait for those motor/trans mounts to start to wear

 

I spent 3 hours in my roomates Acura yesterday which has a broken motor mount. Terrible, terrible noises.

 

uh no, I'll be back in the Audi on Monday PM....as I said its a loaner from the audi dealer (I refused to drive the Q7 loaner gas guzzling monster).

 

I meant more, if someone were considering one.

 

I meant more, if someone were considering one.

 

Which is no different than a V6 or V8. Our old 92 ES300 and my old 93 SC400 both had bad engine mounts that needed changing. It vibrates just as bad as any 4 cylinder. That is why earlier in this topic I mentioned it doesn't really matter if the engine itself is inherently smoother as a well designed engine mount will isolate you so you'd never know the difference.

It is the same with the control arm bushings, steering rack bushings and everything else made to dampen vibration. There is a reason why luxury cars ride so smooth. There is also a reason why those bushings on luxury cars tend to wear out faster than on other cars a well.

 

In my opinion, 4 cylinder and luxury don't go together.

 

what if its a 280 ttl hp turbo / hybrid getting 40mpg?

hell, I'd buy a 4cyl IS hybrid coupe right now if they sold one! 40mpg + power + beauty

 

Put me down for one.

 

Nissan and smooth? Dont even put these two words together.

Nissans 6 cylinders are less smooth than Honda's 4 cylinders on average.

 

This is the most moronic thing I've ever heard. By your logic, the Lexus IS220d is a POSER CAR then. Great.

When you look back to the beginnings of the automobile, you'll see that aside from 1-cylinders, 4- and 6-cylinders were the most common engines in mainstream and luxury cars.

In Europe today a 4-cylinder BMW or Mercedes is just every bit as premium as a 6- or 8-cylinder equipped car. Europeans don't have this propensity to want "all these features which they will never use", unlike us Americans that "want everything despite never making use of it". I drive a company car Mercedes C200 CDI (Yep, a 4-cylinder. Looks like I am a POSER...). The options on this car are sunroof, automatic transmission, navigation system and xenon headlights. I use all of the features on a regular basis - it's all I need. To me, this car is a luxury car in and out.

Most Americans don't think beyond this point. They think, "The more useless features onboard, the better! It elevates my status and makes my car more luxurious and premium! Yay!". Get what I am saying? Mind you I am an American working in Germany.

Modern 4-cylinders are excellent engines with refinement and performance on the level of a 6-cylinder engine. A few months ago I was able to drive a Mercedes C180 Kompressor, the entry-level gasoline-powered C class. I was very impressed with the motor. It was incredibly refined and quiet and I detected zero vibrations. I guarantee you, pack a couple of narrow minded American luxury owners into a C180 Kompressor and drive them around in an elegant and relaxed manor: they will ask you if the car is a V6. Guaranteed.




Lexus should offer 4-cylinders and more diesels, and this includes in North America. I am not convinced by their hybrids. Lexus hybrids get good gas mileage in the city but when you're driving in mixed situations the fuel economy is terrible. It doesn't help that the three cars that Lexus offers as hybrids are by default overweight and overpowered already. With the addition of the electric motor and batteries, these cars are very much overweight[er]. Lexus tells me these things are supposed to get good gas mileage? Right. This might work on consumers with no clue, but I consider myself a bit more intelligent than the average consumer.

No offense, but I feel that the Lexus hybrids are a rip-off. I would rather drive an LS460 than an LS600h. I would rather be seen driving a V6 GS than the GS450h. At least those cars don't pretend to be "green". Again, no offense. I am just not convinced by Lexus hybrids.

The Toyota Prius is a more honest offering on the other hand.

 

The IS220d has a 4-cylinder diesel engine from the European Toyota Avensis. The car doesn't do very well against its European rivals though. The IS220d was simply created so Lexus could at least "compete" with the Germans in their home turf. It's not working that well since the IS220d is seriously outclassed by its Audi, BMW and Mercedes rivals.


Here's what's wrong with the IS220d:

-No automatic transmission option (a must for any premium car)

-2/3rd's of the safety features of the IS250d have - for some totally retarded reason - been removed from the IS220d

-Lacks many of the standard features that the IS250 has

-It offers no real advantage over its German rivals, aside from probably better overall reliability


When I first came to Europe, I was interested in getting a Lexus IS220d. My sister has an IS250 and it's a good car. I was told to forget that idea since the IS220d has very poor resale value here and because most companies have contracts with Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen here for company cars.

 

IS220d is not a premium car by any means. Even the IS250 is barely an entry premium.

When you look back to the beginnings of the automobile, you'll see that aside from 1-cylinders, 4- and 6-cylinders were the most common engines in mainstream and luxury cars.

In Europe today a 4-cylinder BMW or Mercedes is just every bit as premium as a 6- or 8-cylinder equipped car. [/QUOTE] Yeah, ok. And a Honda Civic is just every bit as premium as a C63AMG. Talking about the most moronic thing I've ever heard.