White, Black Escaine, E-Shift. Last car was a 99 ES 300.

Here's what I think after about 500 Miles.

Definitely quiet inside, not as quiet as ES - but this is a different type of car.

May not be as fast as a 330i, but is still plenty fast for me.

Love the interior, miss the memory seats and the headlights "on" indicator. Love the orange backlighting at night. Love the versatility of the transmission: Auto, E-Shift, Snow, Power, Manual.

In automatic mode, it shifts as smooth as any Lexus.

Back seat is small but very useable - same for the trunk.

In Cold climate, Escaine is the way to go. Looks and feels great - at least in Black. Holds you in place in the twisties.

Drivetrain is awesome in every way.

Sound system is the best stock setup I've heard so far. I miss the changer in the glovebox because you could buy more "magazines" and keep them in the glovebox loaded up with 6 CD's each instead of having to unload and load each one, one at a time.

Love the exterior styling and the 17" wheels which are soon to be shod with Toyo Observe Snows when they come in on special order (due to rare 215/45/17 size). Summer Potenzas are rock hard in the winter and useless on any snow at all.

Mods - none planned save tinting the windows.

FYI for those that put on substantial miles, a Lexus lease can't be beat - 10 cents per mile when you buy them up front - that's a steal for any car let alone a Lexus.

I don't know why anyone would buy a BMW or a Mercedes (I still love German cars) when you can have an IS or a GS for less money, less problems, better dealership and service experience. IS has double wishbone on all four - not even the 5 Series has that any more. Lexus may not be the purists sporting choice, but they are 90% there and the other ownership attributes make up for the rest.

Where else can you bring a car in for an oil change, get a loaner that is as new and as nice as your car, keep it for the whole day, and come back to pay only $30 because they can't find anything else wrong with your car?

I thought about a GS but I prefer smaller, sportier cars that are fun to drive especially after the ES which was very nice but not very fun.

There's my $0.02.

 

jroosh, congratulations on your new car and welcome to the IS family!!

 

Yeah...I love my IS too!...but, the thing you said about the dealerships...well, I think I must have a dealership full of dicks or something. I don't get a loaner while getting my oil changed...plus, while I walk around aimlessly...in the lot or on the showroom...no one says hi are asks if I need help...geez, I might want to buy an GS430 or a LX470 of something.


congratualutions on the car

 

I might tint the windows, probably only 50% with the dark interior, which will make them look even darker.

In Minnesota law enforcement is known to enforce the tint laws. I had to pull 35% off the windows of an Audi I owned years ago after getting pulled over and getting a $144 fine.

I may look into something for the intake, but that's about it. It's a leased car and I don't want to invest too much in it.

I have a Miata that I paid cash for and I satisfy my need for creativity on that. I've done several chassis, suspension and exhaust mods on that.