Everyone knows the IS' primary target is the 3-series, but what about the TL, TSX? Just wondering, since they're in a similar price range, would the IS be able to compete effectively against the Acura sports sedans...? And others?

I've always thought of the IS as a bit small compared to the TL, TSX...but the new IS seems bigger.

I was visiting the Acura.com site the other day, excellent vehicle interior tours (btw, the features on this site are incredible---click on Interactive Showroom, Lexus' GS site only comes close):

http://www.acura.com/models/model_index.asp?module=tl
http://www.acura.com/models/model_index.asp?module=tsx

Isn't it interesting the TSX has a touchscreen, but the RL does not? (Edit: not sure, maybe the RL has a touchscreen, TSX's screen however seems larger). Of course, when the IS comes out, its touchscreen graphics look to be more advanced than Acura's.

 

There's one big deciding factor why I would never consider the TL/TSX.


FWD

 

No kidding. It is a shame they had to ruin a great car with FWD.

 

the tsx is out. it's a 4 banger so imho it's not in the same league

the tl is about the same, but then it's also fwd like others said, and it has a bigger size, and they position themselves with the gs, so...

 

i got a TSX as a loner today from acura. it's a pretty sweet car. i am suprised how well it drives and the 4 banger engine is pretty sweet too. i would seriously consider TSX as my next car along with new IS because it's cheap and drives like the way i want it.

 

The TSX and TL are pretty sweet cars. Considering their FWD limitations, they drive really well, good enough for most people. The TSX is a very cheap car, 25k with a lil haggling at the dealer, no Lexus can come close to that price. The car does come pretty loaded, its longer than the IS and the interior is excellent. But it is FWD and a I-4, which is anti luxury and anti-true sport.
On a sidenote, the TSX competes WELL in the ST class in racing, winning just this month. But you have to be a proffesional driver to really use all of its strengths. Honda did an outstanding job with this car. It may just be Acuras BEST car.

The TL, is even bigger, and while the TSX is a Euro-Accord, the TL is based on the American Accord, built right here in Ohio. That right there is NOT a selling point with me. Its VERy swift, the V-6 engine pulls with authority until the highest of speeds. It also handles very well for a FWD car. THe interior is very well done, Lexus-ish in execution. It comes pretty loaded and is selling very well for Acura, their best selling model ever. My issue (hell OWNERS issues) with the TL, the quality is LACKINg for a Japanese car and a luxury car. Its just not well built. But its hard to argue with the "value" feature content. Its another excellent efffort by Acura.

Both cars will be cross-shopped with the IS since they are similar in size and price. And onto the IS.
What the IS does is combine the best of both worlds. You get a world class RWD chassis, 2 execellent V-6s, the IS 350 with 319hp from my understanding. SO you get more sport. Then you get the LEXUS luxury, we have seen the pics, the interior does not disapoint. The TL and IS seem to have pretty even interiors but the IS will clearly be much better built. Its already the highest quality car in its class for sometime now.

Then you add the intangibles. The "LEXUS" factor, it has much more prestige than "Acura". This is a selling point. Lexus dealer service is superior to Acura. QUality is superior as well. When it comes to modifications, the aftermarket will respond HUGE to the IS, the TSX has some mods, the TL has hardly any. The IS will offer AWD, something the Acuras do not offer.

All 3 are awesome cars, some of Japans (and Americas, the TL is designed in America, for America and built in America) best efforts. As a very happy Lexus owner, as good as the Acuras are, they are not convincing enough for me to leave the brand.

Reading forums, Acura owners value high quality interiors, thus one of the reasons for purchase. The G35 has a great RWD chassis but the interior is not great. WIth the IS, you get the RWD chassis and the wonderful interior. I see many owners of both these cars going to the IS, since it has the best of both worlds.

 

Honda/Acura FWD cars seem to handle surprisingly well for FWD especially compared to many other FWD cars, and often even handle better than some RWD cars. With the higher HP TL, you do get torque steer, but not during normal style driving. You have to floor it from a stop to feel any major significant torque steer. If you drive it like most people drive it everyday you don't notice any torque steer at all.

Anyway, I slightly disagree that the TSX being a 4 banger doesn't compete with the IS. I think it will compete okay with the IS250. The HP ratings are within 15 or so HP from each other, and the performance specs are about the same. The slight edge does go to the IS250 over all though, but the price on the TSX is under $30K so it will be cheaper than the IS250 under most conditions unless you get a stripped down IS250. But we don't really know what the price will be yet so that is just speculation. Compare the IS250 to the TL is no comparison as the 270 HP TL IMHO is a much better package over all. Compare the IS350 to the TL and the edge goes right back to the IS350 especially if it really does have 315 HP.

My brother in law just bought an 05 TSX with factory body kit. It definately is one sweet car. Not as powerful as the TL, but probably about on par as the current IS300. The interior is first rate. People on Club Lexus don't like to hear it, but I feel that interior is as good if not better than some Lexus cars like my 04 RX330. I would easily compare it to the ES330 as well and call it a wash. Closing the doors is a dead ringer for my RX330. It has a light feel, but closes easily and soldily with a light thud. The TSX is very well made and the interior fit and finish as well as feel as I mentioned above is at the very least on par with all Lexus but the LS430 and SC430 IMHO. Then you have the fact that you can get a manual in both the TSX and TL. I understand you can get a manual only in the IS250 and not the IS350. IMHO, 315 HP makes up for the lack of the manual in the IS350, but some may not feel the same.

Bottom line for me would be that between an IS250 and TSX it would be a tough choice, but I probably would opt for the TSX because it is a cheaper car. On the other hand, I wouldn't really be in the market for the IS250 and TSX at all anyway, so I would opt for the TL. However, I would opt for the IS350 over the TL, but both these cars cost a lot more than an IS250, so in that price range the BMW 330 also comes into play as well as the G35 and M35.

 

The only thing I would majorly disagree with is that an I4 is anti-true sport. The high reving nature of the engine makes it exactly what a sport engine is. The Lotis Elise uses the Toyota I4. Nobody complained about the Turbocharged I4 in the MR2. Yes, it was turbocharged, but 200HP turbocharged back then is pretty much the same as 200HP NA today.

 

Ahhhh....great analysis....thanks.

Pete

 

In the grand scheme of things:

IS250 = TSX +RWD @$3K premium
IS350 = TL +RWD @4K premium (cause of the extra HP)

I still don't get why people tout Lexus serivce quality - I thought the whole point of the reliability of the car is to never find out about the service quality.

 

Realistically speaking, most average consumers looking at the TSX/TL/IS don't know why RWD is superior, they just think FWD; "oh it's better in the snow".


oh btw biker,

I agree with the never finding out about service part, but shlt happens...

 

I think that is because most of the average buyers of most any car for that matter drive their cars in a manner where it really doesn't matter if it is FWD or RWD especially on the highways cruising at 60 MPH. When I switch between my front engine RWD, mid engine RWD, and front engine FWD car it drives pretty much all the same under normal driving conditions. It is only when you start to really push the cars that the oversteer or understeer tendencies, or steering feel start to come to light, but those are usually at speeds and aggressive driving well above what should be considered acceptable on the public streets. If you do a little track driving though that is an entirely different situation.

 

I think I' ve said it before, I don't think the new IS has to take away a lot of sales from any particular competitor in it's class & still be a big seller. There are alot of factors involved in picking one model over another in shopping for a car.

 

And they are correct. On all but dry pavement, FWD IS superior...and AWD is even better.
RWD is great on dry pavement but s - - ks on just about everything else.

 

I have driven the TSX. In most normal driving you will not notice the difference...and the FWD will do better in the winter. But...if you want the utmost in handling on a DRY surface, then you are correct...FWD is not for you.