Xanadu350

I disagree. The interior of the new 330 is just plain ugly, it's so flat, nothing curvy or sexy looking at all about the interior, I personally could never sit everyday & look at that interior. A huge step down from the interior of the E46. The interior of the new IS is so much better looking, more pleasing to the eye, curvy & sexier.

I also think it's not evenly matched with regard to exterior either. BMW messed up the rear tailights & what is with that weird looking crease running down the side of the car? The front is ok except they messed up the hood & made a crease so the kidney grill is separate from the hood, the E46 is more pleasing in that area too.

I think the IS350 is superior in looks inside & out over the 330.

Phillip31

So u have to get Navigation to be able to get the Mark Levinson System?

upbull340

I think so from what my dealer is saying. Like I need the Nav system in Nebraska.

What also sucks is you can't get the wood trim on the console, etc. if you want the full blown sports package option (1/2" drop and 18" wheels) because the trim is only available in alum and not wood according to my dealer.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Actually, you can get the Mark Levinson system without Navigation, but I doubt that there will be many such models available when the car is released. You can always order it specifically through the dealer, and it'll take about 4 months for you to get the car. So, if the car is released in October, you can order it and have it by the beginning of next year.

I think everyone has suggested that if you want the wood trim with the sports package, just get the Luxury Package with 18" option instead of the Performance Package, and do all the mods professionally, such as lower the car, tighten suspension, etc. You can modify the car to be more aggressive compared to what the stock Lexus with performance package has got to offer.

plgtx

It looks like you can either get ML with Nav, or just Nav (under options on page 1).....that sucks.

flipside909

Remember these could change by the time they hit the showroom floor.

GS3-03

the avalon is what i was based off too, but i figured given the six speed, but with higher hp, and tq rating then the avalon it would even out the equation of one extra gear for the six speed.
the avalon has the same engine with direct injection also, toyota do not mention or advertise it.
if you look at the specs closely at both engines, they both put out same amount of compression ratio, 11.8 to 1, i could be wrong but i don't know if toyota could have the 2GR engine pushing out such a high compression at 11.8 to 1 ratio without the direct injection technology.
if someone know or understand the avalon's engine with 11.8 to 1 compression ratio is not direct injection then please educate me on the mechanics of compression ratio

flipside909

The Avalon doesn't have Direct Injection...hence it's classified as 2GR-FE uses a conventional EFI system...whereas the IS350 has a D-4S (Direct Injection) technology, hence the "S" in 2GR-FSE and 3GR-FSE for the IS250. Compression ratio and fuel delivery system are two totally different things. You don't need direct injection technology to push out high compression ratio. The Yamaha built 1.8L 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i in the Celica/Matrix/Corolla has a 11.5:1 c/r and it doesn't have direct injection, just regular EFI.


On that note here's some info on the engines and D4 & D4S technology on the 4GR-FSE & 2GR-FSE.

1. 4GR-FSE
a. 2499 cm3
1) 3.27” X 3.03” bore X stroke (83 X 77 mm)
b. 12.0:1 compression ratio
c. Output 2
1) 204 HP (153 kW) @ 6400 rpm
2) 185 ft-lb (252 NM) @ 4800 rpm
2. D-4 direct 4-stroke gasoline fuel injection
a. fully-electronic controlled common-rail system

3. 2GR-FSE
a. 3456 cm3
1) 3.70” X 3.27” bore X stroke (94 X 83 mm)
b. 11.8:1 compression ratio
c. Output
1) 306 HP (231 kW) @ 6400 rpm
v. previous 2JZ-GE 3.0L I6: 215 HP (164 kW) @ 5800 rpm
2) 277 ft-lb (380 NM) @ 4800 rpm
v. 2JZ-GE: 218 ft-lb (298 NM) @ 3800 rpm
d. D-4S = direct fuel injection + port fuel injection (SFI)




Courtesy of: Lexus USA

dacarman

Also noticed Premium gas for both engines, I would expect that out of the IS350 but not on the IS250, and too bad bluetooth and ML can't be had w/o NAV. That means in places where nav is still not avail. like Hawai and Puerto Rico there is no way to get these two items. Is almost like they are forcing you to pay for the nav. All of this would have been simple if the touch screen was standard like on the GS. I also though the standard stereo could play back DVD-A and MP3, but acording to the spec sheet only the ML can.

I do like the pakgs but I like to get wood and also the 18'" wheels.
I will have to wait and test drive my two other choices back to back, TL and M35 jurney pkg.
Good thing about TL for about same price of a IS250 I get bluetooth and 5.1 DVD-A, 255hp Under new standard, and a bit more space. This will be a tough one.

spwolf

I thought base system plays MP3 as well.

As to the TL pricing.. If you can get IS250 for about the same price as TL, then you can get IS350 for about the same price as TL.

:-).

TimboIS

I hate wood! I'll swap you my wood in the Lux for your alu in the Sport! I already asked the dealer if they would do that for me.

Buttercup

You most likely figured that the engines were only 4 cylinders. If you do your total of 102 cin / 4 cylinders it equals ~25 cin/cyl. So 25 cin/cyl * 6 =~150 ci. Same goes for the 210 ci.

IS250: r^2*pi*stroke = (3.27in/2)^2 * pi * 3.03in = 152 in^3

plgtx

I just saw on the Lexus.ca website that they are preparing the "Build your Car" section for the new IS. They even priced out a few options (spoiler, car cover, etc) hmm, maybe the price is coming next week?

maz

I've heard the price will be disclosed the first week of September. Let's hope this is true.

vwong

You're correct. I found my mistake couple days after I posted that. I'm used to calculating for 4-cylinder motors.