Everyone keeps quoting that this 5k in options is making the new IS such a great deal, then you list them. alloy wheels, 6 cd changer, climate control and steering wheel audio controls. most of these options come standard on other luxury cars as well (not including bmw), and some at a lower price so its no big deal. then you start listing airbags and seat belts, and other minor options that dont seem that important to some people. id rather not have knee airbags, puddle lamps and other useless options (to some) and save 3k-4k and put it into real options that are in the packages

 

Yeah...I have changed my mind from an IS 250 AWD to an Audi A4 due to the pricing of the IS and some features that I need that the IS does not have. Lexus doesn't offer split/fold down rear seats (for my snowboard and hauling of misc small but long items) nor does Lexus offer a FREE maintenance pkg for 4 yr 50K miles like Audi does. That in itself is worth about $3K.
I can also get my A4 with a wood steering wheel only the GS offers that for Lexus

 

I agree, the legendary quattro system isn't that much over the FWD version A4's

 

Great point.....The IS 250 was never compared, LEXUS took the big daddy IS 350 to the races ( I don't blame them). That back seat in the new IS is going to disappoint a lot of people. Well people who want to entertain in the vehicle and have others ride with them.

 

aarrghhhh, they don't ??

i could have sworn i read that the back seats went down to allow access to the trunk....it truly sucks if they don't...that's a great feature

 

You Can Get A Passthru In The Rear Armrest But The Seats Don't Fold Down

 

Standard - - - Lexus and BMW add on features and say STANDARD. I don't believe in that automobile brainwash sh$%%^. It is all included in the MSRP line item. Marketing lingo.... You are paying either way you look at it. Best way is to build your own vehicle and take out some of those novelty items that will cost you in the long run when the warrranty runs out and you decide to keep the car.

 

I'm glad they're not fold down. I enjoy the security of a secure trunk compartment. Not to mention the added structural rigidity.

You want fold-down, buy an FUV.

 

When you start to take away some standard options, the price does go down. And so does luxury, technology, and convenience.

That is what Toyota and Scion are for, not Lexus.

Lexus will provide as much luxury, technology, and convenience for their customers. That is why people keep going back to them; that is why it's hard to change from Luxury cars to "regular" cars.

 

Good Point...Sometimes I forget the word LUXURY. Couldn't have said it better myself. BUT some of these luxury item are way over priced. My opinion

 

hashs99-

ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, DO NOT GET THE TL AT ALL and here is why.....

I cant wait to get rid of mine (2005 TL) even though it only has 5000 miles because it is crap:
WHY?
Dash fades, looks like crap after a few months and THEY WILL ALL EVENTUALLY DO IT!
Crappy build quality.....trunks misaligned from factory, exhaust tips sitting lower on one side than the other, subwoofer and speakers bust easy and repeatedly, rattles, rattles, rattles EVERYWHERE, vibration in engine at 1500 RPM is a WIDELY known problem and Acura refuses to do anything about it

Finally....their customer service SUCKS....their program should be called Acura DOESNT Care not Acura Care....their agents are rude, condescenting, and totally uninterested in helping you if it will cost them any money at all

When ever I drive on the highway I hear rattles everywhere, especially in the back seat where the speakers are....it is soooo annoying for the driver and passengers

There is crappy water based paint used on the car which makes it very prone to rock chips, I already have tons within 5000 miles! Also, the bumpers dont match the car at all, especially on the white TL's---the bumpers are BEIGE/YELLOW! Acura knows this but has refused to repaint peoples bumpers saying its normal...others that have really really *****ed have gotten a repaint of bumpers. (Not good news).

It is a car that is suffering from terrible build quality.....and materials.....my seats look worse than a 100 yr old lady's face because of the wrinkles....the leather is soooo cheap and not durable at all. And I only weigh 150 lbs.

Oh and I forget....bulbs in the dash blow out regularly and body panels come with irregular dents and corners that Acura will not address and/or you would not want it addressed because it would require extensive bodywork on your new car.

Thus, if you buy the TL you will be sorry. Take my word for it....I will be getting a Lexus...there is a reason why the Acura is cheaper....I thought it would still be a quality car with quality service and warranty....now I hate it and the company as do many others....
Do not buy it....you will be sorry.....however this is just a post.....so if you decide to buy it..... I only ask you to remember this post and 6 months later come back to it and check off how many of the problems I mentioned you have..... I think you will be unpleasantly surprised my brother.
Go for the IS just pick up some lesser options. DROP THE AWD and youll be fine.

 

For the paint I think every manufacturer of late has the same problem. The paint on my 04 Lexus is pretty crappy for an OEM paint job and chips and etches very easy. Within the first week I had more rock chips on my hood than I did with my last car (Acura at that) had in a year. I think with every car it is a hit and miss. With the Lexus it probably is less a miss than hit most of the time, but when they miss they miss just as bad as others. The question is will the new IS be built like the new RX330s or build more like the old LS400? If it is like the new RX330s don't expect too much. If it is like the old LS400s it should be rock solid.

 

You know, I wouldn't worry too much about the price of the options. whatever the number is, the final price of the car is negotiable. unless of course, you have to have the IS in your driveway tonight. the market will correct itself, especially in metropolitan areas where competition is abundent. If people find the options too expensive, naturally Lexus will offer discounts; but if the car sells really well, you just have to take it.

 

You are right....although the conglomerate of issues with the TL compounded with Acura's borderline bad faith warranty and customer service is fatal to an otherwise great car. Honda is an environmentally leading company that sometimes lets its green thumbs smudge their vehicles.

ULEV=good,

Paint that looks like a 2 yr old painted it because its so blotchy (metallic particles uneven) and chips easily and is two tone even though the sticker says one color (bumpers are a totally different color), and that chunks off when u try to hit it with a commercial car wash spray (yes it has happened !)= shameful

 

i agree with your point that taking some standard options away would take away from the "luxury" aspect, but i just dont see a point in adding useless options. imo leather, alloy wheels, 6 cd changers and options along with those lines should be standard in a luxury car.
But outboard rear- seat pretensioner seatbelts, Optitron gauges with personalized shift and speed settings. "A new twin-chamber front-passenger airbag is... a part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) featuring eight standard airbags, including driver and front passenger knee airbags," ...some of these options dont define luxury. i dont need special seatbelts or special airbags to make my car more luxurious. but i could be wrong. i've just been waiting a long time for pricing and was hoping for a better price. more along the lines of the A4 or even tsx. but maybe in a few months...