I would say it's poor because of the package they have. I don't need the sports package, but I do want the aluminum trimmings. I don't need the 18' wheels, but I do want the heated seats. And it goes on...

 

I was happy when the base prices were released but disappointed when I started adding up the options/OTD price. I am very impressed with the car (test drove it at TOL event), but...expensive when optioned out.

I will probably wait about 6 months and see if others are negotiating below MSRP.

Cheers

 

The RL and IS are 2 very different cars. The RL is a GS, M, A6, E class, 5 series competitor size, cost, and power wise. The IS is more of an entry level type 3 series, A4, C class, TSX, TL, G35, competitor although it is a little smaller then most of those cars. I don't think too many people who are looking at the IS are also considering the RL and vice versa unless they are strictly comparing price and not the type of car. Some of these quotes on the RL are excellent deals but many dealers are still around 46-47 for the RL , at least the ones that I have checked. At 39-43K the RL is a steal but I have not heard of anyone getting it at those prices.

The IS is too overpriced to me and it appears many others feel the same way which is ashame because it is a nice looking car but the 250 is just too underpowered for its price and competition and the 350 optioned out can be more expensive then the larger more prestigious GS300. I think it is the expensive option packages that really start making the IS too expensive and many of the things in these packages should be standard on a luxury car like HID lights as they are on many of its competitors. I think Lexus dealers may have to start dealing more on this car sooner like they are on the GS when the initial buzz wears off and they may have to address the horsepower issue sooner with the GS300 engine. From looking on other sites and this site it seems many are dissapointed how high the IS is priced especially with the expensive options that many should be standard on a luxury car at this price. Hopefully soon it will be priced more attractively to potential buyers and more people will be able to afford it and feel it is worth the price

 

I hadn't heard of anyone getting RLs below 45k until about 2 weeks ago either. I've seen 5 invoices since then of RL's being sold for under 44k, one as low as $41,500. I agree, the RL and IS are two difference cars, but at 41k the RL is a huge bargain.

 

Making sure I wasn't "missing something", I drove the RL again yesterday. Although much roomier, I wasn't impressed by the ride quality. Too harsh to be a highway cruiser, too soft and large to really "throw it around". I drove it against the 525i the same day, and it wasn't even close. The BMW handled better and drove better on the highway. I'm not a big BMW fan and the interior was spartan (still with the in-dash cupholder ...)and a throw-back (glove box CD changer on a 45K modern car???) but it drove better. However, with the technology and the deals, I had to drive the RL again. But it was not for me....

Now, I drove the IS 350 yesterday. A hoot to drive. Some shudder over big bumps but pretty smooth on the highway. It has a scooch more head room than the GS, and that's all I need. The back seats are minimal but they may fit a car seat. I'm still looking at the M35 or a used LS...

 

So, do you think you'll get a car that is a "Good Value"? Or would you sacrifice value for room (RL) or performance (525i) or luxury (IS350)?

 

With the cramped nature of the interior, lack of fold down rear seats, and overall poor driving experience (compared to it's primary competition - G35, 330i, S60R), an IS350 should only sell for about 35-36K with either Premium Luxury Plus or Performance Luxury Plus and the navigation system. The brisk acceleration and quality of construction is just not enough to sway my opinion. Maybe I'll change my mind after driving the performance package, but the lack of interior room is just too big to overcome.

 

Everyone, this thread is about what you think of the IS pricing. If you want to thread-jack about the IS vs RL, please start another thread

I think the IS is a good value in any shape or form, maybe until you start loading up all the options.

 

I agree with the cramped interior. Fold down rear seats are nice, but not necessary for a lot of people. I highly disagree with the poor driving experience!

It really comes down to function. If the car is too small and is unable to provide enough storage room, then it isn't for you. The IS350 is skewed to be more of a sports car than a family sedan; it would definately live better as a coupe/convertible...

Pricing as a performance sedan is still a good value IMO. I wonder how much less a coupe version would be? Will Lexus sacrifice less standard options for performance?

 

I'd take the bet right now that the coupe will cost more then the sedan for no other reason than, they can. Even if they make sacrifices on options, I think it will cost a couple grand more.

Same reason the G35 coupe costs more than the sedan.

 

I guess I'm just crazy. I was hyped about this car before it came out and now I'm even more hyped after driving it. Yes, it's a little small, and that's a slight bummer, but there are so many other things I found to be better than expected.

I'd pay $45K for this car easy.

 

For those complaining about small size, you fail to understand the concept of a "world' car. The IS/C/A4/3 are sized small b/c in Europe, small cars are big sellers. The funny thing all those cars are bigger than ever.

The IS is a perfect size for its class like the 3.

 

Are you referring to the exterior or interrior? I agree, the exterior dimensions of the IS, 3 series, etc... are all fine, I don't want to see them get any larger. But the interior of the IS is smaller than other cars it's size (exterior size), which I think is the complaint.

 

It is not storage room that is the problem. It is PEOPLE room. How many of us are complaining about hitting our heads on the roof of the car already? How many of us think the car feels really "cramped." Lots. And the IS is NOT skewed to be more of a sports car than a family sedan. It does not offer a good enough driving experience (outside of acceleration and only the IS350 is good for that) to be called a "SPORTS" car and it certainly does not offer enough room to be considered a "FAMILY SEDAN." Obviously, my expectations for a "sport sedan" are significantly higher than yours. The IS is a small car with sporty pretentions, that's all. That's fine if that is what Lexus wants to the car to be.

Also, I don't recall if you have actually driven the car yet. Again, not trying to be a wise guy here, but I don't recall any of your posts saying anything about you ever driving the car. Forgive me for not searching through all of your posts, but if you have posted your driving opinions, I apologize and I'll try to read up on them. Anyway, once you do drive the IS, preferably back to back with a G35 sport package or 330 sport package (sans active steering too), you should certainly see the points that I've made. If not, you just weren't driving the car hard enough to notice the difference. Believe me, the difference in driver confidence and true handling abilities IS there (and has already been proven in instrumented testing by the major driving rags). If you never discover it, fantastic. Me, I've already felt the difference hands on and was disappointed in the new IS's abilities.

As I said before, I'm going to give the car another drive or two with the Performance Package (I've only driven the Premium Luxury package with the 18s) before purchasing another vehicle. I don't think that the PP will help the light feel/feedback through the steering wheel, but it may improve some of the push I noticed when driving the car. Of bigger concern here is the lack of headroom and overall tightness of the interior, which no option package is going to help - that is probably the real deal breaker to me (my wife said I actually looked too big for the car when I was sitting in it - and I'm not that big of a person - I am pretty nicely proportioned). And trust me, she wanted me to buy the Lexus. She thinks BMWs are overpriced for what they give you (and she is right to an extent). But after Saturday, where SHE got to drive both cars back to back, she now thinks the Lexus is "an overpriced wanna be sports car that is too small and drives kind of crappy to be 40K+ nicely equipped. You're buying the BMW instead." This is coming from a girl who frankly knows nothing about cars except what her own senses take in. Consider her a completely unbiased opinion. And she comes from a family that currently owns 3 Toyotas.

Yes the IS definitely looks more expensive on the inside. But I'm coming from a 94' Honda Accord with cloth interior. Any of the new sport sedans are a big step up in luxury for me (though my Honda has better fit and finish than some of these new cars - and the interior still looks brand spanking new after 140,000 miles!!!), so as long as the car has full power seats, driver seat memory, mirror memory, heated seats, a good stereo, and maybe auto dimming mirrors all around, that's more than enough luxury for me. Heck I don't even need buttery soft leather. I'd be much happier with Alcantara or something like that (it holds up better, doesn't get nearly as hot in the sun, and holds you in your seat better).

So the new IS is stuck in its own little world. It doesn't have the overall driving experience that enthusiasts want and it is too small for many people (read over 30) who still demand some practicality in their "sporty" sedan. My prediction: the car will sell better than the last IS, but not by that large of a margin. The IS will lose "enthusiast" sales to the 325/330/G35 and "practical" sales to the TL, TSX, G35, S60, CTS, etc. If lexus had priced the cars a little more aggressively, it may have offset this a bit, but a "posh" interior and gadgets only goes so far. The biggest saving grace for the new IS will be it's looks. The car is good looking, which wil sway a good number of people into buying the car. Even with all of my personal "issues" with the car, I still keep thinking how damn good the thing would look in my driveway.

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly.