I currently drive a 2005 Mini Cooper S but I'm becoming convinced it's not what I need as an everyday driver. Thinking (not sure how seriously yet) of the new IS. There's a 2006 with all the bells and whistles certified pre-owned at the nearest dealer I saw online. So, do you like your cars? Are they generally reliable? Anything I should know?

 

You should know its not as much of a driver's car as the Cooper S is. If you want comfort, good power and lots of gadgets, then it is what you are looking for.

Also, expect very good reliability when cared for properly.

 

yes, and yes.

 

i came from an 97 Lexus SC... if i could do it over again i would not have gotten myself into the IS....

there's ONLY so much you could do to the IS... and sadly to say for the most part you will end up looking like the stock IS down the street from you.

I am not sure what kind of person you are yourself but i'm sure you are looking to indiviualize your car to a certain extent and with that said the available options to do that on our IS's are limited...

it's a great car...but it's not a car that people will "awe" at and niether will it be marked as..... i dunno how to explain it other than saying a "classic; I always wanted" car like an RX-7, 300zx, 1967 Shelby mustang (Eleanor).... i think people just really dig the car now because they're infatuated with the fact that it's new.... and i think some already realized that and that's why there are so many IS's up for sale

just my own opinion...

 

PM me if you get a chance.

I just sold my 06 Cooper S JCW and purchased the IS250.

The Lexus is lots of things the MINI isnt.

Pros:

1. Ride quality is way better. Soft enough to be nice is everyday driving, but stiff enough to still be sporty.

2. Four Doors. Makes getting into the smallish back seats easier. I would have to argue there was more seat room in the Cooper, but it sure is more comfortable and easier to get in and out of.

3. Not quirky. My Cooper S exhibited some of the finer points of British motoring. Toyota and Lexus are reknowned for their Quality.

4. Ventilated seats. I used to bake in the Cooper. Those leatherette seats wouldnt breath worth a darn.

5. Crash Test better

Cons:

1. Not cute as the MINI

2. More expensive to purchase.

3. Not as many "fun" options. No colored dashes, mirror caps, bonnet stripes etc.

4. You will now be that "a$$hole in the Lexus" Nobody can get mad at someone in a MINI.

That being said, I loved my MINI, but got out of it because I needed something that was more my age, and could haul some people or put things in the trunk if needed.

 

I came from a AP2 s2k and I was in the same position as you. The s2k was an awesome car, but it was no daily driver for my commute. I would get an IS250 again, but sometimes I do wish I had driven the new g35 before purchasing the car. Or another alternative would be to keep your mini cooper and use the money you would save to get yourself a nice beater.

 

I traded in my SC for the IS and I wish I would have kept the SC. The IS is too small.

 

I've loved every minute of my car and would definitely buy again. That being said, once the IS-F is available I may be eating those words, because there will be a car thats just as nice on the inside, but faster and more rare on the outside. In a way, as stated above, part of the uniqueness is gone from the car already as I see almost as many ISx50's as I do 3 series BMW's around town, but at the same time, most of them end up being stock 250's. So I'm still happy that there's a difference. I've had minor problems with rattling, but the dealership has been nothing but 100% professional and speedy at helping to get rid of them, so I'm a satisfied customer.

 

My IS350 makes a great daily driver. It is reliable, comfortable, and equipped with the latest technological toys. The engine is smooth and powerful, giving the car amazing acceleration. On the down side, the car is a bit heavy for its size, steering feel is inferior to the best from Germany, and no manual transmission is available. As a car to tear up the twisties, I'd probably prefer your Mini Cooper S (especially if it has a stick), but for the type of driving I actually do, the IS was a great choice and meets my needs well.

 

Too small compared to an SC?? I'm not sure what you expected buying an IS. You knew it wasn't an LS or GS in size so I don't know why you would now be disappointed. Didn't you drive it? But the IS does have a usable back seat compared to the 'double amputee only' rear seat in the SC.

For those that expected the IS to be a direct competitor to the BMW 3 series, you bought into the hype brought on by the car magazines, and Lexus itself. It is a viable alternative if you prize luxury and reliability over the driving experience, and if you fit into that category the IS is really the better sports sedan. But if you still want a pure drivers car you should go for a 3 series, or even an EVO, WRX, or Mini which are far more fun to drive. Even my 6 year old WRX is more enjoyable car to drive on a twisty road than the IS. But I didn't buy an IS for that experience. I wanted an enjoyable luxury sedan that was still a good driver and the IS hits the mark in that regard. It is fast, comfortable, has a good power train, well done interior and with all the latest technology. When driven at 7 or 8/10ths it is almost perfect for the market, which is what Lexus was really shooting for. The IS-F is a step out for Lexus and time will tell if Lexus really WANTS to build a true performance car. They have the technology to do that if they want to, but does the corporation really want to do that? We'll soon see.

I am starting to see a lot of stock 250's running around, but that is no different than all the BMW 328's you see every day. That's partly why I didn't get a 335. Even though the performance is top drawer many buy the 3 series as a poseur car, and I didn't want that.

 

no I don't like my car



















I LOVE MY CAR!

 

I have an '06 IS350 and a '06 MCS and an '02 Tacoma b/c they all fill VERY different niches, and it is funny how I go from being the @sshole in the Lexus to the great guy in the MINI, to the redneck in the truck and back again in a single day.

My point is they're VERY different cars. Whatever attracted you to the MINI won't likely be there in the Lexus. I'm taking the MINI to the track and wouldn't think of it in the IS, although it would do fine there. If I had to give one up, the MINI would be gone in a heartbeat.

 

right now i kinda regret getting the IS. alittle bit too small

 

I couldnt be happier I love my IS.

 

I love what you do for me, IS 350!!!! lol