When the 3rd gen IS came out, I was one of the people who absolutely hated the design of the 3IS from the spindle grille to the rear body lines/taillights. After a couple of years and seeing a few 3IS's around, the design eventually grew on me. I do wish that they shaved off a couple inches off the tail light edges where the body line meets to have sort of a 2IS style. Aside from that, I wouldn't mind owning a 3IS. But, I'd prefer the timeless design of the 2IS.

 

3IS Front is nice, Rear is ugly as hell. I'll settle for a 2IS with a 3IS front end. For the guys who already have this, I hate you!!!

 

as previous stated the 2is is faster and touch screen

 

3IS interior
2IS exterior with a GS Fsport front end

Game over

 

it seems the general consensus is that the 3rd gen has to 'grow on you' which is really pitiful for a newer model car. In my honest opinion the 2nd gen was a success and the 3rd was... well... a fail

 

I originally didn't like the 3is that much to be honest. But after seeing them a lot and actually sitting in one and driving it? I'd totally rock one lol. The exterior is decent but I feel the 2IS is still the better looking car especially when done up. However the 3IS with some cosmetic upgrades can look really nice too though. The areas where the 3IS really wins though is the vastly improved interior. I feel like the 2IS is far more luxurious feeling and sophisticated than the 1IS but the 3IS is just puts our cars to shame IMO. They drive great too with improved steering feel and let's not forget that you can actually shift their transmissions lol. And their AC controls are touch sensitive now which is also cool.

However I definitely don't care for the new mouse thing you have to use to navigate the new infotainment center thingy though. I feel like touch screens will always be easier and superior in that regard...

Either way I still love my 2IS 350. The transmission in this car, despite lacking a good manual mode, is still a very nice aggressively tuned transmission that provides better acceleration and kick than the newer cars. Just my opinion though..

 

style wise, 2is exterior wins but 3is interior wins. 3is exterior is very feminine to me

performance wise, 2is beats 3is every day. obviously 3is is newer and costs more money; i would not put that much money in a 3is when it is compared to competitors.

didnt feel like writing a novel

 

The 3is interior is worlds ahead of the 2is. The Exterior for the 2is is def better imo. But after sitting in a 3is, you realize how uncomfortable the 2is seats are. I feel the 3is Seats have more support all around.

 

3IS exterior is just awful.

 

Yeah once I drove the 3IS I realized just how simple and dare I say "outdated" our interior is now a days. Kinda like how I felt when I went from my e46 I had to my 2IS. Only more drastic lol.

 

It's definitely a hate or love it kind of thing. I like it but don't love it. Sometimes I see one and it catches my eye, other times I see it and go mehh.. That being said I really like their tail lights. So much so that I'm contemplating getting the 3IS style tails on my 2IS.

 

steering wheel looks awful tho lol

 

That is 100% how I felt about the steering wheel too at first glance. Definitely a step down from the 2IS.

 

The '16 still uses the mouse. Models without the navigation use the dial.

 

When the 3is first came out, I thought it look so ugly - it reminded me of the creature from the movie Predator.

Now it's starting to grow on me - the Interior... hands down over the 2is especially with the Red Interior

The only thing I don't like is the side view of the car as it look bony looking - compared to the 2is which look buff

I hate the fact that 3is F Sport version are everywhere like they made 50% of the production line compared to the 2is F Sport which is so rare and so sexy