http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...-cars/5797579/

"Lexus IS (falls short — very short)"

 

Ya old news. When CR becomes a real car enthusiast reviewer I will care what they have to say. I don't even use them when picking kitchen appliances.

Opinions that actually matter:

• Motor Trend - Luxury Sport Sedans
• Road & Track - IS350 vs 335i vs ATS vs Q50
• Car and Driver - 335i vs ATS vs IS350
• The Smoking Tire - Best and Worst Cars of the Year
• Smoking Tire Video Review

There are plenty more, especially video reviews but that's more than enough to show CR was either bought off by the competition or they just flat out have no business doing car reviews.

You don't ask Best Buy advice on cars so why would I ask CR? They offer reviews on EVERYTHING. It's all about quantity with them, not quality. Their opinion is easily bought and completely worthless. I want to know what car guys think not toaster jocks.

 

Even more convincing is this in-depth comparison and analysis of the IS350 vs BMW 3 series vs Cadillac ATS :


or this rave review of the stock IS350 :

 

CR also named the new F30 (328i) the best sports sedan of the year. "excellent handling"...it was one of the most disappointing drives I've had... =/

Im actually sad that the 3 series has veered away so much from the E46...then again the sadness stems from nostalgia. I've heard great things about the 2 series so not all may be lost with BMW.

 

Did they already come out with this article a few months ago ? Why is this being rehashed?

 

yeah, this time around, this report from CR did the opposite for me :

Instead of devaluing the IS in my eyes, CR really lost credibility with me. Why?

Simple, the very act of test driving both cars : Lexus 3IS and BMW F30 3 series, will tell you the REALITY of the Lexus superior handling over the BMW, a reality that the latest CR report seems to ignore.

 

So true! I LOVED how my E46 handled. On an arbitrary 1-10 scale of handling/driving experience:
E46 10, IS350 F Sport 8.5, F30 5.5

 

I hate to be the devil's advocate, but what about this article? Does it make them a bit more reliable?

 

Screw CR. I said it.

 

Consumer Reports has a well earned reputation evaluating how well made and reliable products are. Your attached article, listing Lexus as tops on the automotive reliability list, is within the tradition of their expertise.

Similarly, Car and Driver, Motor Trend and other car magazines/web sites have made their reputations evaluating automobiles. Virtually all of these sources haved raved about the 3IS, especially the 350 F Sport.

I respect CR's opinions about product durability and reliability. When I want a comprehensive car review, especially a comparative one, I will look elsewhere.

 

Well said.

 

I bet they were referring to IS250 not IS350.
And I agree with them on that. IS250 is failing short on the most important things, power and efficiency compare with competitors.

 

Some how IS 350 AWD F sport doesn't feel All that Sporty to me. It feel more Luxurious than anything. The Appeal factors are "WOAA" in my face though.

Here is what I can relate to. The IS-350 handling is like a Scooter, so smooth, so quiet, accurate, but yet to be snappy and sporty or immediate feed backs.

 

This was discussed pretty extensively here:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...smackdown.html

 

If I need to buy a refrigerator...I read CR lol

Any outlet that rates a sport sedan poorly because its tight in the back seat is just out of touch. Thats like saying a Rolex isn't recommended because it doesn't tell you when the next tide is...or what time it is in Malaysia.