Why i'm probably not buying a Lexis IS
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 60
From: California
There is no perfect car.
Each car has its strengths and weaknesses.
We must pick the car with the set of strength and weaknesses that suits our tastes best.
I own all three: C Class, old, and new IS250's.
The IS's are fine, but I have spent thousands of dollars repairing my C Class.
Now, my C Class's CD player keeps trying to draw a disc in, when no one is inserting a disc at all; making a clunking noise during the process - I've been reluctant to find out how much it costs for a new OEM disc player and labour.
Each car has its strengths and weaknesses.
We must pick the car with the set of strength and weaknesses that suits our tastes best.
I own all three: C Class, old, and new IS250's.
The IS's are fine, but I have spent thousands of dollars repairing my C Class.
Now, my C Class's CD player keeps trying to draw a disc in, when no one is inserting a disc at all; making a clunking noise during the process - I've been reluctant to find out how much it costs for a new OEM disc player and labour.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 2
From: Ontario
I feel the op only came here to start a slugfest. When I was in the process of shopping for my new sedan, I frequently visited the corresponding forums of the other choices on my list. Once I made the decision to go with the is350, it never once crossed my mind to go onto the bimmer, infinity, Acura, caddy, or even Mercedes forums to state my reasons for not picking their car as that is the definition of trolling.
I could care less why someone did not buy the exact car that I chose, as a matter of fact I came into this thread just to see why it was two pages in a single day. I should have known haha.
Carry on!
I could care less why someone did not buy the exact car that I chose, as a matter of fact I came into this thread just to see why it was two pages in a single day. I should have known haha.
Carry on!
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 452
Likes: 7
From: OC, CA
I'm in the market for low end luxury car and have looked at the IS300 as well as the competition. I really wanted to like the Lexis IS because of the very high reliability rankings. Overall it seems like a good car, but it is killed by some relatively minor problems.
I just can't get over how horribly uncomfortable seats are. The seats are far too narrow and the bolsters stick into my kidneys, even though I am far from large. How is Lexus not aware of such a major problem?
I also dislike the screen and controls. The screen is too far away from driver eye position. The mouse control is unusable, especially if you are left handed like me. How is Lexus not aware of such a major problem?
The Mercedes C class 4matic is my preferred car in the class, but the reliability rankings are so hot, creating a major conflict. Is there any way to get around the Lexus problems? Can you learn to live with them?
I just can't get over how horribly uncomfortable seats are. The seats are far too narrow and the bolsters stick into my kidneys, even though I am far from large. How is Lexus not aware of such a major problem?
I also dislike the screen and controls. The screen is too far away from driver eye position. The mouse control is unusable, especially if you are left handed like me. How is Lexus not aware of such a major problem?
The Mercedes C class 4matic is my preferred car in the class, but the reliability rankings are so hot, creating a major conflict. Is there any way to get around the Lexus problems? Can you learn to live with them?
I'm 5'10" (177cm) and 175 lb (79kg) with a broad shoulder, and I find the seats extremely comfortable. I wish I can have this same chair in my office....
I've driven countless passengers (BIG and small), and the first thing they always say is how comfortable the seats are.
With that said, I'm not sure how you're sitting, but it's probably the most comfortable seats I've been in. (Compare to BMW 3 series, C class, E class, etc)
Screen / Controls
I believe the design is to minimize head/eye movement to look at the screen while driving, which Lexus did a great job with.
I do agree the control is a bit sluggish, but that's purely due to the slow hardware they put in it.
As for being left handed, I'm sorry, but have you ever seen any car with the nav control on the left? All cars have the controller in the center console... so I don't believe this is Lexus' problem.
I am left handed myself, and it's not hard to use my right hand to move a simple mouse-like control.
Reliability
If you want reliability, look no further. Lexus excels at this.
The 2 problem are not really problems from Lexus.... it's more of your problem.. sorry to say (No offense)
Hopefully this helps
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 83
Likes: 2
From: MA
I'm with stereorob in finding the seats to be incredibly comfortable. They are far more plush than the seats were in my Infiniti G35 and my friend's brand new Infiniti Q60 Hybrid. Let me know if you figure out a way to convert them into desk chairs, I'll take one!
I, too, am left handed and have no problem using the mouse. Admittedly, I don't love the way it functions but interestingly enough, based on having driven four different Lexus vehicles in the past week, all 2011 or newer, and finding that they each have different input functions, I'm not convinced the Engineers at Lexus like it either!
I will also comment that, having driven a new C-class loaner last fall, I found the MB interface to be completely non-intuitive and even more distracting than the Lexus interface. This seems to be a work in progress for all the auto manufacturers.
Bottom line is, I love my IS350 and while there are a few things I would change, there really isn't much. But, if I had a problem with the seats as the OP does, I would walk away at the dealership before purchasing the car and not have looked back.
I, too, am left handed and have no problem using the mouse. Admittedly, I don't love the way it functions but interestingly enough, based on having driven four different Lexus vehicles in the past week, all 2011 or newer, and finding that they each have different input functions, I'm not convinced the Engineers at Lexus like it either!
I will also comment that, having driven a new C-class loaner last fall, I found the MB interface to be completely non-intuitive and even more distracting than the Lexus interface. This seems to be a work in progress for all the auto manufacturers.
Bottom line is, I love my IS350 and while there are a few things I would change, there really isn't much. But, if I had a problem with the seats as the OP does, I would walk away at the dealership before purchasing the car and not have looked back.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 489
Likes: 22
From: CA
Assuming it isn't a joke, if you ever want to hear a totally uncompressed music - CD is the format. And since there is enough audiophiles left in the world to claim to notice the difference (say between CD and MP3) - CD is here to stay. But if you are into current popular trends of other 'easy' music - MP3 would be plenty enough.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 195
Likes: 19
From: CT
To OP you have to get a car you love. I had the same debate about little annoyances when I really wanted to love the vw golf r. In the end I decided to get the IS350 because on a daily basis I could not live without a sunroof or a car who's styling makes me envy every other person who drives it. Just yesterday I saw a girl in a black IS350 with black 19s. I swear I wanted to steal her car even though I drive the same car in white. So I think you should get the Merc or an Audi. Get the car that best suites you. You will get fan boys from every manufacturer telling you their favorite car is the best. I got called a troll for expecting the center console on the golf r to not come bolted shut... That is and will always be crap. who the f bolts the console shut.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 916
Likes: 8
From: CA
Seats
I'm 5'10" (177cm) and 175 lb (79kg) with a broad shoulder, and I find the seats extremely comfortable. I wish I can have this same chair in my office....
I've driven countless passengers (BIG and small), and the first thing they always say is how comfortable the seats are.
With that said, I'm not sure how you're sitting, but it's probably the most comfortable seats I've been in. (Compare to BMW 3 series, C class, E class, etc)
Screen / Controls
I believe the design is to minimize head/eye movement to look at the screen while driving, which Lexus did a great job with.
I do agree the control is a bit sluggish, but that's purely due to the slow hardware they put in it.
As for being left handed, I'm sorry, but have you ever seen any car with the nav control on the left? All cars have the controller in the center console... so I don't believe this is Lexus' problem.
I am left handed myself, and it's not hard to use my right hand to move a simple mouse-like control.
Reliability
If you want reliability, look no further. Lexus excels at this.
The 2 problem are not really problems from Lexus.... it's more of your problem.. sorry to say (No offense)
Hopefully this helps
I'm 5'10" (177cm) and 175 lb (79kg) with a broad shoulder, and I find the seats extremely comfortable. I wish I can have this same chair in my office....
I've driven countless passengers (BIG and small), and the first thing they always say is how comfortable the seats are.
With that said, I'm not sure how you're sitting, but it's probably the most comfortable seats I've been in. (Compare to BMW 3 series, C class, E class, etc)
Screen / Controls
I believe the design is to minimize head/eye movement to look at the screen while driving, which Lexus did a great job with.
I do agree the control is a bit sluggish, but that's purely due to the slow hardware they put in it.
As for being left handed, I'm sorry, but have you ever seen any car with the nav control on the left? All cars have the controller in the center console... so I don't believe this is Lexus' problem.
I am left handed myself, and it's not hard to use my right hand to move a simple mouse-like control.
Reliability
If you want reliability, look no further. Lexus excels at this.
The 2 problem are not really problems from Lexus.... it's more of your problem.. sorry to say (No offense)
Hopefully this helps
Last edited by Glashub; Mar 25, 2016 at 06:48 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
Originally Posted by Glashub
Exactly. Everything about the IS is meant to focus the drivers experience. The sliding tach/speedo is a perfect example. Speed and RPM's in once glance. If that seems silly think about how when you got to website and how laborious it is to have to flick your eyes multiple times to get info. The nav, etc. is meant to convey info in a flack so the eyes stay on the road. Unless you're actually trying to navigate the nav -- then you might have to pull over to the side of the road.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 916
Likes: 8
From: CA
Thank you. I didn't know that.
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: AZ
Thank you!