This thread was started to discuss your guess on the 3rd Generation Lexus IS in this thread. Please do not start any new threads on this topic. Thanks,

Javier

 

Hello Lexus Owners,

I'm curious when will Lexus's IS lineup introduce their 3rd Generation. The 1st generation was from 2001 - 2005 and the current (2nd) generation has been around for sometime now (2006, 2007, 2008). Soon, we'll be seeing the 2009 IS250/350. Just wondering if Lexus will introduce their new model in 2010 or 2011?! I currently own a BMW 330i and would like to own a Lexus in the future but don't really like the current one because of it's crammed interior (no offense to anyone) and some blind-spots. I also hear that the IS250 has the image of being a chic-car? (No offense again, I don't mean it, just heard these rumors!!) I like the handling of IS250/350 though, have test-driven it couple of times. The steering is a little bit loose/disconnected, but for some reason I still like it a lot (even if it's a little disconnected). I'm kind of different and like to appreciate the car as it is. I think Lexus will have a really good third generation, with probably good road feel, improved visibility and interior dimensions and an even more aggressive exterior and possibly fix the common inferior dash design (rattles etc.). I really like their styling and I'm impressed with the luxury gadgets inside. If they're coming out with a new design in another 1-2 years, then I guess I'm gonna wait for the model after the 3rd generation's first year's release (so that all the bugs have been worked out etc..) and trade-in my German beast with the Lexus. Any ideas/suggestions when will the third generation be coming out? What do you guys recommend? Is this car really worth the wait? Any regrets of buying the IS250/350 etc.. Anything is welcome!

Sorry for asking too many questions! LOL.. Thanks in advance everyone, I appreciate your feedback!

 

Hi, welcome to the forum!

1. The IS due for a refresh, nobody knows what those changes might be
2. If you dont like the current style, then im sure the refresh for 2009 wont change much.

I would think they would have a new IS model in 2 years or so.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! I heard that Lexus is coming out with a coupe and convertible end of this year.. But I would really like to see a new 4-door IS250/350 exterior/interior re-design.. Can't wait! And two years sounds just about right!

 

i don't think they'll be having a new design for a bit... especially not when their F car just hitting the scenes... if they update their design they'll most likely have to update the F... and i'm sure they haven't made their money back for all the promotions and money put into that car.... i think little nit bits will be updated but a total redesign is a bit much... who knows maybe we could stretch it out for as long as 8 years or such like the SC's or GS's

crossing my fingers... i don't want my car to be "old"

 

ditto! my car is to new to be old

 

Batmobile, I think you have a valid point. But I guess we have to look at the overall picture.. as in, Acura just came up with the re-designed TSX with lots of goodies and the new generation TL will be released in the LA auto show end of this year. The G37 got re-designed for this year as well and I'm sure the Bimmer will chip-in with something new in couple of years. All these cars compete aggressively with Lexus IS250/350 (as we all know). Therefore, Lexus might have something in stock for us in the next couple of years since their design *might* start to look dated by then, who knows! All I'm saying is, you made some good points but at the same time the competition is going to the next-level, so we might see some fireworks.....hope so!

 

The new IS

 

Lexus & Toyota generally follows a 5 year production run. The first 2 years unchanged, the 3rd year usually a powertrain/options update and the 4th into 5th year receives a exterior/interior refresh. Lately, 6 year productions have been becoming more apparent. Lexus has been really surprising everyone lately. There are some things to come!

 

It's kind of interesting, the 1st Gen Lexus IS (aka Toyota Altezza in Japan) has been around since 1998, but was introduced and re-badge Lexus IS200/300 for the US. So for the US market, the model was active for 5 years, i.e. 2001-2005, but in reality it all started for the IS in 1998 as the Toyota Altezza model and then came out the glamorous Lexus IS250/350 in 2005. Seems like the 1st Gen was actually around for 7 years or so (Toyota Altezza in Japan + Lexus IS200/300 in US)! Based on this data, it can be tricky to predict if the current generation will live for 5 or 7 years!

 

I'm sure there will be some minor facelift such as new headlights/taillights, body panels, wheels, for the 2009 IS. Its first year was 2006 and 2009 model will probably be right in the middle of its production duration. Actually it really depends on how the market reacts on each individual model, the previous SC last 9 years!!! (1992~2000) The 2IS was voted for America's favorite car, I bet it won't get another complete redesign until 2012.

 

^^ i think i agree, lexus has been surprising alot of people but they threw alot into the whole advertising of this new L-Finesse style, and the IS has been a hot car, i think they'll hold on until sales slow down, and with the F releasing, they cant make the less powerful version look cooler/newer than its 10k more sport version; IMO when they redesign the IS, they redesign the IS-F, even though the F came out what, 2 years after the IS?
although i think they will introduce many upgrades and different packages, i.e. the F-Sport line for the IS. they'll come out with something until the face-lift to hold off any problems with the car getting old.

 

I guess they have a coupe and convertible lined up for 2009/2010. They're gonna compete with the G37/BMW coupes. I heard even G37 is coming out with a convertible in an year or so, so looks like Lexus is keeping up with the competition in releasing new models every few years. It'll be interesting to see Lexus's strategy for the sedan market though, how they compete with next generation Acura TL (releasing this year) and the Bimmer (probably getting redesigned in couple of years). I'm sure their main benchmark is the BMW!

Thanks for all your comments and making this forum interesting.. Please share any cool information you have!

 

I think the coupe/convertible will be deffinatly released 09-10, possibly 2011 if they are slow, to keep up with the BMW 3's and the Infiniti G's (as someone has said before), although i'm somewhat surprised. Lexus has a 2 door convertible, the SC, its just got an insanely old style that hasnt been updated in like 9 years. If they pop out this IS Convertible, i could see the sales on the SC tanking even further than they have, and either that car coming out of the line-up, or them having to make serious changes to keep it alive.

IS convertible? or a re-lift on the SC?

 

the SC might have an old style but it's a classic.