2007 Lexus IS 250 6 spd manual

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Originally Posted By: lexus114
Their is one of these babies @ my Lexus dealer right now with 39 000 miles on it. 6 Speed manual,what do you guys know about these cars? I know it`s rear wheel drive. And fun to drive. Any other comments?


UPDATE: It`s an 08,not an 07.


I've driven that car 09, found it sluggish. The IS350 us definitely the way to go, but the price you've stated is pretty good.
 
Originally Posted By: R2d2
I've driven that car 09, found it sluggish. The IS350 us definitely the way to go, but the price you've stated is pretty good.

IS350 is auto only. If I had to pick between an IS350 and a manual IS250, it'd be the 250 for sure.
 
+1. And sluggish is relative. It has PLENTY of power for any driving situation. Nobody really needs more than about 120-130 hp. the rest is excess/luxury.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
the rest is excess/luxury.

And is there anything wrong with that?
 
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
And isn't Lexus a luxury brand of Toyota? Yet it's lacking the basic luxury item, power.

Since when is power "the basic luxury item?"

I don't seem to recall anyone calling a Mustang 5.0 a "luxury" car...

Luxury is about having lots of stuff you don't need, but that makes you feel good. Power is only one of many, many ways to achieve that.
 
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: R2d2
I've driven that car 09, found it sluggish. The IS350 us definitely the way to go, but the price you've stated is pretty good.

IS350 is auto only. If I had to pick between an IS350 and a manual IS250, it'd be the 250 for sure.


I disagree IS350 0-60 5.6 seconds VS IS250 0-60 7.9 seconds
IS350 1/4 mile :13.9 secs IS250 1/4 mile : 16 secs
those are big performance differences not to mention over a hundred horse power and almost a hundred foot pounds of torque.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: lexus114

Its got to have premium fuel though. And I can say this from the loaner I had.

All these new high performance engines require premium.



Not true. My 2008 Caddy 3.6DI produces 304hp on 87 octane. Premium not required.
 
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Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
And isn't Lexus a luxury brand of Toyota? Yet it's lacking the basic luxury item, power.

Since when is power "the basic luxury item?"

I don't seem to recall anyone calling a Mustang 5.0 a "luxury" car...

Luxury is about having lots of stuff you don't need, but that makes you feel good. Power is only one of many, many ways to achieve that.



POWER has always been a hallmark of a true luxury car. Cadillac and Lincoln always promoted it in their ads dating way back to the 40's and 50's. The Mustang 5.0L is a sporty car, not a luxury car. NOW - talking about the original 5.0L of the 80's/90's the Lincoln LSC was a luxury car with power..using that Mustang 5.0L.
 
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Originally Posted By: R2d2
I disagree IS350 0-60 5.6 seconds VS IS250 0-60 7.9 seconds
IS350 1/4 mile :13.9 secs IS250 1/4 mile : 16 secs
those are big performance differences not to mention over a hundred horse power and almost a hundred foot pounds of torque.

Well evidently you disagree.
wink.gif


Speed is cheap. Fun isn't. A slow car with a manual can still be fun; a fast boring car is still boring.
 
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
POWER has always been a hallmark of a true luxury car. Cadillac and Lincoln always promoted it in their ads dating way back to the 40's and 50's. The Mustang 5.0L is a sporty car, not a luxury car. NOW - talking about the original 5.0L of the 80's/90's the Lincoln LSC was a luxury car with power..using that Mustang 5.0L.

I am perfectly happy to admit is that a lack of power is a liability for a luxury car. I certainly would never buy an underpowered luxury car, except in the entirely hypothetical circumstance that that was the only way to get a manual transmission. All I'm saying is that a relative lack of power doesn't punt a car entirely out of the "luxury" category. Maybe to near the end of the list, but not out.

The way you described the Mustang illustrates my point: obviously power isn't sufficient to define luxury.

I'm also arguing that power isn't necessary to define luxury, either. I think it's perfectly reasonable to call the Lexus HS250h, Mercedes C300, Lexus IS250, or BMW 325i "luxury cars" even though they are not particularly powerful. Do you disagree?
 
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Speed is cheap. Fun isn't. A slow car with a manual can still be fun; a fast boring car is still boring.


+1, especially when speed limits are at best at 75 mph.

dtt004, thanks for your full review, that was very interesting.

I still need to sit in one of this to know if this will be my next car choice. Need space for my daughter back there and a good driving position (the way I sit is not that ordinary).

I got a C-Class as a rental, and now, I know: I want a RWD car next!
And the IS250 manual looks to be the one which fits the best my liking.
BTW, thanks lexus114 for starting this thread,... I won't need to, now
smile.gif
.
 
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
POWER has always been a hallmark of a true luxury car. Cadillac and Lincoln always promoted it in their ads dating way back to the 40's and 50's. The Mustang 5.0L is a sporty car, not a luxury car. NOW - talking about the original 5.0L of the 80's/90's the Lincoln LSC was a luxury car with power..using that Mustang 5.0L.

I am perfectly happy to admit is that a lack of power is a liability for a luxury car. I certainly would never buy an underpowered luxury car, except in the entirely hypothetical circumstance that that was the only way to get a manual transmission. All I'm saying is that a relative lack of power doesn't punt a car entirely out of the "luxury" category. Maybe to near the end of the list, but not out.

The way you described the Mustang illustrates my point: obviously power isn't sufficient to define luxury.

I'm also arguing that power isn't necessary to define luxury, either. I think it's perfectly reasonable to call the Lexus HS250h, Mercedes C300, Lexus IS250, or BMW 325i "luxury cars" even though they are not particularly powerful. Do you disagree?



You make reasonable points. I can support your point of power not always being matched with luxury...just look at any 1980's Cadillac with the 130hp H4100 4.1 V8 LOL!
 
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
You make reasonable points. I can support your point of power not always being matched with luxury...just look at any 1980's Cadillac with the 130hp H4100 4.1 V8 LOL!

lol.gif
cheers3.gif
 
The build quality is very good, wife has an auto one but other than that it's the same. There's some issue about the aggressive toe out on the front that may wear out a set of low profile tires in about 20k, but other than that, it is one of the best built quality car money can buy (not just for the price). The seats leather quality is equal or better than a 50k BMW / Mercedes. Fuel economy is top notch (28-32mpg highway) for the size. There's some issue about cleaning intake valve due to direct injection, but no where as bad as AUDI / VW. Maybe once every 20k if you spray a can of GM Top engine cleaner or carb cleaner, you'll be good.


Depends on what you like (big V8 with plastic low quality interior, or giant SUV with lots of overhang and no handling, or sports car that's great fun to drive but ride like a plastic tub on wheel, or a balance of everyday use and comfort), this may or may not be a car for you.
 
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As the long term owner of a fabulous luxury car that can run with some pretty big dogs I would recommend that you figure out what you want first.

The upsides are obvious, the downsides are tires, fuel and such. I can tell you that while 'handling' is very subjective there are a few large luxo-boats that actually hurt the sporty little cars.

But being able to load up and go to a fancy restaurant with a few friends is really nice, try that with a little peanut of a car!

I also own a really sporty little thing, an old Healy replica with a TON of fancy chassis and brake work, but while it is fun for a few minutes it cannot compare to the luxo-barge!
 
lexus114,
If you love this car, you'll buy it no matter what anyone says. This may be the car for you.

Had a dealer loaner. '09 IS250 AWD while our RX was in for service. Hated it! Most uncomfortable Lexus I ever drove and the seats are too narrow for my butt.

*The L/R outside mirrors seemed too small for normal use while
the new design hinders outward vision.

*The center console arm rest and the door handle/armrest weren't even close to being the same height. I felt awkward while trying to drive comfortably. This car had no fold down armrest on the side of the seat as my RX does.

*The engine although smooth/quiet, lacked any power. It was an auto tranny/AWD. Maybe the 6spd and the IS350 would have been better but, it is what it is!

*The center section where the radio/information system/HVAC controls were all Toyota Corolla gray and hard to see in certain lighting. I was driving this Lexus during the daytime.

*I also want to say that this car sticker'd for $47,000. NO WAY!

*I guess I want a Lexus to be a Lexus or I'm just getting too old. If I want a sporty car, I'll buy a sporty car! I don't think that Lexus does them well. What they do well is, build comfort and the IS IMHO isn't one of those cars, IMHO!. I know that they're trying to compete with others in the sporty car catigory but there are better vehicles to choose from.
Couldn't wait to give it back! I didn't think that the leather was all that great either. Lexus is going after a different market I guess!

On the possitive side:
Push button start with FOB in my shirt pocket...Cool!
The car cornered sharply with those nothing for profile tires and didn't ride too bad.
Looked great from the outside and is nice to be seen in.
Solid construction and quiet driving.
 
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Does anyone knows how it is, maintenance wise, compare to a BMW 323i (325i for the US) and a Mercedes C250 (C300 for the US)?

Is it more expensive, less expensive, about the same?
 
Depending on how they are equiped, they can all be about the same price. You can't judge by advertised base price. One mfg will always advertise a lower base price than the conpetition and that price doesn't mean squat. Not to me anyway! In this catigory of vehicles, you buy what you like.

Also, depending on the source of information, one will be more depedable than the others as well. Consumer Reports shows:

BMW 3 Series
Lesus IS
Mercedes C300

BMW and Lexus showing better than ave reliability and M-B less so.
BMW showing better than ave customer satisfaction and the Lexus and M-B both less so.

My personal choice of the three cars would be the BENZ just because. All three cars are uncomfortably and cramped for my liking and I think that there are better values out there but, we're not talking about value here. If value is a concern then it's the Lexus in the top spot.

I have never owned a M-B and I don't know that I ever will but, just the thrill of owning one. I would be high(like on drugs) for the first year until the thrill wore off. I'm trying to resist buying one.

When we bought our first/only Lexus, we were high for the first year. Today it's just a car! I think that the M-B would be twice the thrill at first and then settle down a bit more slowley! Maybe two years...
 
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