Topic: CTC Review: 2007 Lexus IS250 RWD

[Mitlov]

Mitlov: don't think you'd be happy with a slushbox

To say the least   I had forgotten about that.

[dbw]

Last fall I gat a tsx. The is250mt and bmw 325/8 were also at the top of my shortlist. I like hid headlights and on the is250 they were part of a $10000+ luxery package while in the USA I believe they are a stand alone option for under $1000. Loved the looks of the is250 but I wasn not about to pay that much for hids though the luxery package included heated seats(a $200 option on a vw golf). Had the price been anywhere near comparable with the hid and heated seats I would have got the is250. The bmw does not have a spare tire anymore and as I am in pretty remote parts of the country not having a spare I decided was not acceptable.  I am quite happy with the tsx.

[Mitlov]

I like hid headlights and on the is250 they were part of a $10000+ luxery package while in the USA I believe they are a stand alone option for under $1000.

The US website lists their price as $875 as an individual option for the IS250 RWD, but the fine print says "Specific Options/Accessories may be available only in combination with other options."  And, lo and behold, when you try to build one on the Lexus website, the bi-xenons are not available as an option.  The only way to get them is part of the $3,495 Luxury package.

[mmret]

Like someone mentioned, I think base IS250 RWD with some aftermarket work is a good choice.

Leather seats, maybe $1200-1500, throw in the heated seats while you're at it.
HIDs for $300.
Skip the sunroof.
Personally I'm okay with a good set of manual seat adjustments, as long as there is lumbar.

Mitlov: don't think you'd be happy with a slushbox

To say the least   I had forgotten about that.

Hehe. I'm not really an enthusiast driver. My ideal, but nonexistent, car would be an MB E-Class Quattro designed, built, and backed by Toyota, with the exterior of a post-facelift E46, with the TL's active noise cancellation.

[UmroAyyar]

Interesting AWD usually isn't that great either, Subaru's are not.  I guess Lexus does it right.

It might be something Toyota does particularly well. The turning radius on our Camry is amazing, and I think you said in a previous review Wing that the Sienna had a great turning radius too. Makes the turning radius on the TSX seem even worse than it already is.

Subaru's AWD is all time AWD. I am not sure about Lexus, is it the slip and grip type?

[mmret]

Interesting AWD usually isn't that great either, Subaru's are not.  I guess Lexus does it right.

It might be something Toyota does particularly well. The turning radius on our Camry is amazing, and I think you said in a previous review Wing that the Sienna had a great turning radius too. Makes the turning radius on the TSX seem even worse than it already is.

Subaru's AWD is all time AWD. I am not sure about Lexus, is it the slip and grip type?

I *think* its a fixed split.

Either way, I think the turning circle deterioration comes from the fact that you have to put drive-hardware at the wheels, so how the center diff behaves won't matter at parking lot speeds.

[UmroAyyar]

Interesting AWD usually isn't that great either, Subaru's are not.  I guess Lexus does it right.

It might be something Toyota does particularly well. The turning radius on our Camry is amazing, and I think you said in a previous review Wing that the Sienna had a great turning radius too. Makes the turning radius on the TSX seem even worse than it already is.

Subaru's AWD is all time AWD. I am not sure about Lexus, is it the slip and grip type?

I *think* its a fixed split.

Either way, I think the turning circle deterioration comes from the fact that you have to put drive-hardware at the wheels, so how the center diff behaves won't matter at parking lot speeds.

The system in the IS 250 normally sends power in a 30% front and 70% rear fashion, but worser road conditions can call for a more even 50/50 split.
http://www.canadianautoreview.com/lexus_is_250.htm

Should 'of' googled first.   

[Julie]

Hehe. I'm not really an enthusiast driver. My ideal, but nonexistent, car would be an MB E-Class Quattro designed, built, and backed by Toyota, with the exterior of a post-facelift E46, with the TL's active noise cancellation.

When I went to buy my TSX, there was another black on tan manual transmission one parked near it. Possibly the last one available in Ontario in that color I so desparately wanted and that was to be discontinued.

For some reason, I kept looking at it even though I didn't want to buy manual. Said to myself, time to go now and sign the papers, but I kept staring at the manual transmission for some reason.

Maybe my subconscious was trying to tell my rational brain something.

Now that image sometimes haunts me.    

[Mitlov]

Maybe my subconscious was trying to tell my rational brain something.

Yeah--it was trying to tell you that the TSX has one of the best manuals out there.  I've never experienced one as nice as it.  The manual also helps you make the most of the TSX's peaky powerband.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Sat in an IS 250 this week, very nice
It would be on my list if I was looking for a sedan
Next one will be a SUV.

[mmret]

Maybe my subconscious was trying to tell my rational brain something.

Now that image sometimes haunts me.    

Sometimes I wonder the same...though in my case the manual would have cost me $1300 more, as I'd have to spring for an 2007.

Still, I wonder if that transmission make me happier with the car.