Topic: Lexus IS Ride & Drive Experience Review

[Northernridge]

Thanks for the update...looking forward to checking out both personally.

[rrocket]

While your review, others reviews and the new looks of the IS....Im definetly a big fan....saying that, that damn FGC still has my heart....Ive always wanted a BMW.....

The BMW was nice..and the I6 is appealing, especially with an ECU reflash.  Reliability would scare me though (compared to the Lexus).

The IS felt smaller, more nimble and the interior a nicer place to be.  It wasn't better by enormous margins, but enough to notice.

[rrocket]

Thanks for the update...looking forward to checking out both personally.

A V8 in a luxury car is the way it should be.  Which is why I like the LS so much.  And don't be fooled..it's no slouch.  It's quick..and as I said earlier..the brakes were the best of the bunch.

Would love to hear your driving reviews and see how they compare to mine..especially the LS.

[Fobroader]

While your review, others reviews and the new looks of the IS....Im definetly a big fan....saying that, that damn FGC still has my heart....Ive always wanted a BMW.....

The BMW was nice..and the I6 is appealing, especially with an ECU reflash.  Reliability would scare me though.

The IS felt smaller, more nimble and the interior a nicer place to be.  It wasn't better by enormous margins, but enough to notice.

The reliability.....yeah...Ill give you that.....the interior....foh shizzle.....that I6 with a few mods...the BMW wins that. Not going to be a choice Im going to have to make for a long time....but it would be fun.

[Julie]

Ron, thanks for the write-up! It was enjoyable to read.

And you didn't sound like an Infiniti LEXUS slappy.   At least not any more than I would sound like a BMW slappy.    Seriously though, I've always been impressed by Lexus quality and would like to own one at least once in my life.

That is one impressive event. Better than the ones I've been to or heard about.

And that LF-A is...

[rrocket]

Ron, thanks for the write-up! It was enjoyable to read.

And you didn't sound like an Infiniti slappy.   At least not any more than I would sound like a BMW slappy.    Seriously though, I've always been impressed by Lexus quality and would like to own one at least once in my life.

That is one impressive event. Better than the ones I've been to or heard about.

And that LF-A is...

Glad I didn't sound like an Infiniti slappy...they didn't have any there!   

[Julie]

Ron, thanks for the write-up! It was enjoyable to read.

And you didn't sound like an Infiniti slappy.   At least not any more than I would sound like a BMW slappy.    Seriously though, I've always been impressed by Lexus quality and would like to own one at least once in my life.

That is one impressive event. Better than the ones I've been to or heard about.

And that LF-A is...

Glad I didn't sound like an Infiniti slappy...they didn't have any there!   

DAMN. Knew I didn't have enough caffeine today! 

[mmret]

Nice write up.

Was this in Toronto or somewhere in the US?

[rrocket]

Nice write up.

Was this in Toronto or somewhere in the US?

USA.  Not sure if the even came to Canada?  If it did...I wasn't invited.

[carcrazed]

I wonder why they had 335 and C350 but A4 instead of S4. 

[Snowman]

Great reviews Ron 

[Snowman]

I wonder why they had 335 and C350 but A4 instead of S4. 

Well its a Lexus event, why bring an S4 and send potential buyers to Audi 

[Julie]

I wonder why they had 335 and C350 but A4 instead of S4. 

An S4 would compete with the 335iS.... which is a higher performance version of the 335i

[rrocket]

I wonder why they had 335 and C350 but A4 instead of S4. 

I told you why.  The A4 was there to compete with the IS250.  They also had a smaller engined BMW, but it went mechanically AWOL. In the competitive comparison area, they didn't have any of what we would refer to as sport packaged models.  And the S4 is definitely a sport package model.

As much as we think this sucks, the non-sport models make up the bulk of the sales for all of the manufacturers.

[dave]

I wonder why they had 335 and C350 but A4 instead of S4. 

An S4 would compete with the 335iS.... which is a higher performance version of the 335i

335iS?  No such thing in the sedan.  The S4 competes with the 335i...but falls between the 335i and M3 in terms of price and performance.

Nice write-up rrocket.

[jyarkony]

Good stuff!  You mean you didn't BEAT the pro driver?  LOL Awesome event they put on, actually looks more complete than some press events.

that was my first reaction too... some of our press events end up being hours of talk and demos and then only minutes of driving. Awesome experience the Lexus team put on. reminded me of this awesome video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht-_CxBB-kc

Great notes on these cars. I agree that the S4 is at that half step between IS 350/335i and IS F/M3, but am surprised you felt the A4 was that weak. Makes me want to get behind the wheel of the IS 250 and see how it compares. and we agree wholeheartedly about the C-Class - floppy mess is a fair assessment.

The IS 350 seats blew me away, and I loved the shifting gauge cluster that reveals additional info when you want it, or puts the tach front and centre if you just want to drive.

What did you think of the materials quality in the Lexus compared to the BMW and A4?

[rrocket]

Good stuff!  You mean you didn't BEAT the pro driver?  LOL Awesome event they put on, actually looks more complete than some press events.

that was my first reaction too... some of our press events end up being hours of talk and demos and then only minutes of driving. Awesome experience the Lexus team put on. reminded me of this awesome video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht-_CxBB-kc

Great notes on these cars. I agree that the S4 is at that half step between IS 350/335i and IS F/M3, but am surprised you felt the A4 was that weak. Makes me want to get behind the wheel of the IS 250 and see how it compares. and we agree wholeheartedly about the C-Class - floppy mess is a fair assessment.

The IS 350 seats blew me away, and I loved the shifting gauge cluster that reveals additional info when you want it, or puts the tach front and centre if you just want to drive.

What did you think of the materials quality in the Lexus compared to the BMW and A4?

It may not have been the engine per se, but likely the transmission.  It just made the turbo 4 feel sluggish and uninspiring.

I thought they Lexus quality was a smidge better than the competition.  Not like "OMG, this is soooo much better".  But just enough to notice.  The seats in the Lexus were really, really good.  That you noticed immediately.  The 8 speed in the IS350 was also something that jumped out.

[Julie]

I wonder why they had 335 and C350 but A4 instead of S4. 

An S4 would compete with the 335iS.... which is a higher performance version of the 335i

335iS?  No such thing in the sedan.  The S4 competes with the 335i...but falls between the 335i and M3 in terms of price and performance.

Nice write-up rrocket.

Oh yeah, that's right, 335is is only available as a coupe (and cabriolet). Meant to fall between the 335i and the M3.

[whaddaiknow]

... Earlier in the day, I promised IQ if I won a lap in the LFA, she could have it.  She loves the LFA as much as I..maybe more. 

Before I read any replies, I wanted to say this:
You are a good man, RROCKET!!! 
Best "article" I've read on this site in a VERY long time. Emotionally charged (understandably) yet to the point.
Thank you for sharing!

[rrocket]

Thanks for the kind words...