Topic: IS250 and Q50 earn "Not recommended" rating from CR

[CanuckS2K]

Strange, I thought the IS 250 F-Sport was exceptionally quiet in the cabin.  I think I even mentioned in my mini review that it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. 

[mmret]

I don't think I would go to CR looking for their opinions on things. All I'm interested in from them is the semi-objective dot-chart.

[CanuckS2K]

I don't think I would go to CR looking for their opinions on things. All I'm interested in from them is the semi-objective dot-chart.

Even their dot chart doesn't make sense sometimes.  I've seen vehicles that have pretty much all red dots but then a black one overall for not recommended.   

[johngenx]

The IS350 I drove had a tiny bit of "thrum" from the performance tires while on a grooved section of freeway, but otherwise was very quiet.

The reason I'd not recommend the IS250 is that the 350 is very good value and much more fun to drive.  Back when the 250 was the only IS available with AWD, I'd have considered it as a strong year-round sedan choice, but the AWD 350 slays it.

[mmret]

The IS350 I drove had a tiny bit of "thrum" from the performance tires while on a grooved section of freeway, but otherwise was very quiet.

The reason I'd not recommend the IS250 is that the 350 is very good value and much more fun to drive.  Back when the 250 was the only IS available with AWD, I'd have considered it as a strong year-round sedan choice, but the AWD 350 slays it.

Indeed. The 250 also doesn't offer enough fuel economy benefit to be interesting (IIRC) over the 350 in that sense.

I keep thinking a 2.0T type motor would be really great in the 250, something akin to the VWAG and BMW units. But that might just end up cannibalizing too many of the already rare 350 sales.

[sailor723]

The IS350 I drove had a tiny bit of "thrum" from the performance tires while on a grooved section of freeway, but otherwise was very quiet.

The reason I'd not recommend the IS250 is that the 350 is very good value and much more fun to drive.  Back when the 250 was the only IS available with AWD, I'd have considered it as a strong year-round sedan choice, but the AWD 350 slays it.

Exactly!  Having an AWD IS350 makes the 250 passe.  I still kind of think Lexus should copy BMW and have 3 IS's ....200HP IS250 stripper....IS350 as it is...and a 250-ish HP  mid range car

[johngenx]

Honestly, the 250 costs nearly the same to produce as the 350.  Just make a unified IS line with an entry level IS350 at a tiny bit more than the current 250 models, and blam, the IS wins.  And overall production costs might go down too with only one engine to produce.

[mmret]

And overall production costs might go down too with only one engine to produce.

Nah, that same motor goes in a lot of other cars (mostly Asia / Euro market I guess).

[rrocket]

And overall production costs might go down too with only one engine to produce.

Nah, that same motor goes in a lot of other cars (mostly Asia / Euro market I guess).

I'd say drop the IS250 and replace it with IS300h

[HeliDriver]

Hum...so they test 2 luxury cars and tell us underwhelming...I think CR is a bit lost right now.  Have we ever looked to them for performance ratings?  Always taught CR was about reliability   Like when I'm looking for a washing machine or microwave.

It's of interest, but I wouldn't let their opinion sway me very much. Sometimes I agree with them, sometimes not. I think it's been widely reported on just because it's unusual for CR to find a whole lot of fault in Japanese cars.

I think most car people are more interested in CR's reliability information than anything else.

I haven't subscribed to CR in a while, but it seems to me they've improved their car reviewing in a big way over the past few years. I think they are a legitimate source for more than just reliability data these days.

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1304_the_appliance_enthusiast/

[dkaz]

For me, I'd either go with the IS250 manual or IS350 automatic.

Now that the IS250 manual is gone, there is no reason I would consider IS250. Give me power baby.

As for CR, I think they're one good source of reviews but I have never and will never consider them THE source for reviews like some people seem to do.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I haven't subscribed to CR in a while, but it seems to me they've improved their car reviewing in a big way over the past few years. I think they are a legitimate source for more than just reliability data these days.

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1304_the_appliance_enthusiast/

Oh, I agree. Much better than years ago. They actually have some car enthusiasts doing the reviews and testing now.

If they bring up a problem, then I pay attention to it during my own test drive, but quite often I fail to see what the issue is. They aren't the only reviewers that bring up issues that aren't really issues for me.

[Weels]

Oh, I agree. Much better than years ago. They actually have some car enthusiasts doing the reviews and testing now.

That does seem to be the case.

FWIW, the November Car & Driver review on the Q50 pretty much mirrors what CR is saying.