Just Ordered My 1st Ever Lexus

[Mark P]

Hi

Well I have just ordered my first ever Lexus after a number of years (most recent) with Mercedes (C Class), BMW (3 Series), Alfa Romeo (156) and Mazda (MX5). Hopefully I will be the proud owner of an Astral Black IS 250 SE-L the first week of September :D

Like most “newbie’s” I have read all the reports on What Car, Auto Express etc and I’m amazed how they have got it so wrong. I currently own a Mercedes C180 so I know what that is like and have test driven the BMW 320d SE Auto on a number of occasions.

The upshot is, the BMW is better on the twisty stuff and the Mercedes (for me) is a known rock solid performer, after nearly 3 years and 60K miles it is still squeak free. But the Lexus IS has just blown me away. It makes the interior of the both the BMW and C Class look very dull and functional, the seats on the Lexus are exceptionally comfy, the car is stylish and sporty, the Auto box really is silky smooth, and the toys………. The only down side is the fuel economy, but I can live with that as the car has so many other things to offer. One comment that I initially thought was correct was the tyre noise on the 250. When test driving it with my wife we were amazed at how silent the car was apart from the noise of the tyres, this had us a tad worried. It was only when we both got back into the Merc that we realised that you could not hear the tyres in the C Class because the engine and gear box were drowning them out. The IS really is quiet compared.

The final 3 things that made me definitely go for this car were;

1) I have been up and down the M1 on business during the last 2 weeks and have seen hundreds of BMW’s, Merc’s and Audis but only a handful of IS250’s

2) The after sales reputation that Lexus has, believe me even though I have seen a few bad reports on this site, you want to try Mercedes and BMW, you will then understand poor service

3) Finally this site and the owners club. It really is a great place for help and advice and makes the ownership of a quality car like the IS250 even more special. The enthusiasm of the owners can’t be matched by the competition.

Hopefully I have not bored everyone with my first topic but I am, for the first time in years, very excited about getting a new car.

Cheers from the new boy on the block.

[Diesel Do Nicely Brian]

Great first post!

I am, like you about to get my first Lexus (many Toyota). All things going well I should be driving it on Thursday, Friday at the latest. I test drove the IS250 SE Auto and it was great - really quiet except tyre noise (not really Lexus' fault - and over time owners will find quieter). The quality and detailing is great and makes the car really stand out on thw road - for the last week and a half I have driven hundreds and hundreds of miles and only seen 1 other IS220/250 on the road. That is great!

Good luck in the wait - I have only had to wait 8 days so far and that is killing me!

Brian.

[Mark P]

Great first post!

I am, like you about to get my first Lexus (many Toyota). All things going well I should be driving it on Thursday, Friday at the latest. I test drove the IS250 SE Auto and it was great - really quiet except tyre noise (not really Lexus' fault - and over time owners will find quieter). The quality and detailing is great and makes the car really stand out on thw road - for the last week and a half I have driven hundreds and hundreds of miles and only seen 1 other IS220/250 on the road. That is great!

Good luck in the wait - I have only had to wait 8 days so far and that is killing me!

Brian.

Thanks, I have 8 weeks to go and that really is killing me. I also looked at the 220d, loved the torque and if it came with an auto box there would have been no question that I would have gone for that one.

Hope all goes well in 8 days time.

[Diesel Do Nicely Brian]

DON'T SAY 8 DAYS!!!!!

I have waited 8 - 2 more to go - can't take another 8 and neither can my wife :):):)

Brian ;)

[GWilso]

Welcome to the LOC

How did you find the C180? I considered test driving it before I bought my IS200 but was worried about the build quality (and the 6k price diffrence :D ) I know that Merc have droped a few runs down the ladder in recent years

Hi

Well I have just ordered my first ever Lexus after a number of years (most recent) with Mercedes (C Class), BMW (3 Series), Alfa Romeo (156) and Mazda (MX5). Hopefully I will be the proud owner of an Astral Black IS 250 SE-L the first week of September :D

Like most “newbie’s” I have read all the reports on What Car, Auto Express etc and I’m amazed how they have got it so wrong. I currently own a Mercedes C180 so I know what that is like and have test driven the BMW 320d SE Auto on a number of occasions.

The upshot is, the BMW is better on the twisty stuff and the Mercedes (for me) is a known rock solid performer, after nearly 3 years and 60K miles it is still squeak free. But the Lexus IS has just blown me away. It makes the interior of the both the BMW and C Class look very dull and functional, the seats on the Lexus are exceptionally comfy, the car is stylish and sporty, the Auto box really is silky smooth, and the toys………. The only down side is the fuel economy, but I can live with that as the car has so many other things to offer. One comment that I initially thought was correct was the tyre noise on the 250. When test driving it with my wife we were amazed at how silent the car was apart from the noise of the tyres, this had us a tad worried. It was only when we both got back into the Merc that we realised that you could not hear the tyres in the C Class because the engine and gear box were drowning them out. The IS really is quiet compared.

The final 3 things that made me definitely go for this car were;

1) I have been up and down the M1 on business during the last 2 weeks and have seen hundreds of BMW’s, Merc’s and Audis but only a handful of IS250’s

2) The after sales reputation that Lexus has, believe me even though I have seen a few bad reports on this site, you want to try Mercedes and BMW, you will then understand poor service

3) Finally this site and the owners club. It really is a great place for help and advice and makes the ownership of a quality car like the IS250 even more special. The enthusiasm of the owners can’t be matched by the competition.

Hopefully I have not bored everyone with my first topic but I am, for the first time in years, very excited about getting a new car.

Cheers from the new boy on the block.

[Mark P]

Welcome to the LOC

How did you find the C180? I considered test driving it before I bought my IS200 but was worried about the build quality (and the 6k price diffrence :D ) I know that Merc have droped a few runs down the ladder in recent years

To be honest the Merc has been really good with no major complaints. That said, it broke down once and the service from Mercedes was slow and not really helpful. The fuel economy over the 60K miles has been 33mpg, but I have not been the most economical of drivers :D . But apart from that, very good. It's due to be replaced next year with an upgraded version. But the Lexus, is I have to say, head and shoulders above. I'm a convert.........

[chips229]

Hi and Welcome to LOC :)

Heres to Happy Motoring when you get your New car

Chips..

[Noel]

Welcome to LOC... :)

[Adie]

Hi and Welcome :D

[peter026]

Enjoy your stay

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

Nice one - welcome!! Tell us when you do your first mod!

Mine was to turn the gear knob around!

[Continunity]

welcome

[Arkanoid]

Welcome to the Club.

Apart from my moans The lexus is still a great car!

I have also experienced the Mercedes Service. They broke the windscreen seal on an SLK while doing a respray of a small area for stone chips. I found out when rain water poured in. I took it back and they filled the gap with clear silicone sealer which was plainly visible from the outside. As you can imagine I was fuming.