PG1

On paper, the pricing of the IS250 does seem excessive compared to the previous IS. However, we should reserve judgement until we have seen the car in the flesh and driven it. Even though I've placed a deposit on one and chosen the spec, I still have the right to change my mind once I've driven a demonstrator when it arrives in October at my local Lexus dealership. In the mean time, I will be testing other cars that the Lex is going head to head against, (a new 325/330 M Sport probably) so that I can make a fair comparison. If the Lex is pants, I will be getting my deposit back, but I honestly expect it will be a great drive. Mr Mole => The debate in this forum is a perfectly valid one. So what if people have placed orders and finalised their specs. Like me, they have the right to change their mind after seeing a car in the flesh and test driving one. Only time will tell if this car is a success, not an order book of 'potential' customers.

Actually Cruise control is standard on all the new IS's. The cruise you are referring to is Adaptive Cruise Control, where it senses the speed of the car in front of you and slows down/speeds up as required.

What colour did you go for? I've gone for Cadoxton Slate (like a metallic charcoal). Get my SE-L on the 19th too...

Anyone see this? http://www.thenewis.com/ Official IS website (for the US) Gives you a exterior & interior colour configurator. US colours are the same as UK colours, just named differently.

The European Honda Accord is sold as an Acura TSX in the US. Acura IS a direct competotor to Lexus, and consequently the Accord IS actually a worthy comparison to a Lexus IS. I own a new Accord and it's build quality, ride & handling is much better than it's 'competitors' such as the Mazda 6, Mondeo and 407 etc... In anycase, the IS200 is a Toyota Altezza!!! :P

See second pic in 3rd row here : http://www2.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=5110 Basically looks cr*p without the sat nav

I assume the 34.5k includes the £1500 for 18" Alloys? That makes the Sport even better value - you could have had that + metallic, sun-roof, media, and (std 18"" wheels) for a touch over 30K. Ok, you get Escaine (suede) trim instead of leather and you have to wait til April.... In anycase, bet you can't wait :) BTW - which exterior colour did you go for?

Loads of new pics and tech data/press release info here. http://my.is/forums/showthread.php?t=262031 Have fun...

You've got to be kidding me! They're charging an additional £2,600 for a package of extras that are basically all "fluff"?!! Yes, nice little extras to have, but none you really NEED or must have. I mean, come on, how hard is it to switch on the wipers when it rains, or adjust the steering columns with a lever..... Sorry, but I think Lexus have really dropped the ball over the pricing and options on this car ← No kidding - got the spec in front of me in black & white :) The baffling thing is that the Sport model is 1500 cheaper than the SE-L, and does away with the power sun-shade and the 'illuminated scuff plates' but adds, 18" wheels, sports suspension, metal trimming (no wood! yay!), drilled alloy pedals, and scuff plates in the rear. Ok it has Escaine (suede effect) seats rather than leather, but to me the sport sounds like better value than the SE-L.

According to the info I've been sent by Lexus, Sat Nav is not standard on the SE-L. It's an option on all variants. Over the SE, the SE-L has the following a standard : R/S Wipers, F/R Park Sensors, Adapitive Xenons, Elec adjustable Steering column, Rear Armrest with storage, Through load facility, Dimming mirrors, power rear sunshade, illuminated scuff plates & wood trim. If you want Sat Nav it's £2710 extra, but that includes Mark Levinson 5.1 DVD system, Bluetooth & rear parking camera.

See a full road test of an IS350 here http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drive...07/pageId=64968 These guys thought it was a great car, but still not as good to drive as a BMW 3. They also thought the VDIM was too intrusive. Apart from that, it's all positive. In terms of quality it's siginficant step up from the previous IS. Anyway, check it out...

Let us know how you get on. 26-27K for a sport WITH Sat Nav seems to contradict the prices that have been discussed on this forum (26.5k for IS250 Sport and ~3K for Media Pack. Add Metallic and it's more like 30K). Hopefully YOU are correct, as 27K for sport with sat Nav doesn't sound so bad...

I've put a deposit down on an IS250 (fully refundable) and am now seriously considering looking at alternatives now, based on the elevated prices (relative to the prices I was expecting). Also, ideally I wanted to go for the Is250 sport + media pack, but this model won't be out until April next year, which either gives me some more time to save up, or a chance to change my mind!

I agree - BMW have just released pricing for their M-sport variants too. You can get a 330i Sport for less than a fully loaded is250SE-L. 32K for an Is that has 'mediocre' performance for a 2.5l V6 is a lot. I think good press reviews are going to be crucial for Lexus when compared to the new 3. At least the Lex is a good looking car and should be a rarer sight in the roads...

Regarding the cost of the media pack - agree it's pretty expensive - but apparantly it consists of the following : 1) Sat Nav (voice controlled) 2) Mark Levinson Stereo + 14 speakers + 5.1 Surround + DVD player 3) BlueTooth (Voice control for your phone) 4) Reverse Camera 1) would probably be around 1.5K 2) would probably be around 800 quid? (based on top spec BMW hi-Fi upgrade price) 3) Is around 500 (again taken from BMW prices) 4) PDC (just sensors) is normally around 300 quid - I guess a camera would be double that - (Why this is needed when the car already has F/R parking sensers gawd knows!) So £2700 is expected .... should be standard though ... it's a Lexus!!!