Paws

Help - I have noticed creaking from front of car when turning the steering wheel/parking at low speed and now realised that it's connected with use of the footbrake when it's lightly applied. The car has done 63k, and I've had it from new. I will get the dealer to check at the next service but wondered if anyone else had experienced this?? Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section Many thanks, Paws

I've had a fairly long test drive over 4 years and 60k miles from new in the IS250 SE Auto with multimedia pack. :D My verdict is that overall the IS is a 'Good' car, however this will depend largely on what you are personally looking for.. The Not so Good: Cabin noise levels could be quieter particularly at speed, there is a little too much tyre roar. The subjective performance (throttle response) is just adequate for a car in this class, unfortunately the engine lacks low end torque (pull) and you need to drop gears or use revs to get the IS moving. It does have power but it's not pleasantly accessible. Steering is sharp and precise but can become fatiguing on long runs. You have to constantly input minor corrections, this has been an issue in all the IS's I've driven to a greater or lesser degree. Later cars do appear to have a little more steering 'self centering' and you can have the toe adjusted to help tram-lining but it could be better. There are various rattles and creaks in the cabin that come and go with temperature, it all feels well screwed together but on my particular car they can be annoying at certain times of year, very hot or very cold. Cabin wind noise could also be improved at speed, the door acoustic seal performance is not as good as some other cars I've owned in the same class. Ride quality is very dependent on road surface quality and speed, ranging from good to quite poor. Damping is good at speed but poor when travelling slowly over uneven roads. Wheel corrosion is a problem on the 17" SE alloy wheels, I've had three sets under warranty and the last set within 12 months are starting to bubble again. This is really poor given Lexus's stated commitment to quality! The Good: The car has been superbly reliable in virtually every respect. Everything just keeps working like new. The car does not feel much different to a brand new IS loan car after 4 years and 60k of normal driving. :) Wheels aside the exterior of the car still looks fresh. Paint and trim seems to have weathered well. The economy for a 2.5 V6 Auto has been very respectable, it has dropped a little since new but is still averaging 35 mpg on mixed driving and can reach 40 mpg + on extended motorway runs. The 6 speed auto box is very smooth and makes the car relaxing to drive in stop start motoring, it's also more economical than the manual and results in very little engine noise at all speeds. The Multimedia Nav/Phone pack although now dated in not having the very latest features (no full digit post code search, A2DP steaming on Bluetooth etc.) is absolutely brilliant in its reliability, quality of graphics and sound. The heating/ventilation and climate control is so good you don't even think about it. The programming seems perfect in that the windows are always clear, you are never too hot, cold or blasted through the system unnecessarily. Seats are comfy and easily adjusted if a little on the narrow side, I'm not large ! Controls are well placed, work smoothly and the instrumentation is beautifully clear. Brakes are effective if lacking a little progression, they are too ON/OFF but you get used to them and they stop the car well. The IS is a relaxing car to drive and own. The IS does not entice you into being aggressive and you feel quite content just going with the flow. Other drivers also let you out of side turnings and don't harass you on motorways which is a bonus. All in all I would give the IS 7.5/10. If the steering was a little less twitchy, the low speed ride a little smoother, wind noise better at speed and the engine more willing at low revs then it would be close to perfect for a small compact exec. Lexus dealers are also great even after you've purchased the car, they are exceptional compared to all the others I've come into contact with. Would I buy an IS again from new - absolutely NOT, second hand - absolutely YES. Hope this is helpful to somebody :)

Hi everyone, I've had an IS250SE MM Auto since September '06 and thought I'd give you an overview of my ownership experience to date.. I chose the Lexus after driving a number of models from SAAB, B&W, Honda etc. and in my view overall the Lexus package was better, comfort, equipment and even crispness of handling - plus the car looked far better than most. The car has had a number of issues: Wheel corrosion - Lexus do need to get this sorted, you do not expect to see paint bubbling after 12 months Great response from the dealer who changed all four wheels, but it can't be that hard for the world's top auto maker to source decent alloy wheels. A neighbour has an 12 year old LS400 and the bodywork is immaculate but the wheels are a disgrace - a big weak point. This issue is not new to Lexus so I really can’t understand why wheels continue to be a problem for them??? Stone chips, paint is weak and certainly not as good as I've had on previous cars. I've also had corrosion causing paint bubbling :tsktsk: on the bonnet that has recently required a complete bonnet respray. Again, good response from the dealer who booked the car in and got it sorted :) but it’s something you don’t expect to worry about when a car is less than 24 months old. More minor gripes; seat wear, cushion bolsters look rather wrinkled and certainly not as hardy as those on a Mazda Xedos 6 I had previously, and yes, mine does rattle a bit, but it's normally cured with a wedge of paper between the dash and windscreen, fortunately not a big problem and an interesting discussion point when you give someone a lift and they ask you about the Lexus’s build quality. The interior is a very pleasant place to be, the infotainment works a treat as does the Bluetooth and the cars character turns you into a relaxed driver overnight! The 6 speed auto is very smooth and given my general state of relaxation since owning the car, the last 30,000 miles have given an average consumption on the fuelometer of 36.1 mpg. Motorway runs can see the tank average over 40 mpg which is good for the engine capacity and cars weight, however given the lack of real ooomph for a 200bhp, engine except when changing down a dozen gears and burying the throttle, it's just as well. :winky: The 250 would certainly benefit from a bit more torque. The engine could also do with a little more character for a V6, it's well insulated but the underlying sound is not what I'd call sonorous or even mildly sporty, minor grumble though as it generates absolutely no resonance or boom at any speed. Ride quality is also generally good compared to some BMWs for example, but tyre noise is another area that could do with improvement. It can be very tiresome (no pun intended!) on poor surfaces - so I'm hoping that some less aggressive tyres might help shave a few dB’s off the drone when they're changed. If you’ve read this far you’re probably thinking that I’m unhappy but actually I think the car is really rather good :) I always look forward to driving it, mechanically it has been utterly dependable unlike my wife’s Audi, and I don’t get the feeling it will all wear out anytime soon, in fact I would say that the car feels more responsive and smoother to drive now than it did when it left the showroom. No product is perfect but there really is nothing major wrong with the 250, in some ways because most of it works so well when something is a little below par – like the road noise – it stands out above the tranquillity. If you are thinking about a new car then the IS should be on your list to have a good look at, and if you do own one I hope your experience is as good or even better than mine. :D Thanks for the forum!

I've just joined this forum after test driving an IS250SE last week. I've never bought a new car with my own money before but this car is so good I just couldn't resist Lexus have hit the optimum balance of what a luxury sports saloon should be for someone like myself who is just over 40, doesn't want their remaining teeth knocked out over potholes, their organs rearranged when they accelerate or their already abused hearing suffering further attenuation through engine, wind and trye roar! Fortunately I've a little Lotus in the garage I can do that in on a Sunday afternoon :winky: It's a great car and I think Lexus should be congratulated on doing their own thing and not following the crowd - not everyone wants to drive a Bavarian Cortina :D It's also obvious after driving the Lexus that the penny hasn't quite dropped with the motoring press on what the IS 250 is all about. No doubt Lexus will have absolutely no trouble finding buyers for them.... Thanks for this Forum, it's both entertaining and very informative - Cheers :)