psmallri

Not really noticed issues in heavy rain, but the last time I drove it on motorway in high wind it scared the living daylights out of me! Drifted hugely across lanes totally unexpectedally - and before someone says I was driving inappropriately, This is my third, and probable last, Lexus IS, and never had this terrifying experience before! I'd put it down to bad design and lack of wind tunnel testing!

I've now had my new style IS250 for about six months, and have updated my thoughts below. I am in discussion with Lexus about another Software update to allegedly solve the NAV and Audio problems, but having asked for the Release Notes for the proposed Software Version (so I can be sure it would solve one or more of my problems) it seems Lexus Poole have problems getting the information - that really is a bit rubbish, as even if the software comes from Japan somewhere there must be a list of what it is supposed to fix!!! Anyway, here is my updated thoughts and issues:- 1. Indicators - now changed to Soft Touch rubbish, cannot say how much I absolutely hate them. Need to be changed to 7 blinks. Changed mind and think will have them set to zero so they do nothing! 2. Boot - lid very very light, hinges now covered in Plastic. What were Lexus thinking, this is far from Lexus Quality. 3. Gears - unlike previous IS250 I can feel it changing gears up and down (think it's mainly 5th and 6th but not worked out how to see what gear I'm in yet). Seems to be all top gears 4 5 and 6. 4. Idling - unlike previous IS250, I am unable to reverse into my very narrow driveway just using the brake pedal, I have to give it a dab of accelerator. 5. Driving - having driving a long mixed (country roads, town, and motorway) 500 mile journey, it doesn't feel as "stuck to the road" as the previous IS250. It's getting better or I'm getting used to it!!! 6. USBs - two USB slots won't allow lid to close if memory stick of average length inserted. Had to purchase USB Adaptor that uses wire. 7. Would I recommend it to other potential users, only if they've never driven or owned the previous model. Would I recommend the previous model - absolutely. 8. On starting sometimes neither USB nor Bluetoothe Audio are recognised, and sometimes get lost during playback so have to go into settings and assign them again. 9. Unable to sign onto Lexus Portal despite being able to do so on PC () get ID=214 error. 10. While driving or on startup the screen goes blank with just top line minimised. Fixed until next time by disabling screen then back on. 11. Lights and windscreen wipers set to auto, sometimes don't seem to come on or go off, especially after squirting screen washers at screen, have to do it again and for longer to activate wipers. It's not consistent. 12. The Nav system is at best awful, how it chooses it's routes is beyond me to the point where I don't actually trust it, and I paid extra for this!!! 13. Most of the times for Audio I simply want to find another track, artist, or folder to play, but the Browse button is greyed out. I just can't fathom out any reason why as eventually the button is ungreyed but only after I've skipped through music one by one! Really really annoying.

I upgraded to the new is250 in September last year, and so far I think I preferred the previous is250 that I had. I decided to take the SATNAV option as I found the Multi Media aspects of the basic audio system somewhat awkward to use while driving. Thoughts on car so far:- Doesn't drive as well as previous model - I can "feel" it changing gears which I never did in the old model, and it doesn't feel as "planted" driving at high speed. First time I lifted the boot lid, I nearly smacked myself in the face as it was just so light - had close look at it and it's covered in very cheap looking plastic over the hinges. Not very Lexus at all!! I always play my music from a USB memory stick, placed in the USB slot in the arm rest, imagine my surprise to find the arm rest will not close with a normal sized and length Memory Stick. Not sure Lexus thought of that one during the redesign - I had to buy a USB connector cable so my memory stick would lie in the arm rest and not impinge on it closing. I'm don't really have a lot of experience in using SATNAV but it does make some strange decisions about the route, but I guess I'll continue to ignore it if I know better. Randomly, Audio switches itself off either at start-up time, or during play back. I had software upgrade done last week and it's made no difference so it's back to Lexus about that I guess. I will check the manual, but it seems one of my reversing lights has expired so that needs looking at if indeed I should have two.

One thing I forgot to include in my last post, the back seats now have third two third fold down facility meaning I can get dragged off to Ikea and carry more flat packs than something the size of a pair of skis like the previous two models. Oh and I saw mentioned the new Softouch indicators and I can't say how much I hate them, if it ain't broke fiddle with it until it is! Don't follow me on the road as my indicators flip left and right almost at random!!!

I've had the new 2013 IS250 Luxury with added NAV Pack for 3 weeks now, and have done about 600 miles of mixed driving, town country and motorway. Having previously had an IS220D then a IS250 SE-I this is my third Lexus. Currently, I'm reasonably happy, but think the previous model had a better drive (this just doesn't feel as stuck to the road). I've not had time to muck about with all the gizmos yet, but have already identified some setting changes that I will be asking Lexus to make for me (the previous IS had same sort of setting that can only be adjusted by Lexus). I use an iPhone5 and it Bluetoothed fine, and eventually got it to replicate my contacts each time so I can actually use it to make calls while driving. I also use the Bluetoothe Audio a lot as some of my music is on my iPhone but I prefer to use the USB Memory Stick option. I have all my music on a 64gb memory stick (I think it still has to be formatted FAT32 or FTA32EX so don't just think buying a 64gb Memory stick will work as they will almost certainly come as NTFS formatted which may not work). The biggest problem with the memory stick option is the location of the USB1 and USB2 ports, they are too close to the arm rest lid and will not allow the lid to close when they're inserted - I ended up buying a USB male/female adaptor at Maplins with a length of wire between). Seems to work OK. The boot lid is unerringly light, and on investigation is un-Lexusly covered in lots of very cheap plastic. Generally, happy with the car but may change to very happy once I've worked out all the gizmos.

Further to my previous post, I am now able to add more points about the new Is250 2013 model. Lexus issues. I should point out that this is my third Lexus having previously owned an IS220d and IS250. 1. Indicators - now changed to Soft Touch rubbish, cannot say how much I absolutely hate them. 2. Boot - lid very very light, hinges now covered in Plastic. What were Lexus thinking, this is far from Lexus Quality. 3. Gears - unlike previous IS250 I can feel it changing gears up and down (think it's mainly 5th and 6th but not worked out how to see what gear I'm in yet). 4. Idling - unlike previous IS250, I am unable to reverse into my very narrow driveway just using the brake pedal, I have to give it a dab of accelerator. 5. Driving - having driving a long mixed (country roads, town, and motorway) 500 mile journey, it doesn't feel as "stuck to the road" as the previous IS250. 6. USBs - two USB slots won't allow lid to close if memory stick of average length inserted. Had to purchase USB Adaptor that uses wire. 7. Would I recommend it to other potential users, only if they've never driven or owned the previous model. Would I recommend the previous model - absolutely.

Hi, I've just taken delivery of new IS250 and one of the worst things about it is the new "Soft Touch" indicators (at least I think that's what they're called). Push the indicator lever up to go right, it returns to its mid position while the indicator still flashes, and dab it down to cancel it - hit it slightly too hard to cancel it and the left indicator goes on confusing and annoying other road users. Not impressed one bit so far!!! Also, I notice the boot lid is incredibly light (I guess due to new rear light arrangement), and no longer closes with that sound of quality "wump" - it closes with the sound I can only think is something like the boot lid on a Huyundai Accent very "tinny". Doesn't sound like it's the usual Lexus quality at all. Other than that I think I need to sit in the car for good few hours to understand all the new features and options. Paul. Bournemouth