Tango

I've found out that's only true if you resist the temptation to play with the paddle change Cannot resist it

This has been posted a few times. The Supaguard treatment is not worth the money unless of course you don't want to give the car a decent high tech polish yourself. There's plenty of advice on this site on car care. My IS200 had the Supaguard treatment, but didn't last as long as the one I gave it with a decent polymer polish and resin finish.

Importing from Japan would ensure the steering wheel is on the right side, but what about the set-up regarding language differences? Presume the instruments are the same? Satnav etc. would need to be changed? Anyone imported from Japan?

Why? Are you aiming to import one then Mr. Singh?

Escaine is the man made (simulated) suede, and the Sport IS 250 is all Escaine, not a the mix of leather and suede on the old model. That's what put me off (as well as I couldn't wait) so got the SE-L in Slate with black leather. I was going for the 18" rims as a compromise but although it was possible as a dealer only option, I wouldn't have got any money back on the original 17" rims fitted to my IS250 SE-L. Bit extravagant having the spare set for winter tyres!!! B)

Mike, I managed a drive & that was the car. Came back from Houston Friday evening. Sounds like we may be both in the Oil business...

Well Mr Mole I could not resist the temptation to drive the IS350 as I'm currently in Houston. After the IS250 the 306 BHP feels awesome and it's just as well the traffic here is so dense at the moment or the State Troopers may arrange not to allow me back. I hope the drive hasn't put the knockers on my appreciation of the IS250 SE-L that I should be receiving early next month (and that's without thinking about the price difference)! The IS250 is also selling here in both rear wheel drive and AWD guises, but why does the interior trim differ from the UK or am I comparing an 'SE IS350' with an SE-L IS250, which is the only one I've got to see in the UK? I would have liked to try the 250 AWD but your equivalent here had by then worked out I wasn't about to place an order in the USA!! Just wish the 350 was coming to the UK.......

My IS250 SE-L is already on order in the UK, but I am in Houston at the moment and I drive past the Lexus dealership every day. Do I pay a visit and take a test drive in the IS350 ? I really, really want to, but will I then be forever dissatisfied with my new IS250?? Help!!!

That's the only non-metallic, and it's also the only colour you get for 'free', but I've had black and although it looks great when it's clean, it's a sod to keep it that way. Settled on 'Slate Grey' or whatever the correct name is. Anyone gone for the cruise/pre-crash option?

Well here's one pilot that's making the change after my pre-launch test drive today! Superb build quality, exceptional styling and the auto box is the best I've used in any car except perhaps the Ferrari 360. Just need to decide on the colour, Slate or the Blue?? :P

The first car is in my 'local' dealer tomorrow and I have been invited for a test drive same day as have had my deposit down since March. The official launch is 12th and 13th according to the invite received yesterday. The car they are getting is an SE-L IS250 auto. so post comments Friday. Looking forward to it!! :D

lets hope so. I think it's a maybe at the moment. ← Got the word from the dealer after his Monaco training course, that the 350 import into UK will not happen. Some discussion around the 500 possibly being available at a later date, but presumably as a very expensive 'special'. With the 350 now confirmed as not being available I was going to wait for the IS 250 Sport, but it's not available with leather, only man made 'suede'. As the 18" rims are available as a dealer option on the SE-L, and if a 'sports pack' is also available for the SE-L I may go for that rather than wait until March/April.

Aido, I reported a recall on June 27th this year, quote: When I picked up my Lex from its last service at Lexus Bristol I found a very nice full set of luxury carpet mats, complete with gold 'Lexus' emblem on the front mats. Lexus Bristol told me they were fitted as they had a 'recall' on the originals??!! Must say the new ones are a lot better quality....

Yes, it's lowered as well but not a lot, and I think the suspension may be set a bit harder.

What would happen now though if you were to have an accident in the next week with the crappy windscreen ? Would this be the RAC's responsibility, cuz you could say that the scratches were a distraction - being in your field of vision. They replaced one on my VW Bora that I had (before the Lex). They had to get me another one because of the Bora having rain sensitive wipers which the sensor was located on the windscreen behind the black dot above the mirror - they supplied the wrong one !! They then came back a couple of days later with the new one, but when the bloke fitted it he scratched the black dot !! :duh: Just remember to give it a good check over before you sign the acceptance form. ;) ← Yes I'll second that Autoglass fitted a replacement to my IS and although they fitted the correct heated screen they cut through the cloth of the pillar trim on both sides and I did not notice until a day later. I contacted my Insurance Company and Autoglass but neither were particularly interested as I had signed the acceptance form :tsktsk: Anyone know how to remove the trim from the pillars???? :)

I'm 42 and Dave Ellen is seriously old - does this mean that because we drive IS's we are in a mid life crisis? ← Hey Mr Morse I can give you 14 years so what does that make me?

Bit cruel but I zapped the little bastards with the steam cleaner jet. Gotta keep doing it cos new residents obviously liked the super clean accommodation. Also found that folding the mirrors stops the web making. Definitely going to try the lemon pledge though!

It's all Greek to me!

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. ← Agree, that's why I'm waiting until April. Who the hell wants a rear power blind and wood effect trim? Thanks for confirming what 'Escaine' trim is, as even the dealer did not know. However, is this leather and suede effect like the current Sport or all suede effect? SE and SE-L have full leather. I did entertain the idea of buying an SE or SE-L and trade it in for the Sport in April but dealer reckons I'd lose +£1K a month so no go. Just hope that Lexus UK are noting all the comments on this site and feeding the info back to HQ. Anyone know the cost of importing a IS350 from Japan?

South Cotswolds give it away! I use Lexus Bristol but live 25 miles N.E of there, & 15 miles away from Castle Combe. B)

Sorry, but if I wanted an informed opinion on what constitutes a good motor car I would not ask an American.

Morris Minivan - more body filler than steel Austin 850 Mini Ford Prefect (anyone remember sidevalve engines and vacuum wipers?) Austin A35 (needed transport while building the next) Mini Marcos (built from 1098 Mini Cooper) 1275 Cooper S - v. modded Lotus Europa - ugly but hell of a drive MGB Roadster - had it 8 years & only rebuilt it twice Lancia Beta Coupe - nice engine but the bodyshell started to disappear! Vauxhall Cavalier Estate (when the kids arrived) Ford Mondeo Estate (kids still growing) Volvo 480 Turbo Vauxhall Cavalier TD (put 138,000 miles on it from new - my Father still driving it!) Mazda 626 Exec (put 147,00 miles on that, anyone want it?) IS 200 Sport IS250 Sport (waiting)

Quite agree. I also forgot to mention that Lexus UK have 450 orders already. That's 450 firm orders for cars and does not include the likes of myself who just placed a deposit. I suppose I could have placed an order today but if I have to wait until April 2006 I may as well wait until November to test drive a 250 SE-L just to make sure. However, there are obviously at least 450 peeps out there that have ordered more or less in blind faith. Are they all in the Club??? IF not why not?

That's interesting, as far as I know Lexus were giving a full alloy as a spare unlike competitors, it was little things like that which made Lexus special. They're going to have to be careful if they're just going to aim for the run of the mill market.... OT but does anyone know if you get a proper spare with the new GS line? ← Aido - No the GS has the space saver too.