Risky3301

And the BMW wins again....... YAWN.

Bit like a TAG watch, millions spent on branding and advertising, loads of people want or own one, pay over the odds for them and don't care that the mechanism inside is actually mediocre at best.......

Still, nout queer as folk!

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Your a watch expert now, I take you don't own a TAG or never seen the inner workings of the a TAG.

I am still curious as to why Lexus saw the need to drop the IS200 in favour of the IS250, why the engine change from a solid, straight-6 to an ally V6.  Also why a 4-cyl diesel with no auto option.

It makes you wonder if Lexus actually know who their customers are?

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Couple of reasons I think, firstly the V6, this option is for improved interior cabin space using cab forward design 'incease interior space at the expense of the underbonnet space and front end crash requirements,

Now the 4 cylinder diesel, well Lexus have shot themselves in foot big time, one of TMC failings is that it can't make a good diesel engines for cars, they did have the chance of taking a V6 diesel from another manufacture but 'BOTTLED IT' now the same engine they were going to take is now widely regarded as best in class. sadly it's not in a Lexus. An I4 diesel in this class of car is a little sad when you look at what else you can buy for the same money or less and the having no Auto option is further proof that TMC can't make diesel engines for cars.

The old car was a 2 litre, the new car is a 2.5 litre, hence should be more expensive, like everyone else.

....and having driven and inspected the new car, even if it was still a 2 litre, it would be worth the extra. It really IS that good.

Please wait until you have seen / driven it before passing judgment?

Styling, then price is what gets people into dealerships, at Lexus prices you won't get me going any where near one of there dealerships.

Thanks Padam19 for the link to Auto Express review.

Also - there is a thread on one of the US sites currently trying to find out the 0-60 time for the manual 250. The 0-60 of circa 5.3 for the 350 is all over the place - but try and find it for the 250.....

The US Lexus site states 7.9 for auto and 8.3 for AWD but nothing for manual.

A couple of months ago one reviewer on Auto Express, Peter Lyons, posted a time of 7.3 for the 250. 

Anyone know?

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Just over 8 secs for the 250, read the auto express report

It seems we all agree that the IS250 S-EL should come with 18" wheels as standard. If anyone from Lexus UK or Lexus Europe is reading this, it would be great if you could respond to this request.

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Sorry to disagree with you, but not everyone wants 18" wheels. If you want sporty 18" then buy the 250 Sport, the SE-L has 17" wheels to add to the luxury and ride comfort of that model.

As for the folk moaning about the spacesaver spare wheel, what do you expect when the front and rear tyres are different widths? I supose you could carry 2 spare wheels, or cheaper still just buy the base model 250.

Oldun

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Wheel size has nothing to do with ride confort, that's handled by the suspension and the side wall of the tyre and tyre compond, there are many reasons why a manfacture uses a spacer saver wheel/tyre there might have underfloor package issues with say the muffler system, they need to have bigger mufflers to achive the legal drive noise requirement or they may want to either meet or be better than the competition with boot space, the main reason is to save money.

Also found out that

- the spare time is a space saver (as the front and back wheels are different sizes)

-

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The wheel/tyres might be a different size but they will have the same rolling radius

The only reason why car manufactures use space saver wheel and tyres is to save money, there is no benifit to the customer.

Just a few coments.

Residual values.

Okay they have slipped a little in the last 12 months due to the new model, but that's life. However, for most of it's life the IS has had better residuals than any of its competitors and by some margin. Don't forget, when residuals are calculated, they are based against the cars new list price for that model, and don't include all the extras that you add on. Adding £3k's worth of extras won't make it worth any more when you come to sell it, therfore  the 3 series or C lass or whatever is worth less in percentage terms than the percentage guide figures suggest, and even they are lower than the IS.

As for Honda as a direct competitor, I'm sure they think so too. Best to compare it once the new IS is out, then we'll see I guess...

Model line up - comparing one manufacturer against another using how many drivatives they have a factor is only valid if you are trying to compete on volume and therefore profitaiblity. Lexus are not chasing volume like the Germans - Toyota does that for them and wins hand down, end of story. A competitor is judged using factors of quality, performance, ride, smoothness, refinement, quietness, engineering, technology etc.

In the end, the price is the price, Lexus have built and designed a fabulous new car which peolple will either buy and enjoy or they won't. No amount of discussion will change colours, specs or prices. So far, everyone I have spoken to has confirmed their order and are looking forward to their new car.

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You do sound like a saleman who has just walked out of the briefing for the new IS250 :) .

Sadly no amount of spin will get me to buy a new IS250 or any other Lexus Brand

The fact that the IS is now specced and priced at this level, it pushes it into direct competition of its main rivals, the BMW 3 series, Merc C-class and Audi A4, and it quite severely undercuts all of them  :)

With all this hype tho, lets just hope Lexus has made the new IS as a mighty fine driver's car  :winky:

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I don't want to burst your bubble but the IS is not a competitor for any of the products you mention, they don't offer enough body styles or powertrains, the new IS will be offered in one body style, with two choices of powertrain, not what I would call competition for the products you mention

With respect, you are paying for more than just RWD and a V6 engine. It's all the other things that made your old IS200 the "best car I ever owned" that make the Lexus worth the money, plus the quality, refinement, design, build, stronger residual value, customer service.....

But you can't please all the people all the time, good luck with the Honda though, still a good quality car.

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Sorry about this but I have to comment, Theirs is no way the IS250 is worth the type of money that has quoted regardless of trim or spec, LEXUS are only number 1 in JD Power because of 'purchase justification' as for being the 'best car I ever owned' this depends on how you define 'Best' if it's Poor build Quaility, Warranty Repairs, continious vists to the dealer to fix the same defect time and time again, if this means Best to you, it doesn't to me which why buying a IS200 wasn't one of the best decision I have ever made. Apart from all defects/repairs it has been a joy to own but sadly I won't be buying another becasue of what I have suffered owning the one I've got.

writer stands back from the keyboard an awaits fall out.

People, I need some legal advice, does anybody here know a good 'Brief' that knows Automotive Homolgation and Whole Vehicle Type Approval requirements I can contact for some legal advice.

IS250 V6 16 Valve Dual VVT :duh:

IS250d L4 24 Valve :duh:

The above spec was taken from Page 49 of the new LEXUS mag

Not sure how the above is going to work or perhaps the clever people at LEXUS do there engineering different to everybody else, 16/6=2.4 valve per cylinder :duh: and 24/4=6 valves per cylinder. No it still doesn't work.

One day LEXUS GB might get something right. Then again I don't think so from one really :tsktsk: off customer.

Any more ? ?

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Are you still looking???

I need a good wheel repairer or a company that can refurbished the 18 inch 6 spoke alloys, I have damaged both N/S wheels on the inside rim, no tyre damage.

Can anybody recommend a company, I am based inside the M25 in Hornchurch

hi all,

my father is after a gps system, nothing fancy, had a look at the medion one in halfords but they are sold out ( so is the website) as they are selling it now for £200!!!

anyone know of any good websites  that  might have it or have alternatives??

OR if someone could be kind enough to have a look in thier local halfords, and if they have one i can do an immediate cash transfer to u???

thanks rob.

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Have a look at NAVMAN

^^

Look closer, u can see the shadow of the acc pedal and then pedal above it, and if u focus harder u can make out the auto brake pedal (huge)

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Yes there is a shadow, but it not of pedals, take a really close look at all the pics

The tyres are not made of rubber, no wiper arm or blades

Nearly forgot how you gonna get into car where doors don't open, LEXUS must use the tightest torrances on there 'shut' lines because it doesn't have any.

^^

Mirrors were chopped out, when windows were whitened, and yes i can see the pedals, they are BLACK!!

http://www.exoticcarsite.com/image.php?ima...us_is250-13.jpg

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There's no pedals in the pic only the foot rest on left, the reason why the window are white is because it's model and all the other pics are a scale 'CLAY' which is why windows are 'BLACK' because there is no interior.

I just hope they get the bonnet body lines right on the production version

The pics might be high res, but the pedals and door mirrors are still missing in the interior photo's.

I appreciate everyone's entitled to their opinion, but must say I'm amazed at the general level of negativity towards the new design.  I know there's a lot of love for the existing design, but come on guys it is looking really dated now. Try putting some shots of the existing IS next to the new one (exterior or interior) and surely you can see how dated the old one now looks. This new one is WAY better.

And for those who are unsure if it stacks up well next to the new BMW 3 or Audi, here's

another interesting exercise you might care to try.....

Go to the Autoweek Geneva page and then click through the whole series of photos for the new IS. Then do do the same for the 2006 BMW 3 Series,  and then for the Audi RS4.

Do it in whichever order you like, but  surely you have to admit it....  Which of these cars looks more classy, looks more expensive....... both outside and inside?? Sorry, but I reckon the new IS is head and shoulders above the competition!

I love it, but am just worried I won't be able to afford the new IS! Looking forward to confirmation of model variations and UK pricing.

Gareth

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Thats a brilliant idea, after comparing all those cars, the IS looks even better than it did to start with! The 3 series really looks quite awful, I'd really like to hear reasons behind someone making that choice

I'm also totally amazed by the spec, with things like smart entry being standard (does any other car of this size have this even as an option?). And then there's the options list, ventilated seats, dvd changer, pre crash system, adaptive cruise and I'm sure there's way more - all things you normally see as 'options' on bigger cars!

Have any of the people in the know had a drive in one yet? Lets hope it wipes the floor with the 3 series cos so far its already done so in every other way :D

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Nissan Micra has keyless entry, standard fit

Ford Mondeo has Ventilated front seats, pre-crash protective system, adaptive cruise, the options listed by Lexus have been around for long time on much cheaper cars. Nothing new. All they are doing is bring the car upto date (spec wise)

The broken line is a styling element. You see it all over the new IS. Even headlights, rear door, rear light and so on. It's for getting a bit more live into the design.

If they weren't there everybody whould say, that it's to waveless and clean.

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Not sure I agree, the front looks unbalanced and looks like a 1st year student done the design. All classic designs have flowing lines. The look of the new IS doesn't flow.

Now I'll ask this here:

Which one looks better:

The murder is out. It's the IS  :D  beyond all question

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At least BMW designers know how to flow a body line, Lexus designers don't, look at the bonnet line on the IS in relation to the front grill line, it does not flow, it's jagged line. Now look at the Bonnet line to the line by the headlight on the BMW. The body line flows from begin to end

Are there any pics of the car from the show, the released photo's look like a 'Clay' model.

I use the NAVMAN v2.0 SmartST on my XDA II blinding piece of Kit, full UK and Europe maps, all though I did find one vital piece of the UK map missing today driving back from Preston, NO M6 motorway between J2 and 3, Apart from that is been OK, I've used it in France, Belguim, Spain with no missing roads.

I'm with o2, the only grumble I have, they won't give me with-held number inmformation. :tsktsk:

Lexus LF-A concept

Vehicle: Lexus LF-A concept

Engine: High-output double overhead cam V-8

Horsepower: More than 500 hp

Height: 48.0 inches

Width: 73.2 inches

Length: 173.2 inches

What the automaker says: "The Lexus LF-A is like no sports car we have ever built--or even imagined," said Jim Press, Toyota Motor Sales executive vice president and COO. "Currently only a concept, it is a realistic vision of how we might address the boundaries that define the exotic sports car landscape." The Lexus LF-A concept features an engine capable of developing more than 500 horsepower from a displacement of less than five liters. With a combination of optimum gearing, weight and aerodynamics, the LF-A concept would produce a top speed in the neighborhood of 200 miles per hour.

What you should know: Lexus says the LF-A concept strongly hints at a high-end halo sports car for the brand. Look for it in showrooms three years from now.

I remember looking a few months back at a website that specialised in car kits for all vehicles and mobile phones. What intrested me was the one they had for the IS200, it was a side-dash mounting jobby, with a mounting bracket available for the O2 XDA2, rather than a generic thing.

Does anyone know of the place I mean?

Spent the past hour looking tonight without any joy :(

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I use this one CMPC-15 Mobile PDA Cradle for the XDA II / MDA II / Qtek 2020 / i-Mate it's by Carcomm and they can be found here