djanderso

No amount of discussion will change colours, specs or prices.

So, what you are saying is that Lexus do not listen to their customers? My ***, they really do think they are BMW then!

Well, lets just wait and see how "well" they manage to shift the IS - as by the sounds of it, there won't be many on this forum parting with their cash for it.

Sorry mate, must've missed that part 

No worries! :)

Parthiban, if you re-read what I said ... "I know it's not a rival as such to the Lexus". So I DO recognise it is not "in the same class" (whatever that means these days).

The Mole, as for the stronger residual value - 53% on current IS after 3 years, 50% on Accord - so not much in that.

My view is that I now see the Accord where the IS200 was 6 years ago - a car that was extremely good value for money undercutting German offerrings by some margin giving luxuries that are normally "extras" as standard. FFS , Lexus don't even give a sunroof on the IS as standard now!

Well, given the likelihood of these prices and spec I have now dropped my interest in buying an IS250. I'm going to speak to a Honda dealer about a 55 plate Accord 2.4 Executive tomorrow. I know its FWD and 4 cylinders but I'm not prepared to pay Lexus how much they want just for the privilege of RWD and a V6. I know it's not a rival as such to the Lexus, but for £24K (before I negotiate discount) it's got everything I want and after Lexus, Honda is the best Japanese manufacturer:

190BHP 2.4 engine

DVD Sat Nav (I don't need or want to be able to play the latest blockbuster!)

Electric Sunroof (Lexus, the IS used to have this as standard)

Full Leather

Dual zone climate control

Lowered sports suspension

Xenon headlamps

Vehicle Stability Control

Premium 8 speaker ICE

And 4 cupholders (Important as my Z only has 1 )

Thanks PG1 - crap but better than a big empty box!

Quality of the Satnav screen looks very good - crystal clear.

Sorry if this has been asked already on this thread, but I can't be bothered reading through 14 pages to find the answer :D ...

Does anyone know what fills the screen space on cars ordered without Sat-Nav? Is it the usual Japanese thing of creating a big hole with a door on it?

I was at the Lexus Open Road event on Sunday and whilst on the accompanied test drive of the RX400H (great car btw) I spoke at length with one the Sales guys - he told me he had seen indicative pricing and confirmed the SE will be £26K - this then confirmed my fears that I will not be replacing my 350Z with another Lexus. Shame as I really liked the look of the new IS and was different from the alternatives.

I think it's a case of to Lexus on this!

Off topic, but the new GS430 is one superb piece of automotive engineering - even on uneven roads, the car just kept a straight smooth line at, ah-hem, high speed.

The problem is my dealer has 500 deposit and said its not refundable even now...when the pricing is not confirmed...so he wants me to buy the car at any price. He said he did me a favour in taking my P/X but I'm sure i lost about 1-2K by selling it trade anyway.

I think if the pricing doesn't alter I.m either going to buy an expensive car or lose 500 quid.

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I would question the legality of that mate!

I really hope Lexus are listening to these comments as I have now starting looking elsewhere - I'll wait until the prices are confirmed, but it sounds like these are pretty acurate and if they are then regretably I won't be coming back to Lexus ownership.

I agree entirly with Convert - when buying a BMW you can at least custom build it the way you want it without *having* to take things you don't really want - being forced to spend nearly £3K to get sat nav is unacceptable.

It's a real shame Lexus are doing this and I fear it could seriously backfire on them.

It's only a 4 cylinder though - and that could well be Lexus second biggest mistake. A diesel needs to be refined and smooth - sure Honda have managed it with their 4-pot but then nobody makes a 4-pot like Honda anyway.

The similarly spec'd BMW may well cost £37K, but two things jump out, it will retain more of it's value with those options, the IS250 won't. Secondly, it's possible to get Sat nav in a 3 series for £1500 if you don't want TV, DVD, etc which I don't particularly need - I've got a nice big comfy lounge in the house for that.

I really fear that Lexus are trying to boost the image of the IS by making it expensive and therefore have the perceived quality that it's competitors do.

I'm really disappointed that the prices are going to be that high - to be quite honest my heart sank as I honestly thought I was going to be able to get a fully loaded IS250 for around £25K.

I was advised by the Lexus Contact Centre the other day that they expect the IS250 to range from £22-27K - not sure if that includes spec'ing up cars.

I've got to say I'm looking forward to seeing the new IS and is on my list to replace my 350Z later this year - However, if those prices for the options are true then the appeal of the IS250 wains somewhat.

The original IS was exceptionally great value considering the spec versus price versus competition from BMW, MB, Audi.

Nearly £3K for Sat nav is to be quite frank, taking the pi$$ - I don't even think BMWs top of the range system with digital TV costs that much and as for another £2K for cruise control -

Sorry Lexus, but if you are seriously going to charge me £800 for a sunroof, £2710 for sat nav, and another £2000 for cruise control, then I'll be off to look at the 3 series. £6K for 3 options which will not retain any value - I think not!

Yeah I know you're right in what you say, but the fuel economy in the 430 might be the killer for me - at the moment the Z is saying 26.9mpg/av speed 33mph which is great considering the engine size, I'm pretty sure the 430 is something like 24mpg combined? Which is why I was looking at oil burners.

Thanks Matt,

Believe it or not, but it's been a year since I got the Z! It looks like (touchwood) they have finally nailed the problem with the lights by changing out the wiring loom - they gave me a Murano to cruise about in for a few weeks which I've got to say was fantastic - it may not have the Lexus badge, but it was every bit as good as the RX300, anyway, I'll be sorry to see the Z go to be honest but it just won't be practical to keep it once the baby arrives - we've still got the CRV too, but there may be times when he/she would have to go in my car, and a two-seater is not practical and especially as the airbag can't be disabled.

I need to whisper this, but I've also been looking at a BMW 530d - fully loaded for £25K - and those VW toe-rag things.

Not wishing to hijack this thread, but on a similar note, I'm seriously considering coming back into Lexus ownership after a short spell on the dark side, anyhoo, with a baby due later this year the 350Z has to go and I've been looking at the GS430 Sport, what should I look for buying one that's about 2 years old with around 30K on the clock? I'm sure I remember something about cambelts being changed at 50K is that true?

Apologies if there is a "guide" - I did try to search.

Thanks Wosket - Yeah the Espace, what a car.........................Not!

Well, it's been a while since I posted here (I have been reading posts regularly though). Anyway, the promise of the 350Z has sadly not lived up to it's expectation (see here).

I really like the look of the new IS250 - when is it likely to be launched? I've heard November, but I really hope it's sooner.

Oh and the other reason I need to sell the 350Z is that we are going to have our first child in December!

Lovely! This could well be the car that gets me back into Lexus ownership!

As much as I love my current Z it was only ever a short term thing (couple of years) before getting back into a four seater.

I'm glad Lexus are begining to get a family look about their cars - it works well for Audi, BMW, MB so why not Lexus?

I'm looking forward to seeing this in the flesh and hope it looks as good. I just hope Lexus don't go all BMW and offer a basic car with lots of extra cost options. And add my name to the "no wood" list! Some nice brushed steel (real - not plastic) would be nice.

I think it's more a case of Clarkson hating Japanese cars than it is of hating Lexus specifically - he publicly slated the 350Z despite his magazine awarding it coupe of the year! He loves the Honda S2000 then in the next breath slates Honda! The guy is a wowwypop! And I certainly wouldn't base my buying decisions on what he says!

Sure :)

I think Duncan is coming with his Skyline

looks like it could be a Lexus / Nissan Meet hehe

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Don't know if you guys are interested in this or not, but over at 350zuk.com we're trying to arrange a spring Supermeet somewhere in the middle of the UK - Windermere is fairly central, so if you'd like to make it a proper Lexus/Nissan meet then I'm quite sure this could be pulled off?

However if you feel like this is hi-jacking a Lexus meet then I'll leave it as we had a Scottish Z meet back in October and a guy in a Nissan Figaro turned up!

I just called up Lexus Hatfield to get a quote for the 20,000 mile service and was quoted £385

Is this a good deal?

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£385 seems quite reasonable for a 30.0 litre IS3000! :) :D

Windermere eh? That's only about 2.5 hours for me - are non-lexers welcome?

erm im getting a little more personal with the New IS model.

as far as pics are concerned, ..ive had to bite my lip for a long time, having seen pics of the car as far back as August last year

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At the risk of reopening old rumours, could it be an IS430? :winky:

there are aspects of these pics which are spot on

You mean the big chrome (L) :D

as ive said a few times..... these are only magazine interpretations!!

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In your opinion, do you think we will all like the new IS?