oggle

I test drove the new Lexus IS 350 last night with a friend, and I really don't know at this point why anyone would choose the Mercedes C320 over that now (I own one myself).

I mean the thing's got 306 HP, paddle shifting, keyless entry, keyless go, heated and ventilated seats, kick-*** dvd navigation system, bluetooth, great handling, and it costs like $40k (w/ the nav).

Unless MB thinks up something great with the upcoming C class, Lexus pretty much has us beat. Damn only the E class comes with keyless entry/go and ventilated seats, and the IS comes with it STANDARD!

And let's not get into that argument that "but it's a cheapo Japanese car". Remember, Lexus is #1 in reliability, while MB has fallen behind many crappy domestics...

blk900t

Just goes to show buying is an emotional experience, not necessarily a rational one

trust203

I believe you mean " C350" right ?? C320 is not even close to IS350 !!

oggle

Oops I was comparing the IS350 with my own car, the C320. Guess it should be compared to the C350 instead.

mick1

yeah it's not a fair comparison since the IS350 is a brand new car and the C350 is really an old car (w203) with a new engine. You have to wait until the w204 comes out to fairly compare the two.

electromethod

MB reliability isn't that bad..... my only complaint is that my 1 touch button for the roof doesn't work anymore. My car sits in the driveway in the FLORIDA SUN ALL DAY LONG. I only drive it twice a week and that's in the evening. I guess I will have them "fix" the switch this next service. I think the problem is in the dealers not knowing what the fudge they are doing. Just my .02 cents..........

Kenny..... remember AlBostons IS300? Remember how much of a PITA it was and how he finally dumped it? Anything is possible for any car.....

Vader13

Bah, my C32 has 350hp and heated seats for 10K more new 3 years ago.
They don't have anyone beat, plus it's German.
The Is more of a youthfull sports car. C320 is a grown up driver
2 different things.
Now if I had to choose between the 2, I would go Is without thinking twice.

LorinserCClass

Kenny I wanted to trade my car in so bad for it But I don't want 2 sedans anymore....

MB-BOB

At least the new IS is better looking than the old one. It's all relative to what's available when you are in the market to buy a car.

230Kompressor

1st off, lorisnser, i dont know you but you can't trade that thing in! that is the nicest c class i've seen so far!.

back to the subject, i was debating this too, but at the end, i think the MB looks way better, i dont really like the way the rear of the IS looks. but to each his own, and if you do get it, we would need pics!

vraa

Kenny, have you tried the new Z4M?

oggle

Yeah the old IS300 looked like a rice rocket and was pretty weak. But now they've really upped the competition.

oggle

Not yet, but everyone I ask thinks it's a nasty looking car, myself included. But the Z4 was so fun to drive.

vraa

The Z4 does look like a *****.









But it's fast

Jay J

Oggle,

When you state the IS350 is like $40K, is that BEFORE tax, title, delivery, etc, etc?

Also, any idea what sort of warranty it comes with?

My '05 C230K came with 4 Years 50K miles, and I upped it to 7 Years 70K miles for an extra $3K.

The Cost pre-delivery was $30.5K with delivery charges and the extended warranty it was around $34.5K

So I'd be curious to know what the Lexus REALLY costs after all is said and done.

Also.... While Jap cars are built VERY well, and have excellent maintenance records, they just don't seem as solid as German cars like Mercedes, BMW, Audi and even VW for that matter.

And... A Lexus is just as expensive to maintain as any of the for mentioned German makes.

Just something to consider.

vraa

My moms Lexus LS430 doesn't have that thunk that my X5 does, because it's got four automatic door closers. It's got a much softer ride than a S500, yet when it's put into Sport mode, it stiffens up considerably. It's quicker acceleration wise as well to 60mph, and I don't have figures, but I'd probably assume upto 120 as well. That is comparing with the 5speed not the 7speed S500 though.

Lexus Warranty is 4year/50k mi.
First two schedules maints are no charge.

BMW beats both Lexus and Mercedes warranty and maint. wise.
I think it's kind of silly to say this late in Lexus' life, that they still aren't built as solid as any other German make, because they really are. It's just a psychological thing when you sit in an IS350 and then a C350 and think the C350 is more 'solid'.
Oh well, it's all subjective. Pick what you like

Does anyone find it curious that so many folks are talking about the new IS350, but when the 3er came out, it was just another 3er (which I think means the new 3er has failed to up the bar).

Outland

It looked like a corrolla. The inline six was the best part of the old car.

New car is better looking than the old one, but the look is still sharpened camry. Can't argue with the straight line accelleration though. I still wouldn't want one. Its automatic only, I don't dig the look, and from all reports, still pretty soft around the corners. And the C350 is only a couple tenths off the pace. But I wouldn't want the C350 either...two many doors.

Outland

2 things...the new IS is a LOT more than anyone was expecting...I myself expected its top trim level to be closer to the IS250. Second, BMW played it safe with the 3 styling, and didn't get the attention that the Z, 5, and 7 series generated when they came out. I think a more wild design would have gotten more buzz. Doesn't matter if you like the look of the new cars, they got so much free press you can't dispute the power of lots of attention...it drowns everyone else out.

mleskovar

I haven't heard anyone mention the comfort level of the IS350. 1-2-3-4 tenths of a second difference in 0-60 mph times, and G forces around corners don't impress me anymore but comfort level does. If I want to race I'll buy a proper car and go to the track. I have to admit that the specs on the IS are great but I have learned specs are meaningless in daily driving. I also don't like the packages available with the IS....I'm not interested in NAV and you have to get it to have the rest of the features I want. Price before taxes is more like $42K.

mick1

i saw this pic of the w204 at a german forum. It looks too big to be a C-class, don't you think ?

Jay J

Mick1,
If the headlights on that new W204 are really what we are in for, I say YUK!
It looks more like a luxury Riceburner (such as a Toyota Avalon) than a Mercedes Benz!

In fact the separate head and parking lights of the E class are in my opinion one of the things that really set the Mercedes front end aside from other cars in it's class.

The C class headlight design isn't bad either, it's sort of a cross between the new W204 and the current E class, but the new design leaves me bland.

Thankfully, they kept the traditional looking grill and raised/hood ornament emblem!

CitronC230K_03

i guess we should wait to see what the W204's have in store to have a true comparison with the E90 3-series, IS350 and the B7 A4. problem is the others will have a couple years heed start on its life cycle

230Kompressor

i thought somebody just posted a pic of a new upcoming c63, that pic shows the seperated headlights, now we are seeing this one? o man, its gonna be a long wait to see the w204

Outland

C63 will be a W203 car.

oggle

My friend didn't haggle at the dealership. That was the sticker price on the window. As for the warranty, I believe it's the same as MB.