SoCalCLK

You all know I am no Lexus fan, what so ever. However, I have recently discover that the new IS350 has the following stats:

3.5L V6 --- 306hp / 277tq --- Zero to 60 in 5.3sec. (C&D mag got 5.1 and 13.7 sec in the 1/4 mile!)

The base price of the car is $36,000 and there is only 1 option package, so the car comes to around $38,000 fully loaded (start/stop ignition button, power everything, etc.)

a 13-second car bone stock is pretty fast in my book. In fact, these numbers put the car in the league of a base 993 or 996 Carrera. Not bad for such little dough. To me this is a better bargain than the C350, which has a great new V6, but is not a 13-second car for under $40,000.

Just my .02

Phade

wow if you want a lexus go buy a honda accord.

SoCalCLK

I know, I hate Lexus/Toyota too. But it is very fast for the money and is in Porsche 996 territory when it comes to the 13.7sec 1/4 mile.

vraa

I'm confused?

cldriver

0-60 is just one factor. Go and drive the car and your opinion might change. I drove one at the Lexus Test Drive Event this year, didn't like the way the car handled. Soft floaty steering feel, car does not feel planted going hard into turns. Then again, I'm comparing it with my C55.

NOTKTS

I caught AutoWeek on Tuesday and they only managed 5.6 to be their best time....

bs00clk

I don't know about the new IS but my old IS300 handled 10X better than my CLK430; that having been said, I still like my CLK better

blackbenzz

Time to DROP THAT B*TCH and put some 19's on it and then come post results! I used to work at Lexus and I know my car would run circles around an IS300. I will go up there and run one side by side and post results. Then I will test drive it and see how it handles.

SoCalCLK

Well said. Price not withstanding, I much prefer the C55!

I'll have to drive the car myself and compare it to my car. I am running a BRABUS spring and 18" AMG Monoblock Aero II with Goodyear Eagle F-1 tires set-up on my '02 CLK, and it handles really well. I can execute turns and lane changes like using a knife to cut raw beef.

SoCalCLK

Overall, you're right, the CLK as the sum of its parts is more enjoyable and definitive than the IS350.

However, if you wanted a car with all the gadgets- Bluetooth, touch-screen Nav, etc. and have it realtively fast, plus price it under $40 (where the base C350 starts at) then the IS350 is really appealing.

A test drive and report is in order!

NYCLK 430

I had a GS 400 (hated the way it drove and handled the road, brakes kinda sucked, but I loved the way it looked cause it was loaded up with the Xenons, Chrome 17's, Spoiler, hot as hell back then), drove the IS 300 Auto and 5 Speed, it drove and handled the road great, but overall, just wasnt fast enough and a bit too small, but definitely had something interesting about it I always thought. Just some kind of hotness factor.

I went to the Lexus Event about a month ago, which btw, was damn good, excellent treatment with great food and beautifully organized. The IS 350, first off looks like a complete disappointment, as far as exterior styling went, I mean nothing interesting about it, some kind of mutated Pontiac G6. Interior was alright I guess, but at the same time, something you could find inside an accord these days like someone just said. Yeah, it was pretty fast on a straight line, but thats about all it had going for it. The overall driver feel just lacked, its like its fast on paper, but it doesnt beg to be driven like that. They had some guts putting it up against the BMW 330I Sport (Which they also let us test drive), that car is flat out impressive, way better than the previous 330, just like some kind of race car, with tight steering and very impressive cornering. Yeah, on a straight line, the IS outaccelerated it, but hands down, overall, the IS is a joke next to the beemer, the beemer just feels like a real car.

With that said, I love my CLK so much more than either of these two. Obviously, its just in a different league. If I did have to choose only between the C 350, IS 350 and 330, the 330 hands down, would be my pick.

King320

19" for handling??? 19" for show, 18" for handling. 19s are too heavy.

Bagher

i went to the lexus event and drove the IS350. what a joke. there is no way it does 5.1s. it does not feel like 306hp or whatever. the clkd430 with 275hp feels much more powerful. maybe it is too soft or soemthing. they handling is squishy. my roomates dropped is300 feels much quicker.

3199cc

The Lexus will be a killer. I'm pissed I just leased my G35x now. Although I must say, Lexus would have to be a real stupid company to make this car a sloppy handler. Competition in the "near luxury" sedan department has grown intensely since the introduction of the original IS. I will guarantee you all that a g35 stock or with slightly modded suspension will run with the w208 CLK. So that leaves me to think what the IS might be capable of.

They would also have to consider that someone looking at purchasing the IS350 would be considering a G35 as they are both Japaneese sedans, and in a very similar price range. My guess would be this car could be the best handling yet from Lexus yet. Again, I'm only making assumptions on what logic would dictate.

Although it certainly doesn't and won't have the killer looks of a w208 clk or its stately appearance, you will be riding in pure luxury. A comfortable Lexus interior, advanced navigation, push button start, integrated bluetooth, ventilated seats, and the list goes on. From my point of few, this car is extremely fast, and it will sell.

I can't figure out what the f*ck Lexus was thinking with the IS 250 though. Almost every All wheel drive competitor in its market segment trumps its horsepower rating by around at least 50hp.

After owning a w208, I can say there is nothing like a Mercedes. Nothing feels the same, nothing is of the same school of engineering chassis engineering when it comes to comparisons with Japaneese cars. Yet, it's the creature features, comfort, and value that drive me to a Japaneese car, even though they now aren't too far behind in the handling department either. Nobody should discredit the Lexus for any of its aspects just yet because no matter what your bias, this car is the fastest and most luxurious car for the money.

NYCLK 430

[QUOTE=3199cc]The Lexus will be a killer. I'm pissed I just leased my G35x now. Although I must say, Lexus would have to be a real stupid company to make this car a sloppy handler. Competition in the "near luxury" sedan department has grown intensely since the introduction of the original IS. I will guarantee you all that a g35 stock or with slightly modded suspension will run with the w208 CLK. So that leaves me to think what the IS might be capable of.

They would also have to consider that someone looking at purchasing the IS350 would be considering a G35 as they are both Japaneese sedans, and in a very similar price range. My guess would be this car could be the best handling yet from Lexus yet. Again, I'm only making assumptions on what logic would dictate.
QUOTE]

I'm with you, but having driven it, you would think different. Your G35 will totally outhandle it, so would the older IS 300. Makes no sense, but for some reason Lexus screwed up in that department as well as exterior styling. All those options you speak of, didnt do the trick either.

3199cc

I don't know why they would do that. Was the handling really that off that it would prevent you from purchasing the car?

SoCalCLK

I don't think the handling would be that off. I saw one the other day in my parking garage, and it does look pretty sharp. The handling has to meet the power.

3199cc

I was thinkin about checking it out, but then I realized I looked at the pricing for the IS250AWD. The 350 loaded costs over 45K which is insane, thats already in the price range of cars like the 3 series, C class, and A4.

Still think its an amazing car, but how can they justify 204HP in a 38K and although the offer a terrific product, Infiniti's lineup, which will most likely be its primary comeptitor when the new G35 drops, will undoubedtly tout many of the same features and be priced more competitively.

No doubt the car is nice, but for 45K i have other first choices.

J Lucas

You just have to wait and see. Everyone was all up and down when they previewed the new GS and its initial sales were a joke. Lexus wouldnt budge on their prices and consumers just passed. After a little while if the sales dont hold up, lexus will be forced again to look at their pricing strategy.

3199cc

It costs more to lease a GS 6 cyl than an e350 with nav.

J Lucas

who's talking about leasing?