Lexus Drivers, your opinion is requested

[pintoca]

.

.


.


.


.

Fuck you MatttheDoucheInserter, I knew you would click on this.



Now, to my question.

I know (as everybody does) that Lexus is the undisputed Premium Brand in the US and I know the cars are good.

I'm looking into the possibility of moving away from German cars into a Lexus, still undecided, but the decision should come soon. Either the new IS or the RX300. Problem is, well, this is Germany, and Lexus in Germany has 9 visibility, they have been selling the cars here since 11 years ago, and yet they only sold 28000 cars EUROPE-WIDE in 2005.

In a nutshell, not the best known brand around here. However, that doesn't change the fact the cars are good, super silent, and the trim levels have no equal.

My major grief is the lack of handlers, this is an 84MM people country and there are 43 (yes forty three) handlers in total. I had to drive 30 miles to get the car dor the test-drive.

How satisfied are you in general terms with the car? How important is for you the Dealer support, as a component of your ownership experience? (seeing I will mostly miss that)

Alternatives are obvious, pricier, less comfortable German models, however, I'm not German and I'm willing to change if I get a better value for my money.

 

[Spanky11]

why not get a BMW 5-series Sedan? they look and drive great, and are a hell of a lot cheaper in sauerkrautville where you are..

 

[pintoca]

why not get a BMW 5-series Sedan? they look and drive great, and are a hell of a lot cheaper in sauerkrautville where you are..

A basic 5er is already more expensive than a fully loaded IS or a normal, and after adding the extras you need (no luxus here, all functionality) it is about the same price as the RX.

And by basic 5er I mean, no metallic paint, no nothing... you need to add absolutely everything.

Pricing for cars is ridiculous here man...

 

[Spanky11]

A basic 5er is already more expensive than a fully loaded IS or a normal, and after adding the extras you need (no luxus here, all functionality) it is about the same price as the RX.

And by basic 5er I mean, no metallic paint, no nothing... you need to add absolutely everything.

Pricing for cars is ridiculous here man...

I'm sure I can beat you on that...the cost of a 5 series standard, 2006 model is 61,306 Euros in Norway...the same car in germany would go for at least 15 - 20kEuros cheaper. no?

 

[pintoca]

I'm sure I can beat you on that...the cost of a 5 series standard, 2006 model is 61,306 Euros in Norway...the same car in germany would go for at least 15 - 20kEuros cheaper. no?

what engine? that can be a 520, or is it? diesel or benzin?

ON the other hand, I'm not entirely sure the trim-levels are the same.

The basic 5er comes here with the horrible e-thingie in the middle, auto-AC and that is about it.

Cheapest 5er here is about 35000€, you need to add at least 3000€ on top to make it driveable

 

[PBR]

i had an IS 300 best car i ever owned. period.

 

[manny78]

The RX330 is good if all you need is a small luxurious SUV with lots gadgets.

 

[Dunk]

I want a fully loaded Lexus IS350 in the worst way.

 

[pintoca]

I want a fully loaded Lexus IS350 in the worst way.

that car won't make it to Europe, only the IS250

Then again, the IS220d (first ever Lexus diesel) won't make it into the US

I test drove the IS250. cool gadgets, not very useful, but details like that MATTER in this class of car

 

[pintoca]

wtf is Matt?

He needs to post his mandatory: "IS is the corolla of the lexus, stick to the top 3 in the range and you will be OK".

 

[manny78]

that car won't make it to Europe, only the IS250

Then again, the IS220d (first ever Lexus diesel) won't make it into the US

I test drove the IS250. cool gadgets, not very useful, but details like that MATTER in this class of car

The IS250 is overratted and overpriced. The IS300 is the real deal. The IS250 (with options) is more expensive and slower than a BMW 325i.

 

[pintoca]

The IS250 is overratted and overpriced. The IS300 is the real deal. The IS250 (with options) is more expensive and slower than a BMW 325i.

Why do you guys care so much about car's speeds? is not like you can drive them to their full potential or something.

Besides, I pee on HP, what matters is TORQUE. (Drehmoment)

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

OK fine, I'll post.

I wouldn't buy a Lexus IS, nor a BMW 3 series, nor whatever the current baby benz is. C-class?

As many of you know, I have the RX, SC and GS. I think they're great. Maintenance is very expensive, but I have not needed to go to the dealer for any mechanical reasons. (Once I lost akey and it was $400 to replace)

In the past,there has been criticism that lexus-es are like sitting on your couch while driving. MY GS is a 2006 and I get as much road feel as I have from say a 330ci.

I think they're great cars.

 

[manny78]

SC430 ? And you were calling the Porsche Cayenne a fag car ? lol j/k

 

[sawastea]

I like my BMW 525

 

[rnch]

check j d power's surveys and you will see how high lexus rates and where bmw rates (MUCH lower).

 

[jackangel]

never driven one, but i did beat up an old, japanese lady once.

 

[wutangnomo]

Why do you guys care so much about car's speeds? is not like you can drive them to their full potential or something.

Besides, I pee on HP, what matters is TORQUE. (Drehmoment)

I wonder this myself. Most these people are simply into the numbers, when in fact I bet half of them barely push their cars. Unless you take your car out to the track (which most of us NEVER will), all this performance junk is pointless when you're sitting in traffic or being stopped due to a red light.

If you live in the city then all this performance crap is idiotic.

 

[velvett]

I'm not sure any American can answer your question as the cars are not the same in the US and in Europe and I don't think you can compare customer service from a German and an American.

Good Luck

My car was made in Munich - it rocks.


Oh and you look fabulous btw.

 

[Lestat]

lol @ this thread.. true juicedmohawk style

 

[Mr. dB]

Get a Renault.

 

[Mr. dB]

9

Hahahahahahahahaha!

 

[manny78]

Get a Renault.

Renault has nothing in this price range.