Lexus IS250/350 Owners: Your Opinions Please

[donjalapeno]

I was going to buy a IS when i was in the market for a sports sedan but i went for a TSX because the lexus interior was claustrophobic, power was shit and i felt like you were just paying for the badge. The tsx even though it has a smaller engine it felt more peppy and energetic. The interior was more comfortable and more refined and most importantly more spacious.

[Ohkun]

Originally Posted by friedn00dles

- Sudden Jerk at a Stop (RPM would drop to near stalling point causing the jerk). Carbon Build up cleaned by Lexus @ 30,000km on the odometer

- Engine Mis-Fire on the freeway (Limp Mode on Highway)
Discovered there is a TSB for this. Engine underwent a bottom end rebuild (pistons, rings, valves) @ 60,000KM on the odometer

which dealer is this? I'm having similar issue with my car and Port Moody Lexus is not willing to do anything about it.. I'm still under bumper to bumper warranty.

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by radioman

btw this car is sexy from all angles.

I think its best to look at the 250 as a 4 banger eco car and compare it to the likes of a 4 banger accord in terms of power. Don't let those 2 extra cyclinders confuse you

As a personal preference, I would prefer to stay with RWD. I'm sure the Accord, TSX, and TL have gobs of power but this isn't a very high priority on my list. Thanks for the suggestion however.

Originally Posted by joh

Current 2009+ IS250 RWD Sport Pkg Owner.

EmperorIS summed up pretty well..

I'll add few things

1. I would not get the one with Nav. It integrates Climate control and it sucks.

2. Good info here. (some infos are US only, but most of them are pretty useful)

Buyer's Guide to Used Lexus 2nd Gen IS Models (merged buying advise threads) - Club Lexus Forums

3. If you get the IS, this is where you buy parts.. (add clublexus user name for extra discount.)
Price difference is ridiculous.. ie. Oil filter. $11 at Richmond Lexus vs $3.5 at Sewells.

OEM Lexus IS Accessories & Replacement Parts Warehouse

It's little things like being able to buy parts for dirt cheap compared to my BMW ownership. A lot of the times, the price difference for certain parts on the E36 weren't very competitive when comparing to local and US sources (arguable.)

Originally Posted by friedn00dles

...*edited for length*...

Thanks for sharing your experience. Were these issues covered by the dealership under warranty? Are they common issues or do you believe that your experience with the engine was a one-off?

Originally Posted by Indy

If you do your own maintenence, add $260 to the price of that for VCDS so you can do things like changing the rear brakes (if it has the electromagnetic parking brakes).

Yeah, no VW. I don't want a disposable appliance.

[nsx042003]

meeh...never drove a 250, but the term gutlesss probably comes from the fact that 350 and the F existed.

In terms of known issues, you can check out clublexus and see for yourself. I have yet to have problems with my F yet. and i'm at 100K. Only oil changes and regular maintenance

[Mlouis]

I drove my 06 is350 w/ sports package for a year until I bought my evo. Its extremely reliable but only comfortable for 4 people. We bought it brand new and kept it in the family until I decided to sell it. We had 112,000 kms on it and we had zero issues. Interior wasnt the best but it wasnt bad, the quality was slightly above average and the seats softened up pretty quick. My only real gripe was the performance aspect, its a pretty souless car and the chassis and suspension is pretty soft. It has some pep to it but its just not that fun to drive.

[friedn00dles]

Originally Posted by joh

which dealer is this? I'm having similar issue with my car and Port Moody Lexus is not willing to do anything about it.. I'm still under bumper to bumper warranty.

Lexus of Edmonton

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

Thanks for sharing your experience. Were these issues covered by the dealership under warranty? Are they common issues or do you believe that your experience with the engine was a one-off?

yes, they covered every repair. I was on standard warranty.

[jnesss]

i wanted to pull the trigger on a 350 last year, but the thought of the navi failing really put me off. 5g's to replace the navi.

[bcrdukes]

^
That's quite a premium for a navigation system!

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm not a huge fan of integration (being an integration specialist myself haha.)

Keep the details coming, guys.

I'll make more time in February to go on any test drives/demos once my semester @ BCIT is over in February.

[Prostrho]

I think all BMW M owners eventually get a IS.. Its the balancing act between reliability and driving fun. I recently picked up a 2007 IS350 Luxury package.

Life takes over, and enjoyment of working on a car becomes secondary.

I always had a 2 car stable. I have a cheap $1000 daily beater hatchback/wagon, and the E34 M5 for fun. Bought and IS350 as I think it would be a good comprimise for reliability and performance and fun.

So far i'm enjoying it as my DD. Getting great fuel econ at 10.7L/100K around 60% city driving, 40% hwy.

However I do find it tight. I don't know how tall you are, but i'm 5'10 and i do find the headroom a bit tight. As mentioned before, rear seat room is a problem if it is a concern. Mine are rarely used.

Cargo space is also an issue if your previous car have folding seats. There were a few times where i wanted to buy something and i couldn't fit it in the trunk as it had no folding seats. So i would have to borrow the car from my sister and make a 2nd trip.

Only had it for a few monthes, so no reliability problems yet. As mentioned the 6 speed auto does shift a little bit on the firm side. I've checked out a few IS350s, and all of them seem to have had the water pump replaced, so watch for that. Also watch for oil leaks from timing covers.

There were a few rattles that i fixed myself in the dash/windsheild cowel. No big deal. There was a TSB from Lexus for it.

Overall, its a great car, if they made a IS350 wagon, it would be perfect for me. I wish it had more practicality. Coming from a E36 M3, i don't think you will be satisfied with a IS250. It is a little bit smoother, but it is down on power while getting similar fuel economy. On the used market, the minimal price difference means go for IS350.

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by Mlouis

I drove my 06 is350 w/ sports package for a year until I bought my evo. Its extremely reliable but only comfortable for 4 people. We bought it brand new and kept it in the family until I decided to sell it. We had 112,000 kms on it and we had zero issues. Interior wasnt the best but it wasnt bad, the quality was slightly above average and the seats softened up pretty quick. My only real gripe was the performance aspect, its a pretty souless car and the chassis and suspension is pretty soft. It has some pep to it but its just not that fun to drive.

So just an update and thanks to everyone who posted. Your insight and experiences were very helpful. I test drove an 08 IS250 in manual today so here are my thoughts.

Mlouis' post pretty much nailed it on the head.
- Soulless. Felt like I was in an emotionless relationship with a hipster girl who would lay in bed all day for inspiration.

- While I wouldn't go as far as saying the suspension is pretty soft, I felt that when taking it on rtght corners and making sudden lane changes, it felt like there was something more it could offer but alas, the Lexus'ism of the car takes over and you're just gliding or rolling over the bumps and imperfections of the road. I want more feedback from the road and the car did too good of a job suppressing it.

- For a 2.5L V6, this thing gutless. It had no torque. I had to really give it a punch on the throttle up to 4K+ rpm to get her going. The transmission was smooth, but pretty boring.

- The throttle - Holy fuck what a disappointing piece of shit. It was unresponsive and lacked feedback. The Honda Fit's drive by wire system is 100x better.

- I have mixed feelings on the interior. While I do like the finish and materials, it's just too tight. Personally, I don't give a shit but for passengers like friends and family, I can see them complaining.

- Elaborating on the materials, it didn't feel like a REAL Lexus. More like a nicer upgrade in materials from a Camry.

- The clutch - I'm not even going to elaborate on it. Old man. That's all I have to say.

I think I'll pass on the IS altogether. It's a nice car for sure, but the competition has something more and better to offer.

Lexus - you fucked up big time on this one. Shame on you.

WTB: 1990 Toyota Corolla SE, 5-speed manual.

[Grim]

i like my IS250.
not much to say other than its FUCKING AWESOME. lol

i take this car as a weekend luxury cruiser. not concern about power or w.e cz i drive slow and punching it isnt my thang.
cockpit is little small but gives your a hint of drivers feel. iuno
sport sedan.
the end

[bcrdukes]

Oh, I should add that the motor was veeeery refined. It is one hell of a smooth V6.

Too refined for my liking (if that makes sense.) Overall, the IS series has its demographic and market, but it doesn't suit me.

[GotRice?]

IS350 is the way to go... the 2.5L V6 4GR-FSE is just outdated period... but to be honest even the 3.5L V6 2GR-FSE is getting outdated too... Lexus i think will replace the 2.5L V6 with the 2.5L Turbo I4 from the Lexus NX... Lexus we need new and more powerful engines not more gears on the transmission!!!

[bcrdukes]

I think Toyota/Lexus needs to work on their drive by wire system first.

[westopher]

I test drove one before I settled on my 07 gti back in 09. Basically all I wanted was, good looks, fun to drive, and around 30k, new enough to have CPO. It missed the fun to drive mark so miserably I couldn't believe it. It truly was an appliance in every sense of the word, albeit a good looking one. I spent 2 months driving a borrowed 98 ford escort automatic while I shopped for a new car and I was still bored on the test drive.

[bcrdukes]

Still got that Ford Escort?

[westopher]

haha I fucking wish. I wouldn't have to drive the m3 in the winter then. I think it was used as a 130 dollar trade in for my grandparents new ford escape.