[mkoesel]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...7/TOC01ARCHIVE

All this competition might be good. Lets hope they are correct on the price.

(Apologies if I reposted here, I searched and got no hits.)

[NaViT]

that sounds crazy ill like to see more updates on that as time comes...

[Carnage]

Too bad it will probably be a Lexus IS-W, as in "Won't handle worth a shit".

[NaViT]

i found some more here...

http://www.automobilemag.com/future_...008_lexus_isf/

http://www.caranddriver.com/idealbb/...?topicID=76847

http://www.autospies.com/news/Lexus-...ker-IS-F-9093/

wooof theres alot more if u search the web...

[just4kickz]

lotta power for about 50k

[aapriadi]

Originally Posted by matsarge

Too bad it will probably be a Lexus IS-W, as in "Won't handle worth a shit".

lol the handling isnt that bad hahaha! and imo lexus cars look good and are usually worth the price, i mean they have nice standard options unlike bmw...you know what i mean...but yeah they can never feel as good as a bimmer..i've a 325i premium for a loaner now, my car is in for service..gonna let my roomie drive the loaner and see what he has to say, he drives a IS 250 btw...but i never let him drive my car lol

[BuckJon]

I just hope they won't be stupid and make it like the IS350, no manual transmission.

[NaViT]

Originally Posted by just4kickz

lotta power for about 50k

yea actually for a nowa days car its not bad even though Mustangs will always be the winners of more horsepower for the buck... but this car wont be bad but i think its gunna be automatic and not manual lol

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by aapriadi

lol the handling isnt that bad hahaha! and imo lexus cars look good and are usually worth the price, i mean they have nice standard options unlike bmw...you know what i mean...but yeah they can never feel as good as a bimmer..i've a 325i premium for a loaner now, my car is in for service..gonna let my roomie drive the loaner and see what he has to say, he drives a IS 250 btw...but i never let him drive my car lol

I just like giving them a hard time. The IS350 does a nice job in the handling department and Lexus has made some definite improvements from older models. Throwing a "big" motor and getting alot of horsepower is the easy part, getting the handling to match is where BMW, Porsche, etc. have normally outshined the competition. In a way I hope they do a good job on this and push BMW to hard work and keep their cars at the head of the class.

[NaViT]

Originally Posted by matsarge

I just like giving them a hard time. The IS350 does a nice job in the handling department and Lexus has made some definite improvements from older models. Throwing a "big" motor and getting alot of horsepower is the easy part, getting the handling to match is where BMW, Porsche, etc. have normally outshined the competition. In a way I hope they do a good job on this and push BMW to hard work and keep their cars at the head of the class.

word

[Getagrip]

Cool.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by NaViT

yea actually for a nowa days car its not bad even though Mustangs will always be the winners of more horsepower for the buck... but this car wont be bad but i think its gunna be automatic and not manual lol

ridiculous--no AT--why do they do that? the real enthusists won't drive a car like that, right? i just don't understand the logic....

[Josh49]

I concur. A few thoughts -

I'm curious if they tighten up the handling, suspension, to match this type of hp performace. No point in accelerating this fast in a straight line and then having to slow down to 20 or 30 to go around corners. When I tested the IS, the body roll was very noticable (and too much of it existed)...

Another thing about this is I'm guessing most of the Lexus buyers are older and want the soft cushy Lexus drive, etc. I doubt the majority of them are concerned with accelerating at the capabilities of that engine. From going to lunch with people at work, I found that the normal average person accelerates like molasis off the line.

Another thought is that the person looking for this type of performace, is probably interested in the handling and how the car actually turns. I couldn't really see this person (with a performance oriented vision) going to buy a Lexus.

That's all. IMHO, People who want the performace will go to a 335 or M3.

[Josh49]

Another thought - I think there is a definite niche for high hp/performance 3 series. Look around the web pages, it is very apparent. I don't see a niche for a high hp entry level luxury sedan. I would think the people looking for luxury, at that price, would probably bump up to the next model. More hp than a C5 Z06 in an entry level luxury sedan doesn't seem like a huge demand to me..

Just my .02

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Josh49

I don't see a niche for a high hp entry level luxury sedan

What about, C55 AMG, CTS-V, S4, RS4, Volvo S60R?

Seems like a pretty crowded segment to me. Can't blame Lexus for wanting some of that.

[obLu]

Unless they coupe it, I don't see a lot of people besides die-hard Lexus fans buying this one. In my neck of the woods I see about 5 three series for every IS. Mainly, I think, because as a 4dr the IS is a complete failure since it lacks any kind of rear seat space.

They should just coupe it and get it over with.

Also, all previous reports were pricing in the high 60s, low 70k range? Hopefully that's changed

[Josh49]

mkoesel -

I guess when I think Lexus I think pure luxury, and no performace at all. I really wasn't impressed by the handling of the Lexus at all when I test drove it. The S4 and RS4 for example, are much more performace oriented than Lexus. I had an A4 and loved the handling of that car the way I love the way the BMW handles. I just don't see the need for a couch to have 415 hp. Unless of course they tighten everything up, which I don't think they know how to...

Hope this explains it better..

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Josh49

mkoesel -

I guess when I think Lexus I think pure luxury, and no performace at all. I really wasn't impressed by the handling of the Lexus at all when I test drove it. The S4 and RS4 for example, are much more performace oriented than Lexus. I had an A4 and loved the handling of that car the way I love the way the BMW handles. I just don't see the need for a couch to have 415 hp. Unless of course they tighten everything up, which I don't think they know how to...

Hope this explains it better..

I hear you, and I feel similarly although perhaps a bit less skeptical that Lexus can build a good handling car if they decide that's what they want to do. Personally I hope the Lexus is competent because I like to see increased competition in my segments of choice. Helps keep the cars where I can afford them.

[TheAcAvenger]

I'm not sure i'm with you guys on this one. 425hp for a price in the $50k's with lexus craftsmanship and support is a great deal, no matter how you slice it

[Josh49]

Haha...

Hmmm. I guess I do agree that Lexus probably has the capability of building a good handling car. However I feel if they tried to, they would really lose what they have going for them. There are a lot of people (and threads) complaining how harsh the e90 ride is, how it is hurting their backs, giving them hemmroids, etc. For these people the Lexus IS I think is a very good alernative..

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by TheAcAvenger

I'm not sure i'm with you guys on this one. 425hp for a price in the $50k's with lexus craftsmanship and support is a great deal, no matter how you slice it

IMO, there's much more to a car than hp.. I would rather have a lower hp better handling car than a 425 hp car that handles poorly. On a day to day basis I think I push the limits of handling much more than the limits of acceleration. Especially with speed limits of 30, 45, 65, there is only so much you can accelerate around here..

425 hp would be pretty sweet though...

[TheAcAvenger]

Josh. I completely agree with you. I'm pretty sure the people who spend their time on E90post would all prefer the superior handling vehichle, even when it lacks the opponent's hp, myself included. I was merely responding to those calling it IS-Failure, prematurely doubting its future. Because while we all love the amazing handling and ride of bmw, there is a greater driving population that does value pure hp over handling, and that mass of people will make the IS-F a success.