2008 Lexus IS250 - A Chromosome Challenged Review

is this the review where he does nothing but make fun of the car... and then he gives it 4/5 stars?

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 4:06:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

Agent009, you know you are going to start a was with this one, MichaelTaylor is not going to be happy with you.

Oh the audacity comparing this sporting machine to Camry. That would suggest it is boring. And you wonder why the 3-Series sells so well, even with the smaller motor, it is FUN.

I can't wait to hear the spin on this one from the Lexus fans.

-00J

— Agent00J (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 4:09:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

"the Lexus IS250 is the single best entry-level luxury car for people who don't like driving."

WRONG!

leave that to AUDI or ACURA's FWD.

— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 4:33:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -15   

I drive an A4 2.0T Quattro 6 speed manual and went one day to my local Lexus dealer to test drive a IS250.
What a disapointment... for a new car, it has less space in the back seat than my 3 year old A4 (When the new A4 comes out it will just destroy it as it is 6 inches longer than the current A4), also absolutely no trunk space.
The car is well put together, no doubt, but it just does not have the same feeling that my A4 has.
Now comes the engine.. oh yes it's smooth, but... slooooooooooow. My A4 with Quattro is faster?
Why simply because of TOrque. THe A4 has much more torque and it is availble much earlier than the IS 6 cylinder. Both have the same HP. (Again once the new A4 comes out, it will have 211 Hp and.... 258 lbs in torque!!!)
Yes, it does have some nice features like the back up camera (although without rear parking sensors, I don't see the point!!), and the Mark Levinson sound system and so on, but....
With the current 328i, the new C300 and the upcoming A4, it will fall behind.
It is not a bad car, far from it, but for an enthusiast, I just did not like the way it drove.. it is just too slow and soft.
And you can't get the IS250 in AWD with a 6 speed manual.
But, hey... that is just MY point of view... ;)

— AlexTx (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 4:42:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

A female writer referring to a car as a "chick" car is odd.

The IS250 is rather silly. I don't know why Lexus didn't just offer the 350 only, especially when the IS-F was on the horizon. And that blue color is horrid.

But, it is funny how some people get so eager to post any remotely negative Lexus story to think this poorly-written, amateur review was worthy of a topic.

The only thing more sad is all the German-only fan boys who use stories like this as a springboard for posting more of their usual crap.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 4:54:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

This website keeps on getting desparate by the day! Agent00J, I dont think the problem lies in how Toyota fans or Lexus fans respond to this, it is more how selective your posts are particularly 009. The end result has been morons like Michael Taylor.

— KeyserSoze (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 4:56:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

"for people who don't like driving", "the IS250 is a Toyota Camry", "a perfect Lexus: uninspiring but attractive", "Lexus bland… er, brand"...etc

same old lexus haters bullshit. The reviwer is not only such a big Lexus hater but also blind. IS looking like Camry..lol. That's like saying Smart car looks like S class.
I think she drove Lexus ES instead of IS. Retard don't even remeber.

"There's not a gram of excitement to be had in the whole car"

isn't some IS250 i think IS250X did better in slolam than the M3, so the car deffinately handles and drives great and sport.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 5:05:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6   

That's a 2006 IS first of all.
And I see more chicks driving 3-Series Coupes/Convertibles than I do ISs.
And I see mostly gay guys driving A4s.

— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 5:09:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

And dare I say that I suspect that MichaelTaylor and Star are your doings! Posters on this website should be wise enough to see this.I maybe wrong but you seem to enjoy this type it, it is evident! I am not a Toyota Lexus or BMW enthusiast but a car lover

— KeyserSoze (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 5:11:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I was reffering to the agents for my above post!

— KeyserSoze (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 5:15:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I alwys asked myself why they call themselve The truth about cars?

This is one of the moste stupid car magazine and car tester that i've ever read.

— EL44 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 5:34:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

The moron who wrote the above really has no clue. The toyota is250 is one of the biggest jokes in its class. No performance, little value, questionable quality and reliability and in my opinion awkward design. I will ignore any pro-lexus reviews because I know what the best car for my money is.

— tattedtwice (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 5:51:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

bull:

is speed everything to you? a real enthusiast would prioritize HANDLING over 0-60. and that the 3-series and A4 provide in spades.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2008 4:57:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

This is, for once, pretty close to being the truth, from the truth about cars. Only toyota would be arrogant enough to redesign a car from the ground up, give it a smaller, less powerful engine, and charge MORE for it. The thing is so weak it's no wonder it's regarded as a chick car.

I may hate nissan almost as much toyota, but still I dont see how any fool can buy a 4-cylinder-like is250 over the WORLDS more powerful and better equipped g35.

— tattedtwice (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 5:49:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Not only this guy is raciste but his also sexist. It's a real surprise to see in 2008 the sexist srticles like that.

— EL44 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 5:55:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6   

What at senseless topic. Are we talking about cars or gossiping about society? Ridiculous!

— SteadFast (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 7:12:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Lexus IS250 = VW New Beetle

:-)

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 10:12:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Sounds to me this guy hates himself for liking it so much, not really what he was told to think by the BMW marketing girls.

OJ,
BMW 3 does so well because of low financing, low prices, and now $0 down.
If you can't afford a Lexus, lease a BMW. Walk by a dealership and they might be so desperate they'll give you one for free.

BMW sales up 11%, profits down 17%.
http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/bmw/bmw-first-quarter-profit-down-17-daimlers-drop-32/
Even MB's low financing and cashback offers are eating into profits, they're down 32%.

Contrast that to Toyota, #5 globally with $15 billion net profit last year. Guess that's what happens when you can charge 8% financing on your cars.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2008/snapshots/6752.html
BMW doesn't even register in the German top 10. Like most of their cars, BMW has basically become irrelevant.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2008 11:39:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

"wow, your gaydar must be strong. Do you force them into a bath house to verify your findings?"

LMAO!

— Czelinski (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2008 5:12:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

"The IS250's combination of the cozy interior and cushy ride is a narcoleptic's worst nightmare; the driving dynamics sure as heck won't keep them awake. Throw the IS250 around a corner and it handles… gracefully. While I'm sure the baby Lexus understeers like a battleship at the limit, who knows? There's nowhere near enough power to create the sort of stark terror that keeps the IS350 driver awake."

obviously, Megan DOES NOT KNOW how to evaluate cornering ability. you DON'T NEED excess power UNLESS you have limited competence and/or you WANT TO induce "stark terror!"
smart, skilled drivers simply build up whatever speed they are comfortable carrying THRU a curve. you DON'T NEED TO add power except near the apex. (and you don't need to break the tires loose to induce oversteer. unless you're into drifting!)
if anything, you'd be scrubbing OFF speed up to that point!

at least she ADMITS TO not knowing how it handles at the limit: ..."who knows?" the car is far more competent than the reviewer.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2008 5:55:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Let's see, why did I buy a '07 IS250? Regrettably, I had to sell my 2000 BMW 323i due to an upcoming trans problems, even though it only had 57K miles...a real downer. It would have cost me $5K to fix the trans. It was an automatic...I know I should have bought the manual - but bad knees, so that was out.
I bought my IS in 2/07 and got a $5K discount from MSRP (Feb., the best time to buy a car), the BMW 3, similarly equipped would have cost me $9K more. I would have selected the new Infiniti G35, but the car is a gas hog. It is a great car, though. That leaves the IS250 or 350 for a RWD sport type car. Contrary to what many write, the power is more than adequate for the IS250. Sure, the IS350 or G35 will leave it in the dust in full-power takeoffs, but what's the use, I rarely use full power on takeoffs...I get 26 to 27 mpg around town (1/2 interstate) and get 33 to 34 mpg on the highway at 70+ mph. That means a lot in the situation we're facing today. With the 6 sp. trans, you're always in the right gear and the car is really fun to drive. Driving at half throttle, the IS250 will get you in trouble pretty fast.
The handling with the 18" wheels is really good; far better than my old BMW (almost all IS250s come to the dealer with the 18" wheels). As best I can tell, the handling is in between the BMW standard and sport suspensions (my son has the 3 series with sport susp). The IS brakes are powerful, but don't have quite the feel of the BMW. Likewise the steering, which seems to be electric on the Lexus is lighter than the BMW but at slow speeds around curves it is very easy to navigate. The IS has a firm ride, but you can order a sports suspension, which to me may be overkill. It's hard to break mine loose around curves as it is.
Overall, it can be described as BMW lite, but 90% of the 3 Series capabilities isn't too bad for what I paid.
Don't compare the IS250 to the ES350 in any category. They are completely different cars with different purposes in mind. The ES350 does not handle anywhere close to the IS and is basically a good, soft-riding family car. Do I care if some call the IS250 a chick's car? I'm in my 60's, so I'm way beyond that.
Overall, I am very pleased with the IS250, but would have bought an Infinti G27 if one were offered since it would get great mileage comparable to the IS250. I'll bet they come out with one.

— BMW995 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2008 1:48:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

It is obvious anyone can be a writer here with no kind of automotive background.

I bet she hasn't even driven an IS, let alone anything outside a CR-V.

— JudasLease (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2008 7:00:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

So IS250 already gives you best in class build quality, refinement, luxury, comfort, affordability and good looks, and you complain because Lexus doesn't break the laws of physics for you? complete moron... this chick has no clue...

— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2008 2:18:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Wrong! the IS shares the internal bits with the GS not the Camry, it has nothing to do with Camry.

With the price of the similarly equipped 328i you can buy the IS350 which will smoke your POS BMW.

— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2008 12:16:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

The IS has the same power-window switches as the Camry. Which are also the same switches that are on the Corolla. LOL!

And for the price of the IS350 you can get an EVO that will smoke that BORING Lexus. What's your point?

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2008 6:30:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

We're talking about cars for grownups here... not cars for those who still have to keep an eye out for acne cream coupons in the local newspaper.

— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2008 8:24:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

LexSucks: I'd get the evo over the IS.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/14/2008 9:54:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

enthusiast, steadfast,
If BMW's are so great, people would be willing to spend ANYTHING on them.

If Toyota is hurting so bad, why aren't they offering deals like the Americans and German luxury brands?

Car enthusiasts have moved on from BMW because its just a yuppie brand, they stopped engineering cars back in the 90s. Their main customers wouldn't be able to tell the difference between something as simple as FWD vs RWD.

Don't hate Toyota because the Germans are slowly filling the void left by GM. Who would've thought the Germans would have to offer such high incentives to move their products?

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2008 4:21:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

The IS250 is what I would call "wipe the drool off your face boring".

And the design is already starting to look dated.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2008 6:32:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

agentooj ...you sir are an artard

— chinojk (View Profile)

Posted on 7/14/2008 10:15:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

For this size market - IS250 RWD w/ 6spd Manual is the best car 4 the money even though 6spd Manual more power G35 can be had 4 same price - but IS feels richer inside. The motor uses all available HP w/ the stick.

— StickShiftCamry (View Profile)

Posted on 7/15/2008 11:33:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

enthusiast,
I noticed that BMW is doing everything it can to get people into their showrooms.
Low rates, low prices, $0 down payment. yeah, that pretty much tells you what people think BMW's are worth (and that's in Canada, where our economy is still good).

My brother's friend is trading in his Sebring for an '09 ES350. Put $5K down, got $5K trade-in (some Lexus dealerships were only offering $3K) and the coupe-de-gras, 8.5% financing.
He could've settled for a cheaper BMW with 2.9% financing and $0 down (or 1.9% leasing).
Tells you which customers have money and which ones are pretenders.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/17/2008 7:17:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1