Auto Spies World Exclusive: If you think the 'SuperBowl' is in February this year, Lexus is about to change your mind

I really hope the design is extraordinary and not building up our hopes for a huge let down.

Poor Lexus, they have to ride BMW's coat tails to get publicity. I thought they were better than that.

Wasn't the last IS300 supposed to be a 3-series killer? I hope this one is better than the current IS300. There's a reason why the 3-series outsells the IS300 by about 5-to-1. It's the same reason why the IS300 is outsold by all of its competition (G35,C-Class,AudiA4). That reason is that the IS300 couldn't live up to its promise of bettering the Germans. What makes this car any different? Don't believe any Lexus marketing hype. What they claimed the IS300 to be, and what it actually is were two different things. When Lexus actually builds a car better than the 3-series I'll buy it. I’m not going to say that the new IS300 is better than the 3-series until it’s proven. We’ve been burned once before.

Wasn't the G35 supposed to be a 3-series killer? If so, then why is everyone comparing the new IS300 to the 3-series and not the G35? I guess the G35 wasn't a 3-series killer after all.

-LF-C!

-LF-C!

-The conservative 3-series

-has finally been beat!

It needs a bigger grill. Really big!

It needs a bigger grill.......much bigger!

What is the "thing" that separates a BMW from all other sedans, or essentially makes a BMW a BMW. Most drivers will never feel that difference because there driving from A to B and are happy to cruise in there SUV or minivan on the interstate. You cannot make comparisons just because cars happen to fall into the same segment. That is what manufacturers want you to do. You need to compare these vehicles base on there philosophy and there intangible feel. For people who read this site it is likely safe to say that the readers get this point in cars, certainly more than the general public. That is what the true BMW fan is looking for and stays loyal to because there has not been nay real challengers that "thing" for some time. That is what makes a benchmark. Do not get me wrong, there are many German, Japanese and now American manufactures that are very close. But you cannot judge a book by its cover and despite the innovation in many areas and great quality these manufactures fall short at these intangibles which in my opinion is why BMW is still ahead of them. In life balance is everything

What is the "thing" that separates a BMW from all other sedans, or essentially makes a BMW a BMW. Most drivers will never feel that difference because there driving from A to B and are happy to cruise in there SUV or minivan on the interstate. You cannot make comparisons just because cars happen to fall into the same segment. That is what manufacturers want you to do. You need to compare these vehicles base on there philosophy and there intangible feel. For people who read this site it is likely safe to say that the readers get this point in cars, certainly more than the general public. That is what the true BMW fan is looking for and stays loyal to because there has not been nay real challengers that "thing" for some time. That is what makes a benchmark. Do not get me wrong, there are many German, Japanese and now American manufactures that are very close. But you cannot judge a book by its cover and despite the innovation in many areas and great quality these manufactures fall short at these intangibles which in my opinion is why BMW is still ahead of them. In life balance is everything

What is the "thing" that separates a BMW from all other sedans, or essentially makes a BMW a BMW. Most drivers will never feel that difference because there driving from A to B and are happy to cruise in there SUV or minivan on the interstate. You cannot make comparisons just because cars happen to fall into the same segment. That is what manufacturers want you to do. You need to compare these vehicles base on there philosophy and there intangible feel. For people who read this site it is likely safe to say that the readers get this point in cars, certainly more than the general public. That is what the true BMW fan is looking for and stays loyal to because there has not been nay real challengers that "thing" for some time. That is what makes a benchmark. Do not get me wrong, there are many German, Japanese and now American manufactures that are very close. But you cannot judge a book by its cover and despite the innovation in many areas and great quality these manufactures fall short at these intangibles which in my opinion is why BMW is still ahead of them. In life balance is everything

Check out the new Motor Trend (March '05), where the new M35 with automatic and non-sport suspension edged out the 6MT sport 530. Once the 6MT sport M comes out, there will be no comparison. Add that to G35 surpassing the 3-series and FX surpassing the X5, and you've got a marquee which is losing its luster. I suppose you can comfort yourself by thinking about your good (sic) taste in Bangle mistakes while we take pride in knowing we got a better car with greater reliabilty and better looks, regardless of price.

Toyota and Lexus I am sure have very good fit and finish and reliability, there known for it. But so are many other manufacturers. This is only one measure of a car, no doubt an important one to everyone, even those with significant disposable income. But lets face it all cars are poor investments. Yet we spend large sums of money on them for many reasons. For some its there utility, they are literally workhorses. But for the cars in this discussion there are enthusiast desires of handling, power, braking and overall feel. Luxury or atmosphere is something that is probable more subjective and people look for different experiences. The others can be objectively measured with the overall feel again subjective to an extent but is the result of all the dynamics of the vehicle coming together.
All these cars are excellent, and the G35 seems to be the closest any vehicle has come in the last decade to dethrone the 3 series. In the numbers game the G35 beat the BMW and earned first place in many comparisons. However if you read the comparisons the trend remained, the 3 series was still the best Feel. These reviewers are the cars nuts and club racers. You can argue there are the best to quantify the feel a car gives because of there experience and shear exposure to all vehicles. A majority pick the 3 series, and have for years. This is something that the Lexus gets criticized for and the G35 still has not delivered the right mix ,but has placed very close. The Ultimate Driving Machine is not just a marketing slogan, it is a mantra that the engineers seems to have made there primary goal. I for one love the competition that this creates between all manufactures because we all win with ever advancing levels of excellence. When any other manufacturer beats BMW I would happily buy the best of the best.
Just a note on my personal experience. I have a 2000 330 ci sport with 125000 miles. I have only had a chip replaced by BMW at no cost, other then tires and oil as expenses. My fit and finish remains excellent, in fact many cannot believe how many miles I driven. Maybe I am just lucky and/or careful with my investment. I have driven both the G35 and the IS300 and found the G35 closest in feel and overall driving balance. I am awaiting the new M3 with the V8. However if something comes along to steal my passion for diving I will buy it. That is because I am loyal to only one thing, driving.

Wow! You guys are getting pretty heated up over this whole Lexus is better than BMW or Mercedes thing! Well, while you guys hash out that old argument, which is coming up on 15yrs old now, we here at Ingolstadt will keep plugging along at things like "Highest Quality German Brand": JD Power and Associates August 2004, "Exceptional Quality" Award: 2005 TUV report, among many technical and stylistic awards over the past three years. Oh, and by the way. All of you fans of the previous generation 3 and 5 series BMW's; those guys work for us now.

I'm glad I could coax some sensible responses out of the woodwork. Thanks RK and AHDW.