Hot new in-person shots of the new Lexus IS-350

Isn't correct though Will, that you have a 2002 LS?

Thats the polar opposite of sleek. That's a barge.

The rear isn't very attractive, and the front end lacks detailing and looks droopy and stretched. From some angles, it appears slabby.

Better looking than the three series? We'll see in 5 years time.

I was talking about the new IS, not LS.

LS. It might seem like a barge, however it has a coefficient of drag of .25. By mathematical terms that is pretty damn sleek!

001Buster, go tell the rest of the industry that nobody but the Germans are allowed to make sport sedans, because apperently they did not get that memo from the President of the World.

...my other post in the "germany be afraid blah blah blah" blog. Some of this might not be relevant to this discussion but a lot of it is so I guess just sift through the stuff that does not pertain.

I would first ask for a raise of hands of people here who have driven the new IS 350/250. And then a raise of hands for those who have driven it and still believe that it has "NO PASSION" in its engineering. Great. No one.

Reading some of the posts here makes me shake my head with wonder.

Are some people really that estranged with reality that they think that the majority of 3 series buyers are autocrossers that push their cars the the limits everyday, even on the way to work which they need to pay off their car? I mean, the majority of 3 sales are 325's and make that Automatic Trannies!

When a "driving enthusiast" is buying a 3-Series, they are making a HUGE compromise on handling. Why not buy a Porsche Boxter S? That is a great handling car. The answer: convenience! (Although, the Boxter now has two trunks) The reason I am very intrigued by the IS 350 is because it looks to have everything that I desire in a sport luxury sedan.

The review for the IS 350 again reinforced my beliefs that this car is not an outright failure. The reviewers had stated that the car has "razor sharp handling". That kind of handling is just fine by my standards, after all, the way characteristics of handling is described is different by everyones standards. Theres always war between all car enthusiasts: Which has better handling, a Carrera GT, Enzo, Murcielago, SLR McLarren, Ford GT,...?

To boot, the IS 350 has the BEST luxury features of ANY of the competition, bar none! Afterall people, this IS a luxury sedan, don't forget the sport, which Lexus didn't.

What I want (Why I will buy an IS 350): SPORT/SPEED! ("The 2006 version has everything I liked about the last car, just more of it. More power, more comfort, better handling and sexy lines.", Road Test Editor, Dan Kan), amazing audio system (ML System... I'm a big Harman Itn'l fan and they have the best engineers), sexy sexy exterior (no explanation necessary!), sexy sexy sexy luxuriously supple interior, safety, and also reliability.

Why I will NOT buy a BMW: Reliability, I am not that obsessive over handling when for the majority of the time, I am not going to be driving the twisties on a daily basis, and if i WAS then a Boxter S, not a sedan, would do just fine. Therefore, I will not sacrifice that which is higher up in the priorities of wants in a luxury sport sedan.

So, all in all, the basis of purchasing a sport sedan should be weighed on your priorities. If the fact that the BMW 3 edges out the IS 350 in handling is the deal breaker for you, then faaaaaaaaantastic, I guess....

BINGO!

That the benchmark for this car is the 3-series.

I drove the IS 350 a week ago and it ROCKS! For all the BMW 3 lovers, please go buy a new 330. I'll enjoy blowing your doors off!! I think my tag will read BMW KILR!!! Flame away!

I drove a 250 IS AWD this afternoon. It is a beautiful ride, looks and feels great. The dealer was very helpful and interested in selling (allowing me to order) one. I currently drive a 5 year old BMW. After the Lexus test drive, I think I'll keep my BMW. The Lexus didn't make me want to buy it, like the BMW did when I drove it. When I'm ready to buy again, I'll head to the BMW house.

Now all u guys listen.

More than 90% of the people r in the favour of IS,who has given their ideas.

This only shows that how successful and appealing it will be.

All u lexes-haters mind it,3 series may be the good car or exceptional in 1 or 2 cases but IS is the the best in all and will take the crown from 3 series not in the distant future.

And the guys,who laughed and said wait for IS's results,i am even eagerly waiting for IS and also for it's incredible outstanding results so that i get basis and facts for my ideas to lower u all haters.

It's so sleek,stylish,performing,handsome,sexy than 3 series and it's boring ass.

It will also be relatively cheap to 3 series and C class, so people be ready u r going to get the wonder car from Lexus and also it's outstanding Service.

Now all u guys listen.

More than 90% of the people r in the favour of IS,who has given their ideas.

This only shows that how successful and appealing it will be.

All u lexes-haters mind it,3 series may be the good car or exceptional in 1 or 2 cases but IS is the the best in all and will take the crown from 3 series not in the distant future.

And the guys,who laughed and said wait for IS's results,i am even eagerly waiting for IS and also for it's incredible outstanding results so that i get basis and facts for my ideas to lower u all haters.

It's so sleek,stylish,performing,handsome,sexy than 3 series and it's boring ass.

It will also be relatively cheap to 3 series and C class, so people be ready u r going to get the wonder car from Lexus and also it's outstanding Service.

Hey! you BMW lover out there go ahead and buy what ever you want and we Lexus lover buy what ever want want with our moneys. For new IS350, it has styling that I have Not seen from any other car out there, it is incredily fast. 0-60 in 5.1 second speak for itself, so do me a favor go and buy your 3 series and I buy my IS350.

Everyone, here has different needs and desire in what they want when it come to buying a car. I know that alot of you BMW lover out there, say that your Engine is your sound system, but what Good is it? when you have Lexus IS350 pull up right next to you and than accelerate from 0-60 in 5.1 second which leave you way behind in the durst.

Hey! BMW is a really good quality car, probably one of the best out there. I know BMW/MB Use to Be the best but now time has change. Japapanese cars are improving and it rival BMW/MB. I'm not just talking Toyota/Lexus, their others competition as well, Nissan/Infiniti, Honda/Accura. I know alot of you here are disagree with me, but the sales speak itself. Japanese auto industry are expaning not just in U.S., their open manufacture in Europes and Asia as well. I know that are doing really good in Asia well, Europes, give them 5 years they will have the same result like they did in U.S.

Why? because they make cars that are realible, cheaper to afford because of Less maintance you have to deal with, it has pretty good styling compare to other car in it segment.