WOW! Lexus IS-series sales increase TENFOLD! Look out 3-series

So you like to compare the 3 Series to the Evo and STI. Have you done a comparison yourself?

Drive a 3, then drive an STI...the STI is very fast, no question. Too bad it feels like a hollow tin can! Close the rear door, and watch the back spoiler shake.

BMW doesn't sacrifice safety for it's performance.

Amen, Paul. Perfectly stated.

So what if Lexus sells more than BMW! Buy what you want, not what others are buying. The Lexus does look nice and is a good value, but for my money, i'd get the 330xi - for the drive, if nothing else :-)

I'm 6'2 and I feel cramped in the IS! The interior is not bad, but too cluddered and found tons of not so pleasing materials. The BMW felt very spacious and simple. We ended up with the BMW, of course. Testing it with the sport package, even though a little rough, the car is lser sharp. I even have to admit that I fell in love with iDrive, the nav system and the bluetooth connectivity... it was about time the germans pushed a bit more tech in their cars.. and they did the right way. The 3 might have a couple fractions of a second slower than the IS, but it drives like a true german. The IS is a good looking car, with some good stats. Definitively a bragging car, not a 'driver's car'.

Hey JL, look at the survey numbers. Have you ever owned a BMW? Do you actually know how reliable they really are? I've owned 4...and surprise, surprise, none have been problematic. And most certainly none have been prone to "spontaneous combust in people’s garage'.

Japanese car fans always say the Germans are in the shop every other week. I'm not going to say your wrong, but...

that I have had (all 3 series) have never had problems....the last one I had had a fuse for the AC blow, that was it...in 110K miles...Just changed oil and fluids. And yes JL I drove the car on a track twice...and I can tell you I feltr safer in that car than I ever did my friends tin can STi Subaru. Yeah it is fast, but dont ever hit anything in it! And by the way Yuppies just don't drive BMW's they drive Subarus too! LOL

I may not push the 3 to the limits, but its about knowing that I can. That's the same reason people buy massive truck based SUVs and then never go off-roading.

I find the new IS to be very tempting. However, I do not think that they've built a 3-series beater here. They have decided to not offer a six speed manual. This is essential for many BMW enthusaists.

Personally, I hope that Toyota can build a Lexus that can compete head-to-head with the 3 because it only benifits us!

I feel that your opinion of BMW's as yuppiemobiles doesn't represent all owners. I recommend you drive one at limit with the traction control off and compare it to the IS. One problem: you can't turn it off on the IS.

LS.