I'm Thinking about a 07 IS350

[icsfsedod]

Got an IS350 in July. Absolutely LOVE it. Had a BMW M5 that I traded off for the IS350. It's not as fast as the M5, but I'm not at the dealer every week fixing things either.

Of course, the hard part is figuring out what I'm going to drive every morning.

 

[Koz]

Fair enough...Edmunds has slow times for a lot of cars they have up there. But the STi is much faster than 6 seconds for sure. Maybe they didn't know how to drive it. I was looking up a BMW X5 4.8is 0-60 time earlier today and it said 7 seconds!! That's 4Runner territory!!

The Evo and and STi are quicker then the IS (not by that much) but you comparing apples and oranges. Those cars are rattle trap tuners. The IS is a refined luxury car with a sport attitude (and gets 28mpg). There's a IS owner that is running low 13s (13.1) with just the basic bolt-ons (exhaust, intake and tire pressure changes & VDIM hacking). The Evo & STi are Rally cars for the street and ride like one. Best Bang for Buck, yes.

I will have a sit down today with Lexus. From what I've read lately I might have a hard time negotiating a price. I heard that the sales of the IS are way beyond what Lexus had anticipated and had to reevaluate their production projections (An 884% increase from last year, so far).

Koz

 

[icsfsedod]

You are correct that sales are WAY up from the IS300 model. I'm not sure where you live, but some dealers will negotiate on pricing. My dealer met me about mid-way between wholesale and sticker. I've had the best luck with the Internet sales people since they are more acustomed to people who are ready to make a deal.

 

[Koz]

You are correct that sales are WAY up from the IS300 model. I'm not sure where you live, but some dealers will negotiate on pricing. My dealer met me about mid-way between wholesale and sticker. I've had the best luck with the Internet sales people since they are more acustomed to people who are ready to make a deal.

You are absolutly correct about getting the best price using the internet. I ended up getting it for $2000 over invoice on a "Special Order". Now it's a waiting game, 3 to 4 months.

Koz

 

[Thai]

You are absolutly correct about getting the best price using the internet. I ended up getting it for $2000 over invoice on a "Special Order". Now it's a waiting game, 3 to 4 months.

Koz

Congrats Koz!! What color and what options did you get??

BTW, i am now reading up on the '07 Infinity G35...looks like the closest competitor to IS350. Did you consider this?

 

[Koz]

Congrats Koz!! What color and what options did you get??

BTW, i am now reading up on the '07 Infinity G35...looks like the closest competitor to IS350. Did you consider this?

The G35 and 335i should be right there with the IS for 2007 (Power wise). The major reason I like the Lexus better is because of the superior luxury interior and the reliability. They all seem to make the same amount of power (Just differently).

I ordered Matador Red Mica with black interior with the following options;

Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio
Intuitive Parking Assist
Rear spoiler
18" Wheels
Maple wood interior trim
Heated & ventilated, perforated leather seats
Memory System - seats, side mirrors and steering wheel
Power tilt & telescopic steering
Power sun shade (rear window)
Heated, auto dimming, side mirrors w/auto tilt-down in reverse
Illuminated door sills
Rain sensing wipers
Bi-xenon (low & high beam) HID headlights
Adaptive front lighting system (headlights turn)
Mats/locks/net

Koz

 

[Thai]

Wow...that's a loaded IS!! Very nice.

 

[leftyrb]

While on vacation last week, I drove three new vehicles - the Lexus ES 350, the Infiniti FX35 and the Infiniti F35 sedan. I prefered the ES 350, as it had more standard features than the others (10 way heated and cooled driver and passenger seats, tilting outside mirrors when in reverse, and auto dimming) The Infiniti's were all wheel drive, thus lower fuel economy. The Lexus was also quieter than the others. If I wanted the ES, it would have been a 3 month minimal wait, and I will seriously consider this vehicle once I part with my 4Runner.

I saw the IS and it was a great looking vehicle

 

[Koz]

While on vacation last week, I drove three new vehicles - the Lexus ES 350, the Infiniti FX35 and the Infiniti F35 sedan. I prefered the ES 350, as it had more standard features than the others (10 way heated and cooled driver and passenger seats, tilting outside mirrors when in reverse, and auto dimming) The Infiniti's were all wheel drive, thus lower fuel economy. The Lexus was also quieter than the others. If I wanted the ES, it would have been a 3 month minimal wait, and I will seriously consider this vehicle once I part with my 4Runner.

I saw the IS and it was a great looking vehicle

The ES is a luxury car with lots of room and gets great mileage. A little too soft for me, the IS has more sport (lighter with 30 more HP) in it and still gets good mileage (28 mpg).

Koz

 

[Thai]

I was just reading up on the '07 GS350...same engine as IS350, but with GS size. It does lack a few things of IS350 such as VDIM, high-friction brakes, and paddle shifter. Accleration is about 1/2 second behind IS. But, in return, you get a bigger car (more rear room!) and more luxurious interior. It would be a tough choice for me.

 

[leftyrb]

The ES is a luxury car with lots of room and gets great mileage. A little too soft for me, the IS has more sport (lighter with 30 more HP) in it and still gets good mileage (28 mpg).

Koz

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My 50 plus year old body likes the softer ride . The FX 35 was very rough riding and had a loud exhaust. My 4Runner was very quiet and a much better ride. I never though to test the IS, but from what you stated, would have probably like the ES better

Thanks

 

[Koz]

The ES350 is a sweet car and looks real nice also. You may want to look at the Avalon also it has almost all the stuff (even the same drive train) the ES has for much less money.

Koz

 

[Thai]

I would be careful about the Avalon...it had/has a lot of quality issues when it first came out. Thus, i would make sure that these issues have been solved.

 

[leftyrb]

The Lexus dealer I visited was also a Toyota dealer. The Lexus salesman indicated that the Avalon's have a higher depreciation than the Camry, and the Camry would be an alternative to the ES350.

The base price in Canada for the ES350 and Avalon similarly equipped is only a few thousand dollars.

 

[Net4n6]

Old thread

Koz,

Bring up the old tread.

Are you enjoying your new IS? I will get one sometimes next week to replace my wife "totaled" E320. Please give me advice what I need to look for. I am thinking about getting 07-08. I also give a 2010 a consideration too. The only thing hold me back on 2010 is the payments. For 07-08, I don't have to make car payment.

 

[Uneek]

Koz,

Bring up the old tread.

Are you enjoying your new IS? I will get one sometimes next week to replace my wife "totaled" E320. Please give me advice what I need to look for. I am thinking about getting 07-08. I also give a 2010 a consideration too. The only thing hold me back on 2010 is the payments. For 07-08, I don't have to make car payment.

I don't think Koz is actively on this forum anymore. Check ClubLexus, I know he posts over there after he got the IS350. Koz on CL.

He read the forum a few months ago, but hasn't posted in over a year and a half.