DarthBalls22

I had a chance to drive a 250 on the freeway and around town. The main reason I wanted to drive it was to test the paddle shifting. It was nice, but there is some lag to upshifting. I don't believe it is a real replacement for a manual transmission, not that is was supposed to be. I love having a manual transmission, and the lack of one in the IS350 right now is the main reason I probably will get something else, or wait and see if they come out with one in 2007. I thought it handled great, not quite on par with the new 330i with a sport package, but pretty close. I really like the feel of being inside the Lexus, it just feels nicer than the competitors. Lexus has made a very nice car with the new IS!

I've been holding off buying a new car until I had a chance to look/drive the new IS. The dealer here had a couple of IS350's that went fast and I didn't get a chance to drive them, but I did get to drive the 250. I've driven and done a lot of research on the following cars: G35 6spd, Acura TL 6spd, 300C, 330i 6spd. Of all the cars I've driven and looked at the Lexus had the nicest interior of all. I want to feel the power of the 350 before I decide, so I have my name reserved on a NAV/premium 350 that should be here next week. I also have a deposit down on a 330i 6spd. The biggest drawback for the IS350 in my opinion is the lack of a manual transmission, the paddles are fun, but there is too much lag, it isn't a true SMG, F1 type transmission, and the backseats are way too small. I'm not planning on being in the back, but if I'm buying a 4 door car I'd like to take some people with me some of the time. But other than that I thought the car was very solid and looked great. I don't think it handled as well as the BWM. I think the BMW has a little more sport to it, but the lexus has more luxury, and dollar for dollar you get more with the Lexus.