RonandKay

We picked up our IS250 yesterday from Lexus of Austin. Whole thing took 45 minutes. They offered but did not push extended warranties, tire/rim warranty, etc. Took tour of Lexus service dept and garage (you could eat a meal off the floors). Salesman (son of one of my wife's fellow Rotarians) was super nice and gave us a bottle of "Lexus" champagne as he gave us the keys. Went for short drive from Austin to Wimberly. Car has taut feel to it. Need to fiddle with lumbar support/seat angle to get more comfortable. As predicted, rear visibility is limited. Auto tranny shifts seamlessly. I won't try the paddle shifters until after the break-in period. The boy racer in me still occasionally wishes that I got the IS350 but I remember the famous saying by Lord Acton; "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". Having the IS350 would have me doing aggressive driving antics like breaking the hearts of Mustang owners and other "victims" and I'm too old for that st nowadays. This car has plenty of power for me. I just wish that I hadn't seen the HKS Sport Exhaust in the accessories catalog. I promised the wife that I wouldn't do any mods to this car. I like the compass headings that show in the rear view mirror -- maybe that's enough of a "NAV" system for me. :) Thumbs Up.....Ron

Matador IS250 coming in this Friday! Trying to decide on if we should finance with Lexus (5.9%) or get a home equity loan (about 7.9%). Seems like interest deduction on home equity loan would trump lower rate for auto loan. But Lexus offers this so-called "Gap Insurance" with their loan. Based on the numbers I state above, which make the most sense to go with, conventional auto loan or home equity loan? Also, what's the dope on this Gap Insurance? Thanks in advance.....Ron and Kay

Congratulations! We're expecting our IS250 in about three weeks. If we were younger, we would have gone for the IS350. Have fun but be safe.

turn the music back on louder and it will go away. :P sorry, couldn't resist. can you pinpoint the rattle. is it a heat shield type rattle or, does the pitch of the rattle change with the speed of the car, can you make it rattle with the car in neutral? steviej We're interested in a solution to this problem because (a) we're taking delivery of our IS250 next month and (B) we have a similar buzz/rattle coming from our 2001 Ford Ranger at 2,000 - 2,500rpms. We've looked everywhere, loose heat sheilds, loose door panels, ect to no avail.

Looking to take delivery of our IS250 next month. Plan to do most routine maintenance DIY. But will need good local mechanic in Austin, TX area for hard stuff. Any recommendations for good Austin area mechanic familiar with Lexus or should I punt and take it to Lexus of Austin? Regards & TIA....Ron and Kay

OK, we test drove the IS 250 and we put in a deposit for a Matador Red Mica with the Sterling interior Automatic RWD. We're getting the 18" wheels with summer tires -- pray for no snow in Austin! :) The car should be in Austin in Mid January. We'll admit it ain't a rocket like the IS 350 but it made enough power for our needs. Thanks again to all who gave their advice on helping us decide which one to go with. Regards.....Ron and Kay

Thanks to all for advice/comments. We're set to drive the 250 Thursday morning. I should have enough skills to go all out on freeway access ramps to gauge adequacy of reputed 7.9 second 0-60 performance. I'm afraid to retest the 350 because, frankly, I've never driven a car with 5.6 second 0-60 capability. But if I were single and 30 years younger....

Test drove a 2006 IS 350 yesterday. Will test IS 250 (RWD A/T) next week when one is available. Although I didn't go WOT during test drive, I sensed awesome power was there because my right foot barely moved a 1/4 inch. Because I'm 59 years old and drive like a blue-haired old lady, I'm wondering if the IS 350 is too much car for me and I would be wasting the car's capabilities (I rarely go WOT and almost never exceed the speed limit). I'm thinking that the IS 250 might be a better match for my driving style. Also, this car will be driving also by my wife who is even a more conservative driver than I. Question for IS 250 owners/test drivers: Was IS 250 power adequate for everyday driving and passing/merging activities?