LOL > You are too funny. You make a darn good point though in picking what feels best for you. After all, it's your hard earn money you will be spending. Perhaps you might want to consider an ES350 as well?
As for paying MSRP... with the IS350 selling like hotcakes in the Houston area, not many dealers care to negotiate since if you don't pay full price, the next person in line right behind you will. That was 2 of the 3 Lexus dealership's mentality when I shopped for my IS350 fully loaded. It helped to bring in a printout from Edmunds.com or automsn.com that showed the model you picked with the packages on them displaying Dealer Invoice, MSRP(sticker price), and TMV(true market value) on it. The TMV shows you specifically what the folks in your zipcode are actually paying for their ISx50 cars with the same features. Come in to the dealership educated and prepare and things will go much smoother. It lets the sales people know you both have all the cards on the table and there no BS needed.
The first dealer told me they can only knock $500 off MSRP. The second told me they won't budge because if I don't buy it, someone else will. The third was willing to knock $2000 off MSRP and sell me any additional Add-ons at their cost. You might not have the same luxury to deal with 3 different dealers in your town, but having the TMV will be a resourceful thing regardless.
Goodluck with your search.
Hehehe... thanks for the compliment (?) for being funny. :D
If I was a guy, I'd get IS350 at a heart beat. A chick like me is fine w/ IS250 just as long as it got a good color and hot wheels :) It is quite comparable to my current car too, which is BMW 325i.
You are lucky to have 3 Lexus dealers in your area. I got ONE! There's one more but 2 hrs away. I did go there tho'. The negotiation hasn't started yet. Hopefully we can do this over the phone. I'm also thinking about using Costco auto buying program. I'm not sure if you have Costco around your area, it's like Sam's club in other area.
Don't bother talking on the phone or driving 2 hrs. negoiate the entire deal via e-mail. Be specific and say "ready to buy" and the exact trim auto and trim lines you want. If anyone messes around like giving you MSRP right off the bat - tell them that there competition is not playing those games and that you are aware of the invoice, holdback and other incentives that they have. Get the e-mail address of the internet sales manager at each location - call for that if you have to. Avoid speaking on the phone or talking directly ----they also don't need to know that you would rather not have to drive 2 hrs. Get the game going between the dealers. and close the deal by Tuesday ..last day of the month. As a female you are at a disadvantage by speaking to them on the phone or going head to head. My wife used the aforementioned method to by me three cars in the last 2 years and she loves doing it. GOOD LUCK
Good Advise!