cshecks

well, that was an easy decision....i test drove each one back to back and the lexus got owned. Thanks all for opinions.

I have deposits down on two cars right now and am having a very difficult time deciding which to get. I have to have AWD so its the A3 3.2 vs IS250. IS250 owners please weigh in ASAP i need some opinions. I love the fit/finish of the lexus and all the great options that are standard, but the ho-hum driving is blown away by the A3 3.2 engine and road feel.

The Camry SE is their sport edition, not available with push button start. Only the XLE and hybrid has push button start. The SE is fairly sporty. I read the consumer reports on Edmunds and this person is talking about the windshield being thin and easy to break on the Camry, well guess what? On the test drive with the salesman in the car, a pebble comes up and cracks the windshield. It was just a small pebble too! That is one thing about my Audi’s; they have some awful tough windshields in them. I have been hit by huge stones and they take a beating like no other. I think I'll stay away from the Toyota. It’s coming down to the 2008 Honda Accord or the 2008 Lexus IS250 AWD. As far as fuel usage, the wife drives 30-35,000 miles per year. Now if she was to get a 24 MPG average that is 1250 gallons of fuel per year, a .20 cent fuel premium is $250 per year x5 years, which are not peanuts at $1250 just for premium fuel. On the same token a 2 MPG average savings in fuel use would be $300 per year a $3.10 per gallon, more if it goes to $4.00 by this spring. That makes the four cylinder Accord look very appealing at 190 HP that uses regular gas and returns 21/31 EPA standard compared to the Lexus AWD at 20/26 and premium fuel. Not to mention it can be bought for $11,000 less initially. I would like to know if you can dial numbers by voice command with Bluetooth into your phone on the go with the Lexus. Also, if you can input an address into navigation using voice commands? I know they can not be typed in on the go. Thanks for thr help all!!!!

Dont forget about Honda and its EPA milage estimates....they are pretty exagerated. My girlfriend had an 06 civic EX for literally about 4 months, and here is why. It had an estimated 25 city and 36 freeway I believe, in 3 months and about 4,000 miles (long commute to and from work, but mostly highway none the less) she average a whopping 24-25 mpg on mostly highway miles. YES A CIVIC. she sold that *BLEEP* caus she was so *BLEEP*ed at the mpg. So while i can appreciate your little mathmatical breakdown above you may be in for a suprise.

I once owned an A4 w/ Quattro. I compared it very thouroughly with my friends IS250 AWd when i had the Audi (which i have since sold and bought a lex)....and, besides the systems being mechanically different (lexus as well as most other AWD systems are Haldex based) in pretty much every real world test Quattro is the champion, hands down. As a matter of fact, if you like i can send you some links of professional comparison tests that pit Quattro vs. various other car makers AWD systems. I live in seattle, so i dont need such a bad !Removed! awd system like the Quattro, thats why i know have a lexus (purchased for various other reasons than the all wheel drive).

I would never hesitate to go up to the mountains in any conditions in the winter w/ my old Audi A4, however, now, I take my girlfriends CRV because in my personal experience it performs much better than the lexus which i took up twice and it has taught me a lesson to never take it up again. However, for mild inclement weather and rain it performes beautifully.

Hi,

I might be in the market for buying a 2006 IS 250 AWD. What kind of gas is required (grade/type)? Also, does the AWD model only come in automatic? If so, do the paddle shifters come standard?

I'm looking forward to test driving one soon. I own a 2006 Audi A4 quattro - the only major complaint about it is the non-existant low end torque. At a dead stop, the acceleration doesn't kick in for a good 1.5 to 2 seconds. You're not moving at all! Hopefully Lexus will be impressive when it comes to that.

Thanks.

Scott

I hope your getting a 350, otherwise your A4 if faster and handles better right now....yeah, there is a bit of turbo lag but as a former Audi A4 2.0T owner you will be getting an upgrade in finish and quility as well as gagetry, but a noticable downgrade in performance. Also, the Quattro is far superior to the lexus haldex based AWD. Keep that in mind, especially if you go up to the mountain to board/ski alot.

The title basically says it all. I am thinking about leasing an IS350, but am wondering if I could get an IS250 and make is as fast if not faster than the 350???

Any responses would really be appreciated.

Thanks again guys!

Go buy a BMW 335 and you wont have to try to be like anything.........you will already be bad a$$ like this pirate -->

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Sweet, your car looks SICK!!! I am sooo jealous I cannot wait to get mine later this year : )

I have 3 friends thus far who have bought an IS in the seattle area in which there are 3 diff dealerships......two 250's and one 350. According to most web sites it seems that they overpaid especially when compared to the Cali prices. 1) One friend bought an IS250 fully loaded (navi + premium pack) for 37,000 + tax and liscence, the other bought hers w/ navi but no premium package for 37,000 grand as well. Is this about right??? Lexus is making a freaking killing off of these cars has anyone in seattle area got one for close to invoice?????

Future IS owner :

cs

I was once a proud owner of a 2005.5 Audi A4 2.0T and sold it about 1 year ago. I am now reconsidering getting either another Audi or the Lexus. Could I please get some insight from some IS250 owners as to why this might be a better bet than the audi. I am already aware the the IS250 AWD system is vastly inferior to the Audi quattro AWD system and this is one of my major worries. I have never seen a post in an audi forum with people complaining about "it snowed 1 inch and i could not get out of my driveway with my Is250 AWD" like I have in lexus forums. Now, with that being said, I had to take my A4 to the shop probably 4 times in the first 5 months of ownership and I am pretty positive that would not happen with a lexus.

Please, serious comments/suggestions from IS250 owners. Thanks!!!!