KnappAttack

Thanks guys for all the comments. I understand that the Honda and Lexus are apples for oranges. Not in the same league whatsoever. I guess the reason for me asking and trying to learn about the Lexus, is that it is the car I would like her to have. I know she would also love to have the Lexus. She is a Social Worker in a small community, and is having a hard time with driving a Lexus in town. That is why we are looking at the Honda. Also tried the Altima and Toyota. The Malibu is out, it does not even feature heated leather seats!!! The Lexus has ALL the features we are looking for. I wonder if it can be re-baged? It is a Toyota in Japan. Anyone de-baged one yet? By the way, she drives a 05 Accord now with a 4 cyl and will get 25-30 MPG average, and she is not to easy on it! Just trying to make her feel its OK to get the Honda as she feels like she can't be driving the Lexus around. What to do, what to do?

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!!!!

Subaru does not have one model with bluetooth! They also seem to have an appetite for fuel. Drove a V6 Toyota Camry today as it comes with 268 HP and everything but AWD. It also does not require premium fuel. The SE is a better choice but does not have the pushbutton start option. The Lexus is looking pretty good at this point. Its only drawbacks to me are power deficit with the low performance engine that needs the premium fuel. It is a very nice smooth V6 however. Just don't see why the engineers put the high compression at it requiring premium. Also lack of split folding rear seat like the Audi A4's. I think its coming down to the Lexus or the 2008 Honda Accord EX/L with navigation. They all have their features and no one particular model is the perfect fit for us. Wish I could put all the things I wanted in a car from all the different models and build that one perfect vehicle. The new 2009 Audi A4 might fit the bill, but we can't wait that long. Really like the style/comfort of the IS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the feedback all. I'm not so sure what to do. Having second thoughts. The new 2008 Honda Accords now seem to be selling around invoice pricing. I know they are not in the same class as the Lexus however. Hard to justify spending $10,000 more on a car that runs premium fuel and has less power. Also looking at the Nissan's and Audi's. The Lexus has all the features we are looking for. AWD, push button start, bluetooth and navigation are the features we are wanting. Also require a high fuel efficiency rating. I thought the Audi A4 2.0t would fit the bill perfectly, but that engine vibrates worse than my John Deere lawnmower, and the v6 in the A4 has an appetite for fuel.

Even the guys on the Audi forums complain about the horrible, potholed roads in the northeast. 30,000 is not too bad for the stock tires as I think they are a fairly soft compound. How about the performance of the Lexus AWD system and thoughts of your IS 250 AWD vehicle overall? Any regrets, thoughts? We negotiated a price of $4000 off the $41,000 MSRP at the local dealer for a navi, prem., and luxury package vehicle. Have not signed the deal yet. Wife also likes the new 2008 Honda Accord, and being a social worker she is have a hard time thinking of being seen driving in a Lexus, even though we know it is the ideal car for her with all its features.

Very close on pulling the trigger on a new 250 AWD for my wife. I have owned a couple of Audi A6's now and the 2002 model I had would go through a set of tires about every 25,000 miles. It wouldn't wear them out, but the tires would seem to go out of round and/or break the belting inside the carcass and shake bad. You would have no choice but to change out to another set. I put 114,000 miles on that vehicle and had many brands of tires on there. The 2005 I have has a V8 with 335 HP. It has 17,000 miles on the tires now and looking like they may go to 35,000 miles if I can keep the shakes away. Maybe ContiProContacts will be better, I don't know. Audi Quattro cars seem to be hard on tires. Wonder if the Lexus will do the same? Also wonder how the Lexus will stack up in terms of traction against the Audi. I seem to read people reporting the Audi is better, but I have not seen an explanation as to why. How are you all liking the AWD Lexus? Thank you! Mike