We just took delivery today of an IS 250 AWD that I leased for my wife. The process was incredibly straightforward and easy. I cannot comment on the strictness of the lease at termination, but I can't imagine you're going to beat on your Lexus, are you? I strongly doubt you'd have much difficulty financing the residual if you chose to do that. We've got our first kid on the way, so this is her transition car prior to getting an RX-whathaveyou 2 years down the line.
We also have an Audi and a BMW. I was somewhat surprised to find that the IS 250 AWD felt more confident in the 5" inches of slop that fell in Minnesota today than my A6 4.2
