NE1 seen the new Lexus US 350 yet?

I am looking at it as well as the Volvo S60R. Only downside is that there is no stick as an option. Just semi-auto with paddle shifters (in the IS350 AWD).

 

If you would like to read reviews of people who have test driven these cars, I can provide a few links for you

I'm going for my test drive as soon as our dealer gets one in

http://www.clublexus.com/index.php/article/articleview/7475/1/10/

http://my.is/forums/showthread.php?t=263130

 

I dont think the IS350 comes in AWD....

 

The IS350 is strictly a RWD model, whereas the IS250 comes in AWD, and also with a 5 speed manual transmisson.

 

I have seen it mentioned as AWD. Could be bad info. If it is only RWD, I will be getting the Volvo instead.

 

no awd on the bigger motor..... I thought about the s60r because i love the interior and some ther elements but when i factored in the scheduled maintenance the audi looks a lot better.... Volvo maintenance is about the same price as ferrari...

 

Yes, I know about the Volvo maintenance, and that is a downside. I really wish the Lexus was AWD. That new grill on the Audi just doesn't do it for me, but it is still second in my choices. Some articles say BMW will have a 330 Xi (AWD) for 2006, but the BMW website does not.

But, back on track, all of the articles I have read have praised the IS350, mostly comparing it to a BMW 3 series. The comments on the IS250 all state lack of power ("short winded, slow, poor accelerarion"). If the IS350 was a stick and AWD, I would have already ordered one.

 

I'm not sure what Lexus is thinking by trying to compete with and topple the BMW 3 series, which the IS350 is faster than (as shown in tests) by sticking to a RWD platform, yet they omit the 6 speed manual transmission option. I still can't get it through my head.

 

Have you looked at the 2006 GS300? It comes AWD, and is a bit bigger/more expensive than the IS, but its also a very beautiful car, although not as sporty (in its stock form, its very easily modifyable) which is what you are looking for here I suppose.

 

I looked at it, but no stick. Good looking car, though.

I am looking for a sedan with AWD, Stick , and horsepower/weight advantage, at or under $40K. The Volvo S40 is in there, too. And a one year old Audi, with the old grill.

Maybe Lexus will give us AWD in 2007?

 

I haven't heard anything, but lets see if they can make a Six speed MT for the IS350 first...or maybe they will skip the MT and just make the IS350 AWD optioned next year. No details as of yet though, so we'd have to see. How about an STI/Evo VIII for under 40k? Or did you want something a little more luxurious?

 

IS460 plz. with RWD and SIX gears, manually operated! The paddles look so stupid on an auto car.

 

I don't think there are any production plans for an IS460, or even an IS430. Team Lexus has built an IS430, but it's not an actual model, just a beefed up 4.3L engine in the IS body. I can't wait for the GS450h and the LS460 (2007)/LS600hL (2007/2008) <---LS600hL Long wheel-base-hybrid version of the LS460. 600 is representative of the equivalent power output of a 6L engine, from a 4.6L + Electric motor. Not to mention that this thing is supposed to have 8 forward gears. Not sure how much difference in Fuel Mileage you get by putting in 8 gears, as opposed to 7 or even 6. It's got to be a minimal gain.

 

I like the STi, but looking at more of a sedan (for my girlfriend). She currently has a 1999 328i, but it is approaching 90K miles, and she wants AWD for Alaska. Also, it has been very troublesome, so she does not want to go back to BMW. She likes MT over AT, believe it or not. Which leads to Audi and Volvo at the top of the lists. We even looked at some Subarus.

Again, the IS350 would be the ticket with another driveshaft. It is such an overall good car, but why tease us by only putting AWD in the small engine car? She could do the paddle shift (she drove the Maserati QP and liked it).

Now a V-12 QP in AWD...?

 

If not the STI, I'd DEFINETELY recommend the new Legacy GT with available 6 speed transmission. Check it out if you haven't already, but you probably did.

 

I did. It's OK, but not great.

 

G35 with awd?

 

Hopefully we did not hijack Ed's thread on the Lexus, but good discussions on other cars in the same lane.

On the G35, it is AWD or 6 speed MT, one or the other. 6 speed on the 2WD, Auto on the AWD.

 

yea the new legacy GT is a great car