lulli

hi folks
i'm new here and planning to buy a new car as well, looking into is250 and tsx '08 and tsx '09, not sure which one i should buy, i can afford the is250 as well but not sure if i should buy the car just because it's a lexus? wondreing if anyone here had some experiences in checking out both these cars? i like the drive of both the cars, i get comments from my friends about the lexus looks, some think it looks great where as some think it looks like a girls car, not sure what you guys think here.
pls gimme some insight into both these cars.
thank you

aaronng

No need to post this in BOTH the 1st gen and 2nd gen sections....

lcrazyaznl

iTrader: (1)

Honestly I like the IS250 alot for luxary feel and the awd. Some lazy features that aren't on my 2005 tsx but maybe on the newer ones.
But thats being spoiled by all the fancy stuff.

One thing i must love is the cooled seats.


Trunk space sucks on is250 my friend always ask me to drive to get the bbq stuff in the summer.

Back seat space if you drive it yourself its cool, but the tsx fits my parents in the back.

I sat in my friends is250 and got some leg cramps. I'm not even that tall, 5'9 I just couldn't fit my feet under the passenger seat, so it was a bit stiff.

Navi is similar they have a differnt style than ours where ours is split up to not make the screen busy.

Is250 gets really pricey when adding tech package hids and so on.

nbtx

The IS250 has an unusable back seat.

Craig-D

I never considered the '08 and earlier TSX because I found the styling too bland for my tastes. So I never test drove one. The IS250 was my top choice and I was all set to get it. Then the '09 TSX came out and I liked what I saw. I wasn't crazy about the 4cyl engine, but then I realized it had pretty much the same HP as the Lexus 6cyl, so that became a non-issue. After test driving both, the '09 TSX won me over.

The Lexus definitely has more brand prestige if you want to impress the neighbors, but that's it's only advantage. No folding backseats was a near deal breaker and the back seat is for toddlers only. Despite rear-wheel drive being championed, I found no noticeable difference in the driving characterristics of the two. The Lexus has a nicer interior if you get the optional wood trim, but it's still too tight in there. I also wanted a manual tranny. Try finding an IS250 on a dealer lot with one. The base invoice on the Lexus is cheaper than the TSX, but yet the MSRP is about 3 grand more. Equipment that come standard in the TSX (like HID headlights, Bluetooth, etc.) are optional on the Lexus and they add up quickly. In fact, when optioned equivalently, the IS250 runs about $6k more than a base TSX. This margin grows when you add NAV, etc. The bottom line is both cars are equally nice, but they aren't even close to equally priced and the Lexus is way smaller. Lexus thus gives you less car, yet asks for more money. If your main goal is to impress your friends and you only need 2 usable seats for adults, get the IS250. If you want the most car for your dollar, the ability to seat 4 adults in comfort, and the versatility of a fold down rear seat, get the TSX.

xenonhid

Only if you can shell out the extra $$$, than its only worth getting the IS350.


IS350 hauls with nice power but IMHO, its not worth getting the IS250.

ijenz

lol, wow. i went through the exact same dilemma. i litterally fell in love with the IS250 when it first came out in 06' i went to lexus at bay ridge for a test drive and i considered it a no go just driving the 1st two blocks. its without a doubt very sexy but the drive feels like it takes a lot to get a pull out of it and really sluggish. i remember stepping on the gas pedal pretty far back, and it wasnt going anywhere.

IS250 and the TSX carries the same amount of horses, but the IS is like 500lbs heavier? therefore, it's just whether you wanna put out the extra $3 to 5k for something thats very comparable other than the body. bcos if i were to pay almost 40k for torque that can be compared to a civic, and it's a lexus then its no good. plus the fact that i wanted an mt, mark levinson navi, and sports package would take up to 3 months due to a special order. i just... cant lol.

but if your considering the IS350 then we're talking. ahahah. that thing is monsterous!

acura_ak

yes, if you're gonna get the is, go for thr is350 instead of the is250. i'll have to agree with the cooled seats, i kinda wish we had that on the TSX.

TS_eXpeed

If you really want the IS, I would only go for it if you can pull the trigger and get the IS350. I've heard the 250 sucks balls when it comes to power.

My overall recommendation for you though would be to get an 06-08 TSX.

Mokos23

The IS250 is kind of like a chick car now, whereas I've since 50/50 mixed men and women driving the 1st gen and 2nd gen TSX. Also, for the price you get more for your money in the TSX regardless of what gen. If it's the Lexus "status" you want, just get the Lexus then.

dlee74

IS350 all the way!!

xenonhid

Haha, I probably have no use for cooled seats here in Seattle.


But yeah, since you are in Cali, its definitely a nice feature.

Mokos23

any updates?

lulli

thanks guys, i'm looking into IS350 and tsx now and not sure at this time if i should chip in the extra $$$ and get the IS, at the same time i think it's a wise decision to go with the tsx with all the fuel price rising and plus the IS new design is due in another 2 years wherase the tsx new design is already here, but i like the 08 better any day, i'll keep u posted.

1HKxC

IS350 goes into G35 or G37 pricing...

Overall the IS is cramped and is too expensive IMO...

PhiDelt

Now that you mention fuel prices, i won't be the 1st to say the fuel economy in the TSX is very good. Alot better then either V6.

odannyboi

I'd rather go with an Audi A4 or a G35 over the 250 (similar price).

But if you really want a TSX or IS250, i'd say TSX. Lower cost (insurance, maintaince, more practical, better fuel economy, and still turns heads).

But those cooled seats sound nice...

Mokos23

What Acura models have the cooled seats?

bluefang08

^ The new RL will...

1Louder

I loved the IS 250 and 350. Two things stopped me:
- Until my kids are out of the house, I need a usable back seat and the IS just doesn't have it. Way too cramped for two teenage kids.
- It cost a lot more than the TSX and did not have a significant discriminator. The options were almost identical, short of a more powerful engine.

In the end, the fact it was more expensive for a smaller car didn't justify the price.

lulli

thanks to all..
i am going to go with the tsx 08, the dealer here is giving it for 27.5K OTD carbon grey pearl color and has a navi too.. i think thats a nice deal.. i'm getting an APR of 1.9% (special deal)..do u think i should pull it off?

dlee74

I would say that is a good deal.

hunterk1

IS-F FTW!

Really though, there are still plenty of 1st gen TSXs at dealerships... You've made the right decision IMO. $27.5k w/Navi & 1.9% APR is great.

The IS is more luxurious (at least compared to the 1st gen), but the dealerships around here only seem to stock AWD 6AT IS250s, which compared to the 1st gen TSX

• are 400lb heavier
• are less powerful (by only 1hp - but more torque)
• have less interior head, leg, and shoulder room
• get worse gas mileage
• cost almost $5000 more...

Yeah, I'm quite happy with my choice.

CiViCKiDD

That's a really good deal..I paid over $30k for my non-navi TSX (OTD, with 2.9% apr financing) back in February.

deznium

The IS has too many issues for a $35K car and is too crammed inside. I only see girls driving it in my area (probably because only they can fit in). Not to say that's a bad thing... I was only considering the IS350, but when I sat in it, I changed my decision completely. The car still needs some work to be done, especially the blind spots. The A/B pillars are thick and the rear visibility is poor IMO. Also, I found changing lanes to be pretty difficult as compared to TSX. IMO, it doesn't matter what the quality of materials and fit/finish is used inside a car if you can't even sit comfortably in the cabin. Plus, the drive is pretty boring, but IS '08 is much better (drive wise) as compared to '06 and '07... Get the BMW 3 '09, it got a face lift with the tail lights done and looks good IMO... If you can wait for the next gen IS, that won't be so bad either but won't happen in another 2 years or so. Good luck with your decision.

deznium

On the other hand, the car does look pretty good and is overall refined in its class than any other in terms of looks/materials used.. but that's about it.