I was looking for a nice sport sedan to replace my 2002 BMW 330xi that I had sold a few months ago. I really enjoyed driving of the BMW but the extra features were lacking. BMW tries hard to create a nice environment but I just don’t think they have the “feel” down like Mercedes Benz or Lexus. My BMW just felt cold and sterile. Sure there are purists out there that will look at only the absolute limit behavior of a car, and BMW is fabulous at that. But frankly, most of my time is spent puttering around in traffic with brief bursts of performance required. I think I would describe my Lexus IS350 as 95% of a BMW 330 performance with 2 or 3 times the luxury and technology.
The IS is newly designed for 2006. The shape has been called a mini-GS. The lines are flowing but a bit sharp. The front looks great but I think the back is a bit pulled up. This is entirely a matter of taste, but I think it looks great. The interior is just dripping with luxury and technology.

My model has the GPS navigation, Mark Levinson audio, 18” wheels/tires, luxury package and parking assist. You can get the GPS navigation without the Mark Levinson audio but I think most models will come with them as a pair. The 18” wheel/tire combo are Dunlop Sport Maxx summer performance tires, which I will have to get winter replacements for the snowfall that we will get here. So far the handling is just amazing. The best way to describe this cars behavior is silky. Although the suspension is a bit tight (as a sport sedan should have) it is never rough. The steering is communicative yet not noisy. The brakes are very firm but not grippy. The engine is turbine smooth yet not intrusive. This car is more like a plane than a car. This is definitely not a bugs-in-your-teeth kind of sports car, which to me, is not a bad thing. I’ve had my fill of checking oil levels and worrying about coolant levels. This car fills a niche between the hard core BMW performance and Mercedes Benz luxury, and by the way, let’s throw in superb reliability (which neither German sedan can offer). When I went to the local Mercedes Benz dealer to inquirer about the C sports sedan he made a big deal about how they are improving from 12th overall reliability to 4th. When I asked him about the top ones he said “Let Lexus have the top spot, we are a safety pioneer, and with that comes some reliability issues”. Huh? This is just so typical German automotive thinking. Anyway, let’s talk about the IS350.

The IS 350 has a 3.5 liter 306 horsepower engine that is on the cutting edge of technology. There are actually two fuel injectors per cylinder, one in the combustion chamber (like Audi), and one upstream of the intake valve (like everyone else). The control unit decides how much each should contribute to for the best combustion process. This is totally transparent to the user but it is very high-tech.

The IS350 only comes with a 6 speed automatic for now. The shifts are very quick and the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel enable you to do things that you couldn’t even do with a “standard” manual. Do I miss the feel of a clutch and having absolute control over the drivertrain? Maybe a bit, but it sure is nice to hand over control to a competent computer while I tend to driving and keeping my toddler from eating a bug. I think small two seaters need to have a manual but when you get into larger 4 seaters I think you are getting more into memories and desire than actual function. Yes the purists will squawk about the control of a manual but I don’t plan on putting this car on the track and frankly if I want to race I’ll get a dedicated race car.

The gadgets on this car are amazing. There is a rear facing camera that shows the rear view whenever the car is in reverse (it uses the navigation screen). The GPS navigation screen is easily double the resolution of anything else out there. The display is amazing to look at. The system runs a split screen when you are at a decision point and shows you to road layout and the suggested path. For example, if you are on a 4 lane highway it will show you a 3D representation with arrows on the straight lanes if you need to go straight. You can customize the display for a variety of different modes for your tastes. The Points of Interest (POI) database is pretty extensive. The icons for restaurants actually show the different logos for most of the national chains and the rerouting function is extremely quick. There is voice control ability but I am still figuring out all the commands so I won’t pass judgment on it yet.

There are independent driver and passenger temperature settings and the seats are heated and air conditioned. Yes you can set a level of cooling and cool air is blown through the perforated leather seats! I didn’t think that was even a feature until I used it. Wow. It really does help you feel more comfortable. The mirrors are all auto dimming and the HID headlamps actually turn toward the direction you are turning to help illuminate the road (I think and old Tucker car had this feature in the 1950’s). It is pretty neat but I wouldn’t use it as a reason to buy the car. The dashboard is illuminated from behind and the indicator needles are also internally illuminated. This is hard to describe but it looks great. The numbers seem to be floating in space and the indicator needle is just the right size and brightness to let you know where to look. Since I am going to be staring at these numbers a lot I am pretty sensitive to sloppy gauges. That is one thing that I didn’t like about the Mini Cooper.

One neat feature is the wireless key. As long as the key is in your pocket you just put your hand in the door handle and the door unlocks. When you sit down in the car you just have to press a start button to start the car. The key never leaves your pocket. If you walk up to the trunk it automatically unlocks and you just press a button the open it. This is actually much more convenient than it sounds. No more searching for your key and having to juggle packages in you arms to get it out.

One big difference is the dealership. Most BMW and Mercedes dealers have an air about them. Some would argue that they have earned it and you should be thankful to be able to buy a car from them. The Lexus dealer, while being upscale, was extremely nice and very accommodating to me. There is a children’s area in the lounge with beanbags and kids books and movies. The customer lounge rivals most airlines frequent flyer lounges and there are private desks for those that wish to get some work done. Compare this to my local BMW dealers open waiting area with one computer and some old BMW magazines. It is literally night and day. One of the Lexus service advisors has a plaque on his wall that says “we are in the customer service business, and we just happen to sell cars”. This is a very different mindset from the other carmakers. Now I know why people like Lexus.

UPDATE

I've been driving for about 2 weeks now and I realized that I didn't talk much about the driving experience. This engine has LOTS of available power. I was scooting over to get onto an exit ramp and I didn't realize that I got over 90 mph! This car is so smooth that the power feels almost distant, it is definitely not "in your face". I think the best single word description is fluid. This car doesn't like to be slammed into gear and jerked around. If you stomp on the gas there is usually two downshifts and then the speed increases at a rapid but smooth rate. The entire car just seems to dedicate itself to acceleration. There are no creaks, groans, clicks, whirrs, etc., just smooth acceleration to large velocities.

The brakes, when applied hard, do a great job of slowing the car down. In the owner's manual they talk about how the high friction brake pads will wear quicker than normal pads. I'm not sure what that means but I'm guessing that they will have to be replaced more frequently.

Anyway, things are going just great. I have not had a single thing go wrong and I am getting to know the car better, and loving every minute of it.

UPDATE #2

I have now been driving for over six months and I still love the car. The only thing I don’t love are all the “tricked” out civics and celicas that want to race or ride my butt. Sorry that I can’t go 100 mph with my toddler in the back seat. I usually have to just get over and let them pass. I have hammered it on a few on ramps and this car will definitely get out of its own way if needed. The dynamic stability control (I think it is called VDIM) can be a bit intrusive if you are trying to have some fun. There is a way to turn it off if you do an elaborate dance with the parking brake and regular brake when you first start up (do a Google search for the actual procedure), but otherwise it will always step in to save your butt. I guess that is a good thing.

I still get comments when I take people out for a ride. They can’t believe the color backup camera or the detail on the GPS navigation. Then when I use the voice command system the usually laugh at all the gizmos the car has. This car fits me very well, and I have been very pleased with the car and the dealership. Stay tuned. . . .

Bradman