New Car day!

[yorketransport]

After trying to decide whether to keep my old '04 Jetta or not, I ended up keeping it for my wife (in case she ever does decide to drive  ) So that meant a new car for me!

I went out looking at most of the mid range sports sedans from pretty much everybody. The European makers had the best options until somebody told me to checkout Lexus. I'm glad I did! I was about ready to pull the trigger on a Volvo S60 T6 until I drove one of the Lexus IS 350 F Sports. I haven't had that much fun driving in a long time! It took a bit of work to find just the right color and options combo, but I managed to drive away with one that I like.


It was dark by the time I got home so I didn't get any more pictures. This was the only IS 350 F Sport with rear wheel drive (instead of all wheel drive) we could find any where. I just wanted the RWD because it comes with an 8 speed transmission instead of the 6 speed that's in every other IS model.

It took me almost a year of looking before I found the car that gave me the warm, fuzzy feeling. It's a lot like trying to buy a shot gun or a carry gun. When you find the right one, you just feel it!

Andrew

[Bean Counter]

Whee! New ride.

Should last you if you treat it well. Consumer reports rates Lexus as the most reliable, problem free car out there year after year. Even more than. Their parent company Toyota.

[yorketransport]

Whee! New ride.

Should last you if you treat it well. Consumer reports rates Lexus as the most reliable, problem free car out there year after year. Even more than. Their parent company Toyota.

That's one of the reasons I was reluctant to go back to a European brand to replace the VW. Since this is a 36 month lease (I hate buying a depreciating asset  ) retained value was a big factor. I wanted to be able to either sell or trade the car in if I wanted to at the end without dealing with a buch of negative equity from a car that doesn't hold it's value.

I wish that the domestic brands offered something that I liked. The domestic cars had power, but lacked the "finesse" and handling of a lot of the foreign cars. Plus the interiors from Ford and GM (and their luxury counterparts) were just missing something that I couldn't put my finger on.

[h20hunter]

Welcome to the Lexus world and congrats.  I'm looking to switch out of my ES soon and get a new NX When they come out. I'll be looking at the 4cyl turbo. Oh yeah. Been with Lexus coming on 14 years.

[yorketransport]

When somebody sticks with a brand for 14 years, there's something good going on there.

I actually went to Lexus with the intentions of looking at the ES. The salesman thought that the IS would be a better match for me and he was right. If they offered a Turbo 4 cyl I would have been very interested. The 2.5L engine just seems pointless. It almost gives the performance of a turbo charged 4 (comes up a little short IMO), but the fuel economy of a 6 cylinder. Running the 350 in Sport + mode, I'm still getting a 26 mpg average. I'm sure that would improve if I kept it in economy mode and kept the RPMs a little lower.

[h20hunter]

I haven't owned a Lexus for coming on 14 years....but have worked as a parts guy. I did at one time have an IS250....yeah the little 6 is pretty week. My 1st ES had more get up and go. The NX coming out is a bit like the first RX...a smaller crossover sized vehicle. It will come with a hybrid, standard, and turbo 4cyl option. I like the styling and performance of the 350 when it comes to the IS but with the kids needing some room in the back the ES gave me the space I needed.