[Rookie84]

I'll get a new car in about three months,
and I'll most likely to get BMW325Ci or IS300
I just love the body of IS300, but few
problems makes me consider BMW325Ci instead of IS300.
I really suck at memorizing directions,
so I NEED TO GET NAV. However, there's none
available in IS300 YET. Also I'm hearing
the ride is harsher than BMW, but if it is not too harsh, I guess I can live with that. I don't know how to drive manual, so standard automatic means saving $1000, so it's pretty good. I'm concerned about reliability. I know how reliable lexux cars are, but IS300 is a new car, which means there's not much proved. Also the thing constantly bothers me is that IS HAS NO ARMREST!! I always drive with my left arm on the armrest. Is there any aftermarket ones? Oh, and are aftermarket NAVs as good as factory ones? I have to get NAV on my car.
Also is sound system good? I want good bass, and clean sound. I know IS has good handling, terrific brakes, and good accelation. I'm assuming that the accelation is better than AT BMW325. Am I right? Coz I'm definately gonna floor it most of times I'm accelarating, and I like to feel that G-Force pinning me in the sit. Oh, and how much can you get off the MSRP? I'll definately get it fully loaded, and I live in VA. Oh, It's getting pretty long. Thanks for reading, and any advice would be appreciated.

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K.P.

 

[Rookie84]

I always drive with my left arm on the armrest.
--------------------------------------
I meant right arm.

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K.P.

 

[HIBBoyScott]

Originally posted by Rookie84:
I'll get a new car in about three months,
and I'll most likely to get BMW325Ci or IS300
I just love the body of IS300, but few
problems makes me consider BMW325Ci instead of IS300.
I really suck at memorizing directions,
so I NEED TO GET NAV. However, there's none
available in IS300 YET. Also I'm hearing
the ride is harsher than BMW, but if it is not too harsh, I guess I can live with that. I don't know how to drive manual, so standard automatic means saving $1000, so it's pretty good. I'm concerned about reliability. I know how reliable lexux cars are, but IS300 is a new car, which means there's not much proved. Also the thing constantly bothers me is that IS HAS NO ARMREST!! I always drive with my left arm on the armrest. Is there any aftermarket ones? Oh, and are aftermarket NAVs as good as factory ones? I have to get NAV on my car.
Also is sound system good? I want good bass, and clean sound. I know IS has good handling, terrific brakes, and good accelation. I'm assuming that the accelation is better than AT BMW325. Am I right? Coz I'm definately gonna floor it most of times I'm accelarating, and I like to feel that G-Force pinning me in the sit. Oh, and how much can you get off the MSRP? I'll definately get it fully loaded, and I live in VA. Oh, It's getting pretty long. Thanks for reading, and any advice would be appreciated.

U drive w/ ur left arm on the armrest??? Um, my left arm hangs on the window...you are talking about a LHD car right???

 

[HIBBoyScott]

$hit I look like a dumbass again...why'd u have to go and correct your post as I was replying...

Crap!

 

[Rookie84]

Sorry, HIBboyScott. Didn't mean it. hehe

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K.P.

 

[ckolsen]

I wouldn't get the 325 unless you want a manual and the sport package, it'll definitely be slower than the IS300 and it'll be a lot more money unless you do Euro delivery. 2002 IS300 might have Navigation, why not wait til then? Or buy it now and have it dealer installed later, maybe even work out a deal to have it installed later at dealer cost (get it in writing)?
Arm rest is nice, Lexus blew that one.

Originally posted by Rookie84:
I'll get a new car in about three months,
and I'll most likely to get BMW325Ci or IS300
I just love the body of IS300, but few
problems makes me consider BMW325Ci instead of IS300.
I really suck at memorizing directions,
so I NEED TO GET NAV. However, there's none
available in IS300 YET. Also I'm hearing
the ride is harsher than BMW, but if it is not too harsh, I guess I can live with that. I don't know how to drive manual, so standard automatic means saving $1000, so it's pretty good. I'm concerned about reliability. I know how reliable lexux cars are, but IS300 is a new car, which means there's not much proved. Also the thing constantly bothers me is that IS HAS NO ARMREST!! I always drive with my left arm on the armrest. Is there any aftermarket ones? Oh, and are aftermarket NAVs as good as factory ones? I have to get NAV on my car.
Also is sound system good? I want good bass, and clean sound. I know IS has good handling, terrific brakes, and good accelation. I'm assuming that the accelation is better than AT BMW325. Am I right? Coz I'm definately gonna floor it most of times I'm accelarating, and I like to feel that G-Force pinning me in the sit. Oh, and how much can you get off the MSRP? I'll definately get it fully loaded, and I live in VA. Oh, It's getting pretty long. Thanks for reading, and any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Altezzer]

THe basic design of the IS has been out for almost 2 years in Japan and europe under the Altezza (japan) and IS200 (europe). The engine in the IS has been out for many years now, and the tranny is straight out of a lexus GS300. Don't worry about reliability on the lexi.

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1998 Mercedes Benz SLK230

 

[cardinal_creek]

Originally posted by Rookie84:
I'll get a new car in about three months,
and I'll most likely to get BMW325Ci or IS300
I just love the body of IS300, but few
problems makes me consider BMW325Ci instead of IS300.
I really suck at memorizing directions,
so I NEED TO GET NAV.

Just curious if you are a spoiled brat?

 

[LexoBoi]

Does the armrest really matter that much???? Just get the IS300...you get a nice @$$ car, tite lexus service, and chicks dig the car. What else could you ask for?

 

[JW]

Just a bit of caution:

You said you want a good audio system, right? If you're not going with aftermarket audio, you'll want the Harman Kardon upgrade in the 325. Unfortunately, you can't get the HK and the BMW Nav system simultaneously. Also, some people on bimmer.org have expressed some dissatisfaction with the BMW nav system, so I would guess that aftermarket nav might be better.

The 325i (dunno about the Ci) doesn't have an armrest either unless you get the Premium Package (again, I dunno if an armrest is a stand-alone option & climate control isn't standard either, if that matters).

A 325Ci is a pretty decent bargain (IMHO), but you can't go wrong with either car. Probably the best thing to do is test drive both (the cars AND the dealers) and then decide. Oh, and another thing...a good deal on a 3-series is $1500 over invoice.

 

[Daniel]

If you really want a car that can pin you to the seat while accelerating, neither of these will satisfy you. You will want to look into the CL-S (can't believe I am saying this) or Maximum stick shift version. If you still want to choose between 325 and IS, here are my observation from owning the IS and test driving pretty much all the 3 series earlier this year (323 and 325 is pretty much identical I think).

IS300:
-Ride is stiffer than normal Lexus, but not by much. If you are on uneven road and have wrong tire pressure, then you may start to get unconformtable.
-acceleration definitely beats the 325 automatic, no doubt about that. And the e-shift is much quicker than steptronic when changing gear although you do get more control with steptronic.
-great sound system w/ standard in dash changer
-good and easy to use climate control
-no NAV. I do think the aftermarket NAV is better, but a good one can cost you around $3K.
-Lexus service and reliability
-everything else you have mentioned

325
-nice exterior as well
-pretty cool key
-has NAV as an option
-easier to read gauge (for first timer)
-bad stereo (compare to IS), no standard CD-changer
-confusing climate control (for first time user)
-not as reliable as lexus
-slow upshift when using steptronic. Need to get stick to be competitive with IS on straight line
-ride seem stiffer (325CI) then the 328CI (I test drove them earlier in the year). I don't know why, because they should both have the sport suspension (those are standard).
-more expensive than IS, and higher service charge (after the free service expires).

These are just my opinion/observation, but definitely go to the dealers and test drive these cars before you sign the paper. $35K is alot of money and you shouldn't just decide on people's opinion (I almost did and glad I didn't).
Anyway, good luck deciding.

 

[Peabers]

Rookie84... I considered the same cars before my purchase. The BMw is nice but cost a couple thousand more than the Lexus. If NAV is so important to you, you can always go aftermarket for that. I spoke to the dealer about the armrest and he said that there's an aftermarket for that too. The IS is a great car, but the Bimmer is German. Tough call man.


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Peabers
'01 IS300 Graphite Grey Pearl/Black Cloth LSD

 

[Rookie84]

Thanks everyone for good advices. I guess I'll just have to test drive both of them. Hope IS300 will satisfy me since I love the body of it. Thanks everyone who gave me advices. I really appreciate it.

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K.P.