If IS300 was Front-Wheel-Drive.. + POLL

1568 Views 36 Replies 22 Participants Last post by kota, Sep 28, 2000

EricK

Discussion Starter · Sep 27, 2000

I know this is TABOO.....but had the IS300 been designed as a front wheel drive, would the acceleration #'s have improved. Figuring a front wheel drive has the engine and transmission together and is considered more efficient set-up.......... Also, had the IS300 been designed Front-Wheel-Drive, would you guys have still bought the car?
Eric....

[This message has been edited by EricK (edited September 27, 2000).]

1 - 20 of 37 Posts

paulwu

· #2 · Sep 27, 2000

I bought the car for the nameplate and reliability and looks. FWD would only change the nimbleness of the car slightly. I would still get the IS......

kota

· #3 · Sep 27, 2000

.

[This message has been edited by kota (edited October 19, 2000).]

Altezza

· #4 · Sep 27, 2000

If the Altezza/IS300 was a FWD...

I would never EVER buy or even consider such a car.

I admit FWD technology has improved in the past decade, but still, its a drivetrain made to cut cost and sacrifice drivability.
Before anyone flame on me, let me say that there are examples like the Alfa Romeos which come in FWD and are still good sports cars. And lighter cars tend to be more "fun to drive" especially with FWD drivetrain. (Peugeot 206 was very fun to drive.)

But during hard accerelation on a FWD the front wheels lose traction unless you have super strong and stiff suspension. You don't have to worry about that on a RWD because the weight transfer will be towards the rear. I used to drive the Acura Vigor and its front tires always slipped (especially during rain) if I wasn't careful.

And lastly, I will not trade anything with the "being pushed" feeling of a RWD. I have driven FWDs for quite a long time before the Altezza, and I'm kind of sick with the "being pulled" feeling. Not to mention the understeer a FWD car has. You must sacrifice all comfort if you want to get rid of the understeer of a FWD.

PS Lexus has the ES already.

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EricK

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 27, 2000

Well I'm sure there were people that would still have bought it if it were a Toyota. 1. Even though the IS300 is Lexus, it's still built in a Toyota plant and Not the primary Lexus Facility where the other Lexi (plural for Lexus?) are built. So there probably would be no sacrifice in reliablity had it been a Toyota
2. The Lexus nameplate itself kicks the price up and I'm sure if it were a Toyota it would be even a greater bargin than it already is....
........... to answer my own question to my topic... Had I been in the market for the IS300 and it were front-wheel-drive then I probably would not seriously consider it and would choose a nicely loaded Audi A4 2.8 quattro (for a little over $35K).
Eric....

[This message has been edited by EricK (edited September 27, 2000).]

kota

· #6 · Sep 27, 2000

.

[This message has been edited by kota (edited October 19, 2000).]

tony

· #7 · Sep 27, 2000

FWD? Nope, probably would've bought a BMW...
Toyota? Maybe, I'm enjoying the service I get from "premium" dealers though.

BTW, saw an Audi A8 on the road yesterday, nice looking...

------------------
Tony
'01 Spectra Blue
'94 Turbo Miata

DJson

· #8 · Sep 27, 2000

This is actually one of my biggest concerns. I've always wondered if Toyota would come out in 2 years with a less luxurious model of the IS. If it still had the rwd I would have been mad. I would have spent 30k on a car that, if I had waited, would have been less for basically the same car.

If it had fwd I wouldn't buy it either. I want to own a rwd car now. Something I can play with on Highway 1 (for a you west coast drivers

)

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EricK

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 27, 2000

Originally posted by webmaster:
FWD? Nope, probably would've bought a BMW...
Toyota? Maybe, I'm enjoying the service I get from "premium" dealers though.

BTW, saw an Audi A8 on the road yesterday, nice looking...

Tony, yes the A8 is a beautiful car and is probably the most underappeciated Luxury car on the market. It's A.S.F (Audi Space Frame (made of Aluminum)), legendary quattro system, 5 valve per cylinder (40 valves total), make this car a technological tour de force. One of the only gripes was that there was no more room in the back seat than the A6, but that's all been corrected now that Audi has the A8L. Yet the A8 will continue to be undersold by BMW's 7 series, Mercedes Benz S-class, and the Lexus LS430....
Eric...

Jeff Taylor

· #10 · Sep 27, 2000

Still buy it if it was FWD?

Yes. It would be nice not to have to mess with snow tires in the winter. Heck, I would buy another ES300 instead of the IS300 if it came with a 5sp or E-shift and a sport / handling package. I could definitely use the extra room.

Still buy it if it was a Toyota?

Definitely. Having the Lexus "premium" service is nice, but you pay quite a bit extra for it.

[This message has been edited by Jeff Taylor (edited September 27, 2000).]

kota

· #11 · Sep 27, 2000

.

[This message has been edited by kota (edited October 19, 2000).]

ISisBEST

· #12 · Sep 27, 2000

FWD=yes
Toyota=NO
I need that name recognition

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Agent Smith

· #13 · Sep 27, 2000

FWD IS...na I'd save up and get an S4 or A6 (w/ V8) Quattro.

EricK

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 27, 2000

Originally posted by kota:
The A8 looks too much like the A4 and has a dated design. Consequently, people who are looking for prestige and exculsivity find it lacking in the A8 too familiar design. That is my theory.

I think the BMW 7 series has a much more dated design in comparison to the A8. The A8 made its debut here in the US in 1997 while the BMW 7-series made its debut in 1995. The A8 is also so much better looking than the boring LS400 (prior to LS430). I think the A8 is very asthetically pleasing to the eye in a subtle but elegant way.
Eric...

smra

· #15 · Sep 27, 2000

I really don't see why alot of people are hung on this 0-60 thing. gezzz
The car is very fast.

I guess its a guy thing.

Oh well.

Denise.

brad

· #16 · Sep 27, 2000

FWD-All of a sudden the CL-S becomes more appetizing
Toyota-NO. Only SUV Toyotas. I came very close to buying a SR5 w/TRD's supercharger, putting that badboy in the sixes, low sevens w/ 4wd.

JoeD

· #17 · Sep 27, 2000

FWD-I wouldn't consider the car, I have been drving RWD for a while and don't want to go back.

Toyota- Definitely, espically if it was a couple grand cheaper. The only thing the Lexus name plate does is add to insurance and maintenance costs.

brad

· #18 · Sep 27, 2000

Right. Americans are just badge whores and that's why Lexus maintains the highest resale and customer satisfaction over any other nameplate.

Originally posted by JoeD:
The only thing the Lexus name plate does is add to insurance and maintenance costs.

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profchriss

· #19 · Sep 27, 2000

FWD- Sure
Toyota- No way- unless was loaded for $25k max.

Love the nameplate- I'll happily be the American Nameplate Whore---- But, please, don't hate.

Also, the folks cryin' about the dif between invoice and price, ease up, get a Daewoo, they're much cheaper, and if you think BMW ain't making a killing off their ride, you're nuts!!

Still, don't hate. Can't we all just get along??

EricK

Discussion Starter · #20 · Sep 27, 2000

Originally posted by brad:
Right. Americans are just badge whores and that's why Lexus maintains the highest resale and customer satisfaction over any other nameplate.

Slightly off the topic, but while comparing Lexus to Toyota, I looked at the sticker of the Lexus LX470 (SUV) and it came to $63,895 and then looked at the sticker of the Toyota Land Cruiser and which was a fully loaded example which sold for $56,000. I understand that the Toyota doesn't offer the Lexus Nakamichi sound system, the variable ride height suspension, or the electrolumnesent gauges, however that is still significant difference in price. I guess the only reason for choosing the LX470 is that people want to drive an SUV, but they want the prestige & status that goes with the Lexus Nameplate. Even disregarding price I would still go for the Land Cruiser...
Eric...

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