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Real World Performance

684 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  crontab
This board is ridiculous with everyone arguing over performance numbers posted at a track with ideal conditions and professional drivers. I have owned BMWs, Audi, Saab, and Volvos before I leased my IS300. While making my purchasing decision I test drove all competitors, including both the 325 and 330. I chose the Lexus because of its refinement and performance, as well as the outstanding service from Lexus dealers. It blows away the 325i, which comparably equipped costs almost $3,000 more, to go along with less attractive lease programs. The 330i may be quicker to 60mph, but automatic to automatic there is very little if any difference, and the suspension favors the Lexus if the BMW does not have the $1900 Sport Package. All the cars offered similar seating comfort for tall people (I am 6'3"). In everyday driving the performance edge is so negligeable that it comes down to visual appeal and economics. All are great Sports Sedans, and all excel at certain things. Bimmers quickly become overpriced when adding packages and options to make it match the standard equiptment of all other competitors. For the majority of purchasers in this price range, the drag racing days are behind us. All of these cars can kick you in the pants with acceleration and bring smiles to your faces carving up a back road with your wife and kids in the back seat. Enough Said!!!
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well that we have your two cents, all is right with the world.

the authority has spoken, peeps. stop the bickering now.

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OK Bimmer folks, time to come to the rescue, again.
Jaws its actually due to the fact that Non Is300 owners have a small penis and feel the need to subject us to thier inferiority complex. If they get a clue every now and then there really isnt much of a defference between most cars they mention in the real world. I have taking the chance to beat on the car and lend the car out to european ar fans and they love it. I also most state as for speed concerns a close friend of mine Ross Esposito with the fastest Acura Intergra in th east coast (9 second turbo) drove my car. The impression I have from him is the car is a demon when it comes to handling ( he also raced some SCCA events in his Audi which pulled low 12 at the track, not bad for a non 1/4 miles autocross car) The power is adequate although he would be happier if it was supercharged for the extra umphhhhhhh. Jaws if you own a IS300 nice purchase,If yur looking for speed the arguement could be made for a ton of cars. I assume you enjoy the lexus then skip what everyone else says. Oh really funny thing is Non IS owners in a IS300 forum I kills me everytim eyou ****'s post because most of you are no bodies with a internet connection. Jaws pay attention to only IS300 topics and this forum will get better keep posting responses to the NON is300 owner idiots and you make thier little meaningless life sooooo much better.......
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If people could type a complete sentence life would be much better.
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You make some good points but miss the most important: without the BMW 3-series there would be no Lexus IS300. BMW (arguably) invented the small sports sedan category with the 1600, and for decades the 3-series had no real competitor. The IS300 is a nice compliment in the form of imitation, but (IMHO!) falls short of the mark continually set higher by BMW.
Originally posted by cakennedy:
You make some good points but miss the most important: without the BMW 3-series there would be no Lexus IS300.

Was that really the most important point Cake? Why don't you take it a step futher and give credit to the person that invented the wheel.
To me, yes, it is. Just playing Devil's advocate here:

The IS300 is a blatant imitation of the BMW 3-series. There is nothing wrong with that. The IS300 is a terrific car; I almost bought one myself, and I can certainly appreciate it in its own right.

But let's consider it next to the vehicle that inspired it. Ever wonder why all vehicles in this class are compared to the 3-series? They're not compared to the A4, or the Passat, or the Catera, or the LS, or the C-class, or the 9-3, or C/S70, or the IS300. They are all compared to the BMW 3-series. Some are better in some characteristics, but on the whole, none is better as a complete car (again, MHO!). The 3-series is the benchmark, has always been the nechmark, and will likely always be the benchmark. Why not buy the best?
Originally posted by gmej:

Was that really the most important point Cake? Why don't you take it a step futher and give credit to the person that invented the wheel.
LOL
I'm just farking with ya CAKE. And to your question, "Why not buy the best?", I couldn't afford the potential reliability problems of a BMW. Great looks (although didn't care for the 330), like the connection to the road, but reliability was a huge concern.

[This message has been edited by gmej (edited November 21, 2000).]
I agree, it was one of my biggest concerns, but anecdotal evidence doesn't mean a lot to me. Lexus definitely has better service and reliability than BMW (and pretty much anyone else on the planet). But it's just an odds game. You'd think Honda/Acura has pretty high reliability, right? I bought a new '99 TL 14 months ago and it is the biggest lemon I've ever owned. All sorts of fit-and-finish andd electrical problems. When buying a new car, BMW or Lexus, I'm going to be taking a chance that I get another lemon. So why not buy the one that's going to make me happiest?
Originally posted by chromaplast:
give credit to me too
Did you help that guy invent the wheel? Then by all means congrats! Props to you too KROMA.
Originally posted by cakennedy:
So why not buy the one that's going to make me happiest?
TRUE. That's what it's all about.
BMW = happy CAKE and LEXUS = happy GMEJ.
Well said jaws. This board is somewhat out of control, but who cares. We have our own owner's board where its a little bit more civilized and where the thread are more intelligent. Unfortunately it isn't as lively.

Where in freehold do you live? I live right next to you in marlboro. You may see me on rt9 when I go down to see my gf.

-crontab -l

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An Ecstatic Owner of a Fully-Loaded Graphite Gray 2001 Lexus IS 300
cron,
You will be seeing me as we have the same color car. Uh-Oh!!!
In fact, I picked the car up 2 weeks ago and today a truck on Rt. 9 threw a branch out of its bed and gave me my first scratch. I am so annoyed. Pretty deep over the rear wheel arch.
I also had an armrest made by a shop in Shrewsbury. Just velcro and the pad. It works great.
I assume you got the car at Ray Catena. I picked mine up at Difeo Lexus. Great lease. Inceptions down ($1700 TOP), 39 mos., 12k miles per year, $413 per month.
2 weeks old and a scratch.. That really sucks. Did you get to talk to the trucker? Get his license #?

You have any pics of the armrest? How much was it?

Yeah, I got the car from Ray Catena. We'll be able to distinguish our cars by my ****ty rims. I'm going to put this 7-spoke 16" rims w/ all-year tires for the cold weather. Granted they aren't snow tires, but they are better than the summer tires.

-crontab -l

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An Ecstatic Owner of a Fully-Loaded Graphite Gray 2001 Lexus IS 300
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