S4 Vince

Well, I was early for a meeting today so I stopped by the Lexus dealer for a look at the new IS300. Who the heck designed this car? It looks as if it was done by a panel of teenagers currently driving lowered Hondas. Have you see the all too typical 3" exhaust tip? The aftermarket looking taillight covers? The interior trim? The tacky, cheap looking grill? etc, etc, ect... In my opinion, people looking to spend 30-40k on a car will not consider this car for too long. An Audi, Saab, Mercedes or BMW are much more refined looking and all have a sense of luxury that the IS300 just doesn't have. In my opinion, they are making a big mistake with this one. My wife and I are currently in the market for an another car (no an A4, I drive one already) and this car is not on our list. Saab has made an excellent impression on us and looks to be the winner.

Anybody else have some insight.

jchi

For the money I'd go for a 328i if I couldn't get the A6 2.7t.... SAAB just doesn't have the quality. I think they are decent looking but beleive that 40k could be spent better elsewhere. I do not like the is300, either.. A poor (however, reliable) copy of BMW.

CK

Saab build quality has improved over the years. And you'd be hard pressed to find a more unique car. It performs beautifully. Hauls your friends (or sofa) in comfort. And will keep pace with the best sport/luxury cars out there - even the S4. (is that heresy?) I turn my head everytime I see a Viggen.

-Charlie
99.5 2.8qms

Ray Khan

I said the same thing yesterday, and I was met with some critisism. My point was this car is not worth the $36,000...it's too tacky. As for the Saab, I like them too. A good compliment to an Audi..plus you can chip them.

Ray Khan
2000 1.8T QM<p>rakha

Audi2Ody

Lexus has traditionally been known as a pure luxury car maker, which tends to appeal to an older demographic.

They are trying to change that and break into a younger demographic who will eventually trade up to their other models. So they focused IS300 on the young "GenX, dot com" crowd who have the money but may want something sportier and flashier.

Both BMW, Audi, and Saab try to get a wider demographic with different versions and options on ONE model (2.8, 1.8T, 328, 323, 9-3, Viggen, all with sport suspension options).

The IS300 is aimed clearly at high performance, aftermarket gadget crowd with standard aluminum pedals, shift ****, sport tuned suspension, clear rear lenses, big exhaust, etc. If you want luxury, they offer a separate ES300 model.

So, they are using a different, "non compromising" product strategy. You'll notice the two IS300 commercials are also aimed at the young, affluent demo.

I don't know how successful it will be because the true "aftermarket" enthusiasts don't want tom buy a car with all the stuff already on it. Their hobby is to buy a car and personalize it by adding the aftermarket products themselves.

BTW...I know all this because I attended a half-day Lexus marketing event where they introduced the IS300. It was a very slick MTV-type production. I was impressed with the performance of the IS, but wasn't crazy about the interior. The A4 and 328 comparison cars they provided did not have sport suspensions, so I thought that was bogus.

Dave<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=161"</a><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/a4registrydl.jpg" BORDER=0></a>

Monkeyboy

Don't the japanese built cars sems to all blend together? (in terms of styling / interior)
I hate to sound materialistic (well maybe not), but it is important to have not only something stylish and functional but also unique.
SAAB and Audi clearly define this, as does BMW. I personally do not care for SAABs styling and feel that BMWs are becoming 'a dime a dozen' where I live. Audi exemplifies edgy styling, classiness, functionality better than any other vehicle (IMO). Look at the A6/A8, A4/S4, TT models. Each styled different for one another and each very unique from everything else out there today.<p><a href="http://www.mindspring.com/~thomapa1">
<img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/mbsig.gif" BORDER=0></a>

SilverA4

the 20-something techies, that wanted a car that looks like that but dosen't have the time to put into it...

I really liked my friends GS400, and if I wanted a GS but had to compromise financially, then the IS isn't a bad car.

-Dave
1.8T APR'd

A4 FL2

They just slapped it together to get into a profitable market. hopefully the car will improve

A. P.

It's called torque steer, damnit

&lt;deleted&gt;

The market will prove you wrong! - Though I like the A4 better...