My take on the Lexus IS300
06-30-2000, 08:00 AM
#11
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SAAB is so expensive and so boring- well, IMHO
<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=4681"><IMG SRC="http://members.aol.com/lechterbub/sigfile.JPG" border="0"></a>
06-30-2000, 08:10 AM
#13
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It looks butt ugly (in my opinion)
I saw one yesterday.
From the back it looks like a Jetta jacked up waiting for a flood. Ok, I'm exagerating.
But in my opinion, the IS300 in is too high in the back, to low in the front, and not wide enough to have the current setup make it look artistically pleasing. Looks like someone kicked in in the back. I'm curious how it handles, although I don't expect much, since it's a Toyota.
From the back it looks like a Jetta jacked up waiting for a flood. Ok, I'm exagerating.
But in my opinion, the IS300 in is too high in the back, to low in the front, and not wide enough to have the current setup make it look artistically pleasing. Looks like someone kicked in in the back. I'm curious how it handles, although I don't expect much, since it's a Toyota.
06-30-2000, 08:33 AM
#14
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I don't like IS300's clear tailights
and also the chorological instrumentation which is form over function despite its quite cool-looking.
However, I still prefer A4's elegance over Lexus's boy-racer image. With A4 3.0 V6 on upcoming B6 platform, this car surely will be even more appealing as a sports sedan.
As for Saab, its a car with unique personality. If you can afford, get a 9-5 Aero which considered as best Saab ever built. 9-3 Viggen if you like a raw driving experience, including torque steer. I still turn my head every time I see a Viggen and Aero.<p>Tom
97 A4 1.8TQMS
99 BORA GLS 2.0
00 NEW BEETLE GLS 1.9TDI
98.5 A4 1.8TQAS Wett 1.0 bar with mods
Vancouver A4 Club webpage: http://vancouver.a4.org
ICQ# 39485600
However, I still prefer A4's elegance over Lexus's boy-racer image. With A4 3.0 V6 on upcoming B6 platform, this car surely will be even more appealing as a sports sedan.
As for Saab, its a car with unique personality. If you can afford, get a 9-5 Aero which considered as best Saab ever built. 9-3 Viggen if you like a raw driving experience, including torque steer. I still turn my head every time I see a Viggen and Aero.<p>Tom
97 A4 1.8TQMS
99 BORA GLS 2.0
00 NEW BEETLE GLS 1.9TDI
98.5 A4 1.8TQAS Wett 1.0 bar with mods
Vancouver A4 Club webpage: http://vancouver.a4.org
ICQ# 39485600
06-30-2000, 09:40 AM
#15
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Lexus will sell a lot of IS300 because they know how to market their products to the
average consumer and the average consumer doesn't really know what makes a good car good. You guys forget,..you're not average. You think differently. People hear you talk (all about every inch and aspect of your A4s) ..and they think you're kind of crazy,.(I use think that way too when I just started to view this forum,..Now I'm doing it too.)<p>cessna_Joe
06-30-2000, 10:24 AM
#17
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You will get biased insight here but here goes...
First, the styling of the car definately has 'young and aggressive' written all over it.
Second, you have to realize that the majority of people who buy A4's and 328's are yuppies who haven't the slightest idea about how a car is built. They are paying for 'exclusivity and style'. I can personally tell you about several BMW owners that I know who simply wanted the nameplate.
As a result, I think that the IS300 will do extremely well. I like competition and I hope that Audi will learn something from Lexus about customer service and reliability. It's not necessarily the car for me but then neither is a 328.
Ultimately it comes down to style. If you like the style then it will be an extremely high performance, reliable, head turning performance sedan. Personally I would take one over a FWD A4 2.8 or a RWD 328 but there is still no substitute for the AWD 1.8.
My $0.02
Second, you have to realize that the majority of people who buy A4's and 328's are yuppies who haven't the slightest idea about how a car is built. They are paying for 'exclusivity and style'. I can personally tell you about several BMW owners that I know who simply wanted the nameplate.
As a result, I think that the IS300 will do extremely well. I like competition and I hope that Audi will learn something from Lexus about customer service and reliability. It's not necessarily the car for me but then neither is a 328.
Ultimately it comes down to style. If you like the style then it will be an extremely high performance, reliable, head turning performance sedan. Personally I would take one over a FWD A4 2.8 or a RWD 328 but there is still no substitute for the AWD 1.8.
My $0.02
06-30-2000, 10:53 AM
#18
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I test drove the 93 and 93SE a couple times each a year ago....
...and I was completely dissapointed. Even the SE was terribly sluggish down low (I think it was a case of turbo lag). Also, I didn't really care for the fit and finish. In pretty much every way (except for backseat space) I felt the A4 was a superior car.
Before that, I had always admired Saabs from a distance. But that's exactly how it will stay, from a distance. I will not be buying a Saab from this generation.
Just my .02<p>2000 1.8T - Silver/onyx - Quattro, 5-speed manual, sport package, convenience package, cold weather package, sport seats, xenon lights, bose stereo, cd-changer
Before that, I had always admired Saabs from a distance. But that's exactly how it will stay, from a distance. I will not be buying a Saab from this generation.
Just my .02<p>2000 1.8T - Silver/onyx - Quattro, 5-speed manual, sport package, convenience package, cold weather package, sport seats, xenon lights, bose stereo, cd-changer
06-30-2000, 11:22 AM
#20
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My wife and I are currently A4 & 9-3 owners....
The great thing is I prefer my A4 and she prefers her 9-3! We never fight for keys!
The 9-3 actually feels more powerful than even my chipped A4, but the power comes on more suddenly. There is alot of lag and then the boost comes on like a rocket. It's a fun feeling, but not good for smooth, balanced driving. There is also alot of torque steer and that's with the base 170hp turbo engine. The Viggen must have outrageous torque steer! We both find the seats in the 9-3 to be uncomfortable. The bottom cushion is too long for my wife's short legs and it hurts my lower back after about 30 min.
The best thing IMO is the cargo space, though it actually was better on the pre-GM 900 model.
I say get your wife an A4 Avant and call it a day!
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>
The 9-3 actually feels more powerful than even my chipped A4, but the power comes on more suddenly. There is alot of lag and then the boost comes on like a rocket. It's a fun feeling, but not good for smooth, balanced driving. There is also alot of torque steer and that's with the base 170hp turbo engine. The Viggen must have outrageous torque steer! We both find the seats in the 9-3 to be uncomfortable. The bottom cushion is too long for my wife's short legs and it hurts my lower back after about 30 min.
The best thing IMO is the cargo space, though it actually was better on the pre-GM 900 model.
I say get your wife an A4 Avant and call it a day!
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>