Lexus IS

So I did a little more research on this, Car Care Nut did a video on recommended Lexus's, and the IS250 was one of the only ones that he strongly recommended against. Turns out the 2.5 V6 was their first attempt at direct injection and is a little bit of a shit show once it gets some miles on it.

 

Honestly, my old 07 Volvo XC70 wagon was much more comfortable on my commute than my 4Runner, and better in snow under 10".

 

Wait... this is NOT the new Camry!!! I wish it was, but the new Camry looks like a Prius in sedan form:

 

Can you link the video?

I saw his video on the IS500 but didn't watch the one where he talks about the V6.

 

We picked up a 2023 IS300 AWD F Sport 2. We didn’t get the IS350 since the IS300AWD is the same V6, just supposedly de-tuned (but Road & Track found them within a tenth of second of each other). The gap was $7K Cdn (we gave up upgraded stereo, active suspension, triple bulb LED headlights, and Sport +). But we added the Lexus exhaust system for $1500. Wife loves it, the way it feels, it drives and sounds. The only think I will change on it is adding a subwoofer, but other than that it’s fun. Definitely a very different drive than a lifted 4Runner. We also added ceramic tint to complete the all black look. We test drive an Acura TLX Type-S (very quick, but felt cheap inside … more like an Accord, and cost more with dealer mark up), Audi A4 S-Line (lacked character and cost more), Genesis G70 3.3T (felt great, also very quick, just worried about reliability). In any case, no regrets. Once warranty is up, we’ll look at getting a mild tune done and squeeze out some more performance without sacrificing reliability.

 

It’s the old smaller V6, the new IS250 is an inline 4.

 

So what is it then?

 

Here it is. It's about his recommendations on the brand, he covers other models too but does get into specifics on the IS.

https://youtu.be/9komTDz8TdM?si=LUQJRcKIsSKVHM79

 

I had the Lexus IS250 F when I lived in Australia more than a decade ago.
It was reliable, quite, decent performance and very easy to drive around the city. It's definitely a step above the regular Toyota.Space was at a premium and outright performance was wanting but as a daily driver, hard to beat.
I bought it because it was different to the German 3 and I give realibilty higher points than desirability. I eventually sold it for a Skyline and an ute.
The newer ones are probably even more better and should not disappoint anyone willing to give them a shot.
On a side note, I absolutely love the Lexus LS.

 

If you’re looking at used, I say stay away from an IS250 as it’s a boring engine in that car. It was a slouch in manual (my cousin had one), so I can’t imagine it as an automatic. I’ll correct what I said above, there isn’t an IS250 trim line anymore, it’s IS300 RWD which is a turbo 4. Such a weird naming convention as the IS300 AWD is a V6. All use premium fuel.

 

I had a 2007 IS250. Fantastic commuter! Interior was great as well for back then. Heated and ventilated seats, nav, back up camera better than my 22 4R lol
Then I had a IS350 of the same year which is a bit more fun but slightly worst if you care about mpg.

Never had a single mechanical issue with them. Ran strong even with 160k miles. Cant beat toyota/lexus reliability

My next Lexus will be an IS500 in a couple years when the 4R will be mainly for trails and "adventure" stuff