Lexus IS variants and info

[Artsy]

Hi PH,

I was hoping for some friendly and informed advice.

I'm thinking of changing my Prius (I know) for a Lexus IS300H

I'm London based so I've got no real hopes of something diesel or fast etc.

I'm a little unsure about the various trim levels. It seems that there are Executive, Luxury, Advance and F Sport as far as I can tell.

From speaking to a dealer it appears that the F Sport is the most popular and also has things like slightly different outside appearance, 18 inch alloys, stiffer suspension, better seats.

I'm thinking do I want to go down this route or go for the other levels that are on 17 inch wheels and presumably better suited for comfort and our lovely roads?

I'd be looking at cars between 2013 and 2016 or so at my budget. Obviously it's cheaper to get the non F Sport models most of the time or at least this guarantees a later car in most cases but will I be missing out on too much?

Engine performance appears to be identical for all cars.

Thanks in advance.

[SweptVolume]

Coincidentally, I was looking at this brochure only a couple of days ago:

Lexus IS UK Brochure 2015

ETA I think it's a shame they didn't add the hybrid gubbins to the V6 engine, instead opting for a 2.5 4 cylinder instead. I think a little bit of electric torque fill on a medium size n/a '6 would have been a nice thing.

Edited by SweptVolume on Wednesday 31st January 15:00

[V 02]

My mum’s had one (Executive) for the last 8 years and I’ve spent extensive time with it.

First let’s get the negatives out of the way.

The foot operated handbrake is a huge irritation and is absolute ste

The infotainment is truly terrible on the pre-facelift cars which is what you are looking at


If you drive much out of town, you will be very disappointed with the economy compared to a diesel or traditional petrol. This is because the 2.5 NA 4cyl engine is wheezy and requires a lot of revs to get going = less economy.

Boot opening is not the best.




Positives:


Typical Lexus build quality, the only thing that has gone wrong in 8yrs and 100,000+ miles is the door locks, and this is owned by someone who hardly ever services their car.

The hybrid system and CVT are great around town, far better than my BMW 330e (which is better over long distances)


Very high quality interior, great seats.and a comfortable ride


Not as boring to drive as you’d think. It’s RWD and turns in keenly, like Altezzas/IS’ of old. Definitely better to drive than a C Class or A4, not as keen as a Ford Mondeo, Alfa Giulia or a BMW 3 series though.


All in all it is an OK car, nothing special or particularly good about it. I find it hard to recommend over others.


The Lexus ES is far better, these days Lexus is as good or better than the competition but I think the rivals of their time were better. This might have been the last Lexus which was a bit forgettable

[Artsy]

Thanks both.

The Brochure was amazingly helpful - actually made me focus on the variant I should be looking for.

Just need to decide about going ahead with it now or not...

[Truckosaurus]

V 02 said:

...The foot operated handbrake is a huge irritation and is absolute ste...

I only use the 'foot hand brake' when parked on a steep hill, the only other times it gets put on is when it goes to the garage for a service or MoT and I drive off with it still on, thinking 'whats that warning bell for?'

[horsemeatscandal]

Just this morning on my way into work I was thinking how nice it would have been if they'd put a 6cyl in the new IS and RC, to sit between the I4 and V8 models. Somewhere around 300bhp. I'd have one I reckon

[Truckosaurus]

horsemeatscandal said:

Just this morning on my way into work I was thinking how nice it would have been if they'd put a 6cyl in the new IS and RC, to sit between the I4 and V8 models. Somewhere around 300bhp. I'd have one I reckon

Indeed. Even worse you can get V6 versions in other markets.

An RC450h with the V6 hybrid would be a very agreeable daily/cruiser (and lord knows why they stopped importing GS450h into the UK and just did the 300h in recent years.)

[James76G]

horsemeatscandal said:

Just this morning on my way into work I was thinking how nice it would have been if they'd put a 6cyl in the new IS and RC, to sit between the I4 and V8 models. Somewhere around 300bhp. I'd have one I reckon

You could get the 6 cylinder unit in this model of IS, badged as the IS250. Didn't last long as presumably nobody bought them. Back when they were current I investigated one but couldn't find a dealer in the south with a demonstrator which won't have helped.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011756...

[ZX10R NIN]

Artsy said:

Hi PH,

I was hoping for some friendly and informed advice.

I'm thinking of changing my Prius (I know) for a Lexus IS300H

I'm London based so I've got no real hopes of something diesel or fast etc.

I'm a little unsure about the various trim levels. It seems that there are Executive, Luxury, Advance and F Sport as far as I can tell.

From speaking to a dealer it appears that the F Sport is the most popular and also has things like slightly different outside appearance, 18 inch alloys, stiffer suspension, better seats.

I'm thinking do I want to go down this route or go for the other levels that are on 17 inch wheels and presumably better suited for comfort and our lovely roads?

I'd be looking at cars between 2013 and 2016 or so at my budget. Obviously it's cheaper to get the non F Sport models most of the time or at least this guarantees a later car in most cases but will I be missing out on too much?

Engine performance appears to be identical for all cars.

Thanks in advance.

The pick is the F Sport with the Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310012...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312184...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401135...

Another option is the Q50h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311063...

[leef44]

ZX10R NIN said:

The pick is the F Sport with the Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310012...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312184...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401135...

Another option is the Q50h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311063...

I wasn't looking to change my car right now but finding that third one quite tempting. 2.5 six cylinder petrol with one owner and looks much cleaner/tidier/less worn/less scratched that the other offerings.

[ZX10R NIN]

leef44 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

The pick is the F Sport with the Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310012...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312184...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401135...

Another option is the Q50h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311063...

I wasn't looking to change my car right now but finding that third one quite tempting. 2.5 six cylinder petrol with one owner and looks much cleaner/tidier/less worn/less scratched that the other offerings.

That last one is a super rare IS250 & we worth buying as most of the later IS250's came in a more base spec/