Lexus Is300 V/s Bmw 325i

[jisang1]

Hey all,

Just sold my 2000 BMW 323i, and looking to get one of the following cars:

2001-2003 Lexus IS300 - 5 speed
2001-2001 BMW 325i - 5 speed

They're both gonna run around the same price....Lexus more reliable, and also more power (215 hp) versus 325i (180-ish hp), but I really wanna get another bimmer...

Ne thoughts?

Thanks.

[sardar]

get a 2002 325 (has facelifted headlights) and it will be under waranty, plus bmw will get u alot more looks and sex appeal then the lexus. Although the lexus is alot more relaible.

conclusion--- get another bmw

[CiscoKid]

bmw-forums.com

get the bimmer again... as long as its manual

[jrhaile]

look harded and find a 328 or 330

[jisang1]

Only Manual...Always!!!

Why a 328 over a newer 325i? I understand a 330, but that will cost more...

Im looking at a 2001 CPO 325i with 56K miles for ~$16,500...I'd say thats a relatively good deal, and will jump on it tomorrow (probably).....

[rb26]

definately the bimmer, the lexus is nice but nothing drives like a bimmer, i drove an is-300 and it seems to be a little soft in the sharp turns at about 55 mph.

[doughboyea]

Wait... you sold your 2000 model 323i so that you can get a 2001 325i? Isn't that the same car... what's the point, really? Are you spoiled or something? Man... if your gunna do that, just get a new (different car) honestly speaking of course. Get the IS. It'll be a change, and if anything, make you appreciate what a bimmer really is.

Dough

[jisang1]

Originally posted by doughboyea@Apr 7 2005, 08:02 PM
Wait... you sold your 2000 model 323i so that you can get a 2001 325i? Isn't that the same car... what's the point, really? Are you spoiled or something? Man... if your gunna do that, just get a new (different car) honestly speaking of course. Get the IS. It'll be a change, and if anything, make you appreciate what a bimmer really is.

Dough

[snapback]327921[/snapback]

Haha.....you inferred that I'm spoiled by just that? I work 40+ hours a week...3 jobs + am a full-time student....so my car (and parties) are my well-deserved indulgences....

I sold the 323 for pretty much cost although I had put 7000 miles on it.....I sold it b/c it was hitting 90,000 miles, and I didn't want any headaches....the car WAS problem free when I sold it...

I'm looking for a 2001 325i with 2 yrs left on the CPO warranty...car has 58K miles, so I have another 42K miles to drive under the warranty.......and the COST for my doing so will be $250 LESS than what I sold the 323i for.... (but the tax will take care of any savings!!)....

In short, I was having trouble deciding IS300 v/s bimmer cause I had read that the IS300 is more power etc than a 325i, but as of now, its the BMW all the way.... thinking of flying out tomorrow and piking the car up tomorrow....

[doughboyea]

Originally posted by jisang1+Apr 7 2005, 08:49 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jisang1 @ Apr 7 2005, 08:49 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-doughboyea@Apr 7 2005, 08:02 PM
Wait... you sold your 2000 model 323i so that you can get a 2001 325i?* Isn't that the same car... what's the point, really?* Are you spoiled or something?* Man... if your gunna do that, just get a new (different car) honestly speaking of course.* Get the IS.* It'll be a change, and if anything, make you appreciate what a bimmer really is.

Dough

[snapback]327921[/snapback]

Haha.....you inferred that I'm spoiled by just that? I work 40+ hours a week...3 jobs + am a full-time student....so my car (and parties) are my well-deserved indulgences....

I sold the 323 for pretty much cost although I had put 7000 miles on it.....I sold it b/c it was hitting 90,000 miles, and I didn't want any headaches....the car WAS problem free when I sold it...

I'm looking for a 2001 325i with 2 yrs left on the CPO warranty...car has 58K miles, so I have another 42K miles to drive under the warranty.......and the COST for my doing so will be $250 LESS than what I sold the 323i for.... (but the tax will take care of any savings!!)....

In short, I was having trouble deciding IS300 v/s bimmer cause I had read that the IS300 is more power etc than a 325i, but as of now, its the BMW all the way.... thinking of flying out tomorrow and piking the car up tomorrow....

[snapback]327934[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]

That still doesn't make sence to me, but whatever dude, it's your money.

[sardar]

seems resonable, is the cpo warrenty , certified pre owend?

[jisang1]

Originally posted by sardar@Apr 9 2005, 08:23 PM
seems resonable, is the cpo warrenty , certified pre owend?

[snapback]329217[/snapback]

Yes - it extends the 4yr/50k mile warranty to 6 yr/100K miles....My car has 40K miles left and 2 yrs & 3 months left....Only catch is there is a $50 deductible per visit after the 4yr/50K mile mark....

[dpinto1]

Originally posted by jisang1+Apr 10 2005, 05:14 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jisang1 @ Apr 10 2005, 05:14 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-sardar@Apr 9 2005, 08:23 PM
seems resonable, is the cpo warrenty , certified pre owend?

[snapback]329217[/snapback]

Yes - it extends the 4yr/50k mile warranty to 6 yr/100K miles....My car has 40K miles left and 2 yrs & 3 months left....Only catch is there is a $50 deductible per visit after the 4yr/50K mile mark....

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Get the used is, it will be faster and handles very well, not as well as the bmw though. You will be able to take 325 and 328 is a race including twisties run for the hills if you run into a 330 though.
The 325 is much better looking and has a nicer image than the IS. Around here everyone who drives the 300 is either 16 and out to prove that theirs is bigger than yours or a middle aged woman trying to hold on to her youth using an automobile.

Handling-325
Speed-IS
Interior quality- tie
Interior room-325
Trunk-325
brakes-325
Build quality-IS
Repair costs-IS
Looks-325 01-04 (06 looks like sh@t)

Test drive them both. Only then can you decide wich one better suits you.

[NicB.]

I'm in the market for the very same cars myself. I have test driven 3 IS300s and a couple BMW 325i's. Though BMW may have more sex appeal (which is important when you are young and single, I would have to argue that the IS300 is nearly as appealing and is certainly more unique than the 325 because it seems everyone has a 3 series BMW.

After having driven both, I will say that the IS300 is a truly amazing car, great speed and good torquey feel, and very difficult to get the rear to slide on you, even in the sharpest corners. I drove the manual and the auto and the manual is a hands down must have. I have a Toyota right now and can vouch for reliability in the Lexus/Toyota line. I wouldn't choose the BMW over the IS300 unless it was a 330 or an M3. The only reason I am still looking at BMW is because insurance almost doubles for me with the IS300 in comparison with just a slight increase for the 325. Also, I think the suspension is a little softer on the 325 and the ride is a little smoother, but not much. The interior in the BMW is nicer, but you are comparing two very nice cars, so it's not like the Lexus sucks. I will also say the Lexus carries a little bit more of the boy racer image than the BMW does. No matter what, I don't think you can go wrong with either car, but I personally think the IS is pretty tough to beat...

Have fun shopping...

NicB.

[morph]

Keep in mind that more horsepower from a Lexus does not mean that it is faster. The key to a 'quick' car is that you must have good torque range. If i am not mistaken, the BMW will have better torque and compression. Plus, the Lexus is a chick car. :P

[dpinto1]

Originally posted by morph@Apr 11 2005, 12:29 PM
Plus, the Lexus is a chick car. :P

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True. Chicks do drive most IS around here

Is 300 is faster in all situations. Except highway 90+ speeds.


Test drive both. Most people here have bmw so that`s what they will tell you is better. I personally think the 325 is a big overpriced pos. The IS300 is a good car w/no personality. But those are my opinions, don`t listen to anybody but yourself when it comes to car buying.