First off, the car BEGS for a manual tranny! The "manual mode" button shifting will only impress those who have never driven a real standard.
It won't go down into first gear "manually", even when stopped. It won't up-shift if you lift the throttle, which is good. But it will downshift from the selected gear if you drop the hammer....very annoying when powering out of a turn. And it has the usual delay during shifts, just like with the other "manual mode" automatics.

Next, it has 25 more horses than the BMW 328i, but the Bimmer, with a stick, actually feels like it has 30 more than the Lexus!? Maybe it's that darn "slush-box"....
You can actuall feel the tranny sucking the power away from the rear wheels!
But it was kind of cool getting the rear to slide out with the traction control "off".

The ride is quite firm, but there is a little too much body roll during lane to lane transitions.

All and all it's a sharp looking car with nice styling and a luxury oriented interior.

However, at $35000 loaded, I would have no problem coughing up another 5 grand to get a 328i or an S4 for that matter. Both being far better performers. And at least, if not more, car for the money.

Bottom line: Not too impressed!

I think I'll save my 25-30000 for the new turbo Impreza...

ASNG

Or you could get a SHO. Very cheap, as Fast and the only real downside is the FWD. Lets see dirt cheap insurance, VERY low chance of theft, and best of all invisible to the cops.

IS300 0-60 7.5
Price north of $30000
95 SHO ATX 0-60 7.5
Hmm Say $10K for a pristine low milage car.

hehe, uh, good luck tryin to pitch a FORD at us http://www.impreza-rs.com/ubb-files/smile.gif im sorry, but come on, hehe

Lexus is coming out with a manual next year. I heard Lexus of North America had to push for this since Japan felt Americans wouldn't want a manual (us lazy Americans!). That's why it's going to take another year. By the way, this info is from the first review of the car Autoweek did a few months ago. You gotta love that cool gage cluster!

I'd rather own a 3-series BMW. No cut corners there.

-Shane

I wouldn't go as far as saying that it looks like a Civic, but definitely some Honda styling cues.

BTW, absolutely, the 328i rocks!
One of the smoothest and reviest engines around. ...anything short of a Porsche flat-6...

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