heads up: 2009 IS250 changes

[Engi-Nir]

If anyone is interested in knowing the changes for the upcoming 2009 IS250.

1) Lexus's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system (VDIM) actually anticipates a loss of vehicle control and is quicker and less overt in its operation than other stability-control systems. Standard on IS250, before only on IS350

2) Mid model year facelift, new rear/front bumper/grille change

3) Door mirrors with built-in turn signal lamps

4) Dark Grey bird's eye Wood Trim replaces the UGLY A$$ Auburn bird's eye Maple

5) New leather interior color: Ecru Leather replaces Cashmere Leather

6) Sport pkg - wallet size smart card key, 19" All season tires

http://cfs7.tistory.com/image/4/tistory/2008/08/27/12/06/48b4c4d11f1cc
http://cfs7.tistory.com/image/19/tistory/2008/08/27/12/06/48b4c4c8ec712
http://cfs7.tistory.com/image/9/tistory/2008/08/27/12/06/48b4c4c705c30
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//500/2009_IS350-4.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//500/2009_IS350-5.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//500/2009_IS350-1.jpg

[TheRide]

Also, the 17" and 18" wheels will be restyled and Truffle Mica is added to replace Desert Sage.

Here is the official 2009 changes list for Canada.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3097/09specva5.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7518/spec1mu3.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/2148/spec2wh9.jpg

If anyone is wondering, I obtained this information from Club Lexus.

[ES_Revenge]

4)UGLY A$$ Dark Grey bird's eye Wood Trim replaces the UGLY A$$ Auburn bird's eye Maple
Corrected. :D ;)

Okay well I haven't seen this "bird's eye" wood trim to really say for sure but I do know that I hate wood trim in general. Wood belongs in your house, on furniture, etc., not in your car!

But good thread. Nice that stability control is standard now. Any pictures of what the face-lifted car looks like?

[Engi-Nir]

Thanks man "ThE RIDE" ....cool, didn't know about the rim update. I just typed it out from club lexus, found the font on the image hard to read.

Now, the question is, will the prices be the same :confused:

[Engi-Nir]

But good thread. Nice that stability control is standard now. Any pictures of what the face-lifted car looks like?
no idea man, it is a wait and see game. Thank god I didn't move on the 08 model, would have been stuck with that maple color. and to get the IS-F trim would have cost $450 USD. plus liking the door mirror lights.

[TheRide]

No pictures are out yet are far as I know.

[mr_raider]

Corrected. :D ;)

Okay well I haven't seen this "bird's eye" wood trim to really say for sure but I do know that I hate wood trim in general. Wood belongs in your house, on furniture, etc., not in your car!

But good thread. Nice that stability control is standard now. Any pictures of what the face-lifted car looks like?

Wood is fugly. I went with the aluminum trim. Stability control (VSC) is standard on all IS. VDIM is now standard on the 250 also. What it does beyond VSC, I'm not sure.

Big thing though is that now navigation is moved into the leather + moonroof package, and doesn't need the stupid 10K gadget package anymore.

[Bidou78]

It's not great but it's the only one I came across.....

http://www.autofiends.com/index.php/2008/06/2009-lexus-is-face-lift/

[Engi-Nir]

Just added pics....not much of a difference for a mid-model yr facelift. Nice rims, that is about it, rest doesn't stand out.

[mr_raider]

Just added pics....not much of a difference for a mid-model yr facelift. Nice rims, that is about it, rest doesn't stand out.

Meh... that's Lexus for you. More conservative than a Republican governor from Alaska.

[Engi-Nir]

Meh... that's Lexus for you. More conservative than a Republican governor from Alaska.

lol..

just FYI : back in march, just negogiating got about $4100 discount on is250awd w/ navi now it is $2500discount when I tried cause they say this is a new model year lol...more like no change. Not worth losing $1600 and also paying an interest rate of 4.9% ...BS....I don't let my emotions get in the way of negogiating, they screw you when you let your emtions come into play.
Yes, Lexus does negogiate, assuming on the salesperson you deal with, some salespeople are idiots, and are a tight-ass to deal with.
To Avoid: Northwest lexus!!! regardless of salesperson

[pigurd]

coo, do the front lights look different? mmm or maybe its just me...

why dont they make leather standard!! aaaa wat kinda "luxury" brand gives u cloth... i guess to charge u more and make the base look cheaper... stupid lexus...

[mr_raider]

Looks like Nissan is back in the driver's seat. If they hold the prices to 2008 levels, that 335i stmping bargain:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080603.008/infiniti-g37-sedan-coming-to-us-in-2009

[lesnar]

Has there been any changes to the pricing?

[Engi-Nir]

Has there been any changes to the pricing?

No word yet, maximum increase will be $500. But it is not worth the increase, nothing changed, but lexus will likely increase price in canada. However, in the states, year by year,they are losing sales like crazy, hence, they will have to keep it the same, and dealers usually sell below invoice there. Canada sucks :cheesygri

[Badman]

I like Thumbs Up!

[motomondo]

The Lexus.ca site has the pricing for the 2009 ES... and the MSRP is exactly the same as the 2008 model

BUT.... the prices for the packages is different for 2009... two of the packages are more expensive, and one is sligthly cheaper...

I bet it's going to be the same with the IS line...

[atong]

heads up, the prices are up for the 2009 IS on lexus.ca

MSRP is reduced another $400 on the base IS250 to 31,500

The IS250 RWD doesn't seem to have the new D package as stated, the X package is still there but reduced $50

and no sport package? hmm

[pigurd]

haha, the dealer told me the prices would go up and he would be nice enough to sell me the 09 car for 08 prices...

[pigurd]

actually the leather package is more expensve.. noooo and awd is 50 dollars more but leather package cheaper.. mmmm weird.. i guess its all pretty similarly priced after everything

[TenzoR]

I wonder if you can finally order some of the options separately instead of lumping it in one big packages

[Drew_W]

I wonder if you can finally order some of the options separately instead of lumping it in one big packages

If you're able to buy in the States. In Canada, no chance.

[Drew_W]

Amazing how different the packages for the ES are. They stripped stuff out of the base car, made the first option Navigation (at $4250), and THEN Premium+Navigation at $7950. Holy crap man. If you want all that PP stuff, you're paying an extra 8 grand. Think we'll see more people buying the base car, as if it wasn't already a phenomenal value.

[Drew_W]

And on the IS250RWD, the base is nice too, but at least the Leather package now includes heated seats so you don't have to go up to Leather+Moonroof. Package is worth it more though for the 17" wheels since the car looks a little funny with 16" wheels.

[weedb0y]

IS250 without leather?

Why would they even have that option?

[Drew_W]

IS250 without leather?

Why would they even have that option?

Did you read the specs on the base car? No leather, no moonroof, no power seat, no heated/cooled seat....it's basically a basic LE package Toyota.

The cloth is decent, and you're still riding with a Lexus badge, so for just over $30k, it's a winner, and surely walks all over the TSX. It's not a luxury car at base though.

[atong]

I'm looking at the AWD option and I like that there is now a navigation package but if I want HIDs I gotta add the 12.5K package to the base price just to get them? that's crazy

[rexrifle]

what about pricing

[Sepiraph]

Black looks nice, visually the exterior is not a huge difference though. Interior is decent but not as good as the 09 TSX.

[Drew_W]

what about pricing

For that we have www.lexus.ca.

[mr_raider]

I'm looking at the AWD option and I like that there is now a navigation package but if I want HIDs I gotta add the 12.5K package to the base price just to get them? that's crazy

Get them aftermarket. If you look at the packages though, they are chraging 4000 for the navigation.

[hhh]

i like the styling of the car except the front bumper. Does anyone know if the front bumper can be replaced with the ISF front bumper?

The original looks too squared, i prefer the rounder look of the ISF.

[Ray Oliver]

i like the styling of the car except the front bumper. Does anyone know if the front bumper can be replaced with the ISF front bumper?

The original looks too squared, i prefer the rounder look of the ISF.

The IS-F has unique fenders and hood so I doubt it would be easy to use its bumper on a normal IS.

[zivan56]

They are just copying stuff from the GS (and partially LS) and slowly adding it to the ES/IS interior. Thankfully, the GS looks decent inside compared to the IS...which looks like they are retrofitting parts into it on the none base package. Why would the seat warmers be in such an inconvenient place??? You could accidentally hit the gear shifter and put the car in neutral if you push it up. Or the passenger could put it in sport mode if they hit it. Likewise, the cabin lights look like they belong on a Dodge Neon. At least the base package kind of has a consistent look and feel, but adding all these options make it look really strange.
Also, do you still have to do the pedal dance to disable traction control or have they added a button to disable it yet? And why would you need buttons to set the clock when you have the touch screen? The GS/LS and ES I believe have their clock settable by this method.

[Engi-Nir]

IS-F apparently has $8k discount, plus $2k dealership discount(u can get 4k if u tried), apparently it doesn't sell lol

[Drew_W]

IS-F apparently has $8k discount, plus $2k dealership discount(u can get 4k if u tried), apparently it doesn't sell lol

There's a good reason it doesn't sell. I've driven it, and there's 2 major issues with it: the steering feel is far too heavy, and the second is you have to wait until the air ram or whatever kicks in before you get any real power from that engine. Floor it, and it takes a second or two before the power kicks in.

The C63 AMG is a power monster and a ridiculously fun car to drive. Handling isn't up to the M3 which is the most well rounded car (can't argue with BMW's design of sports cars that hug the road), but the C63 AMG's raw power makes it far too fun, and it's the least expensive of the bunch too.

Second generation IS-F may be better, but I get why they aren't selling it.

[hassan123]

anyone have an opinion on the is350 steering feel? thinking of getting one :|