new here. I am debating between is350 vs ex35

[sirchris3698]

trying to decided between buying a 2011 is350 f sport or 2011 ex35. Just wanted to know which one do you prefer? Please tell me why you prefer one over the other. thank you

[EXceptional]

Welcome to the Forum...

I think the majority of us who frequent this Forum, may be biased towards the EX35, because we own one.

Looks-wise, the Lexus is350 is in a similar category to Infiniti's G Sedans... and not the EX35

I think of the EX35 as a Hatchback... and the Lexus is350 as a Sedan.

[EibachMBZ]

Yeah you cannot really compare 2 cars in 2 different catagory.
My friend"s" did regreat about getting IS250 and not the EX35 after they saw my car. (Back in 2008 not many people know about the EX35)
Also, I would take a G37 anytime over a IS350 as far as "performance" and "value" goes.

[sirchris3698]

i know they are in two different category .i have a 2002 camry with 130,000 mile and she runs like new so am leaning toward lexus for that reason that they are reliable. but i really like the EX that its like a perfect size and comes with lots of gadgets. Well let me change my question a little bit, what are the pros and cons of the EX.

[EX-KAT-35]

Well as a girl I know I like the ride height in traffic.
The seats are much more comfortable
All accessories (gadgets) are well within my shorter reach.
I live and work in CA the IS is just as popular as the Camry up here.
The EX is a fraternity all of its own.

From what I heard from the dealer and read online the Nissan/Infiniti V6 is one of the best world-wide period.

So how'd I do? U getting an EX now?

[sirchris3698]

I forgot to mention before thanks EXceptional for the welcome to the forum.

[sirchris3698]

you have a point EX-KAT-35 with the Lexus IS is everywhere but not as bad as Camry, i really find it funny/annoying when i see my exact same car and same color everywhere. Now the EX that thing is barely ever seen here in Miami . I have seen the new FX alot but the EX is like a ghost here lol

[EibachMBZ]

Most Toyota owners are enjoying their cars for its reliability and drivability. When they are about to get luxury cars, they will leaning toward Lexus because they know they are making right choices. I don't think it is a right choice, I think it is more of a safe choice.

Why not try something new and different?

EX is very easy to drive. The steering is very light, ride height provides a good view, very well built and equipped with a lot of gadgets. Seats are very comfy, A/C is super cold when it is like 105 degree outside. Interior is very rich, very expensive feel. There is no plastic feel to it.

What I hate about the EX is the rear seat leg room...
Other than that I have no complain about the car

[flashzoom]

you have a point EX-KAT-35 with the Lexus IS is everywhere but not as bad as Camry, i really find it funny/annoying when i see my exact same car and same color everywhere. Now the EX that thing is barely ever seen here in Miami . I have seen the new FX alot but the EX is like a ghost here lol

haha...I might be the guy to your answer.
I had the IS250 for 3 years, and got the EX35 in Jan 2010.
They are totally 2 different cars. but before telling you which is better or worse from my personal experience, you need to ask yourself. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I mean, do you want the space? sporty looks? extra room? comfort? what are more important to you?
but here are my 2 cents on the 2 cars.

IS350
decent power engine on the 350 version.
very comfortable seating, high quality leather, and durable.
very detailed, standard homelink, HID, LED reading light, normal internal lights, LED lights under the front leg area.
great sporty feeling, but still comfortable and smooth.
very Luxurious. very thought out designs.
Super quite!!! every with a sporty design, its more quite than any other Sporty 4dr

bad side are,
fairly small cargo space, the seats won't fold either.
fairly popular car, you'll see it every where. (but then again, cus it is GOOD that's why its every where. fairly easy to get replacement parts, accessories, and aftermarket items)

EX35
pretty powerful engine for a Small SUV. Nice Navi/All around view camera system.
acceptable seating, not as good as IS tho.
a little more room, and good cargo space, with seats folded down.

Bad side,
a lot of little stuff are not standard. they are only included in certain packages. HID lights, homelink, and etc.
no internal LED lights, and no lights under the leg room area. Not as luxurious feeling, compare to lexus.
some minor designs are not well thought out. for example the steering wheel, with VERY easily scratched plastics. (i have never seen that on any other brands, but Infiniti)
external welcome lights ONLY on driver side????? how much more can it cost for a light on the passanger side? (lexus has on both side standard)
Leather seats, that gets rankled easily.
Not as quite as the Lexus. good amount of noise from the engine, and outside noise can get in.

so....there, that's just a quick overveiw of my personal experience with the both cars.
I like all the techy stuff with EX, but not too happy with the over all package, and feel they gave. just feel like they are trying to save a few bucks, here and there.
which is stupid, cus it is a Luxury car.
On the other hand, the Lexus have a great overall experience. they made sure you will like every little details of it. but their techy stuff are not so well developed.
but everything else are great!!!

let me know if you have any specific questions.

[EibachMBZ]

Check out the pricing...
For the price of IS250, you can get a EX35
For the price of IS350, you can get a FX35

I just think this entry level Lexus cost way too much...
No wonder you get those leg room lights and stuff

[flashzoom]

Check out the pricing...
For the price of IS250, you can get a EX35
For the price of IS350, you can get a FX35

I just think this entry level Lexus cost way too much...
No wonder you get those leg room lights and stuff

not sure which price you are looking at.
but if you looke online MSRP for IS starts around $32k, and EX starts around $34k. But that's all MSRP
when I got my IS250, I got it for around $29k + tax, of course.
but ya, like I have said in my posting, depends what you are looking for in the Car.
if you want the techy stuff, I have to admit the Navi/All around view cam is pretty cool. but you want over all comfort, Lexus might be the way to go.
if you want something with a little more room, and able to carry some bigger items, EX will give you flexbility to do that. where as IS won't.

[sirchris3698]

thanks for the write up everyone. I think the ex is the better deal and i also know the IS is due for a redesign. the internal LED lights, and lights on the floor is not really a deal breaker for me. The EX is not as luxurious feeling? can you explain this in detail please and thank you flashzoom. And also which car feel more solid at highway speeds like 85+ mph?

[sirchris3698]

also flashzoom, which car is smoother on harsh roads?

[flashzoom]

also flashzoom, which car is smoother on harsh roads?

mm...well, my wife feels that both are about the same, when you are driving on harsh roads.
since IS has a stiff sporty design, its def not for Harsh roads, plus its fairly low.
personally, i think EX might be a little better, because of the tire, and the height. you get a little more buffer for the harsh roads.
but remember it is a semi SUV, so you'll get more noise from the tires. which Lexus is pretty quite to begin with.
as for luxurious, mm..its a little hard to explain. for one, the leather seats. personally i feel Lexus has better quality.
its comfortable, and not too soft, with good support. Infiniti is still good, but not as good as lexus. the EX leather seems to be very easily to wear out.
i only had it for 1 year, and its showing some wear already. but just litghtly so far. and the materials they use are not top notch stuff.
like I said about the Steering Wheel, I have never seen a luxurious car with cheap painted plastic covering on steering wheel. that's where your hands will be on all the time, why would you use cheap material that will get scratched easily. easily as in, within weeks. and I spoke with dealer service dept, they said, they have been replacing those steering wheeels some what often. i mean, they are all little things, but those are the little things that gives you the overall feeling.
don't get me wrong, Infiniti is still good. but I think they can be improved on. another article that was posted here, talking about the G37 4dr.
they were saying how cheap the interior material was. and how bad it felt for a luxury car.
but everyone have different opinion. I would recommend test drive both.
pay attention to the stuff I talked about. and you can compare, which do you like more.
maybe I am more critical, cus I came from a Lexus, and I had high hope for the EX35. i was kinda hoping it will be better than IS, and more.
but...they do fall short on some of the small details.
as for the Techy stuff, yes, it is cool!! and much better than Lexus.

[sirchris3698]

also flashzoom, which car is smoother on harsh roads?

I would recommend test drive both.
pay attention to the stuff I talked about. and you can compare, which do you like more.
maybe I am more critical, cus I came from a Lexus, and I had high hope for the EX35. i was kinda hoping it will be better than IS, and more.
but...they do fall short on some of the small details.
as for the Techy stuff, yes, it is cool!! and much better than Lexus.

Ima try to go Saturday morning and test drive the EX35 first and then maybe the Lexus if i have time or Lexus can wait for Sunday. Iam check out the steering wheel ,am sure it cant be that cheap its a infiniti but you never know.Your right its the little thing that make people/things worth wild. Thanks for going into detail, am going to check out ever little detail about the car and make sure its what am looking for . I just know whatever i get better be better than my current car to the power of 3

[zarar]

IMHO, not sure what interior you are getting but I would stick to the black interior. As any other light interior color, the Wheat is hard for me to maintain because anything I wear or if anytime I sit in it, all the colors rub off on it. It causes black fade and streaks to the interior, in the feature causing it to wear quicker and give it that "greasy" look. My dealer told me "wearing jeans isn't good for the leather, most people who own these cars wear suits."

[EX-KAT-35]

^^^ Nice excuse for leather that hasn't been sealed properly.

[kamiguy]

IMHO, not sure what interior you are getting but I would stick to the black interior. As any other light interior color, the Wheat is hard for me to maintain because anything I wear or if anytime I sit in it, all the colors rub off on it. It causes black fade and streaks to the interior, in the feature causing it to wear quicker and give it that "greasy" look. My dealer told me "wearing jeans isn't good for the leather, most people who own these cars wear suits."

I agree, totally! My next Infiniti.. the 2012 EX37 with direct injection(dreaming, here) will have a dark interior. Had a light colour in my 2008 and am so ready for a darker interior!

[sirchris3698]

I would stick to the black interior. "

Thanks for the heads up , I would keep that in mind .

[Jason Tucker]

Well as a girl I know I like the ride height in traffic.
The seats are much more comfortable

The EX is a fraternity all of its own.

And even an EX Sorority too!!!

[gr8330]

I've had both a Lexus and EX35 and I do not want another Lexus. You can't activate the nav while driving for one. The seats are comfortable but I'm not sure they are going to last longer then my seats in the EX35, which I think are comfortable and luxurious looking. The EX has a better feel while driving to me. One problem the IS 250/350 has is the front tire ware is excessive. Another thing, IMO is Toyota/Lexus seem to be late to the table with tech options. When we bought my wife's GX450 we couldn't get some of the options we wanted because Lexus wasn't building them until the middle of the year, the dealer told us.

[EX35_bernard]

When I bought my EX35 back in 2008 the IS250 was my 2nd choice. Now I always wonder what if I had gone the other way. I love the EX don't get me wrong but I like the more masculine lines of the IS design better. I also think now that the IS would have been a bit better on gas mileage, better dealer service (maybe), a car vs a CUV etc. But off course I say that now having owned the EX for almost 3 yrs. If I had gone the other way I would've been wondering how the 297 hp, around view monitor, I-AWD etc would've been. So you just take your losses and get the one you really like.