I guess it was only a matter of time before Lexus joined the manufacturers who’s mission it is to dethrone the BMW 3 series cars as the premier near luxury line of sport sedans. Lexus has signed up the new IS300 to do the fighting, and on paper at least, comes in with equal or better credentials than the 3 series cars, especially for the price. Lexus may have shaken the stigma of being dressed up Toyotas, but takes a huge step entering the market where real performance talks, and pretenders walk. Sure the SC400 coupe is no pretender, but is excluded from this relatively affordable, and popular market segment. The SC400 is expected to perform considering the price, but the trick is to create a true performance car, which fits more than two people (not necessarily comfortably), and pack it with luxury touches while keeping the price within reach of the middle class.

The second mission for the IS300 is to appeal to the under 40 crowd, where as traditional Lexus buyers tend to be older.

Just like an underdog against the reigning champ in a title bout, being equal usually isn’t enough to sway the judges in you favor. You need to trounce the competition, and show more pizzazz. But unlike most prizefighters, the BMW 3 series, regarded as the IS300’s main competition, seems to get better with age. So to say the new Lexus has a daunting task is an understatement. With the introduction of the IS300, Lexus has however hit the target on some things (200 plus horsepower V6, good handling), but missed on others (no manual transmission, conservative, non-descriptive exterior styling).

The 2001 IS300 is an all new model from Lexus, and is available only as a rear wheel drive 4-door sedan. Standard power comes from the 3.0 liter, 215 horsepower in-line 6, which is basically the same engine found in the more expensive GS300. The only transmission available is a 5-speed automatic, which can be “shifted” using steering wheel mounted buttons, but still does not suffice in place of a true manual transmission.

Starting at a base price of $30,500, the IS300 come with a good amount of standard equipment.

Besides the 215hp engine and 5-speed automatic transmission, standard equipment includes traction control, front and rear independent sport suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, stainless steel exhaust, fog lights, power windows, locks, trunk, fuel cap, and mirrors, 205/45ZR17 tires mounted on silver alloy wheels, climate control, premium stereo with 6-disc CD changer, cruise control, first aid kit, full instrumentation, and a bunch of lights, bells and whistles. With all of this good stuff already include, options are few, but include two different leather packages which range in price from $1,700-$1,800 and include a Homelink system, and power seats, with the more expensive package containing wood switchplates, power moonroof ($1,000), polished graphite alloy 17-inch wheels ($400), heated front seats ($440), limited slip differential ($390), carpeted cargo mat ($66), and the popular (infamous) Lexus Gold Package ($417).

Serious competition awaits the IS300, which includes the BMW 318i 323i/328i, and the Audi A4. Making things even tougher is that these two competitors, depending on the model, offer optional engines choices, body styles, and even all wheel drive systems, of which the Lexus does not.

Is one car, one choice, going to cut the mustard (or shred the pavement)? We will find out. Read more

Toyota Prius Review

Here is a quiz. What car is quieter than a Lexus LS400 while sitting at a stoplight, accelerates more smoothly than any car from Rolls-Royce, can fit four adults comfortably, and gets over 50MPG in bumper to bumper city driving? To shamelessly borrow from a famous quote, I have seen the future of the automobile, and the future is the Prius. Well, the start of the future anyway.

The name Prius is Latin for “to go before”, and according to Toyota, the name was picked to represent the Prius as the predecessor of cars to come.

The Prius is the first mass-produced Hybrid Gas/electric car in the world. What, you say the Honda Insight hybrid was released last year? Correct, but Toyota has been perfecting the Prius over in Japan. Since its release in 1997, over 35,000 units have been sold. It is in Japan where the need for efficient and clean vehicles is of paramount concern. Japan is a country where traffic jams are a normal part of just about every driver’s life, not unlike many large cities in the US. The Prius was design with “urban crawl” in mind, as gas mileage in the city is better than at highway cruising speeds. The Prius is rated at 52 miles per gallon city, and 45 miles per gallon highway.

Just what is a “hybrid” you ask? The Prius has a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine, as well as an electric motor, which runs off of batteries. When driving below 35mph, or coasting, the Prius is powered by the electric motor. That’s makes it quieter than a Lexus at a stoplight, as the engine isn’t running, but the car is still functional. This also is the reason for its high city mileage, as the electric motor is used most of the time. The gasoline motor runs when the car is at highway speeds, if the “max” setting is used for the air conditioning system, under heavy acceleration from a stop, or the batteries need charging. That’s right, the Prius re-charges its own batteries through the use of the engine, as well as a re-generative system which helps charge the batteries whenever the brakes are applied, or the car is coasting. The sealed Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries are completely maintenance free, and weigh only about 100 lbs. They are strategically placed in a metal container, under the rear seats, which actually give the Prius an overall better weight distribution.

Come on Phil, smoother than a Rolls-Royce? Stomp on the gas pedal, and all you feel is smooth power, running through a single speed electronically controlled transmission. That right, no shifts or shifting.

For those of you who are “green” people, you may rejoice! The Prius is rated by the EPA as an SULEV, or Super Low Emissions Vehicle. This is only one step below a ZEV or Zero Emission Vehicle, a label reserved only for 100% electric cars, and perhaps horses, though there must be some cost associated with cleaning up their “emissions”. Prius is so clean in fact, that you may qualify for a refund up to $2000 from Uncle Sam as it qualifies for a Clean Fuel Vehicle Federal Income Tax Deduction, depending on the state you live in. This would apply to cars purchased, not leased.

So there must be some kind of a tradeoff, right? Hardly. The Prius is a REAL car not kids ATV, with real world styling, ergonomics, and performance. What about dependability? The Prius is first and foremost a Toyota, and comes with virtually bullet proof warranty coverage. The basic warranty is 3years or 36,000 miles, the entire power train is covered by a 5 year, 60,000 warranty, and the entire hybrid system (battery pack, control modules, etc,) are covered for 8 years, or 100,000 miles. Roadside assistance is also included for 3 years, or 36,000 miles.

The only real hybrid car competition right now is the Honda Insight ($19,320 base price including destination charge). The Insight was the first hybrid to be sold in the US market on any kind of scale, and costs about a $1,200 less than a Prius. The Insight also gets a remarkable 70mpg on the highway. That’s about where the Insight’s advantages stop. Adding air conditioning to the Insight means, surprise, exactly the same as-tested price as the Prius. The Insight is a tight two-seater, with only about 47 cubic feet of interior volume, and no real trunk to speak of. The Insight uses a 5-speed gearbox, and though I am a big manual transmission fan, see this as a disadvantage in this market segment, especially after driving the Prius. The Insight is listed as a ULEV, or ultra low emissions vehicle, one step below the Prius. The Insight is weighs in at well under a ton, and due to its shape, makes it susceptible to cross winds.

The starting price for the Prius is $20,450, which include a $455 destination charge. Standard equipment includes a 1.5L 16 valve VVTi 4 cylinder engine rated at 70 horsepower, Toyota hybrid system which includes an electric motor rated at 44 horsepower, 258 ft. lbs. of torque at 400rpm, (different than engine torque), 2 permanent magnet generators, inverter and battery pack, electronically controlled continuously variable single speed transmission, regenerative ABS brakes, dual front air bags, keyless entry and security system with engine immobilizer, aluminum wheels, rear spoiler, dual power outside mirrors, automatic climate control, power windows and locks, AM/FM cassette with 4 speakers, cabin filtration system, rear window defogger, and a trick liquid crystal display screen that tells you what your powertrain is doing, what kind of power you are using, and what radio station you are listening to, among other things. The only two options available at the time of this review were embroidered floor mats, and a CD player.

The Prius is available in four colors: Super white, Electric Green Mica, Aqua Ice Opalescent, and Silver Strata Metallic. Read more