2006 Lexus IS 250

I've been to many classy places in my life. Some fine hotels, top restaurants, top designer stores. In all of these places I have never met with such an attitude that I receive in my local Lexus dealership.

They have tried to recreate some kind of world class art gallery in their showroom. The walls are gray, the architecture is austere, there is fake marble and the cars are presented as if they were fine sculptures. The sales staff have an attitude to match.

Now I'm sure that not all Lexus dealerships look like this. I'm sure that not all Lexus sales staff are assholes. But unfortunately the only Lexus dealership within 50 miles of me is this one.

I waited around for one of the very important sales people to find time to deal with a low life like me. I informed him I would like to see the IS. When we got to vehicle I explained that I was considering alternatives to the new Acura TL Type S. He sneered, and tried to look like he was not merely a salesman, paid on commission. When I asked him why I should consider an IS over a TL, he informed me that the vehicles were not even in the same league, and that he knew almost nothing about the TL. He further informed me that the only real competition for the IS was the BMW, and that he knew how to sell against that.

With such high praise I had little choice but to drive one. The salesman was too busy to come with me. Just before I drove off he leaned down and explained how to operate a power seat. He acted if I had not seen one before, and that Lexus had cornered the market on the power operated leather seat. He then asked me a question I had never been asked before at a car dealership, "So how long do you think you will be?" I thought for a moment. I hadn't really planned a test drive. I told him that I had no idea. He then told me that they liked to keep the mileage down on their new cars, so I shouldn't drive too far. I assured him that this was unlikely.

Now I know the 250 is the baby of the IS range, but not to put too finer point on it, the car is shit. Okay so that's a little harsh, but it would certainly be fair to say that that the car is boring and has no soul. Sure, it's well put together, and it's not a bad car. But it is noisier than my car, it is far slower, and the features are unremarkable. The electronic nanny that stops you having any fun, really does spoil the enjoyment of driving it. Although my test drive was short, I managed to get it to emit a funny beeping noise during a sharp cornering manoeuvre.

About the only thing I found amusing about this car was that the fact that the navigation system talks to you from a speaker placed between the drivers legs. The speech recognition was quite atrocious, and most of the time all I got was a woman's voice telling me, "I don't understand," from between my legs. Weird.

I took it back and told the salesman I was unimpressed. He placed his well practiced sneer back on his face as if to say, "well, these vehicles aren't for just anyone Sir."

The salesman mentioned whichever vehicle they make that looks exactly like a Toyota Camry, and then tried (unsuccessfully) to justify why it was $15,000 more than a Camry. Then he mentioned their little SUV. He told me that they hardly ever stock the IS350 because that merely attracts boy racers who just want to test drive it.

In the end I lost interest in being spoken down to by the man in the cheap suit. I made my excuses and left. Perhaps at a better dealership, the IS350 would be cool, without the beige interior that was in the model I drove. But quite honestly, with an attitude like theirs, I want nothing to do with them. If they treat potential customers like this, I can only imagine how they treat you once you have already given them your money.

I later spoke with some sales reps at another dealership. They stock BMW, Audi, Porsche and Mercedes Benz. One of them confided in me that he personally picked up at least 5-6 deals a year from disgruntled customers who the Lexus dealer had annoyed. I was not surprised.

This is the second time I have visited this same Lexus dealer. The first time I dealt with a different rep, who was trying to sell me the Camry lookalike (before the IS came out). It seems they all have the same air of superiority about them, which I find both irritating and amusing. Whichever way you look at it the only vehicle in my price range that I am interested in, is just not good enough. As most reviews say, it is boring. The Lexus attitude is way beyond the product they are selling. So no matter how you look at it, I'm not going to buy one. I decided to make my way across town to another dealership.