Autoweek compares Lexus IS350 vs. BMW 330i (manual) this week. All the car books are doing it and it's Autoweek's turn. The IS gets high marks for engine power and smoothness of automatic tranny. However, BMW walks all over the Lexus in handling. The IS is very heavily lambasted for intrusive stability control that cannot be turned of and intrudes with spirited driving. Also, lack of a manual gear box is sorely bemoaned.
This basically mirrors what all the car books are saying. It seems that Toyota is just unwilling to make a serious BMW competitor. The target BMW and then look away after getting close and end up with something no one who has driven a BMW would want.
It's actually pathetic how they keep blowing it.
Be interesting to hear what goes on at the board meetings where the wrong decisions are ultimately made that screw up the end product.