Lexus' 'December to Remember' Sale Already Started

Lexus' iconic red-bow sales program, December to Remember, begins earlier this year, with financing and lease specials available now on various 2011 and 2012 models.

Everyone is used to seeing winter holiday decorations hit department stores earlier each year, but the fact that the sale is named after the month of December and will run through all of November is a bit humorous to us, but likely not to the company.

Inventory recoveries after Japan's earthquake disruptions have prompted the brand to move the program ahead of its usual Thanksgiving kickoff, Lexus chief Mark Templin told reporters yesterday. This year's December to Remember began Tuesday and ends Jan. 3.
 
Specials vary by region. We contacted Lexus dealers in greater New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Here's what we learned:

2012 Lexus Lineup Gets Minor Price Changes

When Lexus’ 2012 lineup hits dealerships later this summer through the fall, nearly half will have the same price as the outgoing 2011 versions. Price increases for other model and trims are minimal, ranging from $200 to $700.

Most of the 2012 lineup remains pretty much unchanged compared with 2011, too. There’s no GS sedan for 2012, but an all-new 2013 Lexus GS 350 was just unveiled and will go on sale in early 2012; pricing hasn’t been announced.

The 2012 Lexus CT 200h gets a standard virtual engine sound — similar systems are found on the Infiniti M35h and Nissan Leaf. A new F Sport Package is available on the CT 200h as a factory option on Premium trims only. Pricing isn’t known.

The 2012 Lexus HS 250h makes use of more eco-friendly bioplastic materials upholstery and carpeting in the cabin. The 2012 GX 460 now has bodyside moldings and high-gloss-finished 18-inch wheels standard.

The 2012 Lexus IS F gets new 19-inch wheel designs, wider rear tires and new shock absorbers, all of which will improve handling, Lexus says. The IS F comes with red leather upholstery for 2012, replacing the two-toned orange/black setup.

Destination fees for all models are set at $875, the same as last year. Continue reading below for more pricing details.

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Lexus IS

While Lexus is best known for its more sedate offerings like the ES and popular RX crossover, the company does have a few sportier options, including the IS compact sedan and convertible. Some comfort is sacrificed for that sportier ride, says Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays, who recently test-drove the IS 250C convertible and the all-wheel-drive IS 350 sedan.

2011 Lexus IS Review

2011 Lexus IS 350 AWD Video

Lexus isn’t known for having many vehicles that pique the interests of driver-oriented car shoppers. The Lexus IS is one of those offerings and, for the first time, the more powerful 2011 IS 350 is available with all-wheel drive. That’s enough of a reason for Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays to test it out. Check out the video to see if the IS hold its own against the competition.

2011|Lexus|IS 350

Recall Alert: 728,544 Toyota and Lexus Vehicles

Toyota is recalling 728,544 vehicles, including the 2005-06 Avalon, 2004-06 Highlander, 2004-06 Lexus RX 330 and 2006 Lexus GS 300, IS 250 and IS 350 to replace a brake master cylinder seal. A small amount of brake fluid could leak from the master cylinder, leading the brake warning lamp to illuminate. Drivers could experience weaker brake response as a result.

Toyota has recalled over 7 million vehicles in the U.S. over the past two years for problems with floormats, brakes, gas pedals and most recently steering. Using incentives to drive sales, the automaker had been trying to come back from the image hit it took because of the numerous recalls.  

In this most recent recall, if the warning lamp is illuminated and the vehicle is driven without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel. Braking performance could gradually decline.

Owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified of the recall by mail in early November. Toyota and Lexus dealerships will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed one for free.

For more information, owners can call Toyota at 800-331-4331 or Lexus at 800-255-3987.

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2011 Lexus IS 250, IS 250, IS-F

Lexus has made minor modifications to its IS lineup of sport sedans for 2011. The IS 250, IS 350 and IS-F all retain the same engines, transmissions and overall look, but they get one big change: LED daytime running lights.

OK, so they’re not the biggest changes in the world, but since Audi started putting LEDs on all its cars, they seem to be a prerequisite now for every luxury automaker as well as that annoying teenager down the street and his ’96 Civic. The sedans also get new front and rear bumper treatments and new headlights and taillights.
 
The LEDs are optional on the IS 250 and standard on the IS 350 and IS-F. They’re also optional on the convertibles, but the retractable hardtop models do not get any other exterior modifications like the sedans.

The sedans also get new 17-inch wheels standard and new optional 18s. The interior trim has been changed to black metallic. The IS 350 also adds an all-wheel-drive model, while the high-performance IS-F gets a tweaked suspension for a less-harsh ride. The IS-F also gets minor changes to its fabric colors and new gauges.

The 2011s go on sale later this summer. More photos are below.

Recall Alert: 138,874 Lexus Cars

Lexus has formally submitted its recall for an engine issue we reported last week. The recall involves a number of different models, including:

• 2007-2008 Lexus GS 350 and GS 350h
• 2008 Lexus GS 460
• 2006-2008 Lexus IS 350
• 2007-2008 Lexus LS 460, LS 460 L
• 2008 Lexus LS 600h L

The problem stems from a valve spring that could degrade and break, leading to the engine stalling while in motion. Lexus says the likelihood of this happening is 0.2%; however, the recall still compounds Toyota’s continuing quality issues.
 
The company will begin notifying owners via mail this month and will replace all valve springs for free. Owners can contact Lexus at 800-255-3987 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236.

Lexus Introduces Accessorized IS 350C

The $375,000 Lexus LFA isn’t the only rare Lexus being released soon. OK, so it’s not nearly as exotic as the LFA, but the 2010 IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition will have a limited run of 100 examples and feature a slew of Lexus performance accessory parts.

The F-Sport starts with the hardtop convertible IS 350C and adds 19-inch wheels, upgraded brakes and suspension goodies. The F-Sport sits on a suspension that’s been dropped an inch, featuring Bilstein performance shocks and upgraded sway bars. Capping off the package is a unique grille, badges on the outside and a numbered badge on the inside to show off its uniqueness.

Besides the added accessories, you’ll find heated and ventilated front seats, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a navigation system with hard drive and a backup camera.

F-Sport models of the IS 350C start at $57,500, not including an $875 destination charge, and they will arrive at dealerships later this month.

Pictured is an IS 350C wearing F-Sport accessories. Lexus will have images of the F-Sport Special Edition soon, though we don’t expect it to look drastically different than what you see here.

Two Toyota Recalls Explained

After last night’s news that Toyota is adding another 1.1 million vehicles to an October 2009 recall involving floormats getting stuck under accelerators, we think it's a good time to explain the two recalls and the vehicles included in each one.  In all, 13 models are included in both recalls, totaling nearly 6 million cars, and 1.7 million of those are involved in both recalls.

Last week, Toyota announced a recall of 2.3 million vehicles because of a faulty accelerator pedal that could become stuck and lead to unintended acceleration. This recall is for a completely separate issue than the floormat-related recall. However, both lead to the same end result — unintended acceleration. The vehicles in the accelerator pedal recall include:

• 2009-10 RAV4
• 2009-10 Corolla
• 2009-10 Matrix
• 2005-10 Avalon
• Certain 2007-10 Camry models
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-10 Tundra
• 2008-10 Sequoia
• 2009-10 Pontiac Vibe

Explaining the Toyota Floormat Recall

Toyota is in the process of recalling nearly 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles for an issue with their floormats. A number of complaints have shown that the floormats can creep forward and get stuck under the accelerator, which can lead to unintended and potentially dangerous acceleration. (Yes, we know the recall is not official yet, but for clarity we will call it a recall).

We had a 2010 Toyota Prius in our test fleet this week and noted its floormat set-up is similar to Toyotas included in the recall. The 2010 Prius is not included in the current recall, but the 2005-2009 Prius is. Toyota spokesman John Hanson said that the 2010 model uses the same type of floormats as the older Prius, as do many other current Toyota models not included in the recall.

The 2010 Prius, which has only been on sale for a relatively short time, is not included in the recall at this time because there have been no specific complaints filed with either Toyota or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the floormats, Hanson said. However, when the recall is finalized, which could be as early as next week, the 2010 Prius may be included, he said. Other models haven’t been included based solely on the lack of complaints. A number of factors including pedal placement and keyless ignition in addition to the floormats may have contributed to the complaints against the recalled cars.

So, what is it about these floormats that’s causing the problem?