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 Podcast: 2011 Lexus IS, 2012 Mazda5, 2011 Audi TT

This week, Cars.com’s editors tackled a varied trio of vehicles in our 101st podcast. Kelsey Mays talks about the entire Lexus IS lineup – yes, he tested them all; Mike Hanley discusses Mazda’s redesigned small van, the 2012 Mazda5, and Joe Wiesenfelder expounds on the sporty Audi TT.

Download via iTunes
Download Download MP3

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 Saab 9-5, 2011-12 Volkswagen CC Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Saab 9-5 and the 2011 and 2012 Volkswagen CC received the Top Safety Pick designation in the midsize luxury/near-luxury category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

These cars had previously earned the title, which is awarded to vehicles that receive the agency’s top rating — Good — in front, side and rear crash tests, and have electronic stability control. But that was before IIHS implemented its tough roof-strength test, making it harder for new cars to be named Top Safety Picks. To pass the test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The VW CC’s roof can withstand 4.4 times its own weight; the 9-5 can withstand 5.85 times its own weight.

The Top Safety Pick designation on the CC applies only to the front-wheel-drive model because the heavier all-wheel-drive model was rated Acceptable in the roof-strength test.

Neither vehicle has been fully tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whose tests include more side impact test data.

Altogether, IIHS recently completed roof-strength tests for eight midsize/large family and luxury cars. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 earned a Good rating in roof strength, but it was rated Acceptable for rear crash protection. The 2011 BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Impala, Infiniti G series, Lexus IS and Saab 9-3 all earned Acceptable ratings in the roof-strength test.

What Does This Button Do?

Situated among the heating and ventilation controls of the 2011 Lexus IS 250C is a mysterious button with some connotation that when pressed, it will affect the driver’s face, and apparently a jar of cotton balls?
 
We hit the button with the air conditioning running and noticed/heard the climate system’s inner workings change their operation. But what exactly did it do?

MotherProof.com Car Seat Check Recap

The Ford Focus has been completely redesigned for the 2012 model year, and it now includes a four-door hatchback model. So how well does the Focus handle child-safety seats? According to MotherProof.com, the large head restraints make installing some of the seats difficult, but ultimately, the car can fit two car seats securely. To read more about the Focus or the other cars MotherProof.com has tested, click the links below:

• 2012 Honda Civic Sedan: Car Seat Check 
• 2012 Ford Focus Sedan: Car Seat Check 
• 2011 Lexus IS 250C and IS 350C: Car Seat Check

Recall Alert: 245,000 Lexus IS, GS Cars

Toyota is voluntarily recalling about 245,000 Lexus cars sold in the U.S. because of a possible problem with the fuel pressure sensor installation. The models affected by the recall are 2006-07 GS 300 and GS 350, 2006-09 IS 250, and 2006-08 IS 350.

Insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor, which is connected to some engine fuel delivery pipes that have nickel-phosphorus plating, may cause the pressure sensor to loosen. If this happens, fuel could leak past a gasket that’s used in the connection between the sensor and the fuel delivery pipe. It could also leak through the threaded part of the sensor.

Toyota says there are no warnings that this may occur. However, if fuel is leaking from the fuel pressure sensor, owners may notice a fuel odor coming from the engine compartment. If they do so, Toyota recommends they take it to their dealer for servicing immediately.

There have been four complaints, Toyota says, but there have been no reports of accidents due to the defect. Many of the vehicles in question were previously recalled in January 2009 for fuel lines that experienced corroding over time. Three of the four reports of the current defect were of vehicles not involved in that recall, but one was, leading to the wider range of vehicles involved in the recall.

Toyota is determining how long it will take to produce enough replacement parts before determining a launch date for the recall, which will involve mailings to customers. Recall notices usually include such a date, but Toyota has sped up the reporting process because of its recent history of recall issues.

Once the recall begins, Lexus dealers will inspect cars for fuel leakage. If no leakage is found, they will tighten the fuel pressure sensor. However, if a leak is found, the gasket between the sensor and fuel delivery pipe will be replaced, and the sensor will be tightened. There will be no charge for the inspection and, if necessary, gasket replacement.
 
The automaker will notify owners of the recall once the necessary parts have been obtained. For more info, owners can call Lexus at 800-255-3987 or go to www.lexus.com/recall.
 
Toyota also issued a separate recall for 1.3 million cars worldwide today over a separate problem with a fuel delivery pipe. This larger recall doesn’t affect any U.S. cars.

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.