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Lexus IS 300 Continues to Prove Nation's Favorite Vehicle

1 September 2000

Lexus IS 300 Continues to Prove Nation's Favorite Vehicle As Edmunds.com's Test-Drivable Auto Show Hits Englishtown, NJ

    ENGLISHTOWN, N.J., Aug. 31 The Lexus IS 300, BMW 323i, and
Audi A4 are the nation's favorite cars, while Nissan Xterra, Chevy Tahoe and
Nissan Pathfinder attract more attention than any other SUVs, according to the
foot traffic to date at EdmundsLIVE!, the test-drivable consumer-oriented auto
show put on by leading automotive information web site Edmunds.com
(http://www.edmunds.com).  The event reopens in Englishtown, NJ today, having already
served thousands of car shoppers and enthusiasts in Atlanta, Washington DC and
Chicago, with San Francisco and Los Angeles still ahead before the
industry-changing event comes to a close for this year.
    This groundbreaking "web-site-come-to-life" event allows visitors to test
drive 50 of the most popular new cars, trucks, and SUVs on the market.
Additionally, unbiased automotive experts are on hand to help individuals
understand the differences between competitive vehicles, while other
professionals lead discussion groups on relevant topics such as buying vs.
leasing, how to conduct a test drive, and online and offline purchase options.
Consumers can also interact with sponsoring online auto-related businesses
such as CarsDirect, PeopleFirst, eCoverage and 1Source Auto Warranty in
person, or on one of twenty high-speed internet access computers available for
public use onsite.
    Exit surveys indicate that more than two-thirds of attendees plan on
purchasing a vehicle within the next six months; many are bringing notebooks
to the event for serious research.  Families are regularly seen climbing in
and out of vehicles and comparing opinions.  A number have tested vehicles'
abilities to store strollers, wheelchairs and other items they typically haul
around.  Edmunds.com provides baby seats so parents and parents-to-be can
check out ease of installation.
    "I am in the market for an SUV and there is no better environment to test
drive them and find out everything I want to know about them than
EdmundsLIVE!," according to Patricia Livingston, who attended the event in
Atlanta.  "I took a friend with me on Saturday and liked it so much that I
brought my sister and her husband with me again on Sunday."
    "We made a road trip down from Boston just to test drive the new Lexus
IS 300 in this sort of environment," said Ryan Rabe of Cambridge, MA, who
traveled over 8 hours with 5 of his friends to the Washington, DC event to do
some serious car shopping.  "It was an incredibly fun experience.  I'm even
getting a group together to come down to the New Jersey event with me before I
make my final buying decision."
    David Moore of Birmingham, AL illustrates another valuable learning
experience that can be had at EdmundsLIVE!, "I found out that, as alluring as
SUVs are, I don't want to actually drive one.  They're too slow, under
performing, and I don't have the need to go off road.  I did think that the
SUV track [including on- and off-road segments] was very well put together."

    The event, put on by leading automotive Web site Edmunds.com, is open to
the public at:

    -- Englishtown, NJ (Raceway Park) August 31 - September 3

    -- San Francisco, CA (Golden Gate Field) September 15-17

    -- Los Angeles, CA (Hollywood Park) September 23-26

    Interested parties can learn more and register at http://www.edmunds.com, or sign
up at the venue the day of the event.  Licensed drivers over 18 are qualified
to participate in the event at $15 per adult (under 18 admitted free).
Snacks, beverages and a free t-shirt are covered in the admission fee.
    "The feedback we have been getting from our visitors is astounding,"
remarks Edmunds.com Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Anwyl.  "People are going
away armed with more useful information and experience than they ever would
have imagined possible, plus, they're having fun."