Took this for a quick spin today (Pic)

[Blackbirdws6]

Dropped the wife Lex for service and decided to walk around a bit before I picked up the loaner car. They only had a choice of a RX350 or a ES350 so I asked if they had something a bit more sporty such as a IS. They of course said no, but maybe a salesman would let you take one home.

So, for most of you that know me, I decide to go do just that. I didn't want to drive a regular model so I asked if they had an IS-F I could take home for the night. They obviously didn't bite on that one so I decided to just ask for a test drive. No problem there so we took out one.

Overall, the car felt very tight with very solid brakes and suspension, but the engine left me a bit unenthusiastic. Only when you mashed the throttle and got some revs did it really "come-on". When this happened, it made some nice sounds and certainly pulled very well. The transmission was probably the most impressive part of the car. It was an eight-speed auto that shifted incredibly quickly and smoothly. I was very impressed and I can see how this car posts up some impressive 1/4 mile times with the high rpm power and lightning quick shifts.

Overall, very nice but no thanks for $55k.

[sweetbmxrider]

those wheels look pretty sweet. that price tag is something though...

[NJ346]

There was one on rt 37 a few weeks back messing around. They are quick. I overheard the guy talking about how the car falls on it's face at first until it's up to operating temp and then the computer allows the car to use all of it's power, so maybe thats y the car felt unimpressive at first?

[Blackbirdws6]

Originally Posted by NJNETSFAN

There was one on rt 37 a few weeks back messing around. They are quick. I overheard the guy talking about how the car falls on it's face at first until it's up to operating temp and then the computer allows the car to use all of it's power, so maybe thats y the car felt unimpressive at first?

Maybe but I doubt it considering the car was up to temp when I layed into it. It was like a VTEC.

[DevilDougWS6]

my brother raced it with is GP GTP and it pulled on him barely in the top end.

[Jensend]

Under all normal circumstances, I'm no fan of the Lexus brand at all. However, the Is-F is an entirely different animal. I was able to take a ride in one this past summer at Watkins Glen. Lexus brought two of them to our track event and had Stu Hayner there to demonstrate the car. Admittedly, Hayner is a talented Pro, but the car (which was in showroom trim including tires and brakes) was outstanding. It is easily as quick accelerating as an E-46 M3 and corners just as well. It is crisp on turn in steady in mid-corner and pulls off the corner like a freight train. It is also relatively forgiving in off line maneuvers. The braking seemed a bit better than the M3's. The no lift shifting was instantaneius and flawless on both up and down shifts.

Considering this is a "family" car, it's amazing. The price isn't really that high when you compare it with other cars that perform that well. Considering the price of the '09 M3s, the Is-F is a serious threat to that market. No, I don't own a Lexus (never will), don't work for them either. Truth is, the car has been carefully designed to make inroads into the BMW M Series market share. It will too, once a few show up at track events.

[NJ346]

Originally Posted by DevilDougWS6

my brother raced it with is GP GTP and it pulled on him barely in the top end.

I find that hard to believe. That car definitely seemed powerful enough to pull on your car.

[DevilDougWS6]

Originally Posted by NJNETSFAN

I find that hard to believe. That car definitely seemed powerful enough to pull on your car.

i hope you are joking. when did you ever see one or ride in one?

so you are saying the IS-F runs faster than a theoretical 11.90?

[NJSPEEDER]

Lexus makes nice cars, but they always seem to have some attributes that lend themselves more to luxury than the sporty image they like to present. There are definitely worse ways to get to the grocery store, but there are much more exciting ways to get there too.

[BigAls87Z28]

Last day at the track, an IS-F ran mid 12's if I recall.
Its fast, but it has 415hp or so, so what do you expect.

[DevilDougWS6]

damn, my brother must be a liar then. damn they must be pretty damn heavy then.

[sweetbmxrider]

Originally Posted by DevilDougWS6

damn, my brother must be a liar then. damn they must be pretty damn heavy then.

damn

[NJ346]

Originally Posted by DevilDougWS6

damn, my brother must be a liar then. damn they must be pretty damn heavy then.

Yea, there's no way your bro ran it. He said he hadn't taken it to the track but he knows that most people are getting them to run 12.1-12.3 stock.

[Knipps]

OR he just drove the regular IS and not the IS-F

[BigAls87Z28]

Exactly. IS250 AWD and IS350 are 220 and 300hp. IS250's are the most common, they are all over the place.

[DevilDougWS6]

damn, lol, thats probably what he ran then.

[BigAls87Z28]

Yeah, they are doggish the IS250's. 99% of the time they are AWD as AWD is only available with the 250, not the hotter 350 model.

[87GTA]

This is the one i drove a couple of months ago!!!! i liked it!!

[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

Lexus makes nice cars, but they always seem to have some attributes that lend themselves more to luxury than the sporty image they like to present. There are definitely worse ways to get to the grocery store, but there are much more exciting ways to get there too.

we share the same sentiments. Thats what i always liked about BMW. although luxurious, enthusiasts are the top priority

[BurninrubberGT]

Originally Posted by NJNETSFAN

I find that hard to believe. That car definitely seemed powerful enough to pull on your car.

never underestimate the power of a gp



i hate those tips

[DevilDougWS6]

Originally Posted by BurninrubberGT

never underestimate the power of a gp



i hate those tips

i was thinking the same thing, whats with those fugly tips?

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

Good looking car