Discuss...

1/9/2009 8:34:37 PM

only automatic

boo

1/9/2009 8:44:49 PM

better looking than the IS-F

1/9/2009 9:51:42 PM

It's got both direct and port injection. I imagine that after someone cracks the ecu for tuning, this setup will definitely be beneficial in FI applications.

I considered it until I was told this:

The 2009 and newer IS350's will come with Nav, HID and adaptive lights, and premium package as STANDARD options. They won't be coming out of the factory any other way (unless you select a package greater than the premium package). This makes the base IS350 about $42k MSRP to start with. The car does have power, and it is very nice. 300hp makes this ~3,600lb move and it's VERY smooth. I also felt that the larger brakes on the IS350 were smoother and more responsive than in the IS250. The paddle shifting in the vehicle is a joke. The lag in the response between when you tell it to shift and when it actually shifts is stupid slow. The only good thing about the paddle shifter is if you anticipate having to go up a gear so that you can overtake. Downshift once and it'll raise the rpms as you are cruising and then you can take off. You can also use the paddle shifters to downshift and "engine brake" when you come to a light or whatever. But it really is useless when it comes to regular driving.

The interior is really nice. Some people have had issues with rattles and pops in the dash when the car go over bumps and such. Honestly, I believe it to be a valve/flap in the automatic climate control, as I only seldom hear a pop and it's always when I have the climate control on. Otherwise, nothing. It's loud and will scare you the first time you hear it, but it's normal.

Um, if you get the IS350, GET THE SPORT PACKAGE (Great Bang for Buck option). The car is too soft (IMHO) for a "sports sedan." It could use a bit of stiffening up, but a non-sport IS350 handles quite well imo. The ride is very smooth and extremely quiet. Even at 95mph, I barely heard any wind noise. There's no power steering (it's electric). VERY precise and smooth and you still get a comfortable amount of feedback from the road (unlike the BMW where I couldn't feel much response at all and felt like I was in a simulator).

A neat feature is how the VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, or stability and traction control) will correct your steering for you without you knowing in case you are in a comprised situation and the computer feels that the vehicle needs more/less steering to keep the vehicle stable. I think this is neat. Of course, you can turn VDIM off completely

As I've told a few people who asked me how the IS350 compared to the 135i (I know, two different class of cars, but still I anticipate the 335i to be similar...), I said that the IS350 was more of a luxury man's car (60% luxury and comfort, 40% sporty) where the BMW was definitely a drivers car (60% sporty, 40% luxury comfort). I'm not saying the 135i is less luxurious than the IS350, rather, the 135i felt stiffer and more aggressive (like it wanted to be driven and tossed around) where as the IS350 felt more "calm" and "relaxing" (if that makes sense). Also, the head room is something to be desired (I'm 6' tall and I don't slouch and while it's comfortable, I can't wear a hat or I'll keep hitting the ceiling :mad Leg room in the rear is adequate enough for 2 adults for maybe a short trip around town, but definitely not for any extended period of time (aka, 3 hour trip or longer). Rear seats don't fold down, however, I suppose that helps increase structural integrity?

In conclusion, the IS350 is a fun car. I personally could not justify spending $10k more for a bigger engine, slightly better brakes (though they did feel MUCH different than in the IS250), and a Nav system I didn't want, given that everything else in the IS350 is the same in the IS250. Oh yeah, don't go to Johnson Lexus. Ask for Derek at FLOW Lexus in Greensboro and he'll hook you up.

^ Dude, I thought so too until I saw an IS-F in person and it's sick looking I was like "Holy shit, that's really hot looking!" Audra and I didn't care for them at first looking at the pictures online, however, in person, they are VERY SEXY cars... FLOW had at least 8 of them on their lot... I didn't see even one at Johnson.




[Edited on January 9, 2009 at 10:09 PM. Reason : .]

1/9/2009 9:52:48 PM

I was all set to buy a IS250 a year ago, but being 6'3 it was too cramped and felt i HAD to gangsta lean to get comfortable. Great tech in the car, but the 250 didnt feel like it had much power. I would have considered the 350 if the interior was any bigger, but it is cramped for anyone over 6 foot as shmorri2 stated.

1/9/2009 11:30:48 PM

^ and ^^ thanks a lot. i am going to drive it tomorrow. i think it is a great looking car. we will see how it drives.

1/9/2009 11:36:45 PM

Quote :

"however, I suppose that helps increase structural integrity?"

no. it really doesn't.

1/9/2009 11:43:47 PM

If you are trying out the IS350, try out the G35/G37 as well.

1/9/2009 11:58:50 PM

^ I concur. The G37 is also a very nice vehicle, though I did not test drive one myself.

1/10/2009 12:10:46 PM

I've seen the IS-F in person at the NY Auto Show and I thought it was ugly. That huge hump on the very front of the hood and the stacked exhaust pipes = blah.

of course, just my opinion

1/10/2009 12:40:27 PM

Last July I ended up getting a CPO first generation IS300 because it's a much grittier, stiff ride.

The current generation (second) are apples-to-oranges different. shmorri's assessment was accurate, I think.

1/10/2009 3:31:54 PM

I've never ridden in a first gen IS300, however, from my understanding and research on the vehicle it was much stiffer and more of a sports sedan as you would expect. There's also much more aftermarket for that vehicle model than the current. The current generation is definitely a different animal altogether and until the aftermarket breaks through the tuning and stuff, the vehicle is limited in what it can really offer as a true Sports Sedan. There's more to a sports sedan than just matching the competition's Horsepower.

^ is right. It is apples to oranges now

[Edited on January 10, 2009 at 7:57 PM. Reason : .]

1/10/2009 7:57:18 PM

Why in the hell would anyone buy a 37,000.00$ IS350 with ambitions to turbo it?

1/11/2009 12:53:27 AM

One could argue that BMWs are rather over priced, however if you enjoy "driving" for a purpose other than to be at a different location when you're done, I suggest you drive a 335i. Any e90/92 with sport package is a rather good car, but particularly that engine/chassis combo.

It is in a different price league, but I also suggest a drive in the e92 m3. I drove one at length recently, and liked it way more than I would've expected. I actually expected not to like it at all, but they really got that one right, despite the weight it drives quite well, and the brake/steering feel/modulation is literally exceptional.

1/11/2009 2:01:30 AM