2010 IS350C F-Sport Review: $62K of not much win
02-03-10, 09:14 AM
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2010 IS350C F-Sport Review: $62K of not much win
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/03/r...expensive-bag/
Driving around Los Angeles for a week, it became quite apparent that the IS 350C F-Sport has that all important X-factor that Angelenos find so important. Valets went gaga over it, while our friends' wives loved it even more. As for us, we just couldn't get past the dated interior, the lousy transmission and the money. In case you missed it, $62,216 as tested. We already mentioned Lexus's own IS-F costs less, but you could buy a BMW M3 Coupe and still have four thousand bucks left over. Moreover, this is Corvette Grand Sport Convertible territory. All three of the cars we just mentioned feature more than 400 hp and will light your hair on fire in a straight line. The IS 350C F-Sport meanwhile, just kinda loudly humps around town with its baffling gearbox and pretty wheels. All things considered, we're just not that into her.
02-03-10, 09:27 AM
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I just got a 335 convertible (on the BMW site) with comparable features for the same price. The car wasn't loaded, it didn't have active steering, radar cruise etc...so it could hit near 70k if I tried.
No doubt an IS-C F-sport for 62k is "WOW". However some people don't want a M3, IS-F etc. People want different items.
To me, the best bet is buy a nice clean IS-C in a year or two and load up the F-sport parts from one of our vendors with coupons
(There should be another F-sport promotion in April)
Not a very good review for it. Having seen it in person, it looks A LOT better with the F-sport parts.
Good find, thanks for sharing!
No doubt an IS-C F-sport for 62k is "WOW". However some people don't want a M3, IS-F etc. People want different items.
To me, the best bet is buy a nice clean IS-C in a year or two and load up the F-sport parts from one of our vendors with coupons
(There should be another F-sport promotion in April)
Not a very good review for it. Having seen it in person, it looks A LOT better with the F-sport parts.
Good find, thanks for sharing!
02-03-10, 09:34 AM
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I just got a 335 convertible (on the BMW site) with comparable features for the same price. The car wasn't loaded, it didn't have active steering, radar cruise etc...so it could hit near 70k if I tried.
No doubt an IS-C F-sport for 62k is "WOW". However some people don't want a M3, IS-F etc. People want different items.
To me, the best bet is buy a nice clean IS-C in a year or two and load up the F-sport parts from one of our vendors with coupons
(There should be another F-sport promotion in April)
Not a very good review for it. Having seen it in person, it looks A LOT better with the F-sport parts.
Good find, thanks for sharing!
No doubt an IS-C F-sport for 62k is "WOW". However some people don't want a M3, IS-F etc. People want different items.
To me, the best bet is buy a nice clean IS-C in a year or two and load up the F-sport parts from one of our vendors with coupons
(There should be another F-sport promotion in April)
Not a very good review for it. Having seen it in person, it looks A LOT better with the F-sport parts.
Good find, thanks for sharing!
I do agree with you, the IS C F-Sport makes sense if someone cares more about uniqueness than performance and value. If you have $60K to spend and just want to be different, then fine. For cruising around L.A., it just might be the ticket. And who knows, if I had that kind of money, maybe I'd take that same route myself.
02-03-10, 09:39 AM
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I don't like Johnny Liberman actually, he seems like kind of a douche, not a car guy I'd like to hang out with. But I find his reviews are pretty close to the mark.
I do agree with you, the IS C F-Sport makes sense if someone cares more about uniqueness than performance and value. If you have $60K to spend and just want to be different, then fine. For cruising around L.A., it just might be the ticket. And who knows, if I had that kind of money, maybe I'd take that same route myself.
I do agree with you, the IS C F-Sport makes sense if someone cares more about uniqueness than performance and value. If you have $60K to spend and just want to be different, then fine. For cruising around L.A., it just might be the ticket. And who knows, if I had that kind of money, maybe I'd take that same route myself.
Hell the MSRP on the brakes is what, $5500?
It was good to see a loaded F-sport model though, even if the review was not too favorable. Mind you, I think anyone right now would be NUTS to write a positive review on a Lexus/Toyota product
02-03-10, 09:47 AM
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I wonder why Lexus doesn't advertise that the F-Sport IS has 3% more horsepower?
That could be a selling point for F sport cars, but this goes back to what I've said before. Lexus needs an F-Sport package instead of F-Sport accessory kits. I'm sure the LS Sport model is selling better than any of the GS F-Sport accessory models.
Still, for a 320-ish horsepower car (Lexus just said it's 3% more powerful than stock)
02-03-10, 09:49 AM
#7
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that picture shows one aspect of the weak design - the wheels/tires look TOO SMALL. 
the car competes more with volvo c70 than 335i convertible.
the car competes more with volvo c70 than 335i convertible.
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02-03-10, 09:50 AM
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I wonder why Lexus doesn't advertise that the F-Sport IS has 3% more horsepower?
That could be a selling point for F sport cars, but this goes back to what I've said before. Lexus needs an F-Sport package instead of F-Sport accessory kits. I'm sure the LS Sport model is selling better than any of the GS F-Sport accessory models.
That could be a selling point for F sport cars, but this goes back to what I've said before. Lexus needs an F-Sport package instead of F-Sport accessory kits. I'm sure the LS Sport model is selling better than any of the GS F-Sport accessory models.
Let us hope there is a GS sport package like the LS next go round along with F-sport parts.
02-03-10, 09:50 AM
#9
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also, note on the f-sport exhaust note - i didn't care for it. at WOT from launch sounded more like a civic! the is-f (yes, a v8) sounded way better.
02-03-10, 09:56 AM
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You draw a conclusion about the car you won't like anyway and you haven't driven nor cared to read track figures.
These are boulevard cruisers with some sport added in.
02-03-10, 10:08 AM
#13
Lexus Connoisseur
Here are a few more articles on the IS350C F-Sport. They were a lot more interesting to read than autoblog's that's for sure. Inside line has video of the car being tested at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. It's a good comprehensive review with plenty of sound footage of the IS C F-Sport at WOT.
Edmunds.com - Test Drive: 2010 Lexus IS 350 C F-Sport
http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/is350c/2010/testdrive.html
Inside Line - 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Full Test and Video
http://www.insideline.com/lexus/is-3...and-video.html
Edmunds.com - Test Drive: 2010 Lexus IS 350 C F-Sport
http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/is350c/2010/testdrive.html
Inside Line - 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Full Test and Video
http://www.insideline.com/lexus/is-3...and-video.html
02-03-10, 10:10 AM
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02-03-10, 10:12 AM
#15
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I am still working on my review of this same car. It is fun to drive and is very comfortable as a long distance cruiser:
Last edited by flipside909; 02-03-10 at 10:28 AM.