I know this may come as a shocker and even though the features and comfort of the GS350 is nice, I kind of miss the stance, the style and the fun factor of my previous IS 350 F-Sport. Keep in mind that the only reason I got another vehicle is because I totaled the previous ride last August.. Also do to this CORVID pandemic, I don't drive as much as I use to and it makes me think about downgrading to a cheaper vehicle with a reduction in debit. This may be a silly question but does anyone whom upgraded from a IS to a GS, miss their previous IS?

 

I can certainly understand your sentiment. Although I really liked my previous IS350 (2nd gen), never actually miss it. It definitely felt a bit faster than my 4GS and it had that sporty flair...but I think the GS was a worthwhile upgrade for me personally.

My old non F-sport '11 IS350:


My current non F-sport GS:

 

As someone who is against suspension modification, drop the GS down and engage sports+
The facelifted luxury GS aren't going to have the character of the IS, I'd be bringing it at least to that level with coilovers.

 

I really loved my IS, but no, I don't miss it at all. I could never go back to an IS.

 

I had an '06 IS 350. It was a fun car, but I surely don't miss it because of how cramped it was compared to my current GS.

 

I loved my IS 350, but having just recently upgraded to the GS350, I don't miss it at all either. I love the higher quality materials in the GS and space while retaining the nimble handling from the IS.

 

I own all four 2IS, 3.5IS, 3.5GS and 4GS.
I think they're all good, but in different ways.
Each has its pros and cons.

The IS is more maneuverable around the shopping center, much more agile handling, more grip and more cornering speed, and more adjustable at the limits, and cheaper too.
The GS is more spacious, more comfortable riding, quieter and better equipped, and some would say superior plastics, superior leather and superior stitching.


Just like a Tesla - it has a wonderful battery pack and electric motors, but one must put up with inexperienced body design, inexperienced quality of manufacture and inexperienced quality of assemby.
A Jaguar iPace or Audi e-Tron is the opposite, with presently a second rate EV driveline, but superior bodywork.
Tesla must catch up on the bodywork.
The established players must catch up on the EV driveline.
Horses for courses, and each to their own.

 

IS like the GS will probably also die a nasty slow death. IS won't be missed and don't think anyone who's upgraded from and IS to a GS will ever go back or miss it. IS feels more like toy and the fit and finish especially the interior is leaps and bounds worse than the GS.

 

The IS350 is pretty popular. I'm willing to bet that Lexus will upsize the IS slightly to fill in the GS gap, retaining a true RWD option sports sedan, also differentiating from the ES350. I do miss my previous IS but like others said, the GS is a great car and a good upgrade. Sucks that Lexus is killing this model but I understand why as well.

 

I test drove a IS350 F-Sport before getting my GS F-Sport. They have the same engine and transmission, but feel and drive like totally different cars; I think the IS is geared a little sportier than the GS, and for a fact the seating , stance and driver position of the IS is totally different. Feels like you are flying a jet on the deck vs driving a fast couch in the GS I prefer the GS though, I couldn't fit in a IS really comfortably, I think the seats just didn't have enough adjustment for me. GS memory seats in a IS would be great though....

P.S. and the fit and finish on the IS makes no sense, Lexus should have outfitted that car to the same level as the GS, there is really no excuse, considering how many of them they sell. They should have least had a better interior as an included option for the F-Sport.

 

The leather on the IS is crap and too many hard plastics. If you look past that, it looks smarter on the outside than the GS.

 

I personally prefer the GS exterior much more than the IS, with the exception of the ISF

 

All depends where the OP posts this thread.
In the 4GS Forum, most replies are biased to the 4GS.
In the 3IS Forum, most replies will be biased to the 3IS.
In the general Car Chat Forum, the OP may have more neutral replies.

I own both IS and GS simultaneously, so I can say they are both good but in different ways.

Cruise around with the odd full throttle, and enjoy the 4GS.
However, constantly dumping the car into tight corners, T-juntions and roundabouts favor the IS for its: maneuverability in parking situations, agility [speed of change of direction on the slalom], terminal grip on the skidpan, and on the IS's more predictable/more controllable behvior at the limit of adhesion.

Remember the old 1999-06 IS200/300?
Sure it was small and tiny inside, but my mother's cousin in Paris had the IS200, and it was the most "go-kart-like" in handling.
So agile.
So much more speed and terminal grip, and so much more controllable at the limits of adhesion [similar to a Mazda Miata] - thanks to its small size and weight.

For chuckability, the modern day larger and heavier 2013-onwards 3IS simply cannot match the small lightweight 1999-06 1IS.
GS cannot match any IS for "dumpability".
5LS would be a disaster if dumped into a sharp corner or T-junction; 5LS is just too big and too heavy for such maneuvers.

Bottom line is that IS, GS and LS are all good, but in different ways.
Horses for courses and each to their own.

 

Yeah the old IS is amazing and so underrated

 

The 1st gen IS still looks great today. I love the chronograph gauges, what a cool feature and it's more appreciated today as instrumentation goes digital and loses that special analog touch.

I still remember when I drove a friend's brand new IS300 in high school, red on black and it was a very memorable moment driving a new car of that caliber. It's been over 18 years but I finally was able to buy my own newer Lexus GS in cash and one NX for my wife too!