1QWKGS4

iTrader: (3)

I was running around my home state and passed by my original dealer where I bought my very first Lexus. Saw they had a 250 and 350 IS Parked out front on display this past Friday, June 28 2013.

I stopped by to check it out..

I will have to re-tract some of the things i said that was iffy months before from only seeing pics online.

I'm very picky and extremely critical of the cars I look at and Let me say, Pics does not do this car Justice!! From my initial online impression was ("Meh, I don't know, catfish or predator" comments).

Seeing the 3rd Gen IS in person changed everything for me! The Front Grill is Phenomenal and the front end is just Fantastically beautiful, more subtle on the non F-Sport and the F-Sport is not overly aggressive as I once thought.. Car is gorgeous..

Initially, I had alot of problems with the rear of the car, after seeing. Car is very balance.. you want it to look like that!!

The car i saw was on-tour doing training for dealerships and my guy was able to let me take it out for a quick spin.. Car is smooth as any Lexus in Normal Mode, but when you put the car Sport, the car came alive. Woohhooo (I love the sound)

Handling: Oh so much better than the previous IS350, and I think a touch better than the GS350 because its lighter. It steers very BMW-like which I love the way they tuned this car..

Fit and Finish: Very Good and Much better and tighter than previous IS's. The materials are nice, the model I saw had the NULUX interior which is very durable and nice, and almost leather-like, I still prefer the real leather since I'm spoiled with my last LS and my two GS's. The NULUX is very do-able if I was looking to buy a less loaded model..

I didn't have much time so I just went over the car quickly and this is what I remember that stood out to me.

1. Interior had more room: Front seats had more legroom, the back seat had more space & leg space.

2. I notice that the windshield in more low-slung than previous, like sitting in a corvette while still having ample headroom (I'm 6'4) with a big noggin too.

3.The seats fit me, i'm 250 lbs, but Its not as comfy as my GS. I say seat dimension is similar with previous Gen IS maybe a bit smaller. (I know this cuz i recently loss some weight and my GF now drives my 2011 IS350) so I know this to be accurate.

4. The Overhead map-lights - went back to Bulb lights, NO LONGER LED's pointed at you..

5. I knew this might be an issue but i had to wait until I saw in person: THE CUP HOLDERS: When I rest my arm on the center console, My elbow hit the back cupholder and my forearm brushes up on the front cupholder. I'm at a loss of words on this..

Still, I find this car to be the best IS350 I ever seen and drove and I really love the 2nd Gen IS. This car is so beautiful and striking, I haven't felt this way in a long time about a car.

The car with the new 8-Speed tranny isn't that much faster than previous Gen IS350, it felt about the same to me but I didn't really get on it that much. The handling is very nice, steering is Tight and it drove like a baby ISF..

And ohhh the sound is intoxicating.. (kind of like a mild ISF) or baby ISF..

Great car!! I'm considering getting one of these once they start producing Leather in them. (The Brochure says Leather WILL be Offered Later.. So.. I'm a waitin' !! LOL

Pics to follow: ENJOY!!

BigWalt

Shot of rear for anyone curious

05RollaXRS

I agree. I had very mixed emotions initially regarding the grille at the front, but after seeing it in real life this weekend, it actually looks quite good in real life.

Also agree that pictures don't do justice to this car. In real life, the belt line looks quite short as opposed to pictures where it looks high waisted. In real life, it does not look high waisted at all. The rear fender flares start directly from underneath the C-pillar and the stance is very wide.

I saw it in ultrasonic blue and white. The ultrasonic blue has to be one of the best colors Lexus ever put on a car.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

went to the local dealer to look at one and they basically threw a test drive at me with asking. They had a silver/black 350 F Sport. The F Sport grille definitely looks 100x better in person than in pictures. LOVED the wheels. They looked plain in pics but seeing them up close they are very nice. If I dont get a 3IS in the future I definitely want to get the wheels. Car looks a lot more chiseled compared to the current IS. I drove it around mainly in FSport+ and you can definately tell the difference in steering, throttle, and stiffness from Normal mode. Steering response felt similar to my IS that has F Sport sway bars but the chassis and suspension is stiffer. The F Sport seats are very supportive, almost clamping you in the seat. Made it a bit tough to get out of the car easily but thats with all sport seats. Rear legroom is a huge step up. No memory or ventilated seats in the F Sport though. I honestly wasnt interested in the engine since its the same. So there was no real point to gun it.

bshaw777

Which brochure is and where did it say this!!?? My biggest issue is no leather in FSport....and fewer interior trim options

1QWKGS4

iTrader: (3)

This is a pic of brochure, note where it says "Leather or NULUXE"

bshaw777

I thought you were saying that F-Sport would have leather available later. I was aware of leather for the non F-Sports versions.

DC84

thought the same of the 3is before when only pix were available. Once i saw a couple in front of the don valley pkwy dealership, had to do the double-take ...
they do look good imo

ron808

Did this car have the nav system?