2018 vs 2019 IS350 F-Sport
12-07-18, 02:48 PM
#61
Lexus Test Driver
I mean, the Giulia may be underrated, too: https://www.giuliaforums.com/forum/2...ch-out-q4.html
Anyway, don't want to start a whole thread about that.
Why not a V-8?
Anyway, don't want to start a whole thread about that.
Why not a V-8?
12-07-18, 08:16 PM
#62
Lexus Test Driver
Your thinking that Lexus is conservative is correct, but you're a generation behind the curve. They've pushed that thinking to the limit by using the same old V6s. You know when you played arcade games as a kid and the machine says insert coin once your time is up? Well Lexus has ran out of coins.
The NA V6 is done whether you like it or not. They're at the limit of what they can do with a 3.5L N/A. If they kept the V6, that means they can't improve the 4 because the 4, by definition, would stomp it. And they have to improve the 4 turbo cause it sucks. It's slow. A bit of a catch 22.
No way they're keeping that old V6 in any form. It's being tossed in the trash heaps of automotive engine history where it belongs in favor for modern twin turbo power.
The NA V6 is done whether you like it or not. They're at the limit of what they can do with a 3.5L N/A. If they kept the V6, that means they can't improve the 4 because the 4, by definition, would stomp it. And they have to improve the 4 turbo cause it sucks. It's slow. A bit of a catch 22.
No way they're keeping that old V6 in any form. It's being tossed in the trash heaps of automotive engine history where it belongs in favor for modern twin turbo power.
I guess, we both won't really know till the 4G IS comes out. I'm putting money on same engines at launch and new engines for sure will come at refresh.
12-08-18, 11:34 AM
#63
I am hoping for this, they could use the LS new engine but alas, one can only dream. My lease ends in 8 months and I want to buy this time, most likely picking up the 2019 RC350 F sport. The only German car i have interest in is a new 718 GTS which I can't commit to yet.
12-09-18, 06:49 PM
#64
drives cars
This might be somewhat off-topic, but the dealer happened to have a rare 2018 IS 350 F Sport AWD in stock, so I managed to snag a test drive today. Ultra White, black interior, fully optioned including Mark Levinson. I was not aware that the texture of the center control stack was different on the ML models - unless that's a 2017 refresh change perhaps. The interior upgrades definitely seemed worth it compared to the -2016 models. Overall it felt like the same space though.
The performance was unsurprisingly not that different compared to my 300 AWD. Out on the highway, which was the only time I really gave it the beans, it felt pretty similar. However, I do think the new engine feels a bit smoother and quieter around town. It was just less noisy, with more bass and less DI noise than the 2016. Sport + actually made a difference in the cornering however. I definitely think it handles flatter. It was a noticeable difference when I went back to Normal.
Overall I liked it, but not enough to say for sure that I would have bought it if I had seriously been interested. Here's hoping the 2019 updates are worthwhile - looks like they wouldn't affect the 350 models such as the one I drove in any meaningful way.
The performance was unsurprisingly not that different compared to my 300 AWD. Out on the highway, which was the only time I really gave it the beans, it felt pretty similar. However, I do think the new engine feels a bit smoother and quieter around town. It was just less noisy, with more bass and less DI noise than the 2016. Sport + actually made a difference in the cornering however. I definitely think it handles flatter. It was a noticeable difference when I went back to Normal.
Overall I liked it, but not enough to say for sure that I would have bought it if I had seriously been interested. Here's hoping the 2019 updates are worthwhile - looks like they wouldn't affect the 350 models such as the one I drove in any meaningful way.
12-10-18, 09:19 AM
#66
12-10-18, 09:56 AM
#67
drives cars
12-10-18, 12:21 PM
#68
Just making sure. There wasn't a lot to pick from when I bought my car in October, so all the little details about the cars I'm just learning.
01-07-19, 10:36 AM
#69
Right and to add to this, since there's a trend of cars having to be sportier to give people incentive to buy cars over crossovers, the next IS would have to have tremendous stomping capability. this means power. No way they're doing that with the old V6.
Maybe Lexus does away with the 6 altogether in the IS and does two 4s? possible...
The new Turbo 4 BMW has does 302hp 335lb.
That's more than what their Turbo 6 used to make...
The LS is Lexus's most conservative car with respect to bringing change. If the LS gets turbos, the IS will get turbos!
Maybe Lexus does away with the 6 altogether in the IS and does two 4s? possible...
The new Turbo 4 BMW has does 302hp 335lb.
That's more than what their Turbo 6 used to make...
The LS is Lexus's most conservative car with respect to bringing change. If the LS gets turbos, the IS will get turbos!
Soo yeah did you all see the latest report? The next IS will have two engine choices (thus far)
A new 2.4L Turbo 4 with 318hp (like BMW, like I mentioned above)
and an IS-F with the twin turbo 6.
I knew they'd trash the old V6.
Makes sense to have just the 4 as the base engine. I can see a detuned version as the lower IS200/300 model. Like BMW 320 and 330.
My prediction
Lexus IS300 (4 Turbo) 255hp
Lexus IS400 (4 Turbo) 318hp
Lexus IS-F (6 Turbo) 425hp
01-07-19, 11:36 AM
#70
Soo yeah did you all see the latest report? The next IS will have two engine choices (thus far)
A new 2.4L Turbo 4 with 318hp (like BMW, like I mentioned above)
and an IS-F with the twin turbo 6.
I knew they'd trash the old V6.
Makes sense to have just the 4 as the base engine. I can see a detuned version as the lower IS200/300 model. Like BMW 320 and 330.
My prediction
Lexus IS300 (4 Turbo) 255hp
Lexus IS400 (4 Turbo) 318hp
Lexus IS-F (6 Turbo) 425hp
A new 2.4L Turbo 4 with 318hp (like BMW, like I mentioned above)
and an IS-F with the twin turbo 6.
I knew they'd trash the old V6.
Makes sense to have just the 4 as the base engine. I can see a detuned version as the lower IS200/300 model. Like BMW 320 and 330.
My prediction
Lexus IS300 (4 Turbo) 255hp
Lexus IS400 (4 Turbo) 318hp
Lexus IS-F (6 Turbo) 425hp
01-07-19, 12:09 PM
#71
The class has a standard. It's the turbo 4. N/A V6 is being put to rest. Good engine 15 years ago.
01-07-19, 01:37 PM
#72
Intermediate
I would argue the IS is an important vehicle for Lexus. Not as important as the ES or RX for example, but it does bring a certain type of buyer into the showroom. I for instance was not interested in any other Lexus.
This might be somewhat off-topic, but the dealer happened to have a rare 2018 IS 350 F Sport AWD in stock, so I managed to snag a test drive today. Ultra White, black interior, fully optioned including Mark Levinson. I was not aware that the texture of the center control stack was different on the ML models - unless that's a 2017 refresh change perhaps. The interior upgrades definitely seemed worth it compared to the -2016 models. Overall it felt like the same space though.
The performance was unsurprisingly not that different compared to my 300 AWD. Out on the highway, which was the only time I really gave it the beans, it felt pretty similar. However, I do think the new engine feels a bit smoother and quieter around town. It was just less noisy, with more bass and less DI noise than the 2016. Sport + actually made a difference in the cornering however. I definitely think it handles flatter. It was a noticeable difference when I went back to Normal.
Overall I liked it, but not enough to say for sure that I would have bought it if I had seriously been interested. Here's hoping the 2019 updates are worthwhile - looks like they wouldn't affect the 350 models such as the one I drove in any meaningful way.
This might be somewhat off-topic, but the dealer happened to have a rare 2018 IS 350 F Sport AWD in stock, so I managed to snag a test drive today. Ultra White, black interior, fully optioned including Mark Levinson. I was not aware that the texture of the center control stack was different on the ML models - unless that's a 2017 refresh change perhaps. The interior upgrades definitely seemed worth it compared to the -2016 models. Overall it felt like the same space though.
The performance was unsurprisingly not that different compared to my 300 AWD. Out on the highway, which was the only time I really gave it the beans, it felt pretty similar. However, I do think the new engine feels a bit smoother and quieter around town. It was just less noisy, with more bass and less DI noise than the 2016. Sport + actually made a difference in the cornering however. I definitely think it handles flatter. It was a noticeable difference when I went back to Normal.
Overall I liked it, but not enough to say for sure that I would have bought it if I had seriously been interested. Here's hoping the 2019 updates are worthwhile - looks like they wouldn't affect the 350 models such as the one I drove in any meaningful way.
As far as your test drive of the IS350 went, did you feel like it was pretty quick around on the street and on the highway?
I think the Giulia is a lot like the 328/330 with a flat torque curve and great low/midrange. On highway though, i've ran away from a 328...they aren't great up top and I bet the Giulia is the same. The IS350 is pretty fast at highway speeds if you're willing to rev it out.
I'm going S4/S5 SB or RS3 if the new IS doesn't have a TT V6. No excuse given the whole world has gone turbo.
I'm going S4/S5 SB or RS3 if the new IS doesn't have a TT V6. No excuse given the whole world has gone turbo.
01-07-19, 02:01 PM
#73
drives cars
In my opinion, the IS is still important to Lexus because all the luxury brands need a 3 series competitor, and the ES is not a 3 series competitor no matter how racy it looks. I have zero interest in the ES because it's a FWD transverse boat, and I've been driving a FWD transverse turbo 4 popper hatch for the last 8 years - I want something better.
As far as your test drive of the IS350 went, did you feel like it was pretty quick around on the street and on the highway?.
As far as your test drive of the IS350 went, did you feel like it was pretty quick around on the street and on the highway?.
Mainly what I noticed was the AVS. It works well.
01-07-19, 04:34 PM
#74
01-07-19, 05:40 PM
#75
Soo yeah did you all see the latest report? The next IS will have two engine choices (thus far)
A new 2.4L Turbo 4 with 318hp (like BMW, like I mentioned above)
and an IS-F with the twin turbo 6.
I knew they'd trash the old V6.
Makes sense to have just the 4 as the base engine. I can see a detuned version as the lower IS200/300 model. Like BMW 320 and 330.
My prediction
Lexus IS300 (4 Turbo) 255hp
Lexus IS400 (4 Turbo) 318hp
Lexus IS-F (6 Turbo) 425hp
A new 2.4L Turbo 4 with 318hp (like BMW, like I mentioned above)
and an IS-F with the twin turbo 6.
I knew they'd trash the old V6.
Makes sense to have just the 4 as the base engine. I can see a detuned version as the lower IS200/300 model. Like BMW 320 and 330.
My prediction
Lexus IS300 (4 Turbo) 255hp
Lexus IS400 (4 Turbo) 318hp
Lexus IS-F (6 Turbo) 425hp