Merged 2021 IS re-design / refresh threads
12-10-20 | 11:09 AM
#1111
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 24
Likes: 19
From: TN
Anyone have an idea how long they will be making these redesigned models? I know that generally speaking, Toyota will run a new model that has been facelifted for at least 3-4 years. Since they just released this facelifted one, I would be surprised if they only ran it for a year. I am interested in buying one as I do like the reliability aspect even if it's an "old, outdated engine" but I agree that the price is pretty high for what it is and each package adds a hefty chunk of change to the final price.
I have a 2004 Tacoma that has just passed 200k miles and has needed fairly minimal maintenance, the only surprise costs associated with ownership in the 12 years I've had it have been charcoal canister malfunctions (has happened twice). The 2004 model was the last year of the facelifted 2001-2004 Tacomas and the last of the first generation which started in 1995.5.
I'm sure back in 2004, people were complaining that the Toyota Tacoma wasn't innovative enough and was "an old, outdated engine and platform", now I have people asking me if I'll sell my truck whenever I'm pumping gas and minding my own business lol.
I have gone from wanting to buy a Subaru WRX STI in my mid-20s until I found out how unreliable they were, a Cadillac CTS-V 2009-2014 model (hard to find, still holding value, gas guzzler tho), and a 2020 Honda Passport (that enthusiasm fizzled out). Even wanted a Lexus LS 430 for a bit because I used to valet one fairly regularly with 400k+ miles on it and still ran super smooth. Then I saw the '21 IS 350 in a commercial last Saturday, watched some reviews and saw they had that awesome blue color reminiscent of the STI, and the grille doesn't look hideous.. I'm pretty sold on it
I have a 2004 Tacoma that has just passed 200k miles and has needed fairly minimal maintenance, the only surprise costs associated with ownership in the 12 years I've had it have been charcoal canister malfunctions (has happened twice). The 2004 model was the last year of the facelifted 2001-2004 Tacomas and the last of the first generation which started in 1995.5.
I'm sure back in 2004, people were complaining that the Toyota Tacoma wasn't innovative enough and was "an old, outdated engine and platform", now I have people asking me if I'll sell my truck whenever I'm pumping gas and minding my own business lol.
I have gone from wanting to buy a Subaru WRX STI in my mid-20s until I found out how unreliable they were, a Cadillac CTS-V 2009-2014 model (hard to find, still holding value, gas guzzler tho), and a 2020 Honda Passport (that enthusiasm fizzled out). Even wanted a Lexus LS 430 for a bit because I used to valet one fairly regularly with 400k+ miles on it and still ran super smooth. Then I saw the '21 IS 350 in a commercial last Saturday, watched some reviews and saw they had that awesome blue color reminiscent of the STI, and the grille doesn't look hideous.. I'm pretty sold on it
Last edited by ThunderOne; 12-10-20 at 11:28 AM.
12-10-20 | 08:18 PM
#1112
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 31
From: FL
Or it could be someone who has done his research completely and knows exactly what he/she wants.
In a sea of turbo-4 bangers, he wanted a refined V6. He doesn't want to settle for turbo lag but wants a pure driver's car ie seamless throttle response.
He wanted the bulletproof 2GR-FSE instead of a high strung over-stressed turbo with a limited lifespan.
He doesn't drink the Kool Aid that newer must be better when the original platform was already great handling from the start. Fact of the matter is : newer often means more teething problems. Why put up with that when he can have a tried and tested engine/gearbox/bodyshell combo that just works and doesn't add more complexity and bother to his life. His time is better spent at work/play instead of the workshop.
He wanted a live-able suspension, one that can hang with the best in the business in a corner but has the refinement not to beat you up over bumps and uneven roads.
He realized that flashing lights and gimmicky ambient lighting has no functional value and in fact is just more things to go wrong in the next 1-2 years and he still has Carplay and Android Auto just like everyone else. And his triple led headlights still look cooler and function better than the competition.
Best of all, he got a legendary V6 at the same price of a bargain basement German 4 banger.
I'm not sure who's the uninformed one : the 350 F-Sport buyer or the one TRYING to rag on his purchase.
But hey that's just my opinion....
In a sea of turbo-4 bangers, he wanted a refined V6. He doesn't want to settle for turbo lag but wants a pure driver's car ie seamless throttle response.
He wanted the bulletproof 2GR-FSE instead of a high strung over-stressed turbo with a limited lifespan.
He doesn't drink the Kool Aid that newer must be better when the original platform was already great handling from the start. Fact of the matter is : newer often means more teething problems. Why put up with that when he can have a tried and tested engine/gearbox/bodyshell combo that just works and doesn't add more complexity and bother to his life. His time is better spent at work/play instead of the workshop.
He wanted a live-able suspension, one that can hang with the best in the business in a corner but has the refinement not to beat you up over bumps and uneven roads.
He realized that flashing lights and gimmicky ambient lighting has no functional value and in fact is just more things to go wrong in the next 1-2 years and he still has Carplay and Android Auto just like everyone else. And his triple led headlights still look cooler and function better than the competition.
Best of all, he got a legendary V6 at the same price of a bargain basement German 4 banger.
I'm not sure who's the uninformed one : the 350 F-Sport buyer or the one TRYING to rag on his purchase.
But hey that's just my opinion....
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Noble8626 (12-11-20)
12-11-20 | 08:59 AM
#1114
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 399
Likes: 41
From: PA
Or it could be someone who has done his research completely and knows exactly what he/she wants.
In a sea of turbo-4 bangers, he wanted a refined V6. He doesn't want to settle for turbo lag but wants a pure driver's car ie seamless throttle response.
He wanted the bulletproof 2GR-FSE instead of a high strung over-stressed turbo with a limited lifespan.
He doesn't drink the Kool Aid that newer must be better when the original platform was already great handling from the start. Fact of the matter is : newer often means more teething problems. Why put up with that when he can have a tried and tested engine/gearbox/bodyshell combo that just works and doesn't add more complexity and bother to his life. His time is better spent at work/play instead of the workshop.
He wanted a live-able suspension, one that can hang with the best in the business in a corner but has the refinement not to beat you up over bumps and uneven roads.
He realized that flashing lights and gimmicky ambient lighting has no functional value and in fact is just more things to go wrong in the next 1-2 years and he still has Carplay and Android Auto just like everyone else. And his triple led headlights still look cooler and function better than the competition.
Best of all, he got a legendary V6 at the same price of a bargain basement German 4 banger.
I'm not sure who's the uninformed one : the 350 F-Sport buyer or the one TRYING to rag on his purchase.
But hey that's just my opinion....
In a sea of turbo-4 bangers, he wanted a refined V6. He doesn't want to settle for turbo lag but wants a pure driver's car ie seamless throttle response.
He wanted the bulletproof 2GR-FSE instead of a high strung over-stressed turbo with a limited lifespan.
He doesn't drink the Kool Aid that newer must be better when the original platform was already great handling from the start. Fact of the matter is : newer often means more teething problems. Why put up with that when he can have a tried and tested engine/gearbox/bodyshell combo that just works and doesn't add more complexity and bother to his life. His time is better spent at work/play instead of the workshop.
He wanted a live-able suspension, one that can hang with the best in the business in a corner but has the refinement not to beat you up over bumps and uneven roads.
He realized that flashing lights and gimmicky ambient lighting has no functional value and in fact is just more things to go wrong in the next 1-2 years and he still has Carplay and Android Auto just like everyone else. And his triple led headlights still look cooler and function better than the competition.
Best of all, he got a legendary V6 at the same price of a bargain basement German 4 banger.
I'm not sure who's the uninformed one : the 350 F-Sport buyer or the one TRYING to rag on his purchase.
But hey that's just my opinion....
For me, the only alternative I find attractive is the S3.
But, no 4 banger turbo for me.
12-11-20 | 11:41 AM
#1115
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 8,713
Likes: 4,012
From: GA
I do sometimes miss the smoothness and NA-ness of the V6 in my IS 300 AWD.
12-11-20 | 11:54 AM
#1116
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 399
Likes: 41
From: PA
4-banger turbos that are actually good in luxury cars are uncommon. Ironically, the A3/S3 platform has one of the better ones. Not long ago, I found the B48 engine in the X3 my wife and I rented to be one of the best turbo-fours I've driven in terms of being smooth and having little lag. Didn't sound particularly great, lol.
I do sometimes miss the smoothness and NA-ness of the V6 in my IS 300 AWD.
I do sometimes miss the smoothness and NA-ness of the V6 in my IS 300 AWD.
with a tuning difference like the 300/350?
Not sure, but did the old S3 have a NA V6?
Last edited by RKSTRAT; 12-11-20 at 11:57 AM.
12-11-20 | 12:36 PM
#1117
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 8,713
Likes: 4,012
From: GA
The older S3s had either the 1.8T 20-valve engine, or the 2.0T "TFSI" engine. The VR6 was an engine option for the A3, though.
12-11-20 | 01:08 PM
#1118
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 24
Likes: 19
From: TN
I would be very surprised 1. that they can cram a 5.0L V8 in the engine bay and 2. that they would put development $$$ into a shrinking sedan segment for a V8 option with even worse MPG than the V6. It would be a nice surprise, but people have been clamoring for a V8 Tacoma for at least 15 years.
Last edited by ThunderOne; 12-11-20 at 01:14 PM.
12-11-20 | 01:39 PM
#1119
Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 47
From: NJ
I would be very surprised 1. that they can cram a 5.0L V8 in the engine bay and 2. that they would put development $$$ into a shrinking sedan segment for a V8 option with even worse MPG than the V6. It would be a nice surprise, but people have been clamoring for a V8 Tacoma for at least 15 years.
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jcruik (12-12-20)
12-12-20 | 03:44 PM
#1120
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 287
Likes: 153
From: TX
The Bird's Eye camera is nice to have--I can live with out it. Parking sensors should be standard, and they are an option. Thank Lexus for keeping a spare tire. No more Lexus memory system--which is a true shame. I doubt Lexus will drop a V-8 in there--it seems they want to save as much money as possible, and I don't think they have the deep pockets like in the mid-2000's to get into the front of the automotive game anymore (Shame). I mean the 4IS is not completely redesigned here, and the engines are just carried over. I picked up a brochure at the dealer, and spent time sitting in the 2021 model.
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Jeff Lange (12-13-20)
12-13-20 | 01:36 AM
#1121
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13,441
Likes: 1,065
From: Under an IS F since 2008
I would be very surprised 1. that they can cram a 5.0L V8 in the engine bay and 2. that they would put development $$$ into a shrinking sedan segment for a V8 option with even worse MPG than the V6. It would be a nice surprise, but people have been clamoring for a V8 Tacoma for at least 15 years.
For the refreshed 3IS its now or never!!
Joe Z
12-13-20 | 08:41 AM
#1122
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 621
Likes: 183
From: OK
I would be very surprised 1. that they can cram a 5.0L V8 in the engine bay and 2. that they would put development $$$ into a shrinking sedan segment for a V8 option with even worse MPG than the V6. It would be a nice surprise, but people have been clamoring for a V8 Tacoma for at least 15 years.
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ThunderOne (12-14-20)
12-13-20 | 09:38 AM
#1123
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 228
From: CA
The reason they may not do it is the cost. It would probably be priced at least $10-15k more and there would probably not be enough buyers to cover the development expenses. Would enthusiasts flock to Lexus if they did this? It's not any faster than a M340 and doesn't have the same brand strength. If the car is only $5k more expensive, I could see it being a big success though.
12-13-20 | 11:06 AM
#1124
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13,441
Likes: 1,065
From: Under an IS F since 2008
The reason they may not do it is the cost. It would probably be priced at least $10-15k more and there would probably not be enough buyers to cover the development expenses. Would enthusiasts flock to Lexus if they did this? It's not any faster than a M340 and doesn't have the same brand strength. If the car is only $5k more expensive, I could see it being a big success though.
Maybe even lighter than both of those..
Joe Z
12-13-20 | 03:40 PM
#1125
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 228
From: CA
Originally Posted by Joe Z
It would in MSRP price ranges of RC F & GS F
Maybe even lighter than both of those..
Joe Z
Maybe even lighter than both of those..
Joe Z
The V8 is nice but it's only about as fast as the M340 and much more expensive. I was hoping the IS500 had the V6 twin turbo and be priced only $5k more than the IS350 FSport. It would be a fitting match to such a beautiful car.