The Straight Pipes Review of the 2020 IS350 F-Sport AWD
04-09-20, 02:28 PM
#31
drives cars
04-09-20, 03:17 PM
#32
Lexus Test Driver
I imagine a lot of the money spent on a non-premium V8 car (mustang, camaro, charger etc) goes towards the powertrain and the required brakes and suspension to back it up. all that stuff has to be beefed up and is expensive. axles, driveshaft, final drives, cooling, etc. not much money left over for interior bits. If you want both powertrain + refinement, welp, that's where you come in at 75+k. So it's not fair to compare a 4-banger premium car to a V8 high performance non-premium car then criticise the V8 car for its interior. at that price point, you have to pick where your money goes. It's not like Chevy can't do both, it's just that someone's gotta pay for it.
That's where the C8 Corvette comes in. Pretty much poops on everything in every category, for much less money. I wasn't crazy about that car at first but now I like it after seeing the reviews and what it can do.
also as far as the creaking and squeaking, i'm sure much of that is because it was a convertible. the other part is that chassis is old. not that i'm backing camaros.. i actually hate that car. the new one anyway... i'd rock a 93-2000 camaro V8. stock!
That's where the C8 Corvette comes in. Pretty much poops on everything in every category, for much less money. I wasn't crazy about that car at first but now I like it after seeing the reviews and what it can do.
also as far as the creaking and squeaking, i'm sure much of that is because it was a convertible. the other part is that chassis is old. not that i'm backing camaros.. i actually hate that car. the new one anyway... i'd rock a 93-2000 camaro V8. stock!
04-09-20, 10:03 PM
#33
I have no idea, but as a general rule of thumb forced induction isn't as reliable as N/A all things being equal. It's one of the things that attracted me to the GS platform - yes the 3.5L V6 mated to the 6spd is old but it's also tried and true. That's a proven reliable engine I can count on...I drive about 20,000/year. For me that's far more important than performance (and the maintenance bills that invariably start to stack up.) Anyhow, 0-60 in 5.7sec is fast enough for me.
When my 1993 Cadillac was produced (late 1992) the Northstar engine by GM was unveiled. Real car people on here will likely be familiar with that engine. At the time it was revolutionary - a 4.6L V8 that put out 300hp and had good gas mileage (for the time). It also suffered from serious headgasket failures. Fortunately my grandfather opted for the luxury version of the Seville which came with the older 1980's 4.9L V8 - an antiquated yet proven engine that is actually quite torquey at lower RPM's. That engine is still running great to this day almost 30yrs later. Were he to opt for the touring Seville that came with the 4.6L Northstar I'm pretty confident I wouldn't still have the car today.
When my 1993 Cadillac was produced (late 1992) the Northstar engine by GM was unveiled. Real car people on here will likely be familiar with that engine. At the time it was revolutionary - a 4.6L V8 that put out 300hp and had good gas mileage (for the time). It also suffered from serious headgasket failures. Fortunately my grandfather opted for the luxury version of the Seville which came with the older 1980's 4.9L V8 - an antiquated yet proven engine that is actually quite torquey at lower RPM's. That engine is still running great to this day almost 30yrs later. Were he to opt for the touring Seville that came with the 4.6L Northstar I'm pretty confident I wouldn't still have the car today.
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04-10-20, 12:19 AM
#34
Lexus Test Driver
Agree with much of the video. In a vacuum, the IS is an amazing car. It does general car things pretty well and I think it has a sporty and compliant ride. I ultimately chose it with long term ownership in mind.
However compared to much of the competition, it truly does fall behind in most metrics. It's an aged platform though, so not entirely it's own fault.
My biggest complaints are generally only limited to poor fuel economy, power, and steering. I know many here disagree with the comment about vague steering, but it really is especially compared to something like a BMW. The IS steering weights nicely, especially in Sport+, but my God is the on-center feel awful.
However compared to much of the competition, it truly does fall behind in most metrics. It's an aged platform though, so not entirely it's own fault.
My biggest complaints are generally only limited to poor fuel economy, power, and steering. I know many here disagree with the comment about vague steering, but it really is especially compared to something like a BMW. The IS steering weights nicely, especially in Sport+, but my God is the on-center feel awful.
04-10-20, 06:54 AM
#35
Yes i would have to agree with the vague steering as well. Steering feel, like most "feel" things is a bit subjective though and all depends on what the person is used to. Steering in general across all makes has been getting more vague over the past decades so if the person is used to older power steering technology or just prefers exotic/sports car steering then obviously they will find the steering on a luxury sport sedan not to be very sharp in comparison. I don't know much about the Straight Pipes dudes, but they showed that one guy's modded IS with exhaust and they review/drive all sorts of cars, including exotics, so maybe they just prefer sharper steering.
04-10-20, 07:27 AM
#36
The steering feel is one of the things I liked about the car. When cornering at high speeds or driving in the rain i know exactly where I am on the road.
I know what you mean about the straight line steering feel though. But I think that's because its just not as tight feeling as some. Sport mode helps.
I know what you mean about the straight line steering feel though. But I think that's because its just not as tight feeling as some. Sport mode helps.
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davyjordi (04-10-20)
04-10-20, 07:31 AM
#37
Driver School Candidate
Infotainment system in this car really depresses me. When I bought the car in 2013 it wasn’t so bad considering at the time no CarPlay exists but it feels really ancient now. Even the latest version in the review with widescreen display the system is pathetically slow to use.
the info system/sound is just GARBAGE.
the interface is stupid and clunky-- like something on a 2008 vehicle
the sound SUCKS
sorry...but it is....
also... having to subscribe to a service to start the car from the fey FOB???/really?
Last edited by Cleatus; 04-10-20 at 08:19 AM.
04-10-20, 07:55 AM
#38
drives cars
Yeah, if you're comparing the IS to a BMW, at least for F30 3-series or the current 2-series (don't recall its codename) I do think that, stock-for-stock, the IS feels a little firmer and more connected to the road. The BMW's steering has no more feel than a Camry's steering - this improves slightly if you go for something like an M235i/M240i but not substantially. I still prefer my GTI's steering to those BMWs, and it's front-wheel drive! The IS had very nicely-tuned steering though. Sure, it was somewhat numb, but it definitely was precise and accurate. I will say, I do like the variable-ratio steering in my GTI - makes parking lots easier than they were in the IS but also isn't darty on the highway. Such a system is available in the IS, but I've not had a chance to sample it.
04-10-20, 08:52 AM
#39
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Yes i would have to agree with the vague steering as well. Steering feel, like most "feel" things is a bit subjective though and all depends on what the person is used to. Steering in general across all makes has been getting more vague over the past decades so if the person is used to older power steering technology or just prefers exotic/sports car steering then obviously they will find the steering on a luxury sport sedan not to be very sharp in comparison. I don't know much about the Straight Pipes dudes, but they showed that one guy's modded IS with exhaust and they review/drive all sorts of cars, including exotics, so maybe they just prefer sharper steering.
Anyhow, I really have only driven Lexuses my entire life aside from rental cars when on vacation. I think the steering is pretty damn good on the 3IS as well as the 1IS -- the 2IS it was just okay. But again, I don't drive exotics all the time like Yuri and Jakub.
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