Pittsy's 'Totally Not a Build' IS500 LE
07-11-23, 11:53 AM
#16
Lead Lap
^^ he is a pro at photogtaphy!! I had seen some of his work with his RC and impressed me then too!!!
I am still having dreams of that model he worked with lmao
I am still having dreams of that model he worked with lmao
The following users liked this post:
DLPTony (07-11-23)
07-15-23, 10:45 AM
#18
Racer
Thread Starter
Well the fishbowl days are finally over. 15% all around and 70% on the windshield. All ceramic of course.
The car is in today getting its 5k. Love this car to death. It's been such a good car.
I need to take the car back out and get some more photos.
The car is in today getting its 5k. Love this car to death. It's been such a good car.
I need to take the car back out and get some more photos.
07-20-23, 12:54 PM
#19
Racer
Thread Starter
Last night I replaced all of the interior cabin lights with LED's to match the rest of the interior, and I replaced the rear turn signal bulbs with LED's as well.
Still waiting to get the car detailed, but really, this is it.
Still waiting to get the car detailed, but really, this is it.
The following users liked this post:
arentz07 (07-20-23)
07-21-23, 03:24 AM
#20
Advanced
which brand and where did you get them? This is on my list as well.
The following users liked this post:
Longwaldo (07-21-23)
07-21-23, 12:31 PM
#22
Advanced
Turn signal bulbs-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084C23DT1...roduct_details
Interior lights-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZK6NYCR...roduct_details
LED's are directional, polarity wise. You have to make sure they're in the right way or they won't light. If it doesn't light, just flip it around.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084C23DT1...roduct_details
Interior lights-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZK6NYCR...roduct_details
LED's are directional, polarity wise. You have to make sure they're in the right way or they won't light. If it doesn't light, just flip it around.
07-27-23, 10:33 PM
#23
Not planning on building this car out like I did the RC, but I need to do the basics. The IS is getting 15% ceramic tint all around, and 70% tint on the windshield.
Onto the carmax story... The mirror on the IS was dinged in transport
. On top of this, two of the passenger wheels have nicks on them, maybe from rocks, but not sure. Our wheel guy here at Lexus is going to have them repaired, they're only missing paint where the nicks are. My biggest frustration, is that while I was having my Card Key programmed, I was going to have the honk when lock LPS turned off, but I was informed it was already off... Not sure if it was the previous owner, or the original carmax, but someone installed one of those aftermarket alarms with GPS. So, the lower dash had to come apart and the whole system was pulled out. The reason I'm upset is because now my harness back there has t-taps for it, and underneath the dash there are two small holes where they installed the flashing blue light. None of this is visible unless you take the car apart so I guess I shouldn't let it bother me, but come on! 
Im installing a Uniden R8 tonight, since I left my old radar in the RC...
This car is a hoot. The RC and the IS500 made almost identical power numbers, so I was expecting kind of the same "seat feel" but man was I wrong. The torque that the 2UR produces is something I've yet to feel in a car. It's so quiet and comfortable, it's perfect, from the factory.
I was also expecting to feel the same terrible transmission qualities, but the difference between the AA81E and the AA80E is huge. The 80 is much snappier, doesn't slip on me, and feels very very direct. Love it.
Onto the carmax story... The mirror on the IS was dinged in transport
. On top of this, two of the passenger wheels have nicks on them, maybe from rocks, but not sure. Our wheel guy here at Lexus is going to have them repaired, they're only missing paint where the nicks are. My biggest frustration, is that while I was having my Card Key programmed, I was going to have the honk when lock LPS turned off, but I was informed it was already off... Not sure if it was the previous owner, or the original carmax, but someone installed one of those aftermarket alarms with GPS. So, the lower dash had to come apart and the whole system was pulled out. The reason I'm upset is because now my harness back there has t-taps for it, and underneath the dash there are two small holes where they installed the flashing blue light. None of this is visible unless you take the car apart so I guess I shouldn't let it bother me, but come on! Im installing a Uniden R8 tonight, since I left my old radar in the RC...
This car is a hoot. The RC and the IS500 made almost identical power numbers, so I was expecting kind of the same "seat feel" but man was I wrong. The torque that the 2UR produces is something I've yet to feel in a car. It's so quiet and comfortable, it's perfect, from the factory.
I was also expecting to feel the same terrible transmission qualities, but the difference between the AA81E and the AA80E is huge. The 80 is much snappier, doesn't slip on me, and feels very very direct. Love it.
07-28-23, 05:05 AM
#24
In other words, it's not inherently bad. It's only bad in comparison to its modern competition. If you don't mind a transmission that drives like it's from 10+ years ago, you won't mind this one. If you expect the transmission to hold its own alongside the engine as an enthusiast masterpiece, you will be disappointed.
It's not an objective decision, it's a personal one. If I wanted a holistically awesome driving experience above all else, I'd be in a different car (and different online forum lol). But if you value the intake music of the 2UR + Lexus reliability/resale + looks + whatever else, more than you value a state of the art shifting experience, then the IS500 is absolutely a great choice. It's all about your priorities.
I will say that if you leave the transmission out of manual mode and out of Sport+, and use it like a daily driver, I don't find a single thing objectionable about the transmission. It's smooth, doesn't hunt gears, and doesn't make bad decisions. It's only when you want to be, um, enthusiastic that you notice the shortcomings vs. modern automatics.
The following users liked this post:
Bechtold (07-28-23)
07-28-23, 08:32 AM
#25
Racer
Thread Starter
Listen, the AA80E is a great transmission, it's a work horse, and is stupid reliable. It shifts very quickly for being almost 20 years old. Compared to some of the transmissions out there, it's not quite up to todays standard. But that being said, the turbo 4 cylinders those super quick transmissions are mated to aren't up the the "coolness factor" standard that most enthusiasts have, which is a big naturally aspirated engine. Don't compare it to anything, and you won't have an issue with it.
Comparison is the thief of joy my friend.
Comparison is the thief of joy my friend.
The following 2 users liked this post by Pittsy:
Carolina50 (07-28-23),
HighRevs (08-29-23)
07-28-23, 09:58 AM
#26
Instructor
I think the above posters have said it well; it's fine for an old transmission. It can shift quick, but you gotta be in the right mode and driving it the right way. It can be smooth, but again, you gotta be in the right mode and driving a certain way. It can also be pretty rough. That said, I don't think it's a deal breaker.
The following users liked this post:
Carolina50 (07-28-23)
07-28-23, 10:30 AM
#27
Pole Position
Ugh! The difference in opinion by people on here regarding the driving characteristics of the AA80E is driving me nuts! I thought the general consensus on this transmission was that once the engine and trans are sufficiently warmed up, with it in SPORT+ mode it’s still pretty damn good even for a 20 year old transmission. It’s not a Porsche PDK by any stretch but is it at least a lot better than the A760H 6-speed in the IS300 and 350?? Please give your honest opinion. Thanks!
Personally, if you’re willing to work for it, the car is an excellent performer! I’m an aggressive driver and manual & Sport S+ is the way to go. I hold each gear in the 4K - 5K rpm range and can take off like a bat outta hell in a millisecond. No. Hesitation. Ever.
Some are uninterested in that level of engagement, I freaking live for it. The clunk from 1st to 2nd…love. The jerkiness if I come off the gas in traffic from 4K rpms…love.
I’m secretly a Mustang driver, but too bougie to own one. The IS 500 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and that’s what I dig the most.
The following 4 users liked this post by DLPTony:
07-28-23, 11:32 AM
#28
Racer
Thread Starter
The following users liked this post:
BrianDCIS (07-28-23)
07-28-23, 12:03 PM
#29
Pole Position
The following users liked this post:
BrianDCIS (07-28-23)