Just saying hello to all. New owner of a 2023 500 F Sport/Perf/Prem (about 3 weeks in). I came from the world of Porsche, which was difficult to exit, to be honest. I am quite happy to not have $3000 maintenance visits at my P dealer.

Pics coming soon, but I have already:
- Tinted the windows
- Installed a simple phone holder
- Installed a Dashcam
- Installed a Performance chip.

I want to hardwire my radar and am thinking about an aftermarket exhaust, but the pickings there are slim. The car IS is a lot fun and very rare- I have yet to see another 500. Anyway, best to all and looking forward to many years here.

Bob (Phila - Center City)

 

Welcome and Congrats!!!

 

Welcome ! That's quite a departure coming from Porsche. Just out of curiosity, initial driving impressions compared to the Porsche's?

 

Performance chip?

 

Welcome! Exhaust selection is growing! And the RC F backend fits ours without mods too.

 

Thinking the exact same thing. Weren't these all just hocus pocus mumbo jumbo?

 

Welcome Aboard!

 

Yup! Thats why im curious what he installed.

 

Seems like the Philly area is ground zero for IS500s. I’m out by King of Prussia and I’ve seen at least 1 that lives by me and there’s a couple other guys I know in the surrounding counties with them. Enjoy!

 

I’m a current 911 owner (997.2) who is probably going to get a ‘24 IS500. Nothing beats a well sorted P car but I grow weary of dailying it in the post-covid return to office push my company made. Would just have two cars if I were allowed to

 

VS Porsche
There is no way to compare any Lexus to the joy of driving a Porsche. Mine was a 2008 997.1, that I tweaked nicely. The 997.2 was even better. The IS seems ok in tighter turns, (with a little body roll) but I have not yet experienced hard cornering stability, seat support, etc.. Hah, my wife is with me 95% of the time, so that test will have to wait. I was able to experience a "Porsche Driver's Ed" day at Pocono Raceway (in the 911) and was blown away by the rock solid control thru turns. Those cars are just PLANTED.

That being said, I will offer that the Lexus IS interior and control layout is in some ways better. I know, all the reviewers say it's stale, old and dated. Yet, the IS cockpit "feels" like being in a 911, a little tight, a little cramped, but not uncomfortable. The new Porsches are all very digital and the user/control interfaces are not so easy to manage at highway speeds. In the IS, the buttons, ***** and vents are all in the right place for me, so I kind of like that aspect.

Chip
I installed a Thorton ODB chip last week. I can't really gauge any HP bump or gas mileage improvement yet. It's too soon. I can only say that the performance gains I experienced in the Porsche, after a professional tune, were quite noticeable. I had a lot of work done locally on the 911 at Fabspeed Performance, in Fort Washington, PA and other tune shops in the Philly area. I will have a better sense of the Thornton chip after my IS is broken in a bit more.

FWIW: I will always have those wonderful times with the P cars, but I was ready to change. Ultimately, I am very happy with the F Sport, as I am sure all of you are as well!

 

I am curious as well

 

Welcome! New owner here as well.

Curious if you could provide more details on this.

 

You won't mostly, OBD performance chip in a can don't really do nothing, not on Toyota/Lexus anyways.

 

To share my experience... I will say the IS is not very confidence insirpring at first because of the tires. I've been pushing it in the corners more and more and I am gaining more confidence. It does hold well, especially in medium to long sweepers, but tighter turns can be tricky for me. Too much throttle and you get oversteer, too much speed and you get understeer. I know tires will help with this. I take the same off ramp every day getting home and I used to be scared to take it at 45 mph and today I went into it at 82 mph lol. I was trail braking to shed some speed, but my baby stayed planted and it was very satisfying. It's no Corvette or Porsche, but it is pleeeenty enough for street fun. Loving this car!