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I am happy to say I am now a owner of a Lexus IS500! First impressions of the car is that it is
awesome! I sold my 427 Corvette to move on to this and at this point I have no regrets as this is a very nice Luxury vehicle. I know it does not have the power/performance of the vette but it does make up for that in comfort/smoothness and a great sounding V8. It appears this is a car my wife will ride in as she hated how loud the corvette was and really never wanted to go anywhere in it. Yes, I know at some point I may miss the manual transmission but that is yet to be determined. I guess the next thing to do is figure out what mods I need to do. Wife thinks I should have the wheels powder coated black and that is something I thought she would never say.
While I'm not the official welcomer, or any one particularly special here...Welcome to the Club Lexus IS500 forum The car really is awesome! No, it's not as fast as a Vette, nor does it handle as well - but that's not what the car is about. It's a blast to drive and the sound the engine makes is pure bliss. And, unlike the Vette, if you get stuck in traffic you won't be feeling like you brought wrong car (according to a friend who has a C8 Vette)
As for mods - that depends on what your goals are. If it's just 'making better' some of the things about the car, then replacing the puddle lights in the doors (and the trunk light) with LEDs are no brainers. The vanity mirror lights, and floor lights are also good candidates. You could also add a wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay adapter, and a center console tray organizer (available on Amazon - search for the RC 350 tray organizer - it's a perfect fit). If you want to make the car sportier, there are quite a few upgrades available - from simple and affordable (e.g. TRD door stabilizers, RR Racing airbox heatshield/cool-air intake redirect, aFe dry air filter), to moderate (RR Racing crank pulley damper), and all the way to more focused/expensive (tune by Tuned by Loi, exhaust, GS-F or RC-F LCA bushings, RR Racing oil & trans coolers, various suspension mods from coils or coil-overs to various chassis braces), and more.
This car has an active and vibrant community and really decent aftermarket support, so don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have - someone here almost surely has a good answer...or, at the very least, shares your curiosity.
And, for what it's worth...I'm a bit envious of your incredibly clean garage!
I ...It appears this is a car my wife will ride in as she hated how loud the corvette was and really never wanted to go anywhere in it...
Sounds like you might need to trade in your wife for another. Just kidding. It's easy for me to say that since I do not have anyone complaining about the Z06, though I have had to explain that garages are for garaging, not extra living space.
My wife does like cars as this is her M3 she just didn't like how loud the corvette was, she thought it was too loud and I loved it! Actually what attracted me to the IS was that I own a 2021 RX350 and I can honestly say I love this for my everyday driver. Very smooth and quiet I can't say enough about it.
My wife does like cars as this is her M3 she just didn't like how loud the corvette was, she thought it was too loud and I loved it! Actually what attracted me to the IS was that I own a 2021 RX350 and I can honestly say I love this for my everyday driver. Very smooth and quiet I can't say enough about it.
Sounds like you are going to need a valved exhaust on the 500, then you can let it roar when the wife isn't around.
The silver Enkeis (wheels) were available for the 2022 model year only. Other than the fact I love them, it’s one reason why I haven’t powder coated mine. A darker finish was available in 2023+ and they’re rare as well. Congrats and Welcome!!
Would have kept the corvette and traded the BMW for the Lexus. Manual trans are getting rare. Keeping my M7 C7 Grand Sport, bought a RCF for me and a RX350 for the wife.
The silver Enkeis (wheels) were available for the 2022 model year only. Other than the fact I love them, it’s one reason why I haven’t powder coated mine. A darker finish was available in 2023+ and they’re rare as well. Congrats and Welcome!!
Same, except I'd swap to the BBS so the GS F calipers would clear without spacers. I like having the single year wheels.
Same, except I'd swap to the BBS so the GS F calipers would clear without spacers. I like having the single year wheels.
Right on. The only downside of the silver Enkeis (for me), is I can’t paint the calipers. The design obscures most of it, so it would be a waste of money.
09-20-24 | 10:21 AM
New IS500 owner
The car really is awesome! No, it's not as fast as a Vette, nor does it handle as well - but that's not what the car is about. It's a blast to drive and the sound the engine makes is pure bliss. And, unlike the Vette, if you get stuck in traffic you won't be feeling like you brought wrong car (according to a friend who has a C8 Vette)
