The V8 is back: IS 500 F SPORT Performance
10-13-21, 07:26 PM
#1876
Intermediate
The last day of the planned line shutdowns is on the 15th unless they update it and keep them down till Nov. It is possible it could come up on fri or sometime next week
10-13-21, 07:37 PM
#1877
Racer
Well. Production Line 3 at Tahara was closed on Monday, but it is functioning from Tuesday to Thursday and then it shuts down again for Friday. So theoretically there is time for them to maybe crank out some cars in these 3 days.
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Shoeboy4 (10-13-21)
10-13-21, 09:22 PM
#1878
Pole Position
Curious question - why do most people say that the IS500 is not as good as the original IS F? The 500 is tuned with +50 more HP. You can't seriously tell me the 10-year old suspension, albeit of a F model, is better than current??
10-13-21, 11:19 PM
#1879
Driver School Candidate
14 years later, now that turbocharging has become synonymous with performance and efficiency, we get an amazing throwback car, full-circle with the IS500, with all the lessons in R&D from the original IS-F, RC-F, GS-F, the LFA, and perhaps even some of that E90 M3 character. Fans of those cars need no more reasons to be excited about the IS500. The 2021 IS350 DHP handles amazingly for daily-ing and spirited driving, and we should expect the same from the IS500.
"not as good" - Sure the IS500 is not as fast or grippy as the TLX Type-S, the M340i, and the C43; those are the cars to get if one actually cares about those silly things. Someone told me they would take one of those over the IS500 - "I'm sure you would, pal." More IS500s for us here who see the car for what it is and are excited about it.
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10-14-21, 03:59 AM
#1880
Lead Lap
^^ I am not sure I would claim that the Acura TLX Type S is faster than the IS500 - It's 0-60 is in the low 5s while the IS500 is expected to be closer to 4.5. The IS500 will have more HP and Torque although you will need to wring the power through the upper revs compared to the Type S. I positive the TLX with its SH-AWD will corner/handle better compared to the 500 which I suspect will be a bit nose heavy given the V8. Having owned a TL back in 2012, that SH-AWD is quite amazing, at least was...Not sure if it's as effective as it was back then.
I would still take the IS500 over the TLX Type S. The TLX is a bit too big for me and I am trying to avoid turbo engines as much as possible, plus the cabin of the IS feels cozier to me.
Edit: This may sound silly to say but I also feel the quad tips on the Type S look a bit too big, almost like someone who put a modified exhaust - I feel the quad tips from the IS500 look nicer
I would still take the IS500 over the TLX Type S. The TLX is a bit too big for me and I am trying to avoid turbo engines as much as possible, plus the cabin of the IS feels cozier to me.
Edit: This may sound silly to say but I also feel the quad tips on the Type S look a bit too big, almost like someone who put a modified exhaust - I feel the quad tips from the IS500 look nicer
Last edited by wthrman2; 10-14-21 at 04:04 AM.
10-14-21, 04:23 AM
#1881
Pole Position
^^^ Yep…the IS500 will eat the TLX’s lunch for sure, it’s heavier and slower. The SHAWD is praised, but the car is roughly 300lbs heavier than the IS500, so there’s only so much it can do against those odds.
When I upgraded from the ‘06 350 to my ‘16 350 FSport…the 10 years of advancements in the handling, comfort, and tech were beyond amazing. I’m sure any current ISF owner would say the same once they’ve driven the IS500.
When I upgraded from the ‘06 350 to my ‘16 350 FSport…the 10 years of advancements in the handling, comfort, and tech were beyond amazing. I’m sure any current ISF owner would say the same once they’ve driven the IS500.
10-14-21, 04:36 AM
#1882
Lead Lap
^^ There was a video on youtube where a guy from California who`s name was `Michel` which is obviously a French guy as that name is Mike in French - Anyhow, he had an IS F and was taken on a ride in the IS500 - He was commenting how the car felt better (slightly) than his IS F.
Here is that video although I am sure you have all seen it...
Here is that video although I am sure you have all seen it...
10-14-21, 07:09 AM
#1883
I have a '12 ISF and plan to get the IS500 LE also. Never plan to sell my F. Going on 8 years with it and it's just a special car.... special feeling. Don't think the IS500 will match it in any way, besides top it in infotainment updates, etc.
I've pulled off 0-60 in my F in 3.7 seconds...but I do have Headers/exhaust on it. Also lowered, so handling is better. It rides slighter harsher, but I felt that the ISF in '12+ was way too soft for a sports car.
Anyhow, I'll be happy to compare the 2 when I get the 500.
V.
I've pulled off 0-60 in my F in 3.7 seconds...but I do have Headers/exhaust on it. Also lowered, so handling is better. It rides slighter harsher, but I felt that the ISF in '12+ was way too soft for a sports car.
Anyhow, I'll be happy to compare the 2 when I get the 500.
V.
10-14-21, 07:17 AM
#1884
Lead Lap
^^ It will be interesting to hear from you as an owner of both vehicles!! 
That being said, you have done some noticeable changes in suspension and exhaust so it would have been interesting to see the stock/stock comparison. I am not questioning your statement that your IS F will be a better car than the IS500 because one is a true F vehicle, but I am not sure the gap would be overly drastic due to some of the improvement in the vehicle over the years just as far as chassis etc. Time will tell for sure.
That being said, you have done some noticeable changes in suspension and exhaust so it would have been interesting to see the stock/stock comparison. I am not questioning your statement that your IS F will be a better car than the IS500 because one is a true F vehicle, but I am not sure the gap would be overly drastic due to some of the improvement in the vehicle over the years just as far as chassis etc. Time will tell for sure.
Last edited by wthrman2; 10-14-21 at 07:44 AM.
10-14-21, 08:05 AM
#1885
Pole Position
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10-14-21, 08:44 AM
#1886
Lead Lap
^^ What the F are you talking about?!?! (LOL)
I think we all recognize this is not a full F blown vehicle and we all understand that, there will be some compromise for sure - If I owned an F, I wouldn't want people say that their IS500 is an IS F....It is normal. My only concern is that the time span from the last F to this new IS500. If they would both be out together and co-existing, the F would need to be a better car to justify the F branding, but give the time spanned between the last one, it may not be that much different now
I think we all recognize this is not a full F blown vehicle and we all understand that, there will be some compromise for sure - If I owned an F, I wouldn't want people say that their IS500 is an IS F....It is normal. My only concern is that the time span from the last F to this new IS500. If they would both be out together and co-existing, the F would need to be a better car to justify the F branding, but give the time spanned between the last one, it may not be that much different now
Last edited by wthrman2; 10-14-21 at 08:55 AM.
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GaryJG (10-14-21)
10-14-21, 01:03 PM
#1887
As I understand it, Toyota USA developed the is500 for enthusiasts as a way to introduce excitement, inexpensively, into the Lexus brand. Is is unreasonable to expect Toyota to release a production timetable or estimate to its enthusiasts? Other manufacturers such as Audi are handling this in a much more efficient manner. Is this a sense of arrogance on Toyota's part? Given recent comments about its outlook of electric vehicles, I'm beginning to suspect it is.
10-14-21, 01:23 PM
#1888
Pole Position
As I understand it, Toyota USA developed the is500 for enthusiasts as a way to introduce excitement, inexpensively, into the Lexus brand. Is is unreasonable to expect Toyota to release a production timetable or estimate to its enthusiasts? Other manufacturers such as Audi are handling this in a much more efficient manner. Is this a sense of arrogance on Toyota's part? Given recent comments about its outlook of electric vehicles, I'm beginning to suspect it is.