The V8 is back: IS 500 F SPORT Performance
04-27-21, 11:25 AM
#436
Driver School Candidate
The general way that Japanese car companies tend to do low production "sport" models is to develop the car, then continue selling it relatively unchanged until they no longer can due to the base model going away. They don't typically cancel sport models due to low demand, for whatever reason - instead they are happy to continue selling a handful of cars per month. Every standard production F model so far has followed this trend.
I don't see them cancelling the IS500 until the base model IS gets re-developed on a new platform (3-5 years?), or if the V8 is unable to pass emissions for some reason (unlikely any time in the next 5 years, as it's a decently advanced engine and companies like GM are still getting away with pushrod V8s etc).
I don't see them cancelling the IS500 until the base model IS gets re-developed on a new platform (3-5 years?), or if the V8 is unable to pass emissions for some reason (unlikely any time in the next 5 years, as it's a decently advanced engine and companies like GM are still getting away with pushrod V8s etc).
04-27-21, 11:28 AM
#437
Driver
That makes sense to me. I am curious to see how it shakes out in terms of sales figures and demand. I put a deposit down because I really want one, but I sort of figured that it would be an underwhelming performer from a sales perspective similar to the RC-F. That said, there are other folks on the forum speculating that the dealerships will be charging considerably over MSRP for the car, and an online reviewer mentioned on his Q&A that he thinks it will be hard to get one. So who knows.
04-27-21, 02:42 PM
#438
Lexus Connoisseur
I am very confident it will sell well. I'm hearing dealerships in different parts of the country have waiting lists for the LE and even just the IS 500 F SPORT Performance. If Lexus plays their cards right with this, they may have a Toyota TRD Pro-like scenario on their hands.
04-27-21, 04:38 PM
#439
I like how they did this interview with the Lexus Product Marketing rep. Makes me want to get the LE vs PE 
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.Last edited by yok3dIS; 04-27-21 at 04:40 PM. Reason: Already posted
04-27-21, 07:11 PM
#440
i have not been on clublexus in years but i've been excited with the reveal of the IS 500, so decided to log in and join the fray. i had to sell my previous IS F due to needing more room for car seats for my two kids so had to get a small CUV. ended up custom ordering a 2018 Macan S and have had it a few years now. even with the light performance mods i've done, i've missed my old V8. the turbo lag on the Macan is awful. the piggyback tune helps a little but nothing compares to an NA motor.
with the IS 500, i think i may jump ship bc my kids soon won't need car seats and my wife still has the RX. i was seriously considering a used 991.2 in about 4 years but just can't justify the premium they fetch. i still really want to see what the new IS F will bring, whether it'll be a TTV8 or TTV6, price, looks, etc. but the IS 500 is a serious contender for me, maybe pick one up that's slightly used and not take the initial depreciation hit. i'm already thinking i'll do a custom inconel exhaust to reduce some weight and amp up the noise.
with the IS 500, i think i may jump ship bc my kids soon won't need car seats and my wife still has the RX. i was seriously considering a used 991.2 in about 4 years but just can't justify the premium they fetch. i still really want to see what the new IS F will bring, whether it'll be a TTV8 or TTV6, price, looks, etc. but the IS 500 is a serious contender for me, maybe pick one up that's slightly used and not take the initial depreciation hit. i'm already thinking i'll do a custom inconel exhaust to reduce some weight and amp up the noise.
04-28-21, 09:24 AM
#442
Lexus Connoisseur
with the IS 500, i think i may jump ship bc my kids soon won't need car seats and my wife still has the RX. i was seriously considering a used 991.2 in about 4 years but just can't justify the premium they fetch. i still really want to see what the new IS F will bring, whether it'll be a TTV8 or TTV6, price, looks, etc. but the IS 500 is a serious contender for me, maybe pick one up that's slightly used and not take the initial depreciation hit. i'm already thinking i'll do a custom inconel exhaust to reduce some weight and amp up the noise.
04-28-21, 09:43 AM
#443
Lexus Test Driver
04-28-21, 12:13 PM
#444
Lexus Connoisseur
04-28-21, 12:24 PM
#445
Driver School Candidate
04-28-21, 12:24 PM
#446
The 2nd gen IS rear seats were laughably bad. Its the single reason I didn't get it. The 3IS actually has decent room in the back so that's a HUGE bonus. Did anyone see the Straight Pipes video of the RCF track edition vs. the M3 manual. The M3 was faster but the RCF did pretty well in a straight line...may be a good indication of how quick the IS500 will be relatively (although slightly heavier than RCF Track Edition).
04-28-21, 01:07 PM
#447
Lexus Connoisseur
I have launch control on my 2020 RC F and it's not that great. I still torque brake to get the same result, if not better.
04-28-21, 01:08 PM
#448
Lexus Connoisseur
04-28-21, 01:25 PM
#449
I just called two local dealerships to inquire about any sort of waitlist for the IS 500. the first dealer, a rather large one here in the LA area, said "no, but you'll be number one on the list!" I told them I'd like to test drive it, get prices on both the LE and regular one. another dealership said about 1 month before launch, they will start a waitlist and he'd call me as soon as he knows when that will be. I was planning on picking one up used but I'm afraid if I test drive it and one is available at the right price, I might just trade in the Pcar right then and there. LOL
04-28-21, 03:21 PM
#450
Really? The RC F doesn't have fold down seats while the regular RC does. I suppose if they're only putting the engine and transmission of the current F cars in then that'd be the case.