The V8 is back: IS 500 F SPORT Performance
02-25-21, 08:17 AM
#121
Well here’s the real deal. The newer the car, the more safety and tech. Stronger metals, more driver safety equipment, more creature comforts equals more weight.
I jump in my 18 year old IS 300 (3255 lbs) and switch off to my 2020 RC F (3902 lbs). You can definitely tell the difference between the two but both have their compromises. It’s amazing how much has changed in terms of technology and safety in these cars. People complaining about the weight of these cars baffle me. Most of these people only drive their car on the streets, lawfully in most cases.
I jump in my 18 year old IS 300 (3255 lbs) and switch off to my 2020 RC F (3902 lbs). You can definitely tell the difference between the two but both have their compromises. It’s amazing how much has changed in terms of technology and safety in these cars. People complaining about the weight of these cars baffle me. Most of these people only drive their car on the streets, lawfully in most cases.
I think as I get older I'm OK with a heavier car. These cars have MORE than enough power for the street. I totally get the appeal of having a 500+ hp car and after a while you get used to the speed/acceleration so it will eventually become slow again. But these cars are too easy to be cruising around the highway at 100+ mph and not even feel like you are going fast. Hell look at the speedometer on them. In a normal car when you are at 60mph or something along that lines you are up towards the middle of the speedo. If you are in the middle of the speedo on these cars you are already at 120-140mph...lol.
I still am not a fan of the back end of the new IS but I want to see it in person. I have a feeling I will like it more because all the damn angles of the shelf trunk back end are not appealing to me, so I'm hoping it's not as bad in person.
-Nigel
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SickAF (03-22-21)
02-25-21, 10:36 AM
#123
Instructor
i was disappointed when the RC-F used a tuned version of the IS-F motor in 2014. and im even MORE disappointed that this car uses a tuned version of that motor in 2021. lexus has always been ambiguous as to whether they wanted to compete with the Germans wrt to performance. they were all in in 1998 with the GS400/430 and 10 years later with the IS-F. but in between and after...they have been incessantly tepid. this just seems to be more of the same. and it saddens me as i've had 2 GS 4's and an IS-F. this car just doesnt move the needle for me...
I don’t care how old an engine is as long as it performs and is reliable...
the 2ur-gse 5.0L V8 is a beast. It makes just under 100hp/L which is absolutely amazing out of a N/A engine...one of the highest power to displacement ratios of any n/a engine.
It also sounds amazing, revs to over 7000 rpm and has epic Lexus reliability behind it.
I don’t know what else you could possibly ask for...
Lexus could easily make more powerful engines but reliability and reputation would plummet and that’s the core fundamentals of the company. Personally I find it amazing that in a time like this they go for one last hurrah and drop a big V8 in the IS.
im absolutely trading in my 350 fsport for one next year.
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SickAF (03-22-21)
02-25-21, 12:04 PM
#125
Lexus Connoisseur
Although the 3IS IS500 is a 3,800 lb beast, those 3,800 lbs are not as efficient as a current M3 3,800 lbs. They're not optimized simply due to how old the 3IS design is. So basically you get more car for your weight such as with a new M3 for example. So it's not really apples to apples to say both car weigh the same, so therefore equal criticism for weight should be placed on both cars. The M3 is a smart 3,800 lbs while the 3IS is not, mostly due to the generation gap design-wise of both bodies-in-white as well as the cars in general. Of course the 4IS should and will likely be a smart 3,800 lbs.
But generally the weight and size of this class of car has crept up and would be nice to see it trend downwards overall in the industry.
But generally the weight and size of this class of car has crept up and would be nice to see it trend downwards overall in the industry.
Last edited by flipside909; 02-25-21 at 12:08 PM.
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natnut (02-25-21)
02-25-21, 12:06 PM
#126
Lexus Test Driver
02-25-21, 02:54 PM
#130
The Weight!!! LOL
I don't see whats all the fuss over literally 100 pounds. 
I'm going to compared my favorite V8 Lexus Sedans :
1999 GS400 (weight 3693 with 300HP)
2005 GS430 (weight 3715 with 300HP)
2014 ISF (weight 3780 with 416 HP)
2022 IS500 (weight 3891 with 472 HP) -- The IS500 weighs 111 pounds heavier than the last ISF with 56 more HP) -- I'm okay with that!
Its also: 176 pounds heavier than my 2005 GS430 with 172HP more -- I'll take that ALL day long... Please and Thank you!
Have a nice day!
I'm going to compared my favorite V8 Lexus Sedans :
1999 GS400 (weight 3693 with 300HP)
2005 GS430 (weight 3715 with 300HP)
2014 ISF (weight 3780 with 416 HP)
2022 IS500 (weight 3891 with 472 HP) -- The IS500 weighs 111 pounds heavier than the last ISF with 56 more HP) -- I'm okay with that!
Its also: 176 pounds heavier than my 2005 GS430 with 172HP more -- I'll take that ALL day long... Please and Thank you!
Have a nice day!
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02-25-21, 03:41 PM
#131
02-25-21, 03:43 PM
#132
Lexus Test Driver
The V8 is only 143 lbs more than the IS350. Its not the V8s fault that the IS350 is a fat pig...
02-25-21, 03:53 PM
#133
This car is going to get a lot of love but no one is going to buy it.
02-25-21, 04:05 PM
#135
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by NinjaNap
I’m blaming the chassis. The paper stats say the IS500 does 0-60 in 4.5 and gets 24 mpg. My “fat” GSF does that with more room and more materials - with an actual F-badge.
This car is going to get a lot of love but no one is going to buy it.
This car is going to get a lot of love but no one is going to buy it.