Before you chose the IS500 what else did you consider
02-16-22 | 08:38 AM
#31
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From: GA
I was between the BWM m340, Acura TLX Type S, and the IS500. Test drove all 3 over the last couple months. Currently looking for an IS500 in caviar/black for MSRP semi around the mid-atlantic region. Not in a rush to pay over sticker.
BMW m340 xdrive- Really liked the car and would have been my #2 option. Great engine and transmission, and would get it in tanzanite blue which i love (even more than lexus' USB). The interior quality was the best by far of these 3. I thought the back seats leg space felt bigger than the is500 (even a bit of the driver area) but it was a couple months apart between test drives. Steering was unbelievably numb, the seats were not that comfy and was concerned about them on long drives. Big negative was i didn't love the sigma of a driving a BMW, i prefer something more of a sleeper. BMW maintenance doesn't scare me that much however my current mechanic who i love doesn't work on them and that was a big negative. Also looked at a 2021 BMW 540 m sport but prices were too high. I normally buy slightly used cars, so in a normal used car market i would have prob gone with a used m340 or 540 BMW coming off lease for like ~$40k but prices are nowhere close to that.
Acura TLX Type S - Loved their exterior design, Seats were great, awesome sound system, best AWD drive system, and a better price point. Engine was okay but far from anything special, didn't put the smile on my face like the BMW and IS500. the back seats were TINY, utterly shocked how small they were. Was also concerned with all the new drivetrain components long term.
However biggest knock is I'm coming from 3 Acuras in a row, so my biggest negative is i just wanted to switch it up. had an '07 TL and currently have a '12 SH-AWS TL which both have been great to me. Didn't have the money back in 2013 to buy a ISF when i got my CPO 12 TL but always loved it, i tired to get a GSF a couple years ago but had some other big expenses come up that delayed my new car purchase.
Lexus IS500 - test drove this last and knew within in the very short test drive this was the one right away as it put the biggest smile on my face. Don't need to explain all the positives (engine reliability looks etc) you all get it. I love how it will be more rare and unique than the other two cars. Backseats are smaller than i would like but i don't use them that much anyway. Really wish it had the F seats out of the RCF/GSF (or it was just full blown ISF). In a perfect world i would have loved a 2018-2020 GSF but with their used prices being higher than a new IS500 it is what it is.
BMW m340 xdrive- Really liked the car and would have been my #2 option. Great engine and transmission, and would get it in tanzanite blue which i love (even more than lexus' USB). The interior quality was the best by far of these 3. I thought the back seats leg space felt bigger than the is500 (even a bit of the driver area) but it was a couple months apart between test drives. Steering was unbelievably numb, the seats were not that comfy and was concerned about them on long drives. Big negative was i didn't love the sigma of a driving a BMW, i prefer something more of a sleeper. BMW maintenance doesn't scare me that much however my current mechanic who i love doesn't work on them and that was a big negative. Also looked at a 2021 BMW 540 m sport but prices were too high. I normally buy slightly used cars, so in a normal used car market i would have prob gone with a used m340 or 540 BMW coming off lease for like ~$40k but prices are nowhere close to that.
Acura TLX Type S - Loved their exterior design, Seats were great, awesome sound system, best AWD drive system, and a better price point. Engine was okay but far from anything special, didn't put the smile on my face like the BMW and IS500. the back seats were TINY, utterly shocked how small they were. Was also concerned with all the new drivetrain components long term.
However biggest knock is I'm coming from 3 Acuras in a row, so my biggest negative is i just wanted to switch it up. had an '07 TL and currently have a '12 SH-AWS TL which both have been great to me. Didn't have the money back in 2013 to buy a ISF when i got my CPO 12 TL but always loved it, i tired to get a GSF a couple years ago but had some other big expenses come up that delayed my new car purchase.
Lexus IS500 - test drove this last and knew within in the very short test drive this was the one right away as it put the biggest smile on my face. Don't need to explain all the positives (engine reliability looks etc) you all get it. I love how it will be more rare and unique than the other two cars. Backseats are smaller than i would like but i don't use them that much anyway. Really wish it had the F seats out of the RCF/GSF (or it was just full blown ISF). In a perfect world i would have loved a 2018-2020 GSF but with their used prices being higher than a new IS500 it is what it is.
02-16-22 | 09:17 AM
#32
Your friend waited 3 months? See this is the type of lousy BMW BS that has turned me off the brand. I've been waiting 8 months+
Objectively speaking, the IS500 loses in almost every performance category. So armchair racers can claim victory from their stat sheets. But there's something more emotionally affecting that draws the Lexus in the more I drive it.
If you're waiting on the new gen IS model, I think you'll have to accept electrification of some type. They might use forced induction but maybe it will be pure electric?
Objectively speaking, the IS500 loses in almost every performance category. So armchair racers can claim victory from their stat sheets. But there's something more emotionally affecting that draws the Lexus in the more I drive it.
If you're waiting on the new gen IS model, I think you'll have to accept electrification of some type. They might use forced induction but maybe it will be pure electric?
Although I have gotten used to the power on my 3IS with FBO mods, I could never sell it unless it breaks which is unlikely (currently at 130k). To your point, i understand the "draw" more to Lexus.
Have you driven an IS 500? I think they're pretty impressive in that they are exactly what they set out to be. A major selling point of this car is that it's naturally-aspirated, so I'd 100% understand being unimpressed if you are waiting on a turbo or sc version. Must admit, turbo cars can be a blast.
I waited on the IS, but a few months ago also got on list for the M4 Competition XDrive and the Audi RS5 and would have bought whichever car was available first. I've driven the M4 and RS5, and they are a little edgier and quicker than the IS 500, but all are plenty fast enough. I got lucky because an IS 500 buyer backed out on Jan 8, 2022. The current M cars are decent, reliability-wise but the Audis have had some problems. Your statement on MB reliability makes me wonder how many MBs you've ever owned. I lived over a decade hitting the service department about once every 2-3 months, dropping off before work, getting a loaner, getting a broken car repaired and having a service advisor try to sell me non-warranty services and sales people trying to get me to trade a relatively new MB for a brand new MB. Yeah, that's the answer- replace an overpriced POS with a new overpriced car with hope that it won't be a POS. MB reliability isn't good enough to shine the shoes of Lexus. The only reason I was stupid enough to buy 6 MBs is that our first was a good one (in fact still have it, a 2001 W210 E55 AMG) and my wife liked the brand- until I made her start taking her own broken cars in every 2-3 months. It gets old very quickly. Sorry if it's obvious, but I don't have many kind words for MB.
I waited on the IS, but a few months ago also got on list for the M4 Competition XDrive and the Audi RS5 and would have bought whichever car was available first. I've driven the M4 and RS5, and they are a little edgier and quicker than the IS 500, but all are plenty fast enough. I got lucky because an IS 500 buyer backed out on Jan 8, 2022. The current M cars are decent, reliability-wise but the Audis have had some problems. Your statement on MB reliability makes me wonder how many MBs you've ever owned. I lived over a decade hitting the service department about once every 2-3 months, dropping off before work, getting a loaner, getting a broken car repaired and having a service advisor try to sell me non-warranty services and sales people trying to get me to trade a relatively new MB for a brand new MB. Yeah, that's the answer- replace an overpriced POS with a new overpriced car with hope that it won't be a POS. MB reliability isn't good enough to shine the shoes of Lexus. The only reason I was stupid enough to buy 6 MBs is that our first was a good one (in fact still have it, a 2001 W210 E55 AMG) and my wife liked the brand- until I made her start taking her own broken cars in every 2-3 months. It gets old very quickly. Sorry if it's obvious, but I don't have many kind words for MB.
Last edited by JNP1227; 02-16-22 at 09:29 AM.
02-16-22 | 10:03 AM
#33
Driver
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 78
Likes: 74
From: NC
First, my wife's Toyota reached 150k miles without a single hitch. Not a single one. My dear friend's 4Runner has 380k miles and it's still wonderful. So I understood what quality really means. I became a fan. And I was very much inclined to buy a Toyota/Lexus as my next car.
Compare that to my Audi S4, a car that started to burn oil (just a bit, nothing major) at 10k miles. When it reached 42k miles it was burning a quart every 350 miles. That is when I sold it. And I did after asking Audi to help me (the car was 4 1/2 years old, out of warranty). They refused, despite me having all maintenance records, never skipped an oil change, etc. I spent a lot of money trying to fix that car, did everything the technical bulletings determined on my own dime. It did not work. The next step would be to open the engine and check cilinders etc. Thank you, but no, thank you.
So I got myself a Genesis G80 V8. Very nice engine. Smooth. But the car as a whole has some flaws. And the dealer network (or lack of) makes the whole experience a total disaster. I kept the car for 4 years, waiting for something else to come up. I was looking into a smaller car (IS350) when Lexus announced the IS500.
I hope the IS500 will be as fun to drive as the Audi S4 and as reliable as my Toyota.
Do I need it to be as fast as an M3? Please, no. And I have no desire whatsoever to track the car.
But I appreciate the fact that the ride is still comfortable - way more than the Audi S4, and I like that very much for my daily drives.
That was pretty much my tought process. Audi sold me the Lexus, if that makes sense.
And I paid MSRP on my IS500. As a matter of principle, I would not pay above. I would just wait.
Compare that to my Audi S4, a car that started to burn oil (just a bit, nothing major) at 10k miles. When it reached 42k miles it was burning a quart every 350 miles. That is when I sold it. And I did after asking Audi to help me (the car was 4 1/2 years old, out of warranty). They refused, despite me having all maintenance records, never skipped an oil change, etc. I spent a lot of money trying to fix that car, did everything the technical bulletings determined on my own dime. It did not work. The next step would be to open the engine and check cilinders etc. Thank you, but no, thank you.
So I got myself a Genesis G80 V8. Very nice engine. Smooth. But the car as a whole has some flaws. And the dealer network (or lack of) makes the whole experience a total disaster. I kept the car for 4 years, waiting for something else to come up. I was looking into a smaller car (IS350) when Lexus announced the IS500.
I hope the IS500 will be as fun to drive as the Audi S4 and as reliable as my Toyota.
Do I need it to be as fast as an M3? Please, no. And I have no desire whatsoever to track the car.
But I appreciate the fact that the ride is still comfortable - way more than the Audi S4, and I like that very much for my daily drives.
That was pretty much my tought process. Audi sold me the Lexus, if that makes sense.
And I paid MSRP on my IS500. As a matter of principle, I would not pay above. I would just wait.
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Kimchiguy (02-16-22)
02-16-22 | 10:08 AM
#34
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 14
From: Tennessee
Gave up on the IS500 search. On Friday I pick up a Genesis G70 RWD 6 cylinder with both the Sport Advanced and Sport Prestige packages. No dealer ADM or screwy add on's or fees other than a DOC fee. Plus I get a military discount of $500. Lexus has a similar discount but was told I had to finance the car to take advantage of it. Dealer also offered me an additional $1,000 more for my trade than any other dealer has in the last 2 months. Roughly $51,500 OTD plus sales tax.
It should be a fun ride till my Black Wing is built.
It should be a fun ride till my Black Wing is built.
02-16-22 | 10:22 AM
#35
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 8,713
Likes: 4,012
From: GA
Gave up on the IS500 search. On Friday I pick up a Genesis G70 RWD 6 cylinder with both the Sport Advanced and Sport Prestige packages. No dealer ADM or screwy add on's or fees other than a DOC fee. Plus I get a military discount of $500. Lexus has a similar discount but was told I had to finance the car to take advantage of it. Dealer also offered me an additional $1,000 more for my trade than any other dealer has in the last 2 months. Roughly $51,500 OTD plus sales tax.
It should be a fun ride till my Black Wing is built.
It should be a fun ride till my Black Wing is built.
02-16-22 | 10:27 AM
#36
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 190
Likes: 127
From: ON
First, my wife's Toyota reached 150k miles without a single hitch. Not a single one. My dear friend's 4Runner has 380k miles and it's still wonderful. So I understood what quality really means. I became a fan. And I was very much inclined to buy a Toyota/Lexus as my next car.
Compare that to my Audi S4, a car that started to burn oil (just a bit, nothing major) at 10k miles. When it reached 42k miles it was burning a quart every 350 miles. That is when I sold it. And I did after asking Audi to help me (the car was 4 1/2 years old, out of warranty). They refused, despite me having all maintenance records, never skipped an oil change, etc. I spent a lot of money trying to fix that car, did everything the technical bulletings determined on my own dime. It did not work. The next step would be to open the engine and check cilinders etc. Thank you, but no, thank you.
So I got myself a Genesis G80 V8. Very nice engine. Smooth. But the car as a whole has some flaws. And the dealer network (or lack of) makes the whole experience a total disaster. I kept the car for 4 years, waiting for something else to come up. I was looking into a smaller car (IS350) when Lexus announced the IS500.
I hope the IS500 will be as fun to drive as the Audi S4 and as reliable as my Toyota.
Do I need it to be as fast as an M3? Please, no. And I have no desire whatsoever to track the car.
But I appreciate the fact that the ride is still comfortable - way more than the Audi S4, and I like that very much for my daily drives.
That was pretty much my tought process. Audi sold me the Lexus, if that makes sense.
And I paid MSRP on my IS500. As a matter of principle, I would not pay above. I would just wait.
Compare that to my Audi S4, a car that started to burn oil (just a bit, nothing major) at 10k miles. When it reached 42k miles it was burning a quart every 350 miles. That is when I sold it. And I did after asking Audi to help me (the car was 4 1/2 years old, out of warranty). They refused, despite me having all maintenance records, never skipped an oil change, etc. I spent a lot of money trying to fix that car, did everything the technical bulletings determined on my own dime. It did not work. The next step would be to open the engine and check cilinders etc. Thank you, but no, thank you.
So I got myself a Genesis G80 V8. Very nice engine. Smooth. But the car as a whole has some flaws. And the dealer network (or lack of) makes the whole experience a total disaster. I kept the car for 4 years, waiting for something else to come up. I was looking into a smaller car (IS350) when Lexus announced the IS500.
I hope the IS500 will be as fun to drive as the Audi S4 and as reliable as my Toyota.
Do I need it to be as fast as an M3? Please, no. And I have no desire whatsoever to track the car.
But I appreciate the fact that the ride is still comfortable - way more than the Audi S4, and I like that very much for my daily drives.
That was pretty much my tought process. Audi sold me the Lexus, if that makes sense.
And I paid MSRP on my IS500. As a matter of principle, I would not pay above. I would just wait.
I'm not knocking down Germans, as they are very well engineered to perform. But I've heard far too many anecdotes and a personal friend who is bringing his 2020 Audi Q7 in monthly for engine troubles. Sadly, we don't really have lemon laws in Canada.
02-16-22 | 10:30 AM
#37
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 190
Likes: 127
From: ON
Gave up on the IS500 search. On Friday I pick up a Genesis G70 RWD 6 cylinder with both the Sport Advanced and Sport Prestige packages. No dealer ADM or screwy add on's or fees other than a DOC fee. Plus I get a military discount of $500. Lexus has a similar discount but was told I had to finance the car to take advantage of it. Dealer also offered me an additional $1,000 more for my trade than any other dealer has in the last 2 months. Roughly $51,500 OTD plus sales tax.
It should be a fun ride till my Black Wing is built.
It should be a fun ride till my Black Wing is built.
02-16-22 | 12:16 PM
#38
10th Gear
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 11
From: Ohio
I cross-shopped the usual suspects; M340i, S4, G70, and the TLX-S. I was initially very interested in the Type S but was a bit disappointed with the final product. It’s just way too heavy for what it is. I drive too much to lease and would only lease a BMW or Audi.
I was interested in the IS500 the minute I read of its release. I had considered an IS 350 six years ago but found the driving experience boring and bought a WRX. Having grown weary of its buzzy, loud driving experience, I was ready to see the Rex go away. What made up my mind on the IS 500 was when Lexus added the touchscreen to the infotainment.
I’m just about hitting break-in on it (no CEL yet—fingers crossed), and totally dig it. If you want to go vroom in it, it’ll do that all day long. If you want to zone out, jam some tunes and just drive, pop it into Eco and it goes like an ES. My kids couldn’t believe how quiet it is compared to the Subie. Of course, keep your eye on the dash because you can find yourself doing 90 in it without realizing it. Excellent.
I was interested in the IS500 the minute I read of its release. I had considered an IS 350 six years ago but found the driving experience boring and bought a WRX. Having grown weary of its buzzy, loud driving experience, I was ready to see the Rex go away. What made up my mind on the IS 500 was when Lexus added the touchscreen to the infotainment.
I’m just about hitting break-in on it (no CEL yet—fingers crossed), and totally dig it. If you want to go vroom in it, it’ll do that all day long. If you want to zone out, jam some tunes and just drive, pop it into Eco and it goes like an ES. My kids couldn’t believe how quiet it is compared to the Subie. Of course, keep your eye on the dash because you can find yourself doing 90 in it without realizing it. Excellent.
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Kimchiguy (02-18-22)
02-18-22 | 11:49 AM
#39
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Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 53
From: FL
For the better part of a year I've been cycling between a CT4-V Blackwing, M340/M440 in San Remo Green (fell in love with that color) and the IS500. Usually as soon as I convinced myself to get one of those...I thought about what I would be compromising and started re-evaluating allover again -_- . At the end of the day, it came down to reliability for long term ownership (whichever car I chose would most likely be my last non-electric vehicle). Having already had a 2017 IS200t, I was familiar with the platform, and always had a pleasant dealership experience. Everything I wished the 200t had was in the IS500(Carplay, better tech,...and that V8 lol), and even though it might be a little pricey relative to what more modern cars in the segment bring, I think that will be made up in the ownership experience.
Fast forward to Jan2022, when after 2months of calling every dealership in Florida, either no one had one for sale or markups were $15k-$40k, launch edition or not. My local dealer has told me for months they weren't getting an allocation. By early Feb, I had resigned myself to not getting the car, and decided to save a little more money and get an M3 with a MTX at the end of the year. Literally the next day my local dealership said they had one in and selling at MSRP, and I bought it immediately.
Closing in on 1000 miles and no regrets so far
Fast forward to Jan2022, when after 2months of calling every dealership in Florida, either no one had one for sale or markups were $15k-$40k, launch edition or not. My local dealer has told me for months they weren't getting an allocation. By early Feb, I had resigned myself to not getting the car, and decided to save a little more money and get an M3 with a MTX at the end of the year. Literally the next day my local dealership said they had one in and selling at MSRP, and I bought it immediately.
Closing in on 1000 miles and no regrets so far
06-12-22 | 10:50 PM
#40
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 190
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From: ON
Last summer I put a deposit down on a 2022 BMW M3 Competition xDrive that was supposed to have been delivered in the fall. I'm still waiting.
In the interim Lexus released the IS500 and I was intrigued/obsessed. So I searched around for a few weeks in Jan 2022 until I found one available. I'll likely keep it now long term and decide what to do with the M3 if and when it arrives. My goal is for my partner and I to keep both but we'll see.
In the interim Lexus released the IS500 and I was intrigued/obsessed. So I searched around for a few weeks in Jan 2022 until I found one available. I'll likely keep it now long term and decide what to do with the M3 if and when it arrives. My goal is for my partner and I to keep both but we'll see.
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Kimchiguy (06-13-22)
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Kimchiguy (06-13-22)
06-13-22 | 08:50 AM
#43
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 190
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From: ON
Also, I get a lot more attention, comments and feedback in the IS. Maybe people just hate BMW drivers 😂
06-13-22 | 09:16 AM
#44
Pit Crew
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 153
From: New Jersey
Very nice! Only one suggestion: Kill the front plates... (smile)
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Kimchiguy (06-13-22)