IS 500 - A Year In Review
01-12-23, 05:55 AM
#46
Pole Position
Audi has been criticized for years about the lack of character in it's non-RS cars. BMW is, by contrast, lauded for making very quick and fun sports cars. What made me go with the IS500 is the NA V8 and the focus on making the day to day driving better rather than the track experience. That is something a lot of the competitors do badly; they're so concerned about track times that they forgot most people don't drive at the track every day.
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DLPTony (01-12-23)
01-12-23, 06:05 AM
#48
Pole Position
LOL! Oh it’s budgeted, along with bi-annual rebalancing. I’ve had an ongoing car fund for many years, because i’m insane about my car’s driving feel.
01-12-23, 06:05 AM
#49
Intermediate
Those Germans are sandbaggers, many of them dyno with higher numbers at the wheels than they rate their cars at the crank.
The M340i is a quick little car, but I've seen them dyno over 400whp STOCK. It sure as hell isn't a 382hp car.
Porsche, Audi, and Benz all do it too. When I'm bored I watch and research dyno information and they're always putting down way more power than they should. Same story with the new Supra. They were putting down rated or more and more than rated torque. There is no way they could run low 12s stock with their rated power.
The M340i is a quick little car, but I've seen them dyno over 400whp STOCK. It sure as hell isn't a 382hp car.
Porsche, Audi, and Benz all do it too. When I'm bored I watch and research dyno information and they're always putting down way more power than they should. Same story with the new Supra. They were putting down rated or more and more than rated torque. There is no way they could run low 12s stock with their rated power.
The following users liked this post:
DLPTony (01-12-23)
01-12-23, 06:27 AM
#50
Those Germans are sandbaggers, many of them dyno with higher numbers at the wheels than they rate their cars at the crank.
The M340i is a quick little car, but I've seen them dyno over 400whp STOCK. It sure as hell isn't a 382hp car.
Porsche, Audi, and Benz all do it too. When I'm bored I watch and research dyno information and they're always putting down way more power than they should. Same story with the new Supra. They were putting down rated or more and more than rated torque. There is no way they could run low 12s stock with their rated power.
The M340i is a quick little car, but I've seen them dyno over 400whp STOCK. It sure as hell isn't a 382hp car.
Porsche, Audi, and Benz all do it too. When I'm bored I watch and research dyno information and they're always putting down way more power than they should. Same story with the new Supra. They were putting down rated or more and more than rated torque. There is no way they could run low 12s stock with their rated power.
01-12-23, 09:34 AM
#51
Hey all, it's been about a year since I took ownership of my IS500, and I thought it would be nice to make a review of this car. I have previously been a Product Specialist for Lexus and had the opportunity to drive every Lexus model (except for the LFA), as well as quite a few of their competitors. I broke down my review into a few categories that I felt would be relevant to a future buyer, and things that stood out to me. Hope you guys will find it useful in your car-shopping endeavors or find it relatable to your ownership of the car.
Appearance:
The IS model line aged very well. I remember a lot of criticism when the 3IS came out pertaining to the "predator" grille, but that seems to have all but disappeared. The current IS now looks aggressive, yet very mature and far from overstated. When I initially saw the Enkei wheels on the Lexus site, I didn't know how to feel about them. In person, they look even better than the BBS option. The bulged hood and quad exhausts are totally awesome, and a big plus. I think the CF OEM spoiler and mirror caps found on the DHP IS350 would make the IS500 look more aggressive. In addition to some springs and spacers for a more flush wheel arch. Whether you prefer this or not, the IS500 gets almost ZERO attention on the road. To non-enthusiasts, it looks like every other IS; so much so that my friends barely noticed when I traded out my IS300 for it. If you like being seen, then this might not be the car for you. I also live in Miami Beach, which is flooded with IS models as well as cars that are 5x the price of it. So there's that as well.
Performance:
The IS500 is a great-sounding and engaging driver's car. It does have its quirks, but they're not deal breakers. The V8 makes nearly all its power up in the high revs, so you get to hear the awesome sound when you punch it. The power is more than enough and provides the perfect amount of tire-burning excitement, yet composed enough that it doesn't feel like it wants to send you into the nearest wall or oncoming lane. It will do a great burnout, and drive it hard enough and you'll find you'll need a new set of tires very soon. It's certainly tail happy, and very easy to slide around, even with traction control on. I do think the OEM Potenzas should be swapped out for some stickier and perhaps wider rears because the car spins quite a bit on launch. The suspension is too soft, even in Sport S +. The car sags a lot when you're on the throttle, and feels like the front end comes up too high. The RCF and GSF models do not feel this way at all. This can easily be remedied with a nice set of aftermarket coils or springs. The transmission is old, clunky, and needs to be completely warmed up to do any aggressive shifting. Most of the time it feels like it's taking a nap, which is good for daily use, but not when you want to actually drive. To force it to wake up, use the gear drop-down on the gas pedal. It'll drop the transmission into the lowest gear possible, and the RPMs will soar. Sport mode feels almost identical to normal, and Sport + stiffens the steering and livens up our sleepy 8-speed with faster shifts and improved throttle response. I think that Sport mode should be how S+ feels, and S+ should tighten up the suspension significantly. The brakes are another minus. They take some getting used to and feel like you need to press hard to stop the car. It's funny because the IS350 with supposedly weaker brakes feels much more assuring. I think this is not an issue with the brakes themselves but with the response to pedal input (hopefully there will be a correction in the future). The exhaust is a little too quiet for my taste, it is almost nonexistent before 3000 RPMs. The steering feels nice and connected, providing ample road feel and nicely weighted in Sport S+
Interior:
The interior is old and definitely needs a refresh. But it's got all the creature comforts. The big touchscreen included in the navigation package is well-fitted and CarPlay compatible but is wired CarPlay only. I found a wireless module for it (HIGHLY recommend). The seats are bolstered perfectly for me but maybe too tight for taller/wider-built people (I'm 5'7). The rear space is very tight but who cares, I don't really like driving people around anyway lol. I love the tachometer, and the Sport + mode tach looks quite a bit like the LFA's. Overall, I don't mind its aging style, it does the job and still looks good - almost charming in the age of huge iPad screens in most cars.
The competition:
I chose this car over a C43, M340i, IS350 Dynamic, and a Pre Owned C63 we had. All those cars were great options as well, which I thoroughly enjoyed driving. In the end, I wanted the V8 soundtrack, which left me with the C63 or the IS5. After factoring in maintenance, I decided on the IS500, and I'm very happy with my choice.
Verdict:
Overall, I give the IS500 a 7.5/10. It is far from perfect and feels old, but has this charm to it. In a world filled with turbo sixes, iPad screen infotainment, and All Wheel Drive, it feels like one of the only options available if you're looking for a classy, engaging, and comfortable daily driver. The competition may be more advanced or faster, but you can't judge a car on quantifiable values alone. I'm happy to have bought one.
Appearance:
The IS model line aged very well. I remember a lot of criticism when the 3IS came out pertaining to the "predator" grille, but that seems to have all but disappeared. The current IS now looks aggressive, yet very mature and far from overstated. When I initially saw the Enkei wheels on the Lexus site, I didn't know how to feel about them. In person, they look even better than the BBS option. The bulged hood and quad exhausts are totally awesome, and a big plus. I think the CF OEM spoiler and mirror caps found on the DHP IS350 would make the IS500 look more aggressive. In addition to some springs and spacers for a more flush wheel arch. Whether you prefer this or not, the IS500 gets almost ZERO attention on the road. To non-enthusiasts, it looks like every other IS; so much so that my friends barely noticed when I traded out my IS300 for it. If you like being seen, then this might not be the car for you. I also live in Miami Beach, which is flooded with IS models as well as cars that are 5x the price of it. So there's that as well.
Performance:
The IS500 is a great-sounding and engaging driver's car. It does have its quirks, but they're not deal breakers. The V8 makes nearly all its power up in the high revs, so you get to hear the awesome sound when you punch it. The power is more than enough and provides the perfect amount of tire-burning excitement, yet composed enough that it doesn't feel like it wants to send you into the nearest wall or oncoming lane. It will do a great burnout, and drive it hard enough and you'll find you'll need a new set of tires very soon. It's certainly tail happy, and very easy to slide around, even with traction control on. I do think the OEM Potenzas should be swapped out for some stickier and perhaps wider rears because the car spins quite a bit on launch. The suspension is too soft, even in Sport S +. The car sags a lot when you're on the throttle, and feels like the front end comes up too high. The RCF and GSF models do not feel this way at all. This can easily be remedied with a nice set of aftermarket coils or springs. The transmission is old, clunky, and needs to be completely warmed up to do any aggressive shifting. Most of the time it feels like it's taking a nap, which is good for daily use, but not when you want to actually drive. To force it to wake up, use the gear drop-down on the gas pedal. It'll drop the transmission into the lowest gear possible, and the RPMs will soar. Sport mode feels almost identical to normal, and Sport + stiffens the steering and livens up our sleepy 8-speed with faster shifts and improved throttle response. I think that Sport mode should be how S+ feels, and S+ should tighten up the suspension significantly. The brakes are another minus. They take some getting used to and feel like you need to press hard to stop the car. It's funny because the IS350 with supposedly weaker brakes feels much more assuring. I think this is not an issue with the brakes themselves but with the response to pedal input (hopefully there will be a correction in the future). The exhaust is a little too quiet for my taste, it is almost nonexistent before 3000 RPMs. The steering feels nice and connected, providing ample road feel and nicely weighted in Sport S+
Interior:
The interior is old and definitely needs a refresh. But it's got all the creature comforts. The big touchscreen included in the navigation package is well-fitted and CarPlay compatible but is wired CarPlay only. I found a wireless module for it (HIGHLY recommend). The seats are bolstered perfectly for me but maybe too tight for taller/wider-built people (I'm 5'7). The rear space is very tight but who cares, I don't really like driving people around anyway lol. I love the tachometer, and the Sport + mode tach looks quite a bit like the LFA's. Overall, I don't mind its aging style, it does the job and still looks good - almost charming in the age of huge iPad screens in most cars.
The competition:
I chose this car over a C43, M340i, IS350 Dynamic, and a Pre Owned C63 we had. All those cars were great options as well, which I thoroughly enjoyed driving. In the end, I wanted the V8 soundtrack, which left me with the C63 or the IS5. After factoring in maintenance, I decided on the IS500, and I'm very happy with my choice.
Verdict:
Overall, I give the IS500 a 7.5/10. It is far from perfect and feels old, but has this charm to it. In a world filled with turbo sixes, iPad screen infotainment, and All Wheel Drive, it feels like one of the only options available if you're looking for a classy, engaging, and comfortable daily driver. The competition may be more advanced or faster, but you can't judge a car on quantifiable values alone. I'm happy to have bought one.
Could you link the wireless car play module?
01-12-23, 11:37 AM
#52
Maybe that's part of the explanation then. The numbers simply don't add up. HP always wins in the end. I even went so far as to check the 0-100 mph and 0-130 mph times and the M340 still gets ahead. I think we've all seen enough dynos of the 5.0L V8 to be confident that the IS is making 472 HP at the crank, so the bimmer must be generating greater than its advertised power. Otherwise, the results are difficult to comprehend if you control for all other variables (gearing, traction, weight distribution, etc, etc.). Anyways, there is a massive thread on the bimmerpost forum comparing the IS500 vs. M340 from a year or so ago, and that's what triggered my curiosityon this topic. You can of course imagine how that thread went. LOL. Although a couple of bimmer/audi posters were advocating for a more objective view point, just a couple. LOL
What are the chances they do that to keep consumer's auto insurance down, making their cars a bit more attractive? My broker has mentioned to me before that 400hp seems to be a touchy line with carriers. I remember my insurance jumped when I went from my IS 250 to my ISF, and they were both 2008s.
Either way, if BMW was Lexus reliable (or even Honda or GM reliable) with less expensive parts I'd be driving an M550i right now instead of the IS.
01-12-23, 02:11 PM
#53
Instructor
I agree, the numbers don't add up. My theory why is below. I kinda want to see the BMW forum post, but I'm sure it's a lot of Lexus hate over being slower lol. I had fast, I still Crave fast, but I also want to service once or twice a year and not once or twice a month. I want long-term reliability, not a "hit it & quit it" car that with a residual value that drops faster than a cheap dress on prom night. (Yes I stole that joke from somewhere else, nobody get their panties in a bunch lol oh I stole that too)
I have heard the insurance idea before, but I'm not sure it is true. I am in expensive CA and my IS 500 is the same to insure as my Corvette was. My GS 350 was actually the most expensive car I've ever had to insure. I think it has to do with the European "gentleman's agreement" to limit power and top speed. A lot of cars are electronically limited to 155 mph and they supposedly dont push power in a competitive manner. My unproven theory is they're improving power output, but lying about it to adhere to their gentleman's agreement.
Either way, if BMW was Lexus reliable (or even Honda or GM reliable) with less expensive parts I'd be driving an M550i right now instead of the IS.
I have heard the insurance idea before, but I'm not sure it is true. I am in expensive CA and my IS 500 is the same to insure as my Corvette was. My GS 350 was actually the most expensive car I've ever had to insure. I think it has to do with the European "gentleman's agreement" to limit power and top speed. A lot of cars are electronically limited to 155 mph and they supposedly dont push power in a competitive manner. My unproven theory is they're improving power output, but lying about it to adhere to their gentleman's agreement.
Either way, if BMW was Lexus reliable (or even Honda or GM reliable) with less expensive parts I'd be driving an M550i right now instead of the IS.
I think the most likely explanation is that companies like BMW underreport their power output because it leads to discussions like this. A claimed 350 HP BMW can take down 400 HP cars from other manufacturers.
01-12-23, 04:31 PM
#54
Intermediate
Last edited by DaveGS4; 01-12-23 at 06:38 PM. Reason: link
01-12-23, 06:15 PM
#55
I don't think there's a European gentleman's agreement. There was a Japanese gentleman's agreement back in the 90s but that's long over.
I think the most likely explanation is that companies like BMW underreport their power output because it leads to discussions like this. A claimed 350 HP BMW can take down 400 HP cars from other manufacturers.
I think the most likely explanation is that companies like BMW underreport their power output because it leads to discussions like this. A claimed 350 HP BMW can take down 400 HP cars from other manufacturers.
Last edited by DaveGS4; 01-12-23 at 06:39 PM. Reason: link
01-12-23, 06:42 PM
#56
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
Hi guys, request for you based on long and sometimes painful experience.
Linked threads to competing vehicle forums with strong bias nearly always end up as cross-community flame wars. It happens so often we had to add a rule about it:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/faq...hibited_topics
I've edited & pruned some recent posts * links that seem to be gathering momentum in that direction. Thanks for your understanding, PM me if you have questions.
Linked threads to competing vehicle forums with strong bias nearly always end up as cross-community flame wars. It happens so often we had to add a rule about it:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/faq...hibited_topics
Prohibited Topics
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• Links to posts on other forums that foster cross-forum arguments posted on CL or another forum
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• Links to posts on other forums that foster cross-forum arguments posted on CL or another forum
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01-12-23, 06:52 PM
#57
LOL pretty serious indeed! It makes sense though, their trap speed is aligned with other ~450hp cars. Throw in that strong, low peak torque and you've got a pretty fast car. I always wanted to see a race with a Lexus V8 and an M340i but without launch control on the turbo car.
01-12-23, 07:05 PM
#58
lolLuckily it seems most of the regulars here are car enthusiasts no matter the brand.
01-12-23, 09:09 PM
#59
Instructor
01-13-23, 09:14 AM
#60
Horsepower and top speed go hand in hand, it is not a far cry to suggest it. There was even a statement by Porsche a few years ago suggesting that car manufacturers stop pushing horsepower and pursue efficiency and light weight instead.