cliffud

iTrader: (3)

I drove the IS-F at SEMA and was kinda disappointed but I think one has to remember that the car is aimed at being a luxury vehicle first and a sports sedan a very close second. The suspension is definitely impressive so although it doesn't zoom off in a straight line as fast as everyone was hoping, it definitely takes the curves flat. With numbers aside, I think it's a really nice car but Lexus definitely could have added a little more visual "wow" to the vehicle's interior

I would have liked to see more carbon fiber on the inside, I know there is some already but it's too subtle. By all means, I don't mean it should look like a ricer boy's honda with a carbon fiber dashmat or anything but the center console, which is CF, would have looked better had the CF extended it's way back under the center arm rest. Also, the dash looks too compartmentalized. It would have been nice to see something that looked like it was all one piece.

Just my thoughts.

cjw.

CrazyMPG

iTrader: (4)

just a thought...would you buy the car now that you have test driven it?...I want to know how many people that test drove the car would buy it now...

SoCalSC4

I was actually quite impressed by the IS-Fs interior... just looked at
a black exterior/white interior, and I quite liked the subtle blue stitching
on the armrest and door panels and the white carbon fiber trim -
classy and sporty at the same time.

I'm a bit disappointed with the horsepower ratings, but I suspect that
Lexus has slightly understated the numbers. I think we'll see better
performance numbers from examples of this car that aren't so "green."

I also like the fact that this car was tuned as more of a torque monster;
as I've gotten older I've come to realize that TORQUE is what makes a
street car fun. Drive a torqueless wonder like an S2000 or a
high-strung/hig rpm car and you'll quickly realize what I mean.

I'd love to see a rolling 40+ mph run between the new M3 and the IS-F.
I think that in the real world the IS-F will have some BMW fanboys
scratching their heads!

Manoj

Which numbers are we talking about .........

For a performance car a good lap time numbers speak for itself......... Can we expect a laptime for Nurburing where IS-F was tested ? or laptime at Fuji speedway where IS-F was developed ??????

cliffud

iTrader: (3)

crazympg -

I had small thoughts of buying the IS-F but the practical side of me always came into play. The back seat is too small and I sometimes take passengers. Also, at $55-60k, we're talking almost new LS460 pricing (which starts at $61k) and you could definitely pick up a gently used LS460 for that price by next year. (I hate buying new cars)

Of course the LS460 is bigger but still it's no slouch in the 0-60 arena (5.4 seconds according to Lexus.com). Yes, the IS-F has a manufacturer's estimate of 4.6 seconds but I couldn't care less for that .8 of a second and according to a certain IS350 owner I know on here, the new LS can still drift.

So space and pricing aside...

Would I get the IS-F? Sure. I have a few good friends who own IS350s and after hearing their comments on what convinced them I noticed a common thread - they always mentioned the creature comforts of the Lexus over comparable cars. Nav, Bluetooth, keyless entry/start, vented seats, etc.

NINEZeRO

I spoke to a local Lexus dealership and the salesperson was telling me how there were dozens of deposits for the LS but none for the IS-F

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Let's see, a 600 ft-lb engine turning 3000 rpm with a 2.33 gear or a 300 ft-lb engine turning 6000 rpm with a 4.66 gear? Which one would I want? I think they're exactly the same. And they're both well within the limits of automotive technology.

On topic - I still am very disappointed with the IS-F's numbers. If you are going to make a splash in a market segment and charge what Lexus wants for this car, it should be a class leader in every way.

GSdriven

after reading the review of the IS-F in Decembers Automobile magazine I was disapointed. One thing that caught my attention was that the F front was 90% more stiffer than the IS. The IS is fairly stiff already. The magazine called it a track star but loosing drivability and good looks. Maybe Nissans Skyline or the BMW new one series with the inline six turbo will be better car for an enthusiast and to my buddy at another post yep I am over 51 with a zipper, 10 month old daughter and two year old grandson. I take six different vitamins for old people in the morning and 5 at night. My little girl is a sweet heart and a joy.

fireballs gs400

I will drive the big three and then drive the lexus. I am not going to be bias, and I am just going to enjoy each test drive. I know I would not buy the audi, due mainly to it being a pos. I don't care what anyone says, they are unreliable. The mercedes and bmw are prob not that far behind the lexus, but quality is super important due to me punching my work clock every day and paying for it.

The reviews are always bias in certain mags.
Drive them first!

autovation

iTrader: (1)

How about a Laguna Seca laptime to use as a gage? They must be on here somewhere?

vip3r1850

I think the drivers were having to much fun drifting around the corners rather than timing themselves hehe

Manoj

LoL....... We need something like this .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL7T9BD_Q3k

And I havent seen any such videos which was made to do a Hot Lap!

Raleigh GS

Three car lengths a close race. I think not. You would say you got yanked hard if you got beat that bad. Usually a tenth of a second equals about a carlength.

I hate to say if i was going to pay 60k for any of those 4 cars in that chart, i would get a MB c63 amg

NWIS250AWD

I feel the same. After seeing the road tests compared to others that are lower priced along with the buldged looks of the IS-F. Add the maintenance cost included in the BMW and it get's harder to go the way of the F.

333 at the wheels is pretty poor along with the exhaust not connected to the tips??? WTF???

CrazyMPG

iTrader: (4)

actually it's been covered (search in the forum) that the exhaust is connected to the tips...the ones before are pre-production models...