How Many Graduated From the IS350 to The F
08-24-09, 10:35 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
08-25-09, 05:49 AM
#23
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will do my best to describe my old IS350 and then how it was when going to the F.
IS350
a. Added F-Sport intake and WOW, what a difference, more in the area of Wow it sounds good as there is not enough HP increase to make a huge difference.
b. Added F-Sport springs. The lowering of the car is a great help but I experienced the spring slap issues.
c. Added the Bilstien shocks all around hoping the spring slap issue would go away, it didn't. Had to add the Tien spring silencers and that did wonders.
d. Added the Nividia cat back exhaust. Excellent sound. I am sure it didn't add anything with regards to HP increase but it looked and sounded good.
e. Added drilled and slotted rotors and EBC Green Stuff pads. Now the car is NOISY when braking. Wont do that again.
Now, finally found the IS-F I wanted and was able to get into it.
Differences.
A. Suspension is more stiff.
B. Quicker no doubt.
C. Fun factor just increased from 6 Flags to 10 Flags
D. This is a car that you go to sleep at night just so you can wake up and hurriedly get dressed so you can get in it and drive it. Its simply THAT MUCH FUN!!!!
Is350 or F.
Conclusion;
If you have the ability then get the IS-F, if not then the IS350 is also a car you can simply enjoy. Remember high school in your 72 Dodge Challenger with the small block that would run 13.80's and everyone thought you were the baddest dude around. Well the IS350 can do that with the AC on and with Class. The IS-F just blows all that away.
Hope this helps.
Andy
IS350
a. Added F-Sport intake and WOW, what a difference, more in the area of Wow it sounds good as there is not enough HP increase to make a huge difference.
b. Added F-Sport springs. The lowering of the car is a great help but I experienced the spring slap issues.
c. Added the Bilstien shocks all around hoping the spring slap issue would go away, it didn't. Had to add the Tien spring silencers and that did wonders.
d. Added the Nividia cat back exhaust. Excellent sound. I am sure it didn't add anything with regards to HP increase but it looked and sounded good.
e. Added drilled and slotted rotors and EBC Green Stuff pads. Now the car is NOISY when braking. Wont do that again.
Now, finally found the IS-F I wanted and was able to get into it.
Differences.
A. Suspension is more stiff.
B. Quicker no doubt.
C. Fun factor just increased from 6 Flags to 10 Flags
D. This is a car that you go to sleep at night just so you can wake up and hurriedly get dressed so you can get in it and drive it. Its simply THAT MUCH FUN!!!!
Is350 or F.
Conclusion;
If you have the ability then get the IS-F, if not then the IS350 is also a car you can simply enjoy. Remember high school in your 72 Dodge Challenger with the small block that would run 13.80's and everyone thought you were the baddest dude around. Well the IS350 can do that with the AC on and with Class. The IS-F just blows all that away.
Hope this helps.
Andy
08-25-09, 09:07 AM
#26
LOL, excellent review, especially your last paragraph!
Is350 or F.
Conclusion;
If you have the ability then get the IS-F, if not then the IS350 is also a car you can simply enjoy. Remember high school in your 72 Dodge Challenger with the small block that would run 13.80's and everyone thought you were the baddest dude around. Well the IS350 can do that with the AC on and with Class. The IS-F just blows all that away.
Hope this helps.
Andy
Conclusion;
If you have the ability then get the IS-F, if not then the IS350 is also a car you can simply enjoy. Remember high school in your 72 Dodge Challenger with the small block that would run 13.80's and everyone thought you were the baddest dude around. Well the IS350 can do that with the AC on and with Class. The IS-F just blows all that away.
Hope this helps.
Andy
08-25-09, 09:15 AM
#27
Here's my experience going from my 350 to the F:
First, let me say I loved my 350. To me, the F just picks up in almost all places where the 350 is lacking.
Appearance: The front end of the F looks better and more agressive (in my opinion). I HATED the front grille on the 350, and the F grille looks much better. Bumper lines look better. Fog light design is better. Side fender vents make for a nice smooth but agressive look. On the rear end, the reflectors, lights, spoiler, and exhaust tips all look better than the 350. Of course, all of this is my opinion, which others may disagree with.
Performance: The F is obviously faster. The paddle shifters respond much quicker (the paddles in the 350 are worthless in my opinion).
Handling: I never did extensive testing of either car to really say.
Interior: The seats are the main improvement here. The telescopic steering wheel is also nice. The interior trim is debatable. Silver CF is ok, if you like it I guess.
A lot of the things I mentioned can be upgraded from the 350 to be equal with the F (e.g. taillights, spoiler, interior trim, etc); however, many cannot (e.g. power, front end, etc). Overall, the above reasons are why I upgraded to the F, with the main reasons being superior power and exterior styling.
Edit: I forgot one of the most important reasons (for me). The F is different. I rarely see another F around here, but the ISX50 is as common as a Honda Civic. The F allows me to have the overall sexiness/classiness of the IS, but not have the same car as everyone else.
First, let me say I loved my 350. To me, the F just picks up in almost all places where the 350 is lacking.
Appearance: The front end of the F looks better and more agressive (in my opinion). I HATED the front grille on the 350, and the F grille looks much better. Bumper lines look better. Fog light design is better. Side fender vents make for a nice smooth but agressive look. On the rear end, the reflectors, lights, spoiler, and exhaust tips all look better than the 350. Of course, all of this is my opinion, which others may disagree with.
Performance: The F is obviously faster. The paddle shifters respond much quicker (the paddles in the 350 are worthless in my opinion).
Handling: I never did extensive testing of either car to really say.
Interior: The seats are the main improvement here. The telescopic steering wheel is also nice. The interior trim is debatable. Silver CF is ok, if you like it I guess.
A lot of the things I mentioned can be upgraded from the 350 to be equal with the F (e.g. taillights, spoiler, interior trim, etc); however, many cannot (e.g. power, front end, etc). Overall, the above reasons are why I upgraded to the F, with the main reasons being superior power and exterior styling.
Edit: I forgot one of the most important reasons (for me). The F is different. I rarely see another F around here, but the ISX50 is as common as a Honda Civic. The F allows me to have the overall sexiness/classiness of the IS, but not have the same car as everyone else.
08-25-09, 10:19 AM
#28
Ho Motorsports
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The Other Chinatown "626"
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes
on
11 Posts
I went from 06 IS350 Smoky Granite Mica to 09 IS-F Matador Red Mica.
Like a few members have posted, there are some significant difference between a regular IS and a F. The ride quality is much harsher but I expected that already. I'd love to have a six speed manual option, but I figured I can live without it.
I seriously considered an E92 M3. It is a great car, however, I can't deal with the iDrive. I'm happy with the switch.
Terrance
Like a few members have posted, there are some significant difference between a regular IS and a F. The ride quality is much harsher but I expected that already. I'd love to have a six speed manual option, but I figured I can live without it.
I seriously considered an E92 M3. It is a great car, however, I can't deal with the iDrive. I'm happy with the switch.
Terrance
08-25-09, 12:34 PM
#30
F is for Fraud
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Québec
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I considered the E92 M3 myself but I simply couldn't justify a $20,000 markup over the IS-F for the possibility of a, I hear, rather sub-par manual transmission. That being said, I do not regret my choice, and in all honesty I'd take this slushbox over any 6-speed; it made me realize how overrated manual trannies are.