Long Term Test: 2008 Lexus IS F by Car & Driver
08-27-09, 06:34 PM
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Long Term Test: 2008 Lexus IS F by Car & Driver
Just got the Car & Driver Oct 09 issue in the mail today:
Verdict: CD assoc. editor Tony Quiroga summed up "...the ride is really bad. I caught myself laughing...but I was laughing, and not my cars make you laugh. A really special car, I totally fell for it. I'll be looking at used ones in the coming years..."
High: "we average 21 MPG over the 40,000-mile test...our long term BMW M3 has returned 17 MPG over 30,000 miles...The IS F achieved fuel economy as high as 28 MPG a few times"
"New: 0-60mph @4.4sec; 40,000 miles: 0-60mph still @4.4sec....feels just the the way it did when we got it 13 months ago....our long term M3 has loosened up, particularly its M DCT dual-clutch transmission; a critical observer might even call it tired"
Accomplished through "our long term test without unscheduled stop" compared to "2005 Porsche Boxster S...2007 Jaguar XK convertible...Audi S8"
"Ride aside, the IS F proved to be an excellent assault vehicle, expressly built for attacking expressways"
Low : bad in snow even with snow tires and in snow mode. "Rough Rider"
My personal judgement: I love the ride (and yes it is bumpy), the handling, the performance, and the fuel economy ( I averaged between 21 and 24 mpg ). Thank you Lexus
Verdict: CD assoc. editor Tony Quiroga summed up "...the ride is really bad. I caught myself laughing...but I was laughing, and not my cars make you laugh. A really special car, I totally fell for it. I'll be looking at used ones in the coming years..."
High: "we average 21 MPG over the 40,000-mile test...our long term BMW M3 has returned 17 MPG over 30,000 miles...The IS F achieved fuel economy as high as 28 MPG a few times"
"New: 0-60mph @4.4sec; 40,000 miles: 0-60mph still @4.4sec....feels just the the way it did when we got it 13 months ago....our long term M3 has loosened up, particularly its M DCT dual-clutch transmission; a critical observer might even call it tired"
Accomplished through "our long term test without unscheduled stop" compared to "2005 Porsche Boxster S...2007 Jaguar XK convertible...Audi S8"
"Ride aside, the IS F proved to be an excellent assault vehicle, expressly built for attacking expressways"
Low : bad in snow even with snow tires and in snow mode. "Rough Rider"
My personal judgement: I love the ride (and yes it is bumpy), the handling, the performance, and the fuel economy ( I averaged between 21 and 24 mpg ). Thank you Lexus
08-27-09, 07:08 PM
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Everyone wants to discount fuel enonomy when comparing "sporty" cars. But I love when the car becomes a DD, like mine, it is something that really makes a big deal. B/c it should.
08-27-09, 07:08 PM
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......good review and sounds about right.
Yet another who can get decent gas mileage out of this car. I have high hopes for my mileage tests and feel it's very capable.
......."bumpy ride" -- love it, since it also handles remarkably well...
C.
Yet another who can get decent gas mileage out of this car. I have high hopes for my mileage tests and feel it's very capable.
......."bumpy ride" -- love it, since it also handles remarkably well...
C.
08-27-09, 10:49 PM
#4
The fuel economy is really astounding considering that it's a FIVE LITER performance engine in a 3800lb car. Got a full liter more than an M3 and gobs more torque AND gets much better mileage. It really is a sign of how well the car is engineered. When I was cross-shopping with a MB C63 AMG I cringed at that mileage figure. (Few months ago I heard AMG will finally adopt direct injection in some of its engines starting 2010 in order to help with the fuel economy, something the F already has...)
Some say it shouldn't be a factor in these types of cars but I disagree. For many of us, it's not just a weekend car, it's a full-time daily driven car and unless you drive like a dyck you're not going to stomp it ALL the time, so mileage IS a factor. Sometimes I just turn up the audio and let it cruise on a long stretch of road, and sometimes I want to letter' rip, and I can do either relatively guiltlessly.
And the ride? It really astounds me every time I hear a complaint about it. Try daily driving a Prelude with Tein coilovers for 8+ years then get back to me about the ride in the F. Even a buddy of mine who drives an AVALON(!) says the ride is nothing to whine about.
So "Thank you Lexus" indeed!
Some say it shouldn't be a factor in these types of cars but I disagree. For many of us, it's not just a weekend car, it's a full-time daily driven car and unless you drive like a dyck you're not going to stomp it ALL the time, so mileage IS a factor. Sometimes I just turn up the audio and let it cruise on a long stretch of road, and sometimes I want to letter' rip, and I can do either relatively guiltlessly.
And the ride? It really astounds me every time I hear a complaint about it. Try daily driving a Prelude with Tein coilovers for 8+ years then get back to me about the ride in the F. Even a buddy of mine who drives an AVALON(!) says the ride is nothing to whine about.
So "Thank you Lexus" indeed!
08-27-09, 11:25 PM
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08-28-09, 05:12 AM
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Daily Driver here too. I love this car and nice to see Car and Driver compare the long term results with an M3. I was tossed between the two but having owned an IS350 that was bullet-proof I just assumed the IS-F was going to be and ~viola, it is. Thanks Lexus!!!! Now to set the goal a bit higher for myself and start thinking about HOW I am going to get an LF-A
08-28-09, 06:32 AM
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08-28-09, 06:35 AM
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I swear Car and Drivers Bullcrapping about the mpg on the M3, no way they are getting that many mpg on that car. Betcha they are driving the m3 alot on the highway while they are driving alot on local for the F. My F averages 24-28mpg on the highway cruising at 80mph. I've gotten as high as 37mpg on the highway. this car is insane!!!
08-28-09, 08:27 AM
#12
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Being rock solid is what it's all about, especially after 40k miles. Despite the few rattles I have here and there, the IS F has been solid for me at 18.5k miles.
08-28-09, 09:20 AM
#13
Its great to see that review everytime I look at C and D. It goes to show that this is the most understated car in its class. As a car with a truly addicting experience, it is hard for any editor to hate once they drive it. I love watching the MPG meter jump when I am good and I love the car when I decide I want to drop the hammers. To which it still gives me around 18 average.
no regrets here either at 15K
no regrets here either at 15K
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-- We are your Lexus suspension experts--
BCR - KW - PENSKE - OHLINS - HKS - GREDDY - STANCEPARTS
Links - Arms - SuperPro Poly Bushings - Solid Bearing Conversions - Motor Mounts
RB BBK's and 2P Rotors, G-Loc pads, Radium Fuel Systems
Custom Fabrication Design and Machining - Industrial 3D Printing - Laser Cutting
2018 USTCC Sportsman Class Champions - 2018 NASA ST5 National Champions
08-28-09, 11:35 AM
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The Full Online review can be read here:
2008 Lexus IS F - Long-Term Road Test
I left a comment for them....
Regards,
Joe Z
2008 Lexus IS F - Long-Term Road Test
I left a comment for them....
Regards,
Joe Z
Just got the Car & Driver Oct 09 issue in the mail today:
Verdict: CD assoc. editor Tony Quiroga summed up "...the ride is really bad. I caught myself laughing...but I was laughing, and not my cars make you laugh. A really special car, I totally fell for it. I'll be looking at used ones in the coming years..."
High: "we average 21 MPG over the 40,000-mile test...our long term BMW M3 has returned 17 MPG over 30,000 miles...The IS F achieved fuel economy as high as 28 MPG a few times"
"New: 0-60mph @4.4sec; 40,000 miles: 0-60mph still @4.4sec....feels just the the way it did when we got it 13 months ago....our long term M3 has loosened up, particularly its M DCT dual-clutch transmission; a critical observer might even call it tired"
Accomplished through "our long term test without unscheduled stop" compared to "2005 Porsche Boxster S...2007 Jaguar XK convertible...Audi S8"
"Ride aside, the IS F proved to be an excellent assault vehicle, expressly built for attacking expressways"
Low : bad in snow even with snow tires and in snow mode. "Rough Rider"
My personal judgement: I love the ride (and yes it is bumpy), the handling, the performance, and the fuel economy ( I averaged between 21 and 24 mpg ). Thank you Lexus
Verdict: CD assoc. editor Tony Quiroga summed up "...the ride is really bad. I caught myself laughing...but I was laughing, and not my cars make you laugh. A really special car, I totally fell for it. I'll be looking at used ones in the coming years..."
High: "we average 21 MPG over the 40,000-mile test...our long term BMW M3 has returned 17 MPG over 30,000 miles...The IS F achieved fuel economy as high as 28 MPG a few times"
"New: 0-60mph @4.4sec; 40,000 miles: 0-60mph still @4.4sec....feels just the the way it did when we got it 13 months ago....our long term M3 has loosened up, particularly its M DCT dual-clutch transmission; a critical observer might even call it tired"
Accomplished through "our long term test without unscheduled stop" compared to "2005 Porsche Boxster S...2007 Jaguar XK convertible...Audi S8"
"Ride aside, the IS F proved to be an excellent assault vehicle, expressly built for attacking expressways"
Low : bad in snow even with snow tires and in snow mode. "Rough Rider"
My personal judgement: I love the ride (and yes it is bumpy), the handling, the performance, and the fuel economy ( I averaged between 21 and 24 mpg ). Thank you Lexus