To you, what makes the ISF special?
08-06-16, 10:43 PM
#64
Just today alone I met 3 people who didn't know this car has a V8.
The first person was a man in a CLS-550 who honked at me, then when I took a turn onto another road, I opened it up. He started falling behind, and then took a swift right into a plaza. (he took a shortcut to some breakfast place)
I entered the plaza and now I was behind him.....guy drove like a total asshat, but the best part is when he parked and got out of his car. I stopped to talk to him and he said he didn't understand how I put the distance on him. I told him it's a V8.........."Oh I didn't know they made them like that". Classic.
Onto the Coffee and Cars show............more people not knowing jack about this car, even an Evo 9 owner...........Camaro owners.......zzzzz...zzzz...zzzz.......
There was a red 1998 Supra single Turbo next to me, so it got all the attention in the world. Even the police didn't pay any attention to the car.
To sum it up, this car is NOT known, this car is a surprise......."they don't see it coming".
The first person was a man in a CLS-550 who honked at me, then when I took a turn onto another road, I opened it up. He started falling behind, and then took a swift right into a plaza. (he took a shortcut to some breakfast place)
I entered the plaza and now I was behind him.....guy drove like a total asshat, but the best part is when he parked and got out of his car. I stopped to talk to him and he said he didn't understand how I put the distance on him. I told him it's a V8.........."Oh I didn't know they made them like that". Classic.
Onto the Coffee and Cars show............more people not knowing jack about this car, even an Evo 9 owner...........Camaro owners.......zzzzz...zzzz...zzzz.......
There was a red 1998 Supra single Turbo next to me, so it got all the attention in the world. Even the police didn't pay any attention to the car.
To sum it up, this car is NOT known, this car is a surprise......."they don't see it coming".
08-07-16, 10:40 AM
#65
Lexus Fanatic
My chiropractor saw my car on my Facebook page and asked me to bring it in during my appointment . I started the car up, he took a look at it , and then later that evening told me he is now looking for a GSF . Pretty cool . I told him how rare and special these cars are and he was sold . I hope he fits. He is 7'2 . ( he is the worlds tallest Chripractor . Used to play pro ball in Germany . )
08-07-16, 10:46 AM
#66
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
My chiropractor saw my car on my Facebook page and asked me to bring it in during my appointment . I started the car up, he took a look at it , and then later that evening told me he is now looking for a GSF . Pretty cool . I told him how rare and special these cars are and he was sold . I hope he fits. He is 7'2 . ( he is the worlds tallest Chripractor . Used to play pro ball in Germany . )
08-07-16, 08:16 PM
#67
I looked at and test drove about 15 cars, including the M3, M235i, and the MB C63AMG coupe before I settled on the ISF.
Here's why I plunked down my $$ on the ISF:
It's got serious performance with Lexus reliability and quality... and it's a hellva lot of fun to drive. What other car in that price range is super sporty, is RWD, has a naturally aspirated V-8, 400+HP, AND is reliable? My research kept pointing to the ISF and I squealed like a little girl when I drove it! I also like that it's a little bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing. It is so not what it appears to be.
Here's why I plunked down my $$ on the ISF:
It's got serious performance with Lexus reliability and quality... and it's a hellva lot of fun to drive. What other car in that price range is super sporty, is RWD, has a naturally aspirated V-8, 400+HP, AND is reliable? My research kept pointing to the ISF and I squealed like a little girl when I drove it! I also like that it's a little bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing. It is so not what it appears to be.
Last edited by jv12; 08-07-16 at 08:22 PM.
08-18-16, 09:24 AM
#69
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Sorry but if your looking for an answer for that question you gotta make a new thread and then be sure to post it in the right area. This section is for the ISF (2008-2014) not the F sport and not the newer 3rd generation IS. Also what you wrote is completely off topic.. Please try to follow the guidelines and help keep the forum organized. Hope you find your answer!
08-18-16, 09:27 AM
#70
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Since this thread has been bumped back to the top I wanna add something. Another reason (or really to add to an existing reason) of why it's so special is that even Lexus owners don't know what an ISF is! Lol. Its always funny to read a post in the ISF section about some one looking for help with their F sport 
I guess the F is so rare, maybe even Lexus doesn't know it exists lol.
I guess the F is so rare, maybe even Lexus doesn't know it exists lol.
08-18-16, 09:32 AM
#71
Since this thread has been bumped back to the top I wanna add something. Another reason (or really to add to an existing reason) of why it's so special is that even Lexus owners don't know what an ISF is! Lol. Its always funny to read a post in the ISF section about some one looking for help with their F sport I guess the F is so rare, maybe even Lexus doesn't know it exists lol.
I guess the F is so rare, maybe even Lexus doesn't know it exists lol.
08-18-16, 09:37 AM
#72
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Well I mean, there is a section of Club Lexus for site suggestions and improvements. Maybe we should tell them to add that on the side? Lol. Or better yet just have it say "ISF 2008-2014 (the V8 one)" lol.
08-18-16, 10:07 AM
#73
Driver School Candidate
why the F is special
Its rare reliable 4 door family car. comfortable and performance. inexpensive cost of ownership versus the germans.
can track if if you like.
Works for me and the family.
can track if if you like.
Works for me and the family.
07-12-21, 10:15 AM
#74
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CA
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I had both the IS F and the Q50 Red Sport 400. Both had plenty of power. The Lexus sounds better stock as it's a V8. Stock neither sounds particularly good, especially compared to the Germans or Alfa. The Infiniti has bonus of avail AWD. This is huge. I had the RWD version and just dropping the accelerator I'd light up the tires easily - something I didn't necessarily like. The Infinity feels noticably faster too -the turbos def have a big role here. The Infiniti is easier (and much cheaper) to tune for significant power gains. The options will only increase when the Nissan 400 Z drops in the coming months. For big gains with the Lexus you have to bolt on a SC or something and here in Cali you'd never pass smog and the cost (~$10k, YMMV) is a lot of effort to take off and on.
Both are dated tech but I like the top down view in the Infiniti, touch screen (but kinda slow) as well. Our Lexus didn't even have OEM BT audio. We bought the Grom Audio aftermarket to help here. Both interiors also feel quite dated. You can't even get cooled seats in either AFAIK.
The Lexus IS 500 will solve some of these but the powertrain is now like 13 years old, at least.
The biggest issue I have with both are their transmissions. Both are pretty slow shifting. I ended up going to Audi's which are massively tunable, the dual clutch gives lightning quick shifts - but the cost of ownership/ repairs is significantly higher.
TL;DR: If you want rare the IS F is your pick, hands down. If you want tunability Red Sport all day. If you want actual speed - look elsewhere. The transmissions will discourage, especially compared to the Mercs, Audis and BMWs. I think people considering either of these should also consider the Genesis G70 3.3T that also has a twin turbo.
Both are dated tech but I like the top down view in the Infiniti, touch screen (but kinda slow) as well. Our Lexus didn't even have OEM BT audio. We bought the Grom Audio aftermarket to help here. Both interiors also feel quite dated. You can't even get cooled seats in either AFAIK.
The Lexus IS 500 will solve some of these but the powertrain is now like 13 years old, at least.
The biggest issue I have with both are their transmissions. Both are pretty slow shifting. I ended up going to Audi's which are massively tunable, the dual clutch gives lightning quick shifts - but the cost of ownership/ repairs is significantly higher.
TL;DR: If you want rare the IS F is your pick, hands down. If you want tunability Red Sport all day. If you want actual speed - look elsewhere. The transmissions will discourage, especially compared to the Mercs, Audis and BMWs. I think people considering either of these should also consider the Genesis G70 3.3T that also has a twin turbo.
07-12-21, 02:09 PM
#75
I had both the IS F and the Q50 Red Sport 400. Both had plenty of power. The Lexus sounds better stock as it's a V8. Stock neither sounds particularly good, especially compared to the Germans or Alfa. The Infiniti has bonus of avail AWD. This is huge. I had the RWD version and just dropping the accelerator I'd light up the tires easily - something I didn't necessarily like. The Infinity feels noticably faster too -the turbos def have a big role here. The Infiniti is easier (and much cheaper) to tune for significant power gains. The options will only increase when the Nissan 400 Z drops in the coming months. For big gains with the Lexus you have to bolt on a SC or something and here in Cali you'd never pass smog and the cost (~$10k, YMMV) is a lot of effort to take off and on.
Both are dated tech but I like the top down view in the Infiniti, touch screen (but kinda slow) as well. Our Lexus didn't even have OEM BT audio. We bought the Grom Audio aftermarket to help here. Both interiors also feel quite dated. You can't even get cooled seats in either AFAIK.
The Lexus IS 500 will solve some of these but the powertrain is now like 13 years old, at least.
The biggest issue I have with both are their transmissions. Both are pretty slow shifting. I ended up going to Audi's which are massively tunable, the dual clutch gives lightning quick shifts - but the cost of ownership/ repairs is significantly higher.
TL;DR: If you want rare the IS F is your pick, hands down. If you want tunability Red Sport all day. If you want actual speed - look elsewhere. The transmissions will discourage, especially compared to the Mercs, Audis and BMWs. I think people considering either of these should also consider the Genesis G70 3.3T that also has a twin turbo.
Both are dated tech but I like the top down view in the Infiniti, touch screen (but kinda slow) as well. Our Lexus didn't even have OEM BT audio. We bought the Grom Audio aftermarket to help here. Both interiors also feel quite dated. You can't even get cooled seats in either AFAIK.
The Lexus IS 500 will solve some of these but the powertrain is now like 13 years old, at least.
The biggest issue I have with both are their transmissions. Both are pretty slow shifting. I ended up going to Audi's which are massively tunable, the dual clutch gives lightning quick shifts - but the cost of ownership/ repairs is significantly higher.
TL;DR: If you want rare the IS F is your pick, hands down. If you want tunability Red Sport all day. If you want actual speed - look elsewhere. The transmissions will discourage, especially compared to the Mercs, Audis and BMWs. I think people considering either of these should also consider the Genesis G70 3.3T that also has a twin turbo.
That's what made the ISF special, Lexus first real turn up at bat in that class and they got most of it right and most F cars are still running til this day. Cant say that about the mass produced German competitors in that class. Having owned an M3 with all the fixens i ran back to Lexus after 18 months of ownership and I didn't look back
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