Lexus IS500

[bkfastwagon]

Originally Posted by David70

I think it would be odd to pay the extra money on the V-8 close to 500 hp engine and not care about acceleration times (0-60 and 1/4 mile). I can definitely see why it might not be the focus but still relevant.

The V6 is the better value and everything you need, I'm sure it is sporty enough for most and it will be the volume model.

1) Do you want a compact sedan with NA 5 liter V8?

2) Do you intend to keep the car beyond warranty?

If your answered "yes" to the above questions, IS 500 is pretty much the only choice. Probably the last time a car like this is offered, depending on what they do with the new IS F.

[Humdizzle]

yeah the car ain't about lap times or 0-60. i'm pretty intrigued by it. Its like the modern e39 M5. You can have the NA v8 and still have all the modern tech. Its going to sound better in stock form than any f80 in existence.

Interior is still the carried over from the previous years which kind of sucks though.

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by bkfastwagon

1) Do you want a compact sedan with NA 5 liter V8?

2) Do you intend to keep the car beyond warranty?

If your answered "yes" to the above questions, IS 500 is pretty much the only choice. Probably the last time a car like this is offered, depending on what they do with the new IS F.

Seriously. I don't see a car like this ever happening again. This is a big deal. And the fact that it doesn't look half bad is a huge win. If BMW did this in a "M350i" of sorts people would be screaming from rooftops.

[jmull3r]

Originally Posted by syd34

Great job Lexus! I had a chance to drive the original IS F once and the engine was incredible. The engine in this IS 500 and the RC F/GS F is even better. The sound of that V8 is one of the best sounds. This car will have great driving dynamics.

I just wish Lexus did something about their infotainment software for a car that is likely to be a daily driver. I had it on my 3rd Gen IS 350 and I got used to it. But once you use iDrive, etc. the Lexus software feels ancient.

Regardless, I think it will sell well assuming pricing is not out of whack. I would have no issues owning it outside of the warranty period.

honestly with their current infotainment, it isn't horrible but most of us use apple carplay or android auto in their vehicles anyways. when i drive my 2020 RX i never use lexus's actual infotainment since i can just use carplay! their current system compared to my 2017 IS though is night and day!

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by jmull3r

honestly with their current infotainment, it isn't horrible but most of us use apple carplay or android auto in their vehicles anyways. when i drive my 2020 RX i never use lexus's actual infotainment since i can just use carplay! their current system compared to my 2017 IS though is night and day!

Agree, Apple Carplay and the touchscreen definitely saves the infotainment, as well as the physical HVAC controls. The LC and LS unfortunately hide their seat heating controls in the cumbersome menus.

[jmull3r]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Agree, Apple Carplay and the touchscreen definitely saves the infotainment, as well as the physical HVAC controls. The LC and LS unfortunately hide their seat heating controls in the cumbersome menus.

yeah that is really stupid on their part, i like the physical controls of the RX and IS and the other models

[jmull3r]

i really do think pricing will be in line with the M340, since that's what they are marketing it as what it is competing with. it's also missing a lot of things from an F car which keeps cost down so it should be pretty compelling! i think 4.5 seconds to 60 is underwhelming too, i really see it doing 4.1-4.2 if car and driver is testing it. in the real world anyways, it's really people's preference of having torque down low of the turbo 6's or enjoying the high revving v8.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

The IS 500 F SPORT is capable of a 4.5-second sprint to 60 MPH according to Lexus' press release today.

A bit underwhelming with 480HP and V8, IMO.

I think Lexus is sandbagging the IS500 numbers a bit. The 70lb heavier RC-F does the 0-60 in the 4.4-4.5 range and 1/4 mile in the 12.4-12.7@113-115mph range. The prior IS-f with 414hp was 120lbs lighter than the IS500, but had 58hp less. Lots of IS-F owners have been able to beat mag times and go low low 12s and upper 11s at 117-120mph with a couple bolt-ons. These cars are heavy and torque doesn't hit until around 4000rpms so they aren't rockets off the line. They're notably quick/fast from a 40mph+ roll but if you want torque and ease of power gains, BMW is still where it's at.

With that said, this V8 is crazy responsive, pulls and pulls, and sounds epic. I love my M235 dearly, but a used IS500 will be my daily in the next 2 years. The current and last gen IS chassis was in dire need of a motor and it's finally back. The motor and 8AT is very reliable and the 8AT is a very close second to the ZF 8AT in terms of shift speed, aggressiveness, etc. The only issue is you need to be in the more aggressive sport settings to make the 8AT shift in a sporting manner, otherwise, it's too docile and eager to upshift.

The IS500 desperately needs some different wheels and the red is a terrible intro color. White and smokey gray with some good looking, properly offset wheels will look perfect. Like others noted, it's too bad they didn't do something with the front fenders. Lexus went to all the trouble to smoke out the chrome and then put conservative shiny wheels on it. Jesus, it's like GM and them putting chrome rims on Vettes.

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I think Lexus is sandbagging the IS500 numbers a bit. The 70lb heavier RC-F does the 0-60 in the 4.4-4.5 range and 1/4 mile in the 12.4-12.7@113-115mph range. The prior IS-f with 414hp was 120lbs lighter than the IS500, but had 58hp less. Lots of IS-F owners have been able to beat mag times and go low low 12s and upper 11s at 117-120mph with a couple bolt-ons. These cars are heavy and torque doesn't hit until around 4000rpms so they aren't rockets off the line. They're notably quick/fast from a 40mph+ roll but if you want torque and ease of power gains, BMW is still where it's at.

With that said, this V8 is crazy responsive, pulls and pulls, and sounds epic. I love my M235 dearly, but a used IS500 will be my daily in the next 2 years. The current and last gen IS chassis was in dire need of a motor and it's finally back. The motor and 8AT is very reliable and the 8AT is a very close second to the ZF 8AT in terms of shift speed, aggressiveness, etc. The only issue is you need to be in the more aggressive sport settings to make the 8AT shift in a sporting manner, otherwise, it's too docile and eager to upshift.

The IS500 desperately needs some different wheels and the red is a terrible intro color. White and smokey gray with some good looking, properly offset wheels will look perfect. Like others noted, it's too bad they didn't do something with the front fenders. Lexus went to all the trouble to smoke out the chrome and then put conservative shiny wheels on it. Jesus, it's like GM and them putting chrome rims on Vettes.

Yeah wheels are alright, could be better. Lexus is hit or miss w/ wheels and BMW always seems to make great looking wheels.

The Lexus design language oftentimes doesn't photograph well esp in Red, but looks great in person. New IS looks pretty good w/ F sport packaging, I'd think this will look better.

[syd34]

Originally Posted by jmull3r

honestly with their current infotainment, it isn't horrible but most of us use apple carplay or android auto in their vehicles anyways. when i drive my 2020 RX i never use lexus's actual infotainment since i can just use carplay! their current system compared to my 2017 IS though is night and day!

Yes, I agree that CarPlay/AA helps a lot. Didn't have that option on my 2014 IS 350. And the touchscreen, as others mentioned also helps greatly.

[David70]

Originally Posted by jmull3r

i really do think pricing will be in line with the M340, since that's what they are marketing it as what it is competing with. it's also missing a lot of things from an F car which keeps cost down so it should be pretty compelling! i think 4.5 seconds to 60 is underwhelming too, i really see it doing 4.1-4.2 if car and driver is testing it. in the real world anyways, it's really people's preference of having torque down low of the turbo 6's or enjoying the high revving v8.

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I think Lexus is sandbagging the IS500 numbers a bit. The 70lb heavier RC-F does the 0-60 in the 4.4-4.5 range and 1/4 mile in the 12.4-12.7@113-115mph range. The prior IS-f with 414hp was 120lbs lighter than the IS500, but had 58hp less. Lots of IS-F owners have been able to beat mag times and go low low 12s and upper 11s at 117-120mph with a couple bolt-ons. These cars are heavy and torque doesn't hit until around 4000rpms so they aren't rockets off the line. They're notably quick/fast from a 40mph+ roll but if you want torque and ease of power gains, BMW is still where it's at.

With that said, this V8 is crazy responsive, pulls and pulls, and sounds epic. I love my M235 dearly, but a used IS500 will be my daily in the next 2 years. The current and last gen IS chassis was in dire need of a motor and it's finally back. The motor and 8AT is very reliable and the 8AT is a very close second to the ZF 8AT in terms of shift speed, aggressiveness, etc. The only issue is you need to be in the more aggressive sport settings to make the 8AT shift in a sporting manner, otherwise, it's too docile and eager to upshift.

The IS500 desperately needs some different wheels and the red is a terrible intro color. White and smokey gray with some good looking, properly offset wheels will look perfect. Like others noted, it's too bad they didn't do something with the front fenders. Lexus went to all the trouble to smoke out the chrome and then put conservative shiny wheels on it. Jesus, it's like GM and them putting chrome rims on Vettes.

Lexus LC 500 (I think same engine?) - 471 hp, 0-60 4.7 seconds, 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @ 111 mph, 4371 lbs.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/

Why do you think the IS will be significantly faster?

[DriverDaily]

Originally Posted by David70

Lexus LC 500 (I think same engine?) - 471 hp, 0-60 4.7 seconds, 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @ 111 mph, 4371 lbs.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/

Why do you think the IS will be significantly faster?

The LC500 is like 600lbs heavier than the IS500

[JPM-3]

Originally Posted by David70

Lexus LC 500 (I think same engine?) - 471 hp, 0-60 4.7 seconds, 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @ 111 mph, 4371 lbs.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/

Why do you think the IS will be significantly faster?

Should be using the current RCF has a better comparison point for straight line acceleration purposes, with roughly same curb weights between the two.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by David70

Lexus LC 500 (I think same engine?) - 471 hp, 0-60 4.7 seconds, 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @ 111 mph, 4371 lbs.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/

Why do you think the IS will be significantly faster?

Weight. The LC 500 weighs nearly 500lbs more than the IS500.

The 120lb lighter 2008-2012 416hp Lexus IS-F did lower 4 second 0-60s and 12.6-12.8@110-112mph. Many owners beat those stock times at the strip by a few tenths and mph. With an extra 50-60hp in the upper rpms and a little more torque in mid and upper range, even saddled with a little more weight, the IS500 should be a few ticks quicker in the 1/4 mile than the IS F and definitely 2-3mph faster. It puts it very close to the prior gen standard M3/M4. The IS500 won't have the shove of the amazing S55, but it is a more linear, responsive, tractable, and better sounding motor for sure. it will be great for hard street driving. The "theater" is way more exciting too.

[Sublime00]

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...3#post27261783

Info on Lexus nomenclature, what I think most people suspected, a top range ISF is not the same as the IS500 just like the m340i isn't the same as the M3.

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

yeah the car ain't about lap times or 0-60. i'm pretty intrigued by it. Its like the modern e39 M5. You can have the NA v8 and still have all the modern tech. Its going to sound better in stock form than any f80 in existence.

Interior is still the carried over from the previous years which kind of sucks though.

Yeah, 0-60 times can be really misleading. If you have two cars with identical 0-60 times but one is doing an all-wheel drive launch and the other is RWD, it's the RWD car that is going to pull way way harder in 90 percent of situations.

Same thing with transmission, if you have a DCT car hitting 60 in 4.5 seconds and a manual that hits 60 in 4.5 seconds, while wasting like a second of that time on 2 gear shifts, you can be pretty well assured that the driver of the manual is going to experience more G forces every time they step on the loud pedal.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by supra93

This may foreshadow the "LS-F" and "LC-F". Let me explain. I recall reading a post somewhere awhile back that said a full blown F model for those two was getting watered down. Like Lexus was just going to drop the TT V8 into the LS and LC and pretty much call it a day. Kind of like what we see with this IS500 F Sport. IIRC, the reasons were R&D time and cost passed down to the consumers.

I think that would be considered a win at this point because (as you know) recent rumors have strongly suggested that the turbocharged V8 has been canceled. Just having it back on track and under the hood of a production car would be big, even with few other features to distinguish said car from its siblings.

[W///]

Originally Posted by David70

I think it would be odd to pay the extra money on the V-8 close to 500 hp engine and not care about acceleration times (0-60 and 1/4 mile). I can definitely see why it might not be the focus but still relevant.

The V6 is the better value and everything you need, I'm sure it is sporty enough for most and it will be the volume model.

I'm with you on this one. I will be the first to say that I specifically do NOT want crazy hp and torque as I do believe cars have become too fast. I guess for me, it doesn't blow me away enough to say get rid of my E92 M3 for one (not that is even an option ). Would I get rid of my Z4M for one? No. All I'm saying is that this doesn't cut it enough for me, whereas an M2C for the same price would. Might be a tad more interested if it was a full blown F.

P.S. Before I get slaughtered for saying what I just did, I would like to mention that credit should be given to Toyota/Lexus for providing a car that is completely different than what competitors - ironically just an old recipe. Between this and the Yaris GR, Toyota is on a roll.

[MisterF80M3]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

Lol at people looking at 0-60 times.

If that's your main concern move on to another car because you won't understand the value of this car.

What do you look at in a performance car with 500HP V8? It's not like Lexus is built for the track either.

[DriverDaily]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

What do you look at in a performance car with 500HP V8? It's not like Lexus is built for the track either.

The primary metric for a sports car has always been smiles per gallon. Straight line performance is a large part of that, but it's obviously not the whole story or else we would be on a Hellcat forum. If it's priced like an F-sport and not IS F it could sell very well.

[bkfastwagon]

Originally Posted by DriverDaily

The primary metric for a sports car has always been smiles per gallon. Straight line performance is a large part of that, but it's obviously not the whole story or else we would be on a Hellcat forum. If it's priced like an F-sport and not IS F it could sell very well.

Yup. Sports cars for me have to feel special not just at 9/10th or 10/10th but also when going 4/10th or 5/10th. I sold F80 M3 for e90 M3 exactly for this reason. Linear power delivery and V8 induction noise can be enjoyed at any speed, whereas F80 for me was more of an on/off experience.

[dscabra]

Originally Posted by bkfastwagon

Yup. Sports cars for me have to feel special not just at 9/10th or 10/10th but also when going 4/10th or 5/10th. I sold F80 M3 for e90 M3 exactly for this reason. Linear power delivery and V8 induction noise can be enjoyed at any speed, whereas F80 for me was more of an on/off experience.

Exactly why driving my Cobra is never disappointing (ear plugs required for any extended driving):



Short YouTube video of the car idling (mid build):

Listen to the first 60-seconds of this one on my first Mile-Hi Cobra Club drive with the completed car: