In school, you often have to cram a bunch of knowledge into your head and dump it out on paper for a test, and then you forget everything. However, one thing we all learned and still remember is that you can’t graduate if you get Fs.
That’s true – in the academic world. Not in the car world, though. Forum member Slash300zx recently graduated from a Lexus IS 350 F Sport to an Ultra White/Circuit Red 2016 RC F.
In doing that, Slash300zx also transitioned to a new stage in his life. He said, “It’s going to be the first time in 9 years that we don’t have an IS in the family anymore.” Luckily, for driving occasions that call for the comfort of a sedan, Slash300zx has one. In fact, it’s another Lexus – a 2015 GS350 F Sport.
Like someone leaving high school behind for the opportunities of college, Slash300zx has plenty to look forward to, such as more driving in Sport S+ mode and mods. Of course, being a member of this forum, he learned long ago about personalizing his Lexus.
Congratulations, Slash300zx. We’re proud of you getting this F.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.