ex IS-F owner turns to the dark side >R8 v10
#64
Many people say to own a sports car is to drive it. If I used this as a factor in determining which set of keys to grab each time I want to go out for an errand or an excuse to drive the “long way” just to enjoy the car, it seems the winner is pretty clear cut.
S2000: (past 3 years I put roughly 1800 miles on her)
NSX: (past 3 years I put barely 900 miles)
R8: (past 3 months I put over 2000 miles) and I find myself giving excuses to drive the car even if it’s a short trip around town…
The reality of the situation is the R8 does everything so well it really can be a daily driver as long as you can live with the tiny cargo space and attention the car gets. This is not always a good thing if I’m in a hurry since even a short trip to Target or the Redbox kiosk becomes an adventure as you have to take time to talk to people who ask about the car.
Perhaps this is a reason why I told my wife I won’t be lowering this car to some ridiculous height or adding a crazy loud exhaust. In stock form the car has the perfect stance after I added some H/R spacers. I’m doing some interior upgrades only because the stock wheel and shifter is way too flimsy. I love the fact the car has the smart electronics to automatically disable the front airbag so my toddler can ride with me. This alone is a huge plus because I rarely travel anywhere without at least one kid in tow. This requirement renders the NSX and s2000 useless.
After some seat time one thing I realized is the R8’s seating position is pretty low which is not much of an issue for me until recently we took the car to Stanford for some open basketball. After 5 games both my legs started cramping so we decided to call it quits but I could not extend my left leg to drive the car so my brother had to drive home. A bit embarrassing since I guess I must be out of shape! The only other gripes I have is the car does not have BT Audio or even an AUX jack for my music but these are small quirks for an otherwise near perfect car. Amazingly I even average about 23 mpg on the highway, not bad for a v10 sports car!
We are planning a photoshoot soon so I hope to get some really good shots of the car by itself with the new interior CF goodies ASAP
Mod wise we did the exhaust valve bypass to give the car a more aggressive tone at lower RPM's and planning to add a front lip to protect the underside of the front bumper. Also added H/R 10mm and 15mm spacers to give a better stance.
S2000: (past 3 years I put roughly 1800 miles on her)
NSX: (past 3 years I put barely 900 miles)
R8: (past 3 months I put over 2000 miles) and I find myself giving excuses to drive the car even if it’s a short trip around town…
The reality of the situation is the R8 does everything so well it really can be a daily driver as long as you can live with the tiny cargo space and attention the car gets. This is not always a good thing if I’m in a hurry since even a short trip to Target or the Redbox kiosk becomes an adventure as you have to take time to talk to people who ask about the car.
Perhaps this is a reason why I told my wife I won’t be lowering this car to some ridiculous height or adding a crazy loud exhaust. In stock form the car has the perfect stance after I added some H/R spacers. I’m doing some interior upgrades only because the stock wheel and shifter is way too flimsy. I love the fact the car has the smart electronics to automatically disable the front airbag so my toddler can ride with me. This alone is a huge plus because I rarely travel anywhere without at least one kid in tow. This requirement renders the NSX and s2000 useless.
After some seat time one thing I realized is the R8’s seating position is pretty low which is not much of an issue for me until recently we took the car to Stanford for some open basketball. After 5 games both my legs started cramping so we decided to call it quits but I could not extend my left leg to drive the car so my brother had to drive home. A bit embarrassing since I guess I must be out of shape! The only other gripes I have is the car does not have BT Audio or even an AUX jack for my music but these are small quirks for an otherwise near perfect car. Amazingly I even average about 23 mpg on the highway, not bad for a v10 sports car!
We are planning a photoshoot soon so I hope to get some really good shots of the car by itself with the new interior CF goodies ASAP
Mod wise we did the exhaust valve bypass to give the car a more aggressive tone at lower RPM's and planning to add a front lip to protect the underside of the front bumper. Also added H/R 10mm and 15mm spacers to give a better stance.
#65
The reality of the situation is the R8 does everything so well it really can be a daily driver as long as you can live with the tiny cargo space and attention the car gets. This is not always a good thing if I’m in a hurry since even a short trip to Target or the Redbox kiosk becomes an adventure as you have to take time to talk to people who ask about the car.
#66
So now I have a slight dilemma, given our current garage stable and the issues I've been having with my s4 DD's A/C compressor, I'm thinking it's time to let the s4 go and get back into a Lexus sedan.
Would you guys prefer a 2011+ IS-F or a LS460L?
After seeing LexFather's build, I'm thinking it may be time to move up to a larger car. Recently I had a A8 loaner and that car is absolutely amazing with the massage seats and comfortable ride quality!
It's funny I should be considering the IS-F again since I should have just kept my baby. After moving to a e90 m3, then s4 with all the small headaches, I'm thinking I want the reliability of a Lexus again.
What would you guys do? Perhaps Lexfather can chime in here
Would you guys prefer a 2011+ IS-F or a LS460L?
After seeing LexFather's build, I'm thinking it may be time to move up to a larger car. Recently I had a A8 loaner and that car is absolutely amazing with the massage seats and comfortable ride quality!
It's funny I should be considering the IS-F again since I should have just kept my baby. After moving to a e90 m3, then s4 with all the small headaches, I'm thinking I want the reliability of a Lexus again.
What would you guys do? Perhaps Lexfather can chime in here
#67
So now I have a slight dilemma, given our current garage stable and the issues I've been having with my s4 DD's A/C compressor, I'm thinking it's time to let the s4 go and get back into a Lexus sedan.
Would you guys prefer a 2011+ IS-F or a LS460L?
After seeing LexFather's build, I'm thinking it may be time to move up to a larger car. Recently I had a A8 loaner and that car is absolutely amazing with the massage seats and comfortable ride quality!
It's funny I should be considering the IS-F again since I should have just kept my baby. After moving to a e90 m3, then s4 with all the small headaches, I'm thinking I want the reliability of a Lexus again.
What would you guys do? Perhaps Lexfather can chime in here
Would you guys prefer a 2011+ IS-F or a LS460L?
After seeing LexFather's build, I'm thinking it may be time to move up to a larger car. Recently I had a A8 loaner and that car is absolutely amazing with the massage seats and comfortable ride quality!
It's funny I should be considering the IS-F again since I should have just kept my baby. After moving to a e90 m3, then s4 with all the small headaches, I'm thinking I want the reliability of a Lexus again.
What would you guys do? Perhaps Lexfather can chime in here
#68
I see R8s on the autobahn often and let me tell you, they can pull hard on my SRT8 which is not easy from a roll. You have such a badass car. The exhaust at WOT sounds like a dream come true. Well done.
#69
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So now I have a slight dilemma, given our current garage stable and the issues I've been having with my s4 DD's A/C compressor, I'm thinking it's time to let the s4 go and get back into a Lexus sedan.
Would you guys prefer a 2011+ IS-F or a LS460L?
After seeing LexFather's build, I'm thinking it may be time to move up to a larger car. Recently I had a A8 loaner and that car is absolutely amazing with the massage seats and comfortable ride quality!
It's funny I should be considering the IS-F again since I should have just kept my baby. After moving to a e90 m3, then s4 with all the small headaches, I'm thinking I want the reliability of a Lexus again.
What would you guys do? Perhaps Lexfather can chime in here
Would you guys prefer a 2011+ IS-F or a LS460L?
After seeing LexFather's build, I'm thinking it may be time to move up to a larger car. Recently I had a A8 loaner and that car is absolutely amazing with the massage seats and comfortable ride quality!
It's funny I should be considering the IS-F again since I should have just kept my baby. After moving to a e90 m3, then s4 with all the small headaches, I'm thinking I want the reliability of a Lexus again.
What would you guys do? Perhaps Lexfather can chime in here
I recommend a LS F-sport or any big car that offers a nice OEM air suspension you can adjust. So I slam it parked, its dropped driving around and if the wife wants to drive it (hasn't happened yet) I put it in 4x4 mode. Massage seats are something Lexus needs in the states (I believe you can get it in Japan).
So far the extra room has been great, we have a Recaro like you (a larger child seat) and with two people in the rear there is more than enough room. The 18 cubic foot trunk comes in handy, the IS I think is 12 and oddly shaped. Mind you I LOVE the IS F but I didn't consider. The difference between driving the GS and LS with people and the kid is pretty staggering so the IS will be an even bigger difference. Not that you CANNOT do it, but I am convinced the larger size goes a long way.
I wish I had a R8 as a weekend car!
#70
Well you've had an F before Rick, you know about that. Good news there is the LS F-Sport now so that should help improve this big bruisers dynamics. A 5LS is due likely around 2 years from now. And there is a TTV6 and TTV8 in development likely to grace the IS, GS, LS, RC, SC around then too
Hey bud,
I recommend a LS F-sport or any big car that offers a nice OEM air suspension you can adjust. So I slam it parked, its dropped driving around and if the wife wants to drive it (hasn't happened yet) I put it in 4x4 mode. Massage seats are something Lexus needs in the states (I believe you can get it in Japan).
So far the extra room has been great, we have a Recaro like you (a larger child seat) and with two people in the rear there is more than enough room. The 18 cubic foot trunk comes in handy, the IS I think is 12 and oddly shaped. Mind you I LOVE the IS F but I didn't consider. The difference between driving the GS and LS with people and the kid is pretty staggering so the IS will be an even bigger difference. Not that you CANNOT do it, but I am convinced the larger size goes a long way.
I wish I had a R8 as a weekend car!
I recommend a LS F-sport or any big car that offers a nice OEM air suspension you can adjust. So I slam it parked, its dropped driving around and if the wife wants to drive it (hasn't happened yet) I put it in 4x4 mode. Massage seats are something Lexus needs in the states (I believe you can get it in Japan).
So far the extra room has been great, we have a Recaro like you (a larger child seat) and with two people in the rear there is more than enough room. The 18 cubic foot trunk comes in handy, the IS I think is 12 and oddly shaped. Mind you I LOVE the IS F but I didn't consider. The difference between driving the GS and LS with people and the kid is pretty staggering so the IS will be an even bigger difference. Not that you CANNOT do it, but I am convinced the larger size goes a long way.
I wish I had a R8 as a weekend car!
Either I must be getting older or my taste has changed since I now appreciate the big luxo sedan a lot more than in the past. If money was no object I would just pick up a Ibis White S8 but since $130k is a bit steep, I'm looking at other alternatives.
To be honest, I take much more enjoyment when I take my NSX out on the weekends. The R8 is a cool car but just doesn't feel as special. Hard to explain....I think the car that needs to go next is the s2000 - I've kept this car for many many years since I love the car but driving a car 1800 miles in 3 years really is silly. This is one car that has served it's purpose for many years (before kid era) and now it's time to let it go.
#72
I know most people buy their exotics to go on racetracks or to their local drive events but for me, none of that is possible with my crazy schedule. So I end up using my car on weekends as an excuse to run errands or get out for short cross town trips. Past few weekends include grocery, Costco runs, dropping off packages at the local post office and taking my son/daughter to the park. I just wish the R8 was a 2+2 so I can take both kids out for equal seat time.
Irony is I ran into another IS-F owner locally and he was also talking about buying an R8
Snapped this the other day visiting a friend: