Drove an IS for the first time ever
#1
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Thread Starter
Drove an IS for the first time ever
A Lexus dealership came out to a car show I was at and I got to test drive an IS 250 for the first time (the only IS I've ever driven). A couple things you should know about me;
1) My only other car is a Prius (<---see avatar).
2) The 2IS is like my favorite car ever (next to the Prius). Of course, this was all based on reputation, looks, research on this site etc., since I had never actually driven one.
Back to the story - The IS (250) was painted in ultrasonic blue (my favorite color!) and decked out in F-Sport accessories. Because I was so caught up w/ excitement and its rear emblems were hidden from my view, I seriously thought it was the IS-F and wouldn't realize that it wasn't until during my test drive.
Test drive: The IS felt gooood inside. The leather steering wheel felt goood. When I put my foot on the gas just a little it seemed to take off. Very quiet and very smooth. I started trying to push the car more and more on turns and on-ramps. Acceleration felt brisk but not outstanding. At this point I still thought I was driving an IS-F, so most of the thrill was a placebo. Then in the middle of my test drive, the salesman goes "....and if you get the 350 you get another 100 horsepower". "Wait...WHAT?"
When I realized I was driving the 250, everything made sense. This IS felt like a normal car (a very great normal car), but not the rocket everyone was getting excited about. I desperately want to go the the dealer soon, to test drive the 350 or better yet, IS-F.
The point of my story: While the IS 250 is a great car, if I'm not going to get 50mpg, then I want something faster than the 250. The 350 or the IS F is the only way to go for me.
Thanks for reading.
1) My only other car is a Prius (<---see avatar).
2) The 2IS is like my favorite car ever (next to the Prius). Of course, this was all based on reputation, looks, research on this site etc., since I had never actually driven one.
Back to the story - The IS (250) was painted in ultrasonic blue (my favorite color!) and decked out in F-Sport accessories. Because I was so caught up w/ excitement and its rear emblems were hidden from my view, I seriously thought it was the IS-F and wouldn't realize that it wasn't until during my test drive.
Test drive: The IS felt gooood inside. The leather steering wheel felt goood. When I put my foot on the gas just a little it seemed to take off. Very quiet and very smooth. I started trying to push the car more and more on turns and on-ramps. Acceleration felt brisk but not outstanding. At this point I still thought I was driving an IS-F, so most of the thrill was a placebo. Then in the middle of my test drive, the salesman goes "....and if you get the 350 you get another 100 horsepower". "Wait...WHAT?"
When I realized I was driving the 250, everything made sense. This IS felt like a normal car (a very great normal car), but not the rocket everyone was getting excited about. I desperately want to go the the dealer soon, to test drive the 350 or better yet, IS-F.
The point of my story: While the IS 250 is a great car, if I'm not going to get 50mpg, then I want something faster than the 250. The 350 or the IS F is the only way to go for me.
Thanks for reading.
#5
Get the navi and the auto dimming side mirrors if you do any driving at night.
However, if you already have a car that is your commuter / gas saver, get something with a V8 (or a power adder 4/6cyl) to play with. N/A V6's suck for making power.
If you want a toy, I would strongly recommend you look for an IS300. A VERY strong power potential engine in that car.
However, if you already have a car that is your commuter / gas saver, get something with a V8 (or a power adder 4/6cyl) to play with. N/A V6's suck for making power.
If you want a toy, I would strongly recommend you look for an IS300. A VERY strong power potential engine in that car.
#6
Instructor
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Note that the Luxury package is super rare tho.
Last edited by istarzan; 09-29-11 at 03:13 PM.
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#9
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Thread Starter
Hmmm well I was really thinking of saving some money buying used. The problem is, I want a 2011, which means I'll probably have to wait a while. I like the new taillights and LED strips. I know I know, the LED strips are kind of overdone, but they actually look good on the Lexus (unlike Chryslers and even Audis sometimes).
Then there's the issue of what color to choose. I just can't decide:
- Ultrasonic Blue - has always been my favorite, especially when it was exclusive on the IS-F
- Black - I'd love to own a black car
- White - clean and easiest to mod
- Silver - also clean and easy to mod, and has some shine to it
As far as the NAV and other bells/whistles, that's one area I'm a bit disappointed. Coming from a Prius, I can say that many items are pretty much identical. For example, the steering wheel control buttons, the rear-view camera, and the NAV software. This leaves me a bit disappointed since I expected a bigger difference between a Lexus and Toyota car. I wish the Lexus gave me more reason to switch over in this regard. Obviously the engine and overall refinement/interior are way better, but as far as interior options, since I'm so accustomed to them in my Prius, I'm not as excited and willing to shell out extra $$$.
Then there's the issue of what color to choose. I just can't decide:
- Ultrasonic Blue - has always been my favorite, especially when it was exclusive on the IS-F
- Black - I'd love to own a black car
- White - clean and easiest to mod
- Silver - also clean and easy to mod, and has some shine to it
As far as the NAV and other bells/whistles, that's one area I'm a bit disappointed. Coming from a Prius, I can say that many items are pretty much identical. For example, the steering wheel control buttons, the rear-view camera, and the NAV software. This leaves me a bit disappointed since I expected a bigger difference between a Lexus and Toyota car. I wish the Lexus gave me more reason to switch over in this regard. Obviously the engine and overall refinement/interior are way better, but as far as interior options, since I'm so accustomed to them in my Prius, I'm not as excited and willing to shell out extra $$$.
#10
Racer
iTrader: (2)
Hmmm well I was really thinking of saving some money buying used. The problem is, I want a 2011, which means I'll probably have to wait a while. I like the new taillights and LED strips. I know I know, the LED strips are kind of overdone, but they actually look good on the Lexus (unlike Chryslers and even Audis sometimes).
Then there's the issue of what color to choose. I just can't decide:
- Ultrasonic Blue - has always been my favorite, especially when it was exclusive on the IS-F
- Black - I'd love to own a black car
- White - clean and easiest to mod
- Silver - also clean and easy to mod, and has some shine to it
As far as the NAV and other bells/whistles, that's one area I'm a bit disappointed. Coming from a Prius, I can say that many items are pretty much identical. For example, the steering wheel control buttons, the rear-view camera, and the NAV software. This leaves me a bit disappointed since I expected a bigger difference between a Lexus and Toyota car. I wish the Lexus gave me more reason to switch over in this regard. Obviously the engine and overall refinement/interior are way better, but as far as interior options, since I'm so accustomed to them in my Prius, I'm not as excited and willing to shell out extra $$$.
Then there's the issue of what color to choose. I just can't decide:
- Ultrasonic Blue - has always been my favorite, especially when it was exclusive on the IS-F
- Black - I'd love to own a black car
- White - clean and easiest to mod
- Silver - also clean and easy to mod, and has some shine to it
As far as the NAV and other bells/whistles, that's one area I'm a bit disappointed. Coming from a Prius, I can say that many items are pretty much identical. For example, the steering wheel control buttons, the rear-view camera, and the NAV software. This leaves me a bit disappointed since I expected a bigger difference between a Lexus and Toyota car. I wish the Lexus gave me more reason to switch over in this regard. Obviously the engine and overall refinement/interior are way better, but as far as interior options, since I'm so accustomed to them in my Prius, I'm not as excited and willing to shell out extra $$$.
I know you said you like the 2011, but is it really due just to the tail lights and LED strips? I would just try and weigh the trade-off of not having those two things but getting a great price on a reliable used 2008 or 2009 for example. You'll find threads on here of people with 2IS models with over 250,000 miles who have had almost no problems. Outside the common issues, it's a very reliable car. I'd still recommend an extended warranty though, simply because repairing anything on this car is expensive.
So I would just make sure you take a look at some older used ones, since aside from some minor styling differences, they're nearly identical to the new ones.
#11
My 07 IS250 is getting me an average 21 mpg. Crappy mileage and not sure if it has to do with the AWD. I think if you want more power than your Prius and decent gas mileage, go test drive a Civic SI.
#12
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Hmmm well I was really thinking of saving some money buying used. The problem is, I want a 2011, which means I'll probably have to wait a while. I like the new taillights and LED strips. I know I know, the LED strips are kind of overdone, but they actually look good on the Lexus (unlike Chryslers and even Audis sometimes).
Then there's the issue of what color to choose. I just can't decide:
- Ultrasonic Blue - has always been my favorite, especially when it was exclusive on the IS-F
- Black - I'd love to own a black car
- White - clean and easiest to mod
- Silver - also clean and easy to mod, and has some shine to it
As far as the NAV and other bells/whistles, that's one area I'm a bit disappointed. Coming from a Prius, I can say that many items are pretty much identical. For example, the steering wheel control buttons, the rear-view camera, and the NAV software. This leaves me a bit disappointed since I expected a bigger difference between a Lexus and Toyota car. I wish the Lexus gave me more reason to switch over in this regard. Obviously the engine and overall refinement/interior are way better, but as far as interior options, since I'm so accustomed to them in my Prius, I'm not as excited and willing to shell out extra $$$.
Then there's the issue of what color to choose. I just can't decide:
- Ultrasonic Blue - has always been my favorite, especially when it was exclusive on the IS-F
- Black - I'd love to own a black car
- White - clean and easiest to mod
- Silver - also clean and easy to mod, and has some shine to it
As far as the NAV and other bells/whistles, that's one area I'm a bit disappointed. Coming from a Prius, I can say that many items are pretty much identical. For example, the steering wheel control buttons, the rear-view camera, and the NAV software. This leaves me a bit disappointed since I expected a bigger difference between a Lexus and Toyota car. I wish the Lexus gave me more reason to switch over in this regard. Obviously the engine and overall refinement/interior are way better, but as far as interior options, since I'm so accustomed to them in my Prius, I'm not as excited and willing to shell out extra $$$.
#13
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Thread Starter
Thanks guys.
#15
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2011 IS350 w/ F-Sport package, I would highly recommend it. It's expensive as hell, but well worth it. I'm so happy right now it's not even funny...
I still LOVE 2008 taillights. Too bad they changed it since then.
Another big thing about IS350 is the rarity. It's so rare in some states it's not even funny. But IS250's are everywhere..... I think it's even rarer than IS-F. I had to special order it. It's got Park Assist too.
I still LOVE 2008 taillights. Too bad they changed it since then.
Another big thing about IS350 is the rarity. It's so rare in some states it's not even funny. But IS250's are everywhere..... I think it's even rarer than IS-F. I had to special order it. It's got Park Assist too.
I thought you were bashing on the IS350 when you sold it for your MS3?