30 y/o guy would rather have an ES 350
08-21-12, 12:35 PM
#17
have to disagree with you on this one. The IS and ES are within 100 lbs of each other. The ES is quick and never feels strained. It's only downside is the overly light steering and floaty feeling - but even that still doesn't give a "heavy boat" feeling
08-21-12, 12:50 PM
#18
And lastly, why do you care about the image of your car...do you buy things to please other people? What are you, in high school? Your 30, a full grown adult, buy things that work for you, not other people. I think its fine for you to be driving an ES at 30, that's usually the age people start to have kids and need to have a bigger backseat.
08-21-12, 01:17 PM
#19
5th gen ES Skidpad and Slalom: 0.80 and 62.3
2nd gen IS skidpad and slalom: 0.87 and 66.8 (and this goes to over 70 with F-sport and/or sport pkg parts)
So yeah... more body roll, and measurably inferior handling from the ES, as you'd expect really.
It's "sporty" for a FWD car, but that's a bit like mentioning Moe is the smartest stooge... and was painful to roll around corners in versus my sport pkg IS.
08-21-12, 01:23 PM
#20
The ES is also driving the wrong pair of wheels and has a much less sport-minded suspension from the factory (doubly so if you have F-sport bars on the IS).
5th gen ES Skidpad and Slalom: 0.80 and 62.3
2nd gen IS skidpad and slalom: 0.87 and 66.8 (and this goes to over 70 with F-sport and/or sport pkg parts)
So yeah... more body roll, and measurably inferior handling from the ES, as you'd expect really.
It's "sporty" for a FWD car, but that's a bit like mentioning Moe is the smartest stooge... and was painful to roll around corners in versus my sport pkg IS.
5th gen ES Skidpad and Slalom: 0.80 and 62.3
2nd gen IS skidpad and slalom: 0.87 and 66.8 (and this goes to over 70 with F-sport and/or sport pkg parts)
So yeah... more body roll, and measurably inferior handling from the ES, as you'd expect really.
It's "sporty" for a FWD car, but that's a bit like mentioning Moe is the smartest stooge... and was painful to roll around corners in versus my sport pkg IS.
08-21-12, 01:43 PM
#21
Honestly, if you're looking towards having a family sometime soon (most people at our age are at the very least considering it; I'm 28), just opt for whatever you think will suffice for your own needs in the long run. I decided to get the IS because it has 4 doors, it gets better mileage than my old 99 6-cyl Honda Accord, and because its more comfortable to drive since it isn't lowered on coilovers. If we ever need to carry anything that would require fold-down rear seats, the gf has an 06 Civic.
08-21-12, 02:10 PM
#22
As added contrast, my Impala was over 4000 lbs, but RWD and with a vastly better suspension than the ES (tons more power too but that's not too relevant in this case), and massive sway bars, and even that felt/handled less whale-like than the ES 'feels' like when cornering.
08-21-12, 02:12 PM
#23
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Thread Starter
Thanks for the replies everyone.
On why I don't just buy the car that suits my needs, well it's actually because I fully acknowledge and accept that a car's image plays at least some part in why we choose them. I could come on here and say I want to buy a Lincoln Town Car or something, and some people will be polite and say "sure if that's what suits you", but deep down most people will be thinking I'm on crack!
Anyway, I've had a think about the ES and it might be a little too soft for some of my driving circumstances. I do like to drive on hilly and curvy Interstate highways at full speed, 70mph. The IS feels firmly planted, plenty of grip, minimal body roll, but other cars like SUVs and rental cars, I usually have to slow down.
If I get a sedan, I really want the extra utility of a folding back seat, which the ES, GS or IS do not have.
And I would greatly prefer a 6 cylinder for the sound and smoothness. What do people think about these new 4 cylinder engines in premium cars? Sure they get great gas mileage, but I hate the gruff sound they make accelerating from low rpm.
So yeah, I might have to save up some more for the Audi A6 3.0T, BMW 535i or M-B E350...
On why I don't just buy the car that suits my needs, well it's actually because I fully acknowledge and accept that a car's image plays at least some part in why we choose them. I could come on here and say I want to buy a Lincoln Town Car or something, and some people will be polite and say "sure if that's what suits you", but deep down most people will be thinking I'm on crack!
Anyway, I've had a think about the ES and it might be a little too soft for some of my driving circumstances. I do like to drive on hilly and curvy Interstate highways at full speed, 70mph. The IS feels firmly planted, plenty of grip, minimal body roll, but other cars like SUVs and rental cars, I usually have to slow down.
If I get a sedan, I really want the extra utility of a folding back seat, which the ES, GS or IS do not have.
And I would greatly prefer a 6 cylinder for the sound and smoothness. What do people think about these new 4 cylinder engines in premium cars? Sure they get great gas mileage, but I hate the gruff sound they make accelerating from low rpm.
So yeah, I might have to save up some more for the Audi A6 3.0T, BMW 535i or M-B E350...
08-21-12, 02:31 PM
#24
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Thread Starter
Your tire issues are just a matter of finding the right tire. My Continentals (MUCH quieter than stock) are quiet enough for me and have a 50K mile warranty. The Dunlops you mention are max performance summer tires, they're going to be loud and have crap treadlife. How long do you expect the tires to last?
I feel the stock Bridgestone Turanza ER33 are not as bad as people make them out to be. Some of the problems like humming noises, hydroplaning and rapid wear, I think are more due to the IS suspension design causing severe inside edge wear. And people are usually impressed with new tires because they perform great when they have plenty of tread, especially compared to worn tires. I still have the ER33s on the rear of my car so I can sort of compare them side by side to the Dunlops. I find the ER33s to be quieter and softer, but of course less grippy, but still adequate for my relaxed driving, especially since they are 255 wide. Currently at 39k miles, I project that they will last 60k miles with no alignment issues on the rear!
08-21-12, 03:00 PM
#26
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Well I am 32, and just made the trade. I am happy and wouldn't go back! I like the ES much better. I don't care what people think when they see me drive it. It is a super nice car, has every luxury option available, has plenty of power. It is a cruiser for sure.
Trying to compare IS to ES is ridiculous, they are completely different in almost every way. Drive what makes you happy bro.
Trying to compare IS to ES is ridiculous, they are completely different in almost every way. Drive what makes you happy bro.
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