VtotheJ

iTrader: (2)

Dropped off my F for the infamous nav fix, and 2 recall items (wiper nut, trunk latch). They gave me a IS350 AWD for a loaner, figured I'd do a short review with my impressions. Hopefully this helps prospective buyers... lots of Lexus haters say "What's the point of paying extra for an F, it's so similar to the 350... I beg to differ

Price
A low mileage 2012 IS350 can be had for about the same price as a 2008 ISF depending on mileage.

Suspension
The early model F's 08/09 have stiff suspension and tighter steering. Lane changes feel better and the car feels more planted in the F. The 350 has more body roll with a softer suspension. But, the 350 felt very stable at similar speeds in the F.

Interior
People say the interiors on both cars are similar but I feel Interior in the F is better, everything from more supportive seats, blue needles/gauges, courtesy lights, texallium trim. Steering wheel feels the same. I felt like I was moving around too much on turns in the 350, as opposed to the F where I felt planted in my seat. 350 seats 5. There are times when I want to take more than 3 people somewhere in the F. I also wish the F had cooled seats like the 350. I don't know if it's a placebo, but the sound system in the 350 sounded WAY better. Nav felt a little laggy in the 350 opposed to the F.

Exterior
You all obviously know the major differences, but I still prefer AFS to the updated LED's even though the LED's look better.

Acceleration/Braking
There is a MAJOR difference here. Paddle shifting in the 350 is just boring, the direct shift in the ISF is undoubtedly more fun. For some reason I was able to shift into any gear in 'S' mode in the 350 even while stopped. Not sure what that means. Braking is obviously better in the F with the OEM BBK.

In conclusion, the ISF is definitely more raw and may not suit everyone... and I am happy to have one. It's worth the price difference IMO

UZ214

So in short is350 completely sucks and is boring vs the isf, but it has the AWD..seems like it would be moving when you are stuck in snow

jdmSW20

iTrader: (12)

thats not really a comparison though lol. thats like comparing a M3 vs 328

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

I'm still trying to like the Mark Levinson system in the F as much as I did in my 2IS.

a lot of the low-end frequencies are washed out by the V8 in lower RPMs, so bass notes sound weaker at lower volume levels. of course, there's not much bass out of an 8" deck-mounted subwoofer...

also, seems like there was some volume tweaking/recalibrating - or at least with my non-professionally-trained ears. seems like the same indicated volume levels w/ the 2IS and the F don't produce the same perceived volume, though it's not really a primary concern w/ the burbling V8 note as a foreword of to what's to come.

navigation went from DVD-based to HDD-based in 2010 along w/ a re-design of the visual interface, if that has bearing on "system performance".

Evil Teo

iTrader: (13)

are u fixing the navi too VJ?

ISFPOWER

iTrader: (20)

i can compare the 328 and the m3 since i had a 2013 328i lease . power delivery, torque and low end acceleration all goes to the 328i lol. braking even seemed better around town, i can't speak at the limit.

ISFpat

iTrader: (10)

More like a M3 vs 335.

328 is like a IS250

todd4566

Dragging tread back to life because I too made the switch from a 350 to F around 3 weeks ago..

This review is spot on.. driving the F is a lot more invigorating than the 350, though I do wish I kept my F-Sport rear sway bar because I can see myself eventually buy it again. Much like the original poster, my biggest complaint is the sound system; my 350 wasn't not equipped with the Mark Levinson and music sounded great.. LOTS of bass.. the F Mark Levinson system feels a bit weaker.. maybe it is indeed the louder engine sound.. hard to say. My only other real complaint is the gas mileage but that is probably because the car is still new to me so I throttle it fairly often. LOVE the interior and styling.. subtle yet aggressive. No offense to any ISx50 owners, but without some sort of kit and/or wheels the car looks sorta feminine to me - doesn't help that I see so many women driving these cars either I suppose.

tgui

Give me an ISF with AWD please!

darkoozy

Agree on the ML ISF sound system being pretty crappy...I too went from an IS350 to an ISF.

I actually took the car back claiming the sound system was "busted". I was dumb founded at the lack of sound fidelity coming from the ML sound system, no bass response whatsoever.

I got the car back after they tested the system for 2 days...with "works as designed". The sound tech and the service manager ended up agreeing with me, which made me feel better....

Poor sound system aside, the ISF is light years more fun and awesome to drive than the IS350.

I fall in love with the car every-time i drive it!

ilv1004s

iTrader: (8)

from the my11 upgrade ML system changed to plastic coned speakers
whilist the original ML system found on the pre my11 were made out of paper
my car is a 2009 running a 2011 Spec running gear and interior
its not the Amp or the actual headunit that makes the difference its the actual speakers
my ML system still pumps with the MY11+ USB nav and Amp

but the newer lexus systems **** all over the older 1
even my GS350 F sport with non ML ****s all over my ISF

rmillsISF

I bought an is350 a while back fir the wife and the paddle shift is useless in it. It's slow. The thing you saw choosing a gear while stopped let's the car shift itself but won't upshot past that gear. The only use I saw for that was autocross, keeping it to a Max of 3rd gear.