eplugplay

I've been reading about the 2014 model lately and it seems that as far as handling the improvements are described as significant. I bought my is350 last year in June and I actually had a choice between the two cars a 2013 vs the 2014. I only test drove the 2013 350 and looked at the 2014 model in the show room and I actually preferred the 2013 look.

Anyway at the time I didn't know anything about the improvements and now reading about the significant improvement due to the 8 speed vs 6 speed and better handling, I'm starting to question if I made the right decision.

I still do prefer the look of the second gen IS over the third but purely in the handling/driving aspect maybe I made a mistake?

getafewliv

If you like the 2013 better then you made the right choice.

If you want to improve it, mod it )

eplugplay

Yea my only gripe is the handling portion of my 350. Most of the time I cruise and like the luxury aspect of the car but there are times I wished it had better handling. Even my civic had better handling, now I really want to try out sway bar set.

metaleckz

iTrader: (9)

yeah, you might wanna try the f sport sway bar and some coilovers as well

idoke1

iTrader: (5)

The 3rd generation IS's is better. It has more features and more technology then the previous 2nd generation. The 2nd generation has a weight advantage and is probably faster.

speedstar

iTrader: (5)

i too prefer the 2nd gen.. i've beat all 2014 350's i've ran.. they're not faster.

like others have said, Fsport sway bars does wonders

rawr2is250

I'm with you on the look of the second gen IS looking better, but don't mind the look of the spindle grill either.

darkdream

Change the tires to max performance tires.

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

The 2014 should have been significantly more expensive than the 2013 model you looked at. You could take that money you saved and use it to make the 2013 model handle better.

Or if you wanted the best of both worlds, you could have gotten an ISF. Looks of the 2IS while having that 8 speed

nosurprise

iTrader: (1)

I start to see a lot more 2014 now, and it just doesn't look better than 2nd gen. I would put the look to be little worst. The only time I think 2014 looks little better is with this combo: white, f-sport grill. And that's only from the front.
If you care about handling even a little bit, you need to put F-Sport sway bars in. The handling improvement is dramatic -- like night and day.

eplugplay

Yea I'm going to get the F-Sport sway bar set probably a few months from now thanks guys!

Yea the 2014 model, I dislike the led light (the giant nike check sign) that they moved down from the headlights and the front spindle grill as well. Also, the back taillights are too curved and long for my liking and the bottom exhaust positioning just doesnt look clean anymore.

I absolutely love the 2nd gen's back (favorite part of the car) and when I saw the 2014 they revamped it to make it look indistinguishable. Just doesn't look clean. I guess the 2nd gen had a radical change to the design while looking like the original IS but the 2014 just looks too totally different.

As for the price, at the time I was looking at both brand new so the 2014 would actually cost the same (since they dropped the price by 1k-1.5k). So I'd get a little more technology for the 2014, different interior design, a little more room inside, but I just couldn't turn down the 2nd gen look!

Overall I'm not regretting on taking the 2013 because my mind set at the time was that I want this look and wanted to buy the new version of it so that I could enjoy it for a very long time since they wont produce it anymore. I'm glad with my decision and will give the sway bar set a chance!

I will say this though about the 14' model, when I see one on the road they do kind of grow on you with their looks but every time I'm next to one I am glad that I took the 2nd gen. The 2nd gen looks too gorgeous and more luxury than the 14' do. In a way I thought the 14's curved and narrower looking body made it looks kind of like a mazda, especially if you bought one in red.

One last thing to note is that since the 14's have made a radical change, who knows what kind of issues that could arise years from now that Lexus will iron out with the next couple to few iterations. I also liked the peace of mind that the 13' design hasn't changed since 06' and most if not all problems were ironed out.

rparkzy

this is my opinion on it:

comparing 2011+ F sport models vs 2014 F sport models only

I like the exterior overall more especially the sides compared to the 2nd gen. The front is really subjective, I like it but I don't like it any much more than the 2011+ fronts. The rear I actually like the 2nd gen better.

Interior though is a different story, 2014 is absolutely a huge difference compared to the 2nd gen. Add Rioja Red seats and trim, F-Sport gauges and there's really no contest

rparkzy

Performance wise,

I don't know if it's just me but the handling on the 2014 350 F sport is still significantly better (based on my test drive at the dealer) than my 2012 350 F sport with both F sport sway bars. 2nd gen "feels" faster though.

Any thoughts on this?

Smashin

You are correct on that one! The second gen is faster I too rather keep my 2012

604GSE21

i found 2nd Gen IS pulls faster and more rev happy for some reason... handling definitely 2014 IS350 Fsport is better, I test drove the 2014 IS350 Fsport RWD and i can feel better turn in and car feel more confident... i wish i can have both lol...