theoryguy

Hi,

I test drove the IS 350 AWD F-Sport today and loved it. The thing that I really bothers me is that the F-Sport makes you give up on some of my favorite luxury features (IE: heated steering wheel and ventilated seats), but I love the performance of the engine and suspension in Sport + as I really liked the handling. So my question though is how much better is the F-Sport vs a non F- Sport in terms of handling? Also, does anyone have the Mark Levinson audio system? I wondering if it's worth getting as they're pretty hard to come by vs the standard audio system? Thoughs? Any advice on dealer with the dealers are also appreciated.

Josh

jizoe

Well I don't know too much about the handling of a non sport IS, but the ML sound system blows the standard sound system away hands down. I had initially purchased an IS 250 without ML and then upgraded to a IS350 with ML... soooo much better.

jnjmatts

I also cannot comment on the handling of the non fsport but I have the ML package and I think it's worth it. Mine has a heated steering wheel, I live in Canada though so maybe there are different packages in the U.S. The 2 options I wish came in the fsport package were ventilated seats and lane departure warning.

theoryguy

Hey,

I just checked out the Lexus Canadian site, the F Sport Executive Package is definitely what I'm looking for. I wish I could get this package in the US.

SW17LS

Personally, I think this car needs the F Sport package.

I understand about the tech features, and thats annoying. BUT, to me this car was designed to be an F Sport. The styling changes and the AVS just transform it into a whole other car. In the luxury package it isn't particularly luxurious, but the F Sport is VERY sporty.

IMHO if it weren't for the F Sport I'd get a Q50 at that price/segment point.

jhs82

The non F-sport handles well too.
Fair enough, the hybrid is heavier in the rear, and has better weight distribution than the petrol versions.

JDR76

I have an IS350 AWD non-F Sport. Handling is fantastic and I have no regrets. An F Sport would be nice, but I wasn't willing to give up ventilated seats and had issues with the black headliner. I've been playing around with it very aggressively and have been having a blast.

Atmicpunk

I have a IS350 and I prefer it to the F-Sport because 1.) one I'm not too crazy about the Predator Grill 2.) I prefer to have ventilated seats and slightly smoother ride. I'm been driving a sport tuned Honda Accord that has a stiffer ride. So, I wanted to have the best of both worlds: speed and performance with more luxury so that's why I prefer the Non-F-sport.