IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present) Discussion about the 2014+ model IS models

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Old 03-25-15, 01:22 PM
  #16  
Mesh704
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i did bought my is350 cc 2014 seat memory, navi, seat vent, parking sensores, rear view camera, headlights washer, spoiler etc !! and i only paid for it cash $44,000 USD !! and has a good warrnty 6 years or 1 million Km !!



Old 03-25-15, 01:41 PM
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Considering how reliable Lexus cars are, and how good they now drive, when Lexus works out these few funky flaws, their vehicles have a chance to become close to perfect.

Euro cars will likely never become reliable. Lexus needs to keep innovating, not stop here with satisfaction.
Old 04-10-15, 10:53 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by azmojo
I have passed 18k miles. I commute to work and sometimes take a road trip. I don't drive that aggressively but I drive fast and with purpose.

The lack of memory seats is certainly NOT due to any technical reasons. The seats are full power already. There is no logical reason for this other than it is a feature they can easily add for future model years to say they did something or to have more differentiation between luxury and F-sport models. For example, in 2014 you only got heated seats with the F-Sport package. For 2015 you get heated AND ventilated seats. But there is no reason for this, as European models were reported to have heated and ventilated seats in 2014.

Others have speculated about added cost as the reason, but as others have pointed out, just make it an option and let us decide if we want it. They have no qualms about sticking ~$500 illuminated door sills and spoilers on almost every 2015 IS350 F-Sport (another feature unavailable in 2014). I'll take memory seats in lieu of illuminated door sills or a rear spoiler any day.

I agree with the other guy on the comments about needing a new engine: either more efficient of more power or both. I disagree with the comments about the seat being uncomfortable - I have never thought this after making about 6 4-hour drives.
Plenty of car companies hold plenty of options back so they can slowly add them over the course of a life cycle, and this happens so often in the American market. Euro market, Korean etc will get all options first model year and they trickle in eventually as options to American 2-3 years later.

It's annoying, but I will make sure to mention it. Seats are a tough one based on body type so I will keep an eye on this.

Originally Posted by Savjam
My car is still fairly new at < 5000 miles but here are my thoughts so far.
*What did Lexus do right?
Styling - inside and out, seating position and excellent supportive seats, chassis rigidity and overall build quality, nice balance between luxury and sport, low NVH including wind noise, smooth normally aspirated V6, features are cheaper than the competition.
*What did they screw up?
VGRS steering should have been standard on the f sport, Cup holder position, Nuluxe door panels and plastics are easy to scratch, soft paint is susceptible to fallout, stains and damage requiring more care than my last car, transmission while good is sometimes a little slow to react.
*Infotainment?
infotainment is good but the software is sometimes slow to react. I wish the screen was bigger and had higher resolution.
*Quirks
None that I have seen so far.
*Drama and Problems
None so far. Car is approaching 5,000 miles.
*Why do you own it?
Refinement, Luxury sport balance, Value and Reliability.
Read more: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...#ixzz3VMBVn4Pl
Thanks for the detail and link, looks like the 2015 F Sport now includes the VGRS. Paint quality here seems average for sure, can see plenty of issues within 10 minutes of looking at car.

I will be sure to note trans and infotainment quirks.

Originally Posted by RoiteTrom
I have lots of complaints, some that are already stated on this thread. But the most recent one I have come across is the infotainment system on the IS. It is way too laggy. Has anyone ever start the car and immediately tried to change the radio channels? It takes half a minute for the channel to switch. It doesn't make sense that my family's 2nd generation IS and 2007 RX can switch channels instantly while I have to wait. And even after the system loads up, it still takes half a second for the channel to switch after pressing the button.

I know it may seem like a small issue, but it's not what I'd expect from a company that call's itself "The Pursuit of Perfection".
What else? No power tilt and telescopic steering wheel on AWD. Again, Lexus is a luxury car company. It doesn't make sense. I love the styling of the interior and exterior. I don't mind the engine even though it's been used since 2006. I own the car because not only does it look good, it finally gives the BMW 3 series a run for it's money.
Thanks, I spend plenty of time talking to reps about infotainment, as like you said there is no excuse for it namely in higher end car.

Originally Posted by rgonza1
I have a 2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport and just turned 17K miles.

Pretty consistent with some other posts. However, here are my oservations thus far:

1) For being a "luxury" vehicle I hear so much rattling inside the cabin. I get lots of rattling just above the gauge cluster and also the center console area. This drives me absolutely crazy!!!!

2) Not a huge deal but I absolutely hate the placement of the cup holders. Makes it extremely awkward to grab my drink while I'm driving.

3) Radio/Navi sotware is so slow! It shouldn't take 20-30 seconds just to gain access to the radio to change the station. It's also very laggy! My wifes Hyundai Sonata is much better! Wow, Lexus!

4) I think the engine is a little underpowered for being an "F Sport". I'm not saying throw the same motor as the IS F but something along the likes of Audi with the "S Line". I would like to see the HP in the 325-350 range. Exhaust could also sound better. My neighbor has a 2011 G37 coupe and the factory exhaust sounds great.

With all that being said, I enjoy my IS350 but do not love it. I plan to drive it for another 1 to 1 1/2 years and I'll be trading it in for a BMW F80 M3.
Thanks for the detail.
I'll see if the tester has rattles. Cup holder design seems consistently complained about. I think with having DI and Port Injection there is plenty of overhead to have tuned this car more aggressively but they went conservative and not sure why after all these years in production.

Originally Posted by glo6035
The no driver seat memory is just silly, took me a week or two to get my seat feeling normally positioned when somebody else drove my car and changed it. Was screwing with the seat pushing it back and forth for days until I found that perfect spot again. That can really bug you, silly move by Lexus.

Why the heck is the head rest so hard? If you push your head into it or bang your head back with any amount of force, the thing feels as hard as a rock. Where's the cushion.

Had similar experience with seats, at first they're so comfy, after driving a couple hours my *** was hurtin. Only been on one long drive that long thus far though so maybe next time it won't hurt?

The f sport, at least on the 350, should've came with a 19" wheel or option for it. The 18" looks a little small and dinky sometimes.

Engine could use a little more power with a little better gas mileage, all without sacrificing reliability. There's a challenge for lexus.

It's a great car though, reliable + looks good + solid performing and that's important considering all cars have their quirks. Still give it a grade A. No driver memory, shame on you.
Thanks for that info on this, will test seats and head rests see if it bothers us.

Every one is hating on the memory seats! And why there is no option? Odd

Originally Posted by AdvanSLF
i know the first two questions are for the other person, but i'd like to chime in anyway

1) i have approx 20k miles on t he car. the first 16k miles on my car it was used mostly as a DD. WOT half a dozen times or so. hadn't had a chance to get it on any twisties with good pavement.

2) i don't think its a seating design issue, i think its a marketing and selling flaw. the technology is there and the F Sport seats by design and weight aren't much diff from the lux seats. they're trying to market it as a sports sedan--which to them apparently doesn't include conveniences like memory seat.. come on lexus, you're not building a supercar and the weight of the memory seat motor is less than a bag of potatoes!

3) my seating complaints are valid. there is an entire thread of complaints from forum members about how the lower cushion sags or is getting wrinkled. you can also see and feel the design of the side bolsters of the lower seat cushion. the left and right are designed diff and they feel diff too, from what i recall the left is more stiff, and the right is softer and ends to run down deeper on the right hip. you can easily test this by taking a tennis or golf ball and placing it on the top middle of the seat.. you'll see it roll down and then right which will show its not properly leveled. trust me when i tell you this because in the words of the great Niki Lauda "God gave me an okay mind, but a really good *** which can feel everything in a car."

4) i think the acceleration is okay at lower speeds due to the shorter power band, the quick revs is accounted by the 8 speed tranny.. you go through gears 1-3 pretty quick and power is good, though more torque would be nice. rolling between 40-60, there needs to be much more torque on the tap. i shouldn't be have to cruise in 8th gear at 60mph, and have to downshift to 5th just to get some good power and torque for passing. i'm not asking for a lot, just match the german branded engines and add 1 hp/tq more with a smiley face. but the exhaust, you need to work on the exhaust the most... nothing crazy, nothing lazy, just in the middle--reference, 335i and G37.
Excellent feedback on seats, and curious to see how the power band feels to me. Also I just got out of two moderately priced Toyotas with memory seats so I understand the frustration.

Originally Posted by link13
I am now in my 40s and this is my first new car. I previously bought used cars and kept them forever. In fact, I still have two of them, one of which is a 1994 GS300. Going forward 20 years in technology from one driver's seat to another is quite an experience, while also being atypical.

The IS250 FSPORT interior is what sold me on this car over the Infiniti Q56. I would buy the car again for the same reason. I love the exterior styling. Aside from cupholder placement (and where else would you feasibly put them?), I love the cabin layout. I love, love, love the Rioja Red.

The 2.5L V6 is adequate for how I use the car. It is a daily driver and will never see a track. I like the way the car handles. It feels very balanced to me. It doesn't push. It feels like you could not get the front end to break traction if you tried. There is minimal body roll. I have a lot of fun ripping through corners in this car.

For minor quibbles, I have noticed that the infotainment system is laggy. I tried to change the radio station upon startup and, at that time, my Bluetooth device synched and I received an incoming text. The infotainment system lost its mind for a few. It would not let me change to another radio preset. I tuned manually and then tried to return to a preset and that didn't work. I turned the stereo off and then on again and the issue was resolved. I have not reported this to a dealer.

The car has locked me out, sort of, twice. The auto unlock did not unlock the driver's door. It's good there's a manual key on the fob. That worked. I have reported this and it was not reproducible.

I experienced the battery drain issue at 4,000 miles. After the dealer replaced the battery, I have not had any more problems. I am at 9,500 miles now. Enough cars have had this issue that I do think there's more to it than Lexus is admitting.

Overall, I love the car. I actually leased it and am 1 year in to my 27 month lease. I am seriously considering buying the car at the end of the lease. The residual is reasonable and my commute will likely be changing so that a lease with a mileage limit is not going to work. I would not hesitate to own this car for several more years.
Thanks, its good to see that you keep cars, sorry you had issues here with yours but seems like you still like it. Sounds like most everyone is dissapointed in infotainment.
Old 04-10-15, 11:03 AM
  #19  
azmojo
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Originally Posted by Dezoris
Thanks for the detail and link, looks like the 2015 F Sport now includes the VGRS. Paint quality here seems average for sure, can see plenty of issues within 10 minutes of looking at car.
VGRS has always been available. My 2014 had it and the 2015 I just ordered will have it.
The comment is that it should be a standard feature rather than an option. After all, it is only $400-500 and also gets you the power steering wheel that retracts and comes out when you start/stop the car.
Old 04-10-15, 12:38 PM
  #20  
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NO FRIGGINV MEMORY SEATS AND POWER TILT STEERING.

my wife is 5'3 and im 6 ft and we share the car. knowing how low the car sits, you can imagine how silly i look everytime i have to hunch over for 10 seconds before i can even get inside my car!
Is this what you want people to look like driving your car lexus!? fire the turd that dropped the ball on that one. If i had a bad back or was anymore impatient.. this almost a deal breaker for my already.

ENGINE:

It feels like we are just trying to play keep up with other brands barely putting out enough power to match the competitors.

How about leading the crowd instead of following in its footsteps and come out with somethin new and bold? Something we can at least talk about besides "yeah its the same engine from last 10 years"

You have every other car coming out with unlimited turbos and unique hybrid sport tailored engines and lexus got 'same old engine'

When you hear sport, the word 'fast' comes to mind. The is350 is barely 'ok' with 306 horsepower and sometimes even called slow in todays standard. i mean it looks fast and mean as hell and handles like a sports car. But why have all those things and be missing the main element? POWER.

If lexus made this car with like 387 horse power MY GOD. Increase your dam budget to whatever it takes i dont care, and freaking get in there.
How can Lexus truely say they are trying the get in the game with its german competitors when its engine is 10 years behind?!?!
Being such a big company this is inexcusable and dam right embaressing.

As much as i have vented about my qualms with the car I feel like they are headed in the right direction. Their new bold look with spindle grills tells me they are trying to really stand out from the rest of the crowd, which to me is huge. Go big or go home imo. I want Lexus to have more character and 'livelyness' to its name. Lexus, you cannot put up with being called boring any more!

4th gen is350 coming out next year or two ok lexus?
Old 04-10-15, 02:03 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by azmojo
VGRS has always been available. My 2014 had it and the 2015 I just ordered will have it.
The comment is that it should be a standard feature rather than an option. After all, it is only $400-500 and also gets you the power steering wheel that retracts and comes out when you start/stop the car.
Thanks I misread the sheet it looked like VGRS was apart of the Fsport pack.
Again it's odd how these things are seperate, namely a 400$ option.
Old 04-10-15, 02:07 PM
  #22  
Dezoris
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Originally Posted by Sexis350
NO FRIGGINV MEMORY SEATS AND POWER TILT STEERING.

my wife is 5'3 and im 6 ft and we share the car. knowing how low the car sits, you can imagine how silly i look everytime i have to hunch over for 10 seconds before i can even get inside my car!
Is this what you want people to look like driving your car lexus!? fire the turd that dropped the ball on that one. If i had a bad back or was anymore impatient.. this almost a deal breaker for my already.

ENGINE:

It feels like we are just trying to play keep up with other brands barely putting out enough power to match the competitors.

How about leading the crowd instead of following in its footsteps and come out with somethin new and bold? Something we can at least talk about besides "yeah its the same engine from last 10 years"

You have every other car coming out with unlimited turbos and unique hybrid sport tailored engines and lexus got 'same old engine'

When you hear sport, the word 'fast' comes to mind. The is350 is barely 'ok' with 306 horsepower and sometimes even called slow in todays standard. i mean it looks fast and mean as hell and handles like a sports car. But why have all those things and be missing the main element? POWER.

If lexus made this car with like 387 horse power MY GOD. Increase your dam budget to whatever it takes i dont care, and freaking get in there.
How can Lexus truely say they are trying the get in the game with its german competitors when its engine is 10 years behind?!?!
Being such a big company this is inexcusable and dam right embaressing.

As much as i have vented about my qualms with the car I feel like they are headed in the right direction. Their new bold look with spindle grills tells me they are trying to really stand out from the rest of the crowd, which to me is huge. Go big or go home imo. I want Lexus to have more character and 'livelyness' to its name. Lexus, you cannot put up with being called boring any more!

4th gen is350 coming out next year or two ok lexus?
Looks like you have to add the VGRS to get the power tilt steering, odd.

I will make sure I mention most of this as there are several things you have said that bother me, mainly being the D4S system which is used in the 86 platform which has so many tuning options to make use of the DI and Port injection. This motor certainly could be tuned more aggressively and remain reliable to the tune of 30HP depending on fueling.

But again there are some lost opportunities here it seems.
Old 04-10-15, 02:50 PM
  #23  
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*What did Lexus do right?

- Styling in and out
- Suspension tuning and steering feel

*What did they screw up?

- F-Sport lack of options
- No power bump over previous models
- Some cost cutting/cheap plastics on interior
- Lack of simple storage (sunglass holder, cargo net is junk)
- Weak heated seats
- Trunk hinges not boxed in

*Infotainment?
Average at best. Voice recognition is beyond garbage.

*Quirks

- overly sensitive seatbelt locking when putting on seatbelt
- bad sunroof buttons (two separate buttons and you have to hold them for 1-2 seconds)
- Giant owners manual - might as well be a phonebook.
- No Enform in Canada - this is a joke

*Drama and Problems

None really. The odd creak I guess.

*Why do you own it?

A good blend of luxury and sport, but if I had a do-over, I wouldn't have bought this.
Old 04-11-15, 12:00 AM
  #24  
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*What did Lexus do right?
- Style, and interior is amazing. Real head turner! Love the Red leather seats, one of the big selling points for me!
- Lexus reliability
- Dealership experience. -- I have owned BMWs and Audis, never felt welcome. Feel like so far the service and treatment at the dealership is first class!
-F-sport, love the look and style.
-Heated/cool seats are awesome!
-Sound system is amazing!
-Free pedicure and manicure when dropping car off. I'm a dude, but hey why not!
-Love the available options you can purchase from dealership and keep warranty. (f-sport exhaust, intake, lowering springs etc)

*What did they screw up?
- Memory seats would be nice.
-The navigation mouse takes some time getting used too. But i can see it growing on me.
-More storage, and sunglass holder!
-LED interior lights. Yellow is out!
-Wish it came in manual!
- Also, trunk doesn't pop fully open when pushing trunk release button.

*Quirks
None yet!

*Drama and Problems
-Cars less then 1000KM old, so far, so good!

*Why do you own it?
Coming from a 2013 Audi A4 i wanted the Japanese reliability. Test drove new S4 (which was same interior as my 2013 A4) and 335i. 335 was nice, but interior was kind of meh. With all the added options looking at well over 70K for a 335 versus a fully loaded F-sport for around 58K. Choice was easy (plus Lexus offered me more for my trade in then BMW )
Old 04-12-15, 12:15 AM
  #25  
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I am filming this week and also will be including all the gripes and issues here in the final product. Hope to do it justice for the good and bad aspects.

Screen Shots







Old 04-12-15, 03:48 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Dezoris

*What did Lexus do right?
*What did they screw up?
*Infotainment?
*Quirks
*Drama and Problems
*Why do you own it?
What they did right, above all, was the styling. I can't stop staring at this thing. And I've owned it for a year and a half. I plan on upsizing to a GS next year, but will really miss the looks of the IS when I do. Along with the styling, the handling and steering are confident, and the increased rear seat room is hugely beneficial to those of us with families.

Screw up? Hmm...I would appreciate more power, but I'm just being greedy. Aside from that, I'm not overly impressed with the stock audio system, and found the option packages to be very limiting. And I know Lexus won't agree, but this thing is just BEGGING for a manual transmission. Okay, so it's me who is begging, but a manual would be so much more fun in this car.

Infotainment? This is probably my biggest complaint with the car. The idea is good. Generation 8 is WAY better than 7, and adds great functionality. Now remove all of the bugs so it can work as designed.

Can't really think of any quirks, beyond the already mentioned infotainment issues.

No drama or problems so far. I'm just past 11k miles, with no problems to report.

I own it because I've wanted an IS since the first one came out. When that first generation came out, I couldn't afford it. I fell in love with the second gen, but couldn't sign up for the small rear seat, and when my daughter was born, I had to completely rule it out. When the 3rd gen came out with improved rear seat room, I was sold.
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