So I have the 2015 IS 250 on loan....
06-09-15, 11:01 AM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
Trying to be unbiased I came to several conclusions quickly on this loaner. But before I get to that let's go back to the 9am appointment.
Upon entering I was greeted by no one. Standing there I told my wife I'd go ton the men's room and be back quickly. Upon returning I see that she was being helped. Good. The application to fix the fuel lines under a recall was handled quickly and out the door they scooted us to the LOANER. Did a quick walk around and noticed some idiot had stenciled his initials into the front left driver side fender. Immediately the lady knew who did it. The previous kid who had the car as it was his initials. This won't end well I thought. The Lexus service lady was a bit upset understandably.
Getting in my wife put the seat^^UP^^ all the way and I noticed that it couldn't go any higher due to the head rest hitting the roof. Yes, she's a pixie. She favors the RX350 adjustability much more as in her words "you can see everything" when the seat is lifted all the way up. I have to agree. Being a passenger from the dealership to home allowed me a moment to reflect on the "waterfall" type arrangement of the dash. Still attempting to stay neutral I thought this could have been better accentuated if their were different textures or colors that highlighted certain aspects of the dash. As it was we were given the all black interior which made everything bland. The clock I really liked while the nav/entertainment seemed to be an afterthought. By having the nav screen be navigable by some joy stick it become a bit more impersonal than a touch screen. That seemed to me of Lexus having an don't get close to me attitude. As if you want Lexus to do something use a joy stick & don't touch me attitude.
Using the enform guidance system as SHARP static came into play. Highly annoying to say the least.
Making it home I took over and we decided to go to brunch. The ride is JARRING around city streets while highway was really nice. But around town that car transferred all the road bumps to the driver & passenger.
Even my adult daughter in back commented on how rough & stiff the ride was. Also entering and exiting became an acrobatic drill. I'm not a big guy coming in at a healthy 5'10 220 . As you can see in the photo it would become annoying very quickly trying toget in & out. THIS is why I got rid of the Mazda6. Too small of a driver door.
Gladly I'll be giving this car back and get into our big swinging door of IS350.
Upon entering I was greeted by no one. Standing there I told my wife I'd go ton the men's room and be back quickly. Upon returning I see that she was being helped. Good. The application to fix the fuel lines under a recall was handled quickly and out the door they scooted us to the LOANER. Did a quick walk around and noticed some idiot had stenciled his initials into the front left driver side fender. Immediately the lady knew who did it. The previous kid who had the car as it was his initials. This won't end well I thought. The Lexus service lady was a bit upset understandably.
Getting in my wife put the seat^^UP^^ all the way and I noticed that it couldn't go any higher due to the head rest hitting the roof. Yes, she's a pixie. She favors the RX350 adjustability much more as in her words "you can see everything" when the seat is lifted all the way up. I have to agree. Being a passenger from the dealership to home allowed me a moment to reflect on the "waterfall" type arrangement of the dash. Still attempting to stay neutral I thought this could have been better accentuated if their were different textures or colors that highlighted certain aspects of the dash. As it was we were given the all black interior which made everything bland. The clock I really liked while the nav/entertainment seemed to be an afterthought. By having the nav screen be navigable by some joy stick it become a bit more impersonal than a touch screen. That seemed to me of Lexus having an don't get close to me attitude. As if you want Lexus to do something use a joy stick & don't touch me attitude.
Using the enform guidance system as SHARP static came into play. Highly annoying to say the least.
Making it home I took over and we decided to go to brunch. The ride is JARRING around city streets while highway was really nice. But around town that car transferred all the road bumps to the driver & passenger.
Even my adult daughter in back commented on how rough & stiff the ride was. Also entering and exiting became an acrobatic drill. I'm not a big guy coming in at a healthy 5'10 220 . As you can see in the photo it would become annoying very quickly trying toget in & out. THIS is why I got rid of the Mazda6. Too small of a driver door.
Gladly I'll be giving this car back and get into our big swinging door of IS350.
We love our 350 and are glad it's not a loaner.
06-09-15, 03:49 PM
#17
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
[QUOTE=EZZ;9069843]The IS is a sports sedan. It should offer the firm but nimble handling experience. By the way, the IS is probably the most cushy of the cars in the segment. The GS is probably also going to be firm riding as it's supposed to also be a sports sedan.
The RX, ES, and LS fill the land boat cushy ride segment
[/QUOTE]Thank you! That's exactly my kind of ride.
It's ugly. With the top down it's easy. While with the seats all the way forward and top up I have to become a contortionist to get out. Dislocate a few joints, then get out.
06-09-15, 03:58 PM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
[QUOTE
Ooo, that's just wrong. Lol
It's ugly. With the top down it's easy. While with the seats all the way forward and top up I have to become a contortionist to get out. Dislocate a few joints, then get out.[/QUOTE]
At least you can put the top down!
Ooo, that's just wrong. Lol
It's ugly. With the top down it's easy. While with the seats all the way forward and top up I have to become a contortionist to get out. Dislocate a few joints, then get out.
[/QUOTE]At least you can put the top down!
06-10-15, 07:50 PM
#19
You hit the nail on the head. The IS convertible is in fact a nice touring car while not as cushy as the RX it definitely isn't as harsh and choppy as this IS250. This has been my whole concern with Lexus creating the entire line as "Sport". If this vehicle is any indication of what the others in Lexus line up is going to be like then I have ZERO desire to own one. But you indicated that the ES is closer to the RX? Maybe the GS even? Hopefully the LS is a comfortable ride also. In the mean time I'll stick to my two babies. After this experience the IS350C offers a nice balance between sport and cruising. A great touring car.
However, I'd like to surprise her with a good new car and the ES or GS will be considered.
However, I'd like to surprise her with a good new car and the ES or GS will be considered.
06-10-15, 10:54 PM
#20
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
However, can you reach the same conclusion from a person driving a RX? If according to you the non F sport version is cushy what does that make the 2nd gen RX 350 or the 2nd gen IS350C I have? BTW this loaner only had 500 miles on it. Think that had something to do with it? I think it would be safe to say any "sport" oriented car with that little miles on it would be a bit stiff.
06-11-15, 07:29 AM
#21
Lexus Champion
06-11-15, 10:43 AM
#24
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
06-11-15, 10:50 AM
#25
Lexus Test Driver
F-Sport has slightly more aggressive suspension, responsive steering and different gearing than non F-Sport to start with. F-Sport in Sport mode tighten things even more, and for the ones that have AVS, the suspension gets even tighter on Sport+ mode.
06-11-15, 10:59 AM
#26
Lexus Champion
The steering and gearing is the same on F Sport and non-F Sport. The difference is all in the suspension.
06-11-15, 12:42 PM
#27
Lexus Test Driver
So I have the 2015 IS 250 on loan....
Originally Posted by JDR76
The steering and gearing is the same on F Sport and non-F Sport. The difference is all in the suspension.
06-11-15, 01:00 PM
#28
Lexus Champion
06-12-15, 07:49 AM
#29
3IS rides way smoother than my 2IS, combine that with way mroe comfortable seats, its way better in terms of comfort yet it handles better. Mine has the VGRS which also retracts the steering wheel, that helps a lot when getting out. Dont think the base models have that feature
06-17-15, 07:43 PM
#30
Well, compared to my E46 BMW with the optional sport suspension it sure feels soft. Not too soft, mind you. The handling trade-off, again compared to my BMW, is remarkably small.