General Car Conversation 2024 - part 1
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,128
Likes: 521
From: Knoxville, TN
Oh it was a rocket, I didn't think it slowed down. I walked a new Civic Type R at 100- 120ish right before we got rid of it. Other driver thought it was a 250 hahaha.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3,958
Likes: 409
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,395
Likes: 361
From: Las Vegas
This is interesting. I did not care for that engine overall.
We had a 2011 IS350 with the 306hp version of that engine. The fastest IS350 they ever made.. That car absolutely was a MONSTER but I barely ever drove it, at all. The engine sounded like a Hoover when you got on it and just wasn't that pleasant to me. It was slower, but I vastly preferred that J-Series V6 in my older TL. It also sucked way too much gas for what it was which we know I don't care about but still, I was equalling or beating it with the LS430 with gas mileage with both driven normally.
That IS350 we had would smoke our Mercedes lol but the experience and sounds and feels getting up to speeds with said Benz.... not even close. I really NEVER drove that car now that I really think about it. I'm looking for reasons to take the MB out. Oh I need chapstick... or a pen.
It's why I think these cars with downsized crap that run great acceleration times, people aren't really over the moon over them. Getting there is half the fun.
As soon as my dealer gets an SL43 (4 cylinder) I'm going to drive it. That car is universally hated pretty much by the press so far.
We had a 2011 IS350 with the 306hp version of that engine. The fastest IS350 they ever made.. That car absolutely was a MONSTER but I barely ever drove it, at all. The engine sounded like a Hoover when you got on it and just wasn't that pleasant to me. It was slower, but I vastly preferred that J-Series V6 in my older TL. It also sucked way too much gas for what it was which we know I don't care about but still, I was equalling or beating it with the LS430 with gas mileage with both driven normally.
That IS350 we had would smoke our Mercedes lol but the experience and sounds and feels getting up to speeds with said Benz.... not even close. I really NEVER drove that car now that I really think about it. I'm looking for reasons to take the MB out. Oh I need chapstick... or a pen.
It's why I think these cars with downsized crap that run great acceleration times, people aren't really over the moon over them. Getting there is half the fun.
As soon as my dealer gets an SL43 (4 cylinder) I'm going to drive it. That car is universally hated pretty much by the press so far.
Honestly the engine choice was a solid 70% of the reason why I went with a 5 series over a GS. B58 vs an NA V6 that has to be wrung out to get to the power curve.
Too bad the sales didn't justify keeping the GS around and putting the 3.4 from the LS in it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,313
Likes: 1,786
From: Ohio
Meanwhile my W12 stock hits 130 in 13.7 seconds and 100 well under 10, that's what I mean by a massive falloff. The LS460 even just walks away from an IS past 100 easily, the faster your cars are the more you want the 100+ performance since you can get there so easily and quickly that a 0-60 run is just too short a time to enjoy anything
Mainstream cars are geared for 0-40/0-60, high ends are geared to actually use their power and mostly target 0-100 or in Bentley world 0-150
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,313
Likes: 1,786
From: Ohio
A man of culture, I see. 
Yeah it's funny when people diss the IS 500 for having "the same" 0-60 (which, it isn't) as those 2IS 350s... I'm like, "Drive them back to back and tell me the IS 500 isn't faster."
I've driven a 2IS 350, and I did really like it, mostly due to the steering and the brake/throttle inputs. They all felt so nice, somehow. However, the transmission was very lazy and not responsive, which was a bummer. It was about the only thing letting the car down, though. I liked it a lot.
Yeah it's funny when people diss the IS 500 for having "the same" 0-60 (which, it isn't) as those 2IS 350s... I'm like, "Drive them back to back and tell me the IS 500 isn't faster."
I've driven a 2IS 350, and I did really like it, mostly due to the steering and the brake/throttle inputs. They all felt so nice, somehow. However, the transmission was very lazy and not responsive, which was a bummer. It was about the only thing letting the car down, though. I liked it a lot.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,313
Likes: 1,786
From: Ohio
Better $100 more in oil than any odd oil related issues down the road. That's my thoughts at least
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,273
Likes: 1,889
From: WA
This is interesting. I did not care for that engine overall.
We had a 2011 IS350 with the 306hp version of that engine. The fastest IS350 they ever made.. That car absolutely was a MONSTER but I barely ever drove it, at all. The engine sounded like a Hoover when you got on it and just wasn't that pleasant to me. It was slower, but I vastly preferred that J-Series V6 in my older TL. It also sucked way too much gas for what it was which we know I don't care about but still, I was equalling or beating it with the LS430 with gas mileage with both driven normally.
That IS350 we had would smoke our Mercedes lol but the experience and sounds and feels getting up to speeds with said Benz.... not even close. I really NEVER drove that car now that I really think about it. I'm looking for reasons to take the MB out. Oh I need chapstick... or a pen.
It's why I think these cars with downsized crap that run great acceleration times, people aren't really over the moon over them. Getting there is half the fun.
As soon as my dealer gets an SL43 (4 cylinder) I'm going to drive it. That car is universally hated pretty much by the press so far.
We had a 2011 IS350 with the 306hp version of that engine. The fastest IS350 they ever made.. That car absolutely was a MONSTER but I barely ever drove it, at all. The engine sounded like a Hoover when you got on it and just wasn't that pleasant to me. It was slower, but I vastly preferred that J-Series V6 in my older TL. It also sucked way too much gas for what it was which we know I don't care about but still, I was equalling or beating it with the LS430 with gas mileage with both driven normally.
That IS350 we had would smoke our Mercedes lol but the experience and sounds and feels getting up to speeds with said Benz.... not even close. I really NEVER drove that car now that I really think about it. I'm looking for reasons to take the MB out. Oh I need chapstick... or a pen.
It's why I think these cars with downsized crap that run great acceleration times, people aren't really over the moon over them. Getting there is half the fun.
As soon as my dealer gets an SL43 (4 cylinder) I'm going to drive it. That car is universally hated pretty much by the press so far.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,273
Likes: 1,889
From: WA
I hear you. I almost went with the 5 series this time around (well, in 2020). It's too bad the GS was cancelled, but that's what happens when you (Lexus) fail to invest in the sedan when the sedan market was already shrinking. Still my favorite car, though.
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 238
Likes: 184
Too bad you and others never got to experience a late 90's Maxima with the first 3.0 VQ.. They were fantastic cars and very popular. Remember this was before the SUV takeover so sedans still sold like crazy.
It was literally a poor man's 540i.
142MPH. 6.6 seconds to 60. In 1995.
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1...ima-se-update/
Interior Lexus nice, pretty much.
It was literally a poor man's 540i.
142MPH. 6.6 seconds to 60. In 1995.
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1...ima-se-update/
Interior Lexus nice, pretty much.
The VQ35 and later engines all had bees in a fart can sound that I hated. They also lost the smoothness of the 3.0 VQ.
Went to a 2002 TL Type S and the J32 it had was a beast back then. I then went to a 2003 330i and never went back to V6 again
You made the right decision.
Last edited by G30540i; May 7, 2024 at 08:46 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,313
Likes: 1,786
From: Ohio
I had a '97 Maxima SE and loved that 190 VQ30 motor. Super smooth. Loved that car except the cheap rear suspension that would feel like a solid rear axle from a truck when cornering and you hit a bump!
The VQ35 and later engines all had bees in a fart can sound that I hated. They also lost the smoothness of the 3.0 VQ.
Went to a 2002 TL Type S and the it had J32 was a beast back then. I then went to a 2003 330i and never went back to V6 again
I made the same decision in 2017 with a 540i and wish I went with the GS350. My 58,000 mile 540i is now only worth $22,000 trade in (it's loaded with M Sports, 4 wheel steering, massage seats, Bowers/Wilkins, rear seat bluray/HDD entertainment MSRP over $84,000, while a GS350 with similar miles and condition would easily go for 40% more and I could've gotten one new for over $30,000 less than my G30! BMW depreciation is about on par with Fords!
You made the right decision.
The VQ35 and later engines all had bees in a fart can sound that I hated. They also lost the smoothness of the 3.0 VQ.
Went to a 2002 TL Type S and the it had J32 was a beast back then. I then went to a 2003 330i and never went back to V6 again
I made the same decision in 2017 with a 540i and wish I went with the GS350. My 58,000 mile 540i is now only worth $22,000 trade in (it's loaded with M Sports, 4 wheel steering, massage seats, Bowers/Wilkins, rear seat bluray/HDD entertainment MSRP over $84,000, while a GS350 with similar miles and condition would easily go for 40% more and I could've gotten one new for over $30,000 less than my G30! BMW depreciation is about on par with Fords!
You made the right decision.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,395
Likes: 361
From: Las Vegas
I made the same decision in 2017 with a 540i and wish I went with the GS350. My 58,000 mile 540i is now only worth $22,000 trade in (it's loaded with M Sports, 4 wheel steering, massage seats, Bowers/Wilkins, rear seat bluray/HDD entertainment MSRP over $84,000, while a GS350 with similar miles and condition would easily go for 40% more and I could've gotten one new for over $30,000 less than my G30! BMW depreciation is about on par with Fords!
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3,958
Likes: 409
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,366
Likes: 613
From: IL
Last edited by geko29; May 8, 2024 at 03:54 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,744
Likes: 4,076
From: Maryland