Yeah, but its like 25lbs. That is my briefcase...

 

I am not saying its commendable that they make these cars handle great with weight increases but at what point will it stop?
M3 was a I-4, then a I-6, now a V-8?
S4 went from V6tt to V-8
etc etc
Then they add active steering, active sway bars, etc etc etc "oh it handles better"

When the real handlers, the pure cars, do without the electronic do dads.

Everyone knocks Lexus for electric do dads and VDIM but EVERYONE does it.

Bottom line, I love them all. They are all unique interpretations of each car maker. They all are examples of what THAT COMPANY believes in.

 

Hey! Lay off the Veyron. It is simply stunning in every way imaginable and there earns a permanent pass in my book.

Now if you want to ask why the M5, E63 or S6 all weigh over 4000lbs I'm jiggy with it but I don't see folks hanging out in line to buy the Jag XJ8's because of their light weight.

 

And with this I completely agree. Someone needs to re-imagine a family car.

Unfortunately they will be hampered by our governmental regulations of what a basic car must have.

 

We have disagreed on this car before. No doubt it is an incredible piece of enginering and shows what PEOPLE can do. They had unlimited time pretty much and an unlimited budget. No expense was spared. The tranny is magical. W-16 and quad turbos, no one is even close to it.

IT is also over complicated, overweight and won't come close to meeting sales targets of 350 units. A flying albatross

 

I agree. The car itself is great. Maybe though it wouldn't have needed that wonderful W16 turbo engine if it didn't weigh so much. Shave a 1000 lbs off and maybe a regular old V10, or even a turbo V8 would get the same job done and maybe even do a better job. If you keep the weight down you don't need more HP.

 

Hello <insert knocking sound>, Lexus promotional pictures anyone?

Anyone remember this 1998 GS400 image? Not until L-tuned stuff came out two years later was anything remotely close to this availabe from a dealership.

 

Hehe, that aside, of course MY GS400 with 19s handled great, but that was an expensive suspension setup that I doubt will be implemented in the IS-F but who knows, they've got a year!

True, but if the 98 GS was out in 97 that's now almost 10 years ago! The stakes have gone up a BUNCH since then. The new GS definitely outhandles the 2nd gen GS.

 

This car needs the exclusive W16 engine to be the major selling point and convince the richest of the rich that, yeah, they are buying something rare. Performance alone won't get those people to open the wallet. A V10 and a V8 are so "common".

 

I can tell you right now, unless something changes, the IS-F CANNOT compete with an M3.

Electronic steering assist? AT only? electronic Gas and Brake pedals? (I am just assuming these are there, since they are on my 350)

With all these Electronics, people just wont get the type of feedback that people(Those who are in the market for) want in a performance car. Yeah, people buy th C55 AMG... but I am pretty sure that car doesnt get the same respect as an M3. And an AT only, will be a class behind the M3

Yeah, and the cars are friggin pigs nowadays. I remember when people would call the 3000GT VR-4 an overweight pig. at 3760. Now all these cars weight as much.

 

Glad to see you know how both cars drive even though no one knows final specs yet alone has driven either

Oh and guess what, BMWs have MORE electronics than Lexus cars. Go figure.

 

The feedback people want in a performance car are found in porsches, lotus & Z06 vettes.

You would be served better to buy a base model IS/3 Series/A4 (cheap/loaded as possible depending on how rich u are) and a lotus/vette/carrera for the times when you want that 'feedback'.

The only real reason today why I would buy one of these kind of cars is because they are rarer than their regular counterpart (I try to avoid common cars...with few exceptions). I also dont need a 4 door porsche and seeing as these cars come with at least 300hp nowadays and that is more than adequate to put a smile on my face on the way home from work...I'd never take a car like this to the track to flog. Maybe if it had 2 doors....and it was my 2nd ride. I learnt at an early age that you DONT race your daily driver, though I can see why people make such a big deal over these cars.

 

A reduction in weight is still a reduction and a plus in my book considering the trend of making cars heavier with successive models.

 

Just to make things clear, the 3 series also has electric steering with steering assist as well.

 

You obviously haven't driven an S4. That's OK, though, I have. There’s no way the S4 handles better than the IS. The S4 feels very heavy on its feet, the steering isn't nearly as quick, and has a very vague road feel.
The new G (2007) again, no way. I haven't driven one yet but even the automotive press concluded that the IS handles better. C MBZ? Are you kidding me? CTS? Really?