During a discussion regarding changes for the '08 model year, I remember someone mentioning improved steering feel.

Can anyone verify if steering feel has in fact been tweaked on '08s?

 

I doubt it. The basic structure of the car is the same. I dont think driving dynamics will change from year to year.

 

Probably the tires. I know my 07 drives a lot better than my 06. The 07 has the Bridgestone RE50As and the 06 had the dunlops.

Over my lifetime, I have had several dunlop tires. And each time.... disappointment.

 

I wondered that as well when I read that - but unless they re-calibrated the electric steering system [which there is no mention of it from Lexus] then I'd say it's the same.

..and yes tires do play a factor on this we well.

 

I saw the improved steering feel thing on a sheet at my dealer in July. It was a list of the 08 changes for the IS (and included the coinholder, revised seatbacks, and no color changes info). It included no details though and is the only reference to the feature I recall seeing. It looked like an "official" document at the time but that doesn't mean much.

 

Since the IS had negative comments by the car mags regarding the steering feel, I wouldn't be surprised if the steering has been adjusted slightly to allow for a more positive steering feel. Same thing happened for the 07 to 08 model year on the Corvette. According to Car and Driver, the slight adjustment makes a noticable difference in road feedback and sense of control. Perhaps when IS owners meet, they can compare 07 to 08 and let us know.

 

I thought someone had just posted that they "hoped" steering feel would be better. I'd be surprised if Lexus did anything about it--it's a consistent complaint across many Lexus model lines.

 

Nope, I saw it in writing on Lexus letterhead at the dealership. Kinda wish I'd tried to get a copy now...

Now, if they actually made the change they said they were going to, and how they made it, that's another story... but it's at least a more substantial rumor than "some guy said he heard from somebody"

All the the other changes listed on the sheet appeared on the 08 though.

 

When I test drove a 2006 and 2007 IS250 MT I didn't notice/hear the electronically assisted steering that I do notice now as I'm driving my 2008.

Maybe it was just me being too excited at the dealership to pay attention.

 

There are no changes to the steering according to the New Car Features manual.

Changing the bushing from soft Lexus to something harder would be more likely than anything else. Easy, cheap, and improves feedback instantly. Also makes more noticeable road noise - the Anti-Lexus!

 

I drove an '08 IS350 at Taste of Lexus last Sunday, and didn't notice an obvious difference in steering feel between it and my '06.

 

My steering feels great... I can only comapre it to a 2001 IS300 and it feels just as good..

Actually to my surprise this car has a much tighter turning radius then my IS300 did.

I also feel the road too, but I know thats the Sport Tuned Suspension giving me feed back..

 

The TW Site did mention about the steering on a 08 has better feeling!

 

The benchmark in steering feel for this segment is the BMW 3 series; you know that's what the car magazines will be comparing it to.

 

+1, the Lexus is as numb and lifeless as ever, sorry folks....it's not meant to be a BMW.