MrBBQ

iTrader: (9)

More changes I've noticed in the 09's:

> The Temp/Passenger Temp wording on the console is now backlit.
> Leather has white stitching.

Fizzboy7

When you manually shift down while it's still in "D," does it automatically go into 4th gear like the 2006-2008 default? Also, what happens when you come to a stop and start up again w/o shifting? Does it revert back to auto mode or stay in manual mode?

MrBBQ

iTrader: (9)

It only goes down one gear from where you are at. If I'm on the freeway on 6th gear in D mode and press the left paddle shifter, it goes to the 5th gear limiter. Pressing the paddles in D mode while at a stop doesn't do anything, so it's only useful when you need a surge of speed, like passing cars while in motion and need a quick downshift. Putting it in S mode still defaults to the 4th gear limiter which is annoying.

Fizzboy7

[QUOTE=MrBBQ;4199187]It only goes down one gear from where you are at. If I'm on the freeway on 6th gear in D mode and press the left paddle shifter, it goes to the 5th gear limiter.

That in itself is worth the price of admission for a 2009! I can't tell you how annoying it is to be doing 70+ on the freeway and want to slow down w/o hitting the brake lights, only to have the car go from 6th to 4th.

MrBBQ

iTrader: (9)

Yea, I originally thought all 2IS's can do that. I've used it to downshift quickly in D mode on the freeway and my cousin (who owns an 08 IS350) was tripping out because he told me he can't do that on his car. Pressing the paddles on his car in D mode while moving does nothing.

SC300T

The suspension / steering is definitely different. The 08 demo was the exact same AWD car - same tires, same sizes. The 09 feels better, although how much of the difference is attributable to the 5000 miles of abuse, I don't know. For some reason, my 09 doesn't have the touchy brakes this 08 had. The 08 was really hard to modulate the brake pedal when coming to a stop. The 08 followed ruts in the road (tramlining), and the suspension on the 09feels more direct, more stable, less twitchy, yet impact harshness is less... Go figure.

damnboy

Thanks. I don't even know it can do that.

ocbc

WEe uaesd to have an 07 is250 and just picked up an 09 is250. The car feels tighter, more surefooted, quiter. I just chalked this up to it being a new car, but there could be some changes....

rule1223

iTrader: (15)

yes it does automatically go to 4th gear, if you stop, the s mode still shows you are in 4th gear, but in the gear position , it shows you are down to first which i found it very stupid.
i have an 09 so i know, haha...

Jefe's IS

Your 09' is brand new. The suspension, engine, brakes, tires, etc. have not "broken" in or settled in yet. It will feel tighter than the same vehicle w/ 5000+ miles on it.

On the plus side, your happy w/ your new car and it feels good to you. Could of been worse. You could be asking why did my loaner drive better than my new. My response would have been exactly the same BTW.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

Because S mode is a top-gear-limiter, not a real sport mode.

It's showing you that 4th is the top gear the car will use, but it will use everything lower too, automatically.



And the 09 brakes felt less grabby because they had the TSIB pads on em- they're a lot better as far as linear feel.

SC300T

MSN autos says the 2009 gets: "Lexus' advanced Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system."

I assume this to mean that previous ones had just VSC? Not sure what the difference is. They do effectively the same thing, perhaps the VDIM is more advanced or has better control.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

The IS350 has always had VDIM

Starting in 09, the 250 got it too

(and VDIM does considerably more than VSC)

truciet

iTrader: (5)

with the brakes, they're different on the 09's. they're started to use the TSB brakes by default for the 09's. so for all 06-08's...they could downgrade to those brakes for less brake dust but there is a difference in performance! i did my 06 IS350 and i regret it

i used to barely have to step on the brakes due to a$$holes on the freeway but now...wow...i really have to step on the brakes

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

You seem to have confused a difference in "feel" (what you have) with a difference in performance (both pads will stop the car in -exactly- the same distance)