dojoman

iTrader: (5)

So I got a chance to test drive ISF this weekend. First thing I noticed was how heavy ISF feels compared to my IS350. When I put my foot down I was actually not impressed with power of ISF, I didn't drive on freeway but just two to three miles stretch of normal road. I guess I was expecting the car to feel a bit more responsive but it felt slower than IS350. I wish I had the chance to take it to freeway to feel the extra 100+ HP. Paddle shifter was definitely much better, and it can be used anytime without having to shift to M mode.

MiiK350

iTrader: (8)

IS-F > IS350...

...but this is me in my IS350

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6QeS...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6Tgf...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhjiSmzrHAQ

Main reason I won is that track is 1/8th of a mile, not 1/4th. Weight and traction played a huge part. In 2/3 races the F had a higher trap speed. Also, in your test drive, I'm sure it was a very non spirited drive, all of the F's power is beyond 1st gear. Your 350 on the other hand has a beasty 1st gear.

syzygy

Well, just as a general rule of thumb, the difference in performance between a 200 HP car (IS250) and a 300 HP car (IS350) is far more pronounced than the difference in performance between a 300 HP car (IS350) and a 400 HP car (IS-F).

There are also factors involved here, such as gearing, weight, etc. of course.

The IS350 is a full 2 seconds faster in the quarter mile than an IS250 (~15.5), while the IS-F (~12.2-12.5) is really more like 1 second faster in the quarter mile than an IS350 (~13.2-13.5).

The difference is even smaller when you look at something like 0 to 60. 0 to 60, the IS350 (~4.7-4.9) is > 2 seconds faster than an IS250 (~7), while the ISF (~4.2-4.5) is about half a second faster than the IS350.

Nevertheless, the IS-F certainly is never slower than the IS350 at anything, except maybe 0 to 36 MPH (i.e. 1st gear in the IS350) (the IS350 just might be a tenth of a second faster, or very comparable to the ISF during 1st gear).

After that, the IS-F is and should be faster in everything, particularly from a roll.

Try some 60 MPH rolls in your IS350 (3rd gear) and try the same rolls in the ISF. I think the difference in performance will be magnified in this sort of comparison, albeit personally I have never actually driven an ISF so I'm going by what others have said.

syzygy

In an 1/8 mile run, the ISF is only tenths of a second faster than an IS350, on average, which is why it's entirely possible for IS350s to win in practice because variables (particularly traction) can alter performance figures for both cars greater than this spread.

djbugz

nice Vids! I like the fact that your IS350 is "built on love" haahaa.. so is mine =)

quang

iTrader: (8)

so should we be happy with the money we save from not getting IS-F without loosing much in competition?

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

well the F brings about it more than just horsepower. there's the pride of owning an F, and if you were to only care about money to power ratio there a bunch of go-carts out there that would destroy us.

hopefully i didnt just open up a huge debate haha

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

^^ I want one just because I love V8's. Sounds amazing!!

albis350

IS-F is real nice and I know is a different beast in power and car itself compared to the IS350 but i know what the OP is saying, it happened to me when I drove the F in the Lexus event down here in South Florida, was my first time driving it and it was around the auto-cross circuit so it was very lil space to floor the car was more of a cornering thing but in the lil straight line they had in the course the IS350s felt as quick as the F and we drove em back to back, my friend doesn't know much about Lexus and the F but he said he saw no reason to spend the extra money in the F lol....the gearing in the IS350 is very aggressive and I love it....still love the F tough lol...

ping83

iTrader: (8)

I test drove an isf before I ever drove my is350. If I had the extra 20k.....F would be in my garage. But for what I paid for my 350, it is not much slower 0-60....f just rips when you get her out on open road!!! That being said, I am also happier with my is350 then my M3 e46 because of comfort and better use of the car! Hope this helps the conversation!

YooNiBaLL

although there may not be a ginormous diff between the IS F and IS 350 in performance, I like the body/styling of the F way more and would justify spending more money for that.

fasteddy91

iTrader: (5)

give me the seats and quick shifting tranny from the F and call it a day.

Mv350

iTrader: (23)

ISF interior bolstering>IS350 interior bolstering. im gunna swap all my interior with alpine white F interior buying an F isnt just about the power, its about the entire car.

MothIS

iTrader: (5)

I with you on that, love the body style

Lets Drive

iTrader: (3)

This about sums it up, in my experiences. The lower weight and gearing of the 350 is better suited for lower speed sprints and 'tossability', whereas the IS F comes into stride at higher speeds, and combines this with a better tranny and dedicated suspension, among other bits. Neither is a slouch in the speed department, especially for any type of 'legal' daily use, but the intentions behind the two vehicles was rather apparent when we got some track time at the NJ F event. On the street, I feel the 350 is in its element, whereas the F likely won't be appreciated for its potential in that same environment. The reverse is true when the F is in a situation where the average speed is near or above what you'd see on a highway.

I'm actually not surprised by the OPs impression, but it just goes to show that for most needs, the 350 is plenty of car (and a bit underrated, so far as perception goes).