ISF350

So I drove the 86 to Longo dealer to test drive the new IS350 today. Here is few short review notes and pics from the drive . The standard black IS250 is park right in front of the entrance ramp and I came in request to test drive the 350fsport in ultra white where they park in the underground garage.

My impression is car look great in person from inside out. The Fsport grill really a central of all attention to this car. I'm still not used to this facial yet after seeing the pics for a while now. Like the new style LFA tach cluster and the steering wheel. Steering wheel feel great when you wrap your hand around it. It kind of remind me when I test drove the 2008 C55amg and 2008 M3 from few years ago, but this IS350 has better steering feel than the old german car. Love the red stichy accent steering wheel. The seat is nice, soft, comfortable with good support around the body and legs, better than the old model.

I have it in Sport S+ mode in manual shifting and ready to rollout the gate. Damn, immediately notice the steering feel great as I do some steering turning slalom warm up on local streets. The steering has a damping sporty feel compare to the old model which feel sort of losen like a Corrola. I then hit the pedal to 5k rpm from 2nd gear and the car accelerated quickly with nice engine sound inside the cabin. It sound much better than the previous model. However, I notice the car feel little different compare to the previous model. It feel little heavier at the front hood for some reason. Car gain some lbs per specs. I realize this car has the weight close to the 2013 GS350 fsport which I test drove several months ago last year, but this IS350 accelerate faster. I then got on 605 freeway but I couldn't fully exhale the full open throttle b/c of the construction scene at 605/10 frwy. I hit 70mph then slow it down with a chance to play around with the steering and braking. Car has good braking. It feel solid better than the old car.

My focus to try test drive this car if it has better steering feel, handling, and braking. The answer is yes. Recently Car & Driver has given the edge to the new IS350 Fsport over the new 3 series. I already got the sporty Frs 86 coupe last June so there is no rush for me to upgrade my IS yet. I'm waiting to see the ISF in one day for final decision.

Arrival next to the IS250 black:
















Ready to roll out the gate. Car has very nice steering wheel feel and that what I really looking at whenever I put my hand on the steering wheel of a sport car beside handling & braking. This car could sold me soon . Man, car has very nice damped control steering. It was a sure lesson learn for Lexus/Toyota from the FRS/GT86 no doubt at this point ! The steering still not as precise as my 86 but this is one of the big factor this car now a much better than the 3 series. In Sport S+ mode, car definitely has better handling than the old model and the current GS350 Fsport. Nice !

macmaster

Beat you to it. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...sit-today.html

I had my way with that exact car before you did.

TXDriver

Did you sit in the IS 250 and can you comment on the seats? How do they compare to the F-sport seats?

F350

iTrader: (1)

nice pictures, can't wait for the rest of the write-up

macmaster

I sat in both and the regular IS 250 seats are nice, but the F sport seats contour and wrap much better, and they're overall thicker. The regular seats are more flat and the F sport is more like a bowl that curves to your hips.

LexusNN

iTrader: (5)

Nice pics, I wish we had an underground garage here!!!

ISF350

No, I didn't have a chance to seat in the 250.

ISF350

Good to know and the F sport seat is better then.

dojoman

iTrader: (5)

F-sport seats are awesome. I had already forgot that they were even nulux leather. It's as soft to touch as real leather, not sure why so many people are complaining about it. It's no big deal, it will probably age better than real leather.

ISF350

Notice that huge wheel/tire and the fender gap. I can't stand why lexus never learn how the BMW design their. This has been noticed for a decade w/ lexus

D&G

I agree and that is why lowering this car is a must.

DOC4LEX

Yes i thank you for giving an update on IS350 F-sport test drive great insight on the fact that the GT86/FRS has a more precise steering feel compared to the IS.That statement alone has answered pretty much what i have suspected from chassis underpin of the new IS and GT86. That the GT86 is more fun to drive than the new IS.Lets hope the upcoming Lexus Coupe the RC uses a streached version of 86 chassis/suspension

ISF350

If you ever has a chance to test drive the frs/86, the steering feel, handling and braking will blow you away. I don't think the M sport or Amg cars come to that close. Many car reviewer said the only car has that steering and handling is the current Porsche Cayman which I will try to test in some day.