IS200t Test Drive
How peculiar. These two cars are on the opposite sides of the spectrum: large, plush, and powerful as opposed to small, sporty, and slow (some may say underpowered). What triggered the change of heart?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
Dealers wouldn't budge on price. I could go for a competitor product and get a better car for slightly more or similar that Lexus is asking for. I also drive a lot. This is going to be my fourth Lexus car. My old LS400 was good on gas, my SC400 and IS300 1st generation weren't. I was spending upwards of 300-400 a month on gas for the IS when I had it. The GS-F is a fuel hog, and I drive with a lead foot sometimes. The dealer let me borrow 200 overnight to see how it fit my lifestyle. It wasn't a new new car. It had a few thousand miles on it due to it being given as a loaner. I was sold after more than half a day's worth of driving. There is some lag in the car depending on how much boost is available, and it's no 350 or GS-F, but the ride is smooth, good sound insulation and like every other Lexus you're inclined to fall asleep in it if you're not careful. I'm in the market to purchase a house in the next year and it makes good sense to get the 200 instead of a bigger and much more faster car. I'm getting it for cheaper than an Accord LX and it's way better than the Accord. If they come out with a GS-F with forced induction I may terminate my lease and get that instead down the line.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,523
Likes: 2,582
Some say the IS200t is slow and some say the GS-F is slow (any new M crushes the daylights out of it. With its hands tied)
So it's all relative.
IS200t is not fast. But it's not slow. I'd say it's satisfyingly quick. I have no problem moving through traffic. 0-60 in 6.9s in a 3,500 lb car is nothing to scoff at. Nothing to write home about either. It works well.
It's also not about the absolute #s, but how it makes that power. Very satisfying in this engine. 258 ft lbs at 1,650 RPM vs the 350's 277 at 4800 RPMs.
So it's all relative.
IS200t is not fast. But it's not slow. I'd say it's satisfyingly quick. I have no problem moving through traffic. 0-60 in 6.9s in a 3,500 lb car is nothing to scoff at. Nothing to write home about either. It works well.
It's also not about the absolute #s, but how it makes that power. Very satisfying in this engine. 258 ft lbs at 1,650 RPM vs the 350's 277 at 4800 RPMs.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
Huh. That is weird! I've been told by many people that historically the IS is redesigned one year after the GS. It was even mentioned in this topic. Lexus ought to put a twin turbo, and possibly use a mechanism to keep the turbos spooled up to reduce lag. But I would rather see Lexus remove excess weight that plagues their performance cars. It's cheaper to add power, but not cheap to reduce weight while maintaining the quality customers have grown to love about Lexus.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 6
From: SG
Not sure if they care to compete. Why should they? With sales at No.1 position, and mostly on SUV's, there is no real need to change. Real performance fans will look elsewhere anyhow, and those who like fast looking cars are attracted to the more recent edgy styling, with the low volume halo cars providing some performance association with the brand.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
Isn't the RX the top selling car Lexus makes? I got a call from the dealer earlier. They said a car will be delivered to them tomorrow morning and that I should expect a call around noon to come and look at the car, and pick it up if I like it. I'm excited. I haven't dailied a lexus in a long time.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,243
Likes: 1,874
From: WA
Huh. That is weird! I've been told by many people that historically the IS is redesigned one year after the GS. It was even mentioned in this topic. Lexus ought to put a twin turbo, and possibly use a mechanism to keep the turbos spooled up to reduce lag. But I would rather see Lexus remove excess weight that plagues their performance cars. It's cheaper to add power, but not cheap to reduce weight while maintaining the quality customers have grown to love about Lexus.
2013 New GS
2014 New IS
2016 Refreshed GS
2017 Refreshed IS
Isn't the RX the top selling car Lexus makes? I got a call from the dealer earlier. They said a car will be delivered to them tomorrow morning and that I should expect a call around noon to come and look at the car, and pick it up if I like it. I'm excited. I haven't dailied a lexus in a long time.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,523
Likes: 2,582
Not sure if they care to compete. Why should they? With sales at No.1 position, and mostly on SUV's, there is no real need to change. Real performance fans will look elsewhere anyhow, and those who like fast looking cars are attracted to the more recent edgy styling, with the low volume halo cars providing some performance association with the brand.
Also just for the record, BMW is #1 in sales for year end 2015 sales. Ahead of Lexus (which is #2) by around 200,000 units I believe.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
M2 and M4 to thank for. I think the RC and the F would have sold well if it were lighter, faster, had tighter handling and didn't look hideous. I saw the thread on the 2017 IS refresh but I'm not seeing anything apart from newer headlights.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
I've test driven the M2. It's very good. It's got a go kart feeling to it. But for the price you pay, the interior refinement and road noise is almost deafening after a few hours. If a ttv6 finds itself in the next gen IS or GS, I'm down for that, otherwise I'll probably hit up Audi or Benz. In terms of luxury, I don't think the 200t is in anyway cheap feeling. Like my older Lexus cars, the new is's speeds creep up on you. Even with the overnight test driver I found myself hitting 90-100 on dead open highway and it felt like I was doing 50 or 60. A lot of true passionate drivers don't like that, they want some form of feedback. I welcome it because it keeps my body less stressed and my mind relaxed an on the road. Dealer also did me a last hookup and managed to squeeze miles to 12K a year with minimal payment increase.