IS200t Test Drive
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,709
Likes: 549
From: Ca
The IS250 & the IS200t are both good, but in different ways.
Both engines have their good and bad points.
Neither engine is perfect.
Horses for courses.
Each to their own...
.
Both engines have their good and bad points.
Neither engine is perfect.
Horses for courses.
Each to their own...
.
Last edited by peteharvey; Oct 13, 2015 at 09:08 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 470
Likes: 511
From: ca
I have a 2008 IS350 and got a IS200t as a loaner for a few days (recall) I did test drive a new one last week but so far I'm not a fan of the car. It has great turn in like all the 3IS's (I have driven the IS250 and IS350 very extensively) but I'm not liking the turbo lag personally, the car probably goes faster than it feels and has a smooth transition for boost though. But the aggressive first gear in my 2nd gen IS350 I like so much better personally. I still think the IS200t is great but I might have been expecting too much. I do like the shifts in the 8speed but I wish it would not shift by itself near redline. My IS350 won't upshift in S mode unless I upshift, even as slow responding as it is. I think the IS250 feels faster initially off the line, but the IS200t is faster once that boost kicks in.
I got my IS350 back now though and the IS200t is just a past memory to me now but wanted to share my input =P
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver, BC / Seattle, WA
I wonder if Seattle has one of these yet...I really want to test drive it and see this turbo lag you guys talk of. The turbo can't be that big to cause a 1 sec turbo lag and only producing 240 something horses. I'm sure it has to do something with how the ECU is setup on throttle response or something. Either way, I'll try to see when Seattle gets one and test it.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
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if you can get a 350 for around $2k more than a comparable equipped 200t, go with the V6, it's proven and NA makes it solid as a rock if you would to keep the car for along time. i don't see any significant MPG gain from the 200t over 350. turbo 4's mpg always look good on paper, but in real life driving, it's only marginally better
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Me too. Since I have no plans to go on a track, my IS 250 F Sport (with no mods) has more than adequate power even without using the paddle shifters or Sport mode. But if you need some extra power, put it in manual mode and let it red line as you shift because it has a great sound to it especially on a on-ramp entering highway traffic. If you get caught up in the 0-60 sec time comparisons, you'll miss out on experiencing a great sports sedan.
Last edited by sistrunk05; Oct 31, 2015 at 03:39 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 55
From: Ohio
I have no idea WTF Lexus is doing. IS200t? IS300 AWD? What's wrong with them? Neither car is progress or move in the right direction. I owned 2x IS300 for 14 years and they lost my business there. Now, I certainly will not replace our family hauler with the monstrosity RX that they have created for 2016.
I loved this article, which is dead-on on the state of things at Lexus:
http://jalopnik.com/heres-why-the-le...yor-1696229064
They sure go out of their way to reduce the average buyer age of 61. Maybe 2.0L Turbo engine is a part of this strategy. Or they had to justify building one for the NX.
Why build a turbo engine in the first place is beyond me. In the past 2 decades, Toyota has steadily moved to NA. NA is more reliable and has no lag. I would venture as far as to guess it was relevant in non-USDM markets, where there is a higher tax on anything over 2.0L.
However, that's where they Hybrids come in. In fact, Toyota targets to completely replace their fleet with Hybrids only. Now, that makes sense. And they have already done so in some countries, where diesels prevail.
P.S.
Turbos have lag... some more, some less. That's how they operate. Gets old after a while.
I loved this article, which is dead-on on the state of things at Lexus:
http://jalopnik.com/heres-why-the-le...yor-1696229064
Originally Posted by Jalopnik
...it helps with Lexus’s ultimate goal: to attract younger customers by deliberately scaring the hell out of their elderly ones.
Why build a turbo engine in the first place is beyond me. In the past 2 decades, Toyota has steadily moved to NA. NA is more reliable and has no lag. I would venture as far as to guess it was relevant in non-USDM markets, where there is a higher tax on anything over 2.0L.
However, that's where they Hybrids come in. In fact, Toyota targets to completely replace their fleet with Hybrids only. Now, that makes sense. And they have already done so in some countries, where diesels prevail.
P.S.
Turbos have lag... some more, some less. That's how they operate. Gets old after a while.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,243
Likes: 1,875
From: WA
Car and Driver's review of the 200t F Sport:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...rt-test-review
For the price, the IS200t is a stylish (assuming you’re down with that grille), luxurious, and comfortable ride that doesn’t fall down on entertaining roads. Lexus has yet to truly deliver on the promise made by the excellent IS350 F Sport that is built on this chassis, but at least the junior model isn’t bog-slow anymore.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,243
Likes: 1,875
From: WA
The NX200t, with that same engine, is hitting 60 in around 6.9 seconds, so I am a bit surprised that the IS didn't substantially outperform it in that measure, given the several hundred pounds less that it carries. Once again I must wonder about the 8 speed. I think this is why Motor Trend tested the 6 speed AWD IS350 quicker than the 8 speed RWD IS350 (5.3 sec vs 5.6 sec as I recall). Still, I'm okay with it because it really does represent a large improvement over the 250.
I am a bit disappointed that the review didn't really discuss what it was like to drive. No mention of NVH or turbo lag, responsiveness, etc.
I am a bit disappointed that the review didn't really discuss what it was like to drive. No mention of NVH or turbo lag, responsiveness, etc.
Last edited by JDR76; Nov 4, 2015 at 03:24 PM.
