I'm looking into purchasing an IS Turbo and want to know what owners like and don't like about it. I'm drawn to it because of the reliability and maintenance reputation, but would love to hear from actual owners what you've noticed/like/don't like. I typically drive my cars for many years, so I'm especially interested in people's long-term experience driving Lexus.

Thanks in advance!

 

1. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-lexus-is.html

2. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...exus-is-5.html

 

I haven't had my is for very long, but it's probably one of the best overall package sedans in its class in my opinion. Comparing to 3 series, c class, a4/s4. The is isn't the fastest, the most well equipped, or best handling. But, it has the nicest interior, best exterior, and its slightly more comfortable than it's German rivals.

The adaptive suspension that comes with the f sport, is really cool. I can feel a big difference between when I'm in Eco, vs sport+. It corners fairly flat, but not quite as precise as the s4, or the 3 series.

I have the f sport in mine. I do wish it had memory seats, and power folding mirrors. A round view camera would have been nice to have too, although I don't need it. Same with parking sensors. Would make great use of that huge screen. Something else that would have been nice is to be able to close your windows from the remote. My old BMW had that. Can open and close all windows from the remote. The nx I believe can do that. Height adjustable lumbar support would also be nice as I think it's slightly too high.

The fuel economy in my 350 is disappointing. I expected much better than what I'm getting to be honest. Although my parents with their nx200t is getting fairly close to what the got in their old Honda. So if you got the 200t, I'm expecting that you wouldn't have the same experience in this part as I did.

Despite all the flaws, I wouldn't choose the Germans over this. The reputation for reliability just can't be beat. The interior trims and feel just seemed so much better. Could just be me haha

 

IS350 no regrets

IS200t will save you some money, and MPG is marginal. I get ~23 mpg combined with my 350. With the is200t, you probably be seeing ~25mpg combined. Also, depends on where/how you drive.

 

My take on it... 9-month IS 300 F Sport owner here.

Pros:

• Styling: People actually are impressed when they see what I am driving from time to time. The interior is also a standout in appearance - it really looks like nothing else, save the LFA (or obviously the RC).
• Reliability: The V6 engine in this car is well-tested and doesn't have many notable issues, and I'm not sure about the 200t engine... but I'd bet it's not going to be bad in this regard. In other areas, the car has a few minor issues, such as rattles, but nothing serious.
• Comfort: The F Sport seats in particular are of a nice material (feel like real leather) and are snug but comfy. The ride's also pretty smooth on most roads, even with the F Sport suspension.
• Trunk space: This car is on the upper end of the segment for trunk volume, and I've had zero issues so far fitting stuff in it, within reason.
• Handling: The steering wheel is fantastic - good leather and size, and the handling is good, if not top of the class. It's easy to push this car hard, as it feels confident.

Cons:

• Fuel economy: The IS is behind in pretty much every engine configuration, but the IS Turbo is your best bet at getting decent MPGs.
• Interior storage: The glove box is okay-sized, and you have door pockets. However, there's not much storage in the center console or really anywhere else in the cabin.
• Rear leg/foot space: There's a really tall hump in the rear floor, and the legroom can be quite limited if the front occupants are tall.
• Acceleration (sorta): The IS Turbo and 300 aren't that fast, and even the 350 doesn't post numbers quite as impressive as rivals despite having more power. I think the acceleration in the 300 has been fine for my taste - just enough to have fun, but not too much to get into real trouble without realizing it.
• Infotainment: The navigation, once underway, works nicely, but interacting with the system to enter destinations and the like can be tedious. The remote touch controller can be sloppy if you're on a bumpy road or trying to enter text. In addition, if you ever have a guest driver, don't expect them to be able to use it!

Overall I've loved my time with the IS 300 and have been willing to put up with a few shortcomings here and there. It's a car I look forward to driving every time.

 

Pro
still a good looking car
Lexus reliability
Somewhat cheaper than its competitors

Cons
I think the 2017 taillights are ugly
Slower than its competitors
Almost due for a new model

 

Pros:
Badge to a degree.
Unusual radical styling.
Spacious for its compact size.
At wide throttle openings, turbo is responsive, powerful, and relatively smooth & quiet, especially for a four.
Magnificent handling, so chuckable & controllable the limit.
Comfort, quietness & equipment.
Reliable.

Cons:
Badge may not be good enough for some.
Styling too radical for the mature conservative set.
​​​​2.0 turbo is droney at low revs, and just like all other turbos, at small throttle openings, the turbo is NOT on spool such that it lacks response & torque compared to an atmospheric engine.
Without the latest in hi aluminium content, the chassis is unfashionably heavy, hence less linear performance, dynamics & higher fuel consumption than competitors.
While the base models & the original 2013-16 F Sport rides well, the refreshed 2017-19 F Sport has a rather knobby, or too firm or slightly bouncy a ride.
The 5-way joystick is difficult to use when lots of icons are closely spaced together, such that we tend to push the joystick past our desired icon.
_

 

I think we can just omit these two, since they apparently cancel out.

In all seriousness, if you are actually cross-shopping and really comparing features and prices, the badge is, or should be, one of the lowest things on your list of priorities.

That said, the L badge does imply a certain level of reliability.

 

2015 IS350 fsport:

Pros:
unique styling
incredible attention to detail
high quality interior materials
legendary reliability; I've had no issues at all
When you turn something on like heated seats or ventilated seats, it turns right to max, so you don't have to push the same button 3 times to turn something on all the way
Heavy cars mean safer cars, I've seen people listing weight as a negative but I actually prefer it.
Performance is wonderful. Not as fast as the 335, but plenty fast enough

Cons:
navigation is clunky, but when its set its awesome
fuel economy could be better
Tires are horrible, Lexus and bridgestone should be ashamed
in colder weather the large 6 cyl. vibrates through the car a little more than I'd like until it reaches operating temperature

 

The 2014-21 C Class uses Mercedes' new MRA platform with near 50% aluminium content saving 220 lbs.
The new 2015-22 A4 uses Audi's new MLB platform to reduce weight by 260 lbs.
The next generation 3 Series is set to use BMW's new OKL platform.
The new LC coupe uses Lexus' new TNGA GA-L [longitudinal] platform with aluminium outer door skins, and an internal carbon fiber frame.
Once the next gen 2020-27 4IS gets a hold of TNGA GA-L, the use of hi strength low weight materials like aluminium will improve acceleration, braking, fuel consumption, and handling.

Are you using Bridgestone Potenza RE050 sports tires?

There is a TSB to clean the air sensor in the intake manifold, and this bumps up the idle speed so that the 3.5 is satisfactorily smooth.

 

The cons for me are: the interior could be better (the plastic trim and center console are trash), lack of aftermarket support (beyond basic stuff like coilovers and aesthetic items), the paint seems to chip easy, MPGS could be better, and of course replacement parts are $$

 

While these cars should be reliable, it's too early to say particularly for the 200t. Can't really say legendary reliability based on no issues on a two year old car. My 2006 3-series also had "legendary reliability" for its first 60,000 miles i drove it. Not a single time stranded --which it should be for a new car. Returned it at lease end (yes I went way way over)

Most cars today (if not all) can easily go 100k without breaking a sweat. Not something to scream legendary reliability over. Wait 10 years 150-200k plus then you might be able to claim that. =p

 

Fair enough, but I was referring to Lexus as whole, not just my car. When you compare Lexus to BMW within lets say the past 5-10 years, one clearly stands out when it comes to reliability; and by a huge margin too.

 

I forget the model number, but whatever comes with the f-sport AWD.

Also, can you elaborate on cleaning the air sensor?

 

I forgot where I read it from; probably the RX, ES or one of the other forums.
However there is an official fix from the Toyota Services Bulletin TSB, because rough idle is one of the 3.5's common issues.
Just see your local Lexus dealer concerning the fix.