Hey everyone, just wanted to introduce myself... I don't have an IS yet, but I'm currently shopping. Looking to trade in my 2014 Cadillac ATS (RWD, 3.6L, Premium package). I love the Caddy, it's been a fun car, but I think it's time to move on to something with a little better build quality. Looking for a 2014+ 350 (and maybe 200t for better fuel economy) but it has to be an F Sport! Also hoping to get RWD, but that seems kind of rare in my area. Drove a 2018 last week just to get a feel for the car, and fell in love! While I'm still shopping, what are some of the more common issues with these cars I should look out for or be prepared to deal with? I know every make & model has at least something owners complain about! What kind of fuel economy do you guys get under normal driving? My ATS averages 26-27 if I try. This will be a daily driver, so fuel economy under tepid acceleration is of importance to me. I have fun on the weekends, but would like to average at least 26 on my commute if I can. Thanks!

 

Welcome!

I think this thread does a pretty good job talking about things to look for on the IS 350, specifically how the F Sport is compared with the non-F Sport. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...f-sport-2.html

WRT gas mileage concerns, are you mostly on the highway for commuting? If not, I'd say even in the RWD model, 26 MPG is hard to do. In my IS 300 AWD, I do a good amount of city driving, though it isn't the worst city driving ever (no stop-and-go). I usually get 19-20 MPG in the summer, unless I am driving this car like it's meant to be driven But, the RWD ones definitely get more miles per gallon.

 

Real world ALL models whether 4 turbo or V6, you'll get 20-23 combined. 4 turbo is more capable on the highway though in terms of mpg.

issues, avoid the 14 model. it's not bad, just not great.

if I were you, i'd get a 15+ F sport RWD 350.

17+ is best, reinforced for safety, upgraded front suspension, safety electronics optional, and standard for 18. (Lexus safety system plus) more standard goodies.

 

I will add that the 17+ models add about 89 lbs from my particular research.

 

My commute is mostly rural and highway. I start out on some rural roads with long stretches, but with stops. The rest is highway. I've added a screenshot of my commute (no I don't work a Keihin, but near there), marking all the stop signs/lights. My ATS is rated at 18 city 27 highway. I have a pretty light foot on my commute. Don't get me wrong, I have fun in my car on weekends and here and there during the week, but I like to try to get the best MPG on my drives to work. So maybe I can get that in the IS if I follow the same driving habits, especially if RWD instead of AWD.

 

if you drive light, you'll likely get more mileage out of a 200T then. it's rated at 26 i think and members on Fuelly report about getting 26 with reasonable driving.

the torque of the turbo is addicting though.. i can't not floor it. it's not a ton, but it is very nice to have that effortless thrust in real world stop and go. The 200t makes full 258 lb ft torque at 1,650 RPMs according to Lexus. so just careful not to floor it =P

 

 

Also going from a V6 to the 200t is a little interesting. I don’t have issues with it because I KNEW I couldn’t expect the same horsepower and torque (I have an Infiniti G37S 330 HP) so there’s that. I drive my G37 here and there when I feel like driving really hard and my IS 300 is for fuel economy haha. Just keep that in mind.

 

Keep in mind that not all F Sport variants are equal. The 350 F-Sport comes with Sport+ mode with adaptive variable suspension which provides a sportier ride than the other F-sports. There is also more than a second difference to 60mph between the V6 vs. the turbo 4.

 

Curious what didn't you like about the ats? I cross shopped it too.

 

So it's not possible to get that in a 200t or 300 F-Sport? It couldn't even be ordered that way?

I love the styling (not as much as the IS though) and I love the way the car handles and feels. Just little issues have been really turning me off. I have an on-going engine idle vibration that it's been in the shop 3 times for so far, all with "fixes" that didn't fix it. There have also been a ton of squeaks and rattles everywhere. I'll bring it in for a squeak/rattle in one spot, then another one will start happening somewhere else. Also, the suspension is a little bit harsh for a daily driver. Going over bumps or potholes (I try to avoid at all costs) makes the scariest BANG and shudder. The paint is also not very durable, I'm noticing fine scratches more and more every time I detail. Seems like if anything brushes up against this car, it gets scratched. My next car I might just clear bra the whole damn thing lol

 

The AVS only comes with the 350 F-Sport. The only advantage of the 200T is the price and fuel efficiency (weight is actually the same between both cars).

 

I would skip the lower models like the 200t 250 or 300 and get the 350. Not only will you get the sport+ avs, it will almost be on par with your ATS. Your gonna miss the HP. LOL

 

If you live in an area with bumpy roads, you might experience some rattles in the IS. I have had a few here and there, but once they were fixed, they stayed fixed, lol. Currently I don't have any now with 19k miles; most of mine happened in the first year. Overall though, when hitting the bigger imperfections, the IS feels pretty solid - no vibrations beyond the initial impact that I have noticed.

 

I have to say, I have near 50k miles and not a single rattle. The only complaint is that the car is too quiet. I can hear a pin drop in the car driving. I wish the car came with a better exhaust roar from the factory but it's a minor gripe. It can also be fixed with aftermarket if I really wanted.