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If you were in the market to buy now would you buy a SUV or a sedan/coupe? I’m torn as I only want the ride height but I still enjoy my 335i sedan. I test drive the 2021 RX and it felt heavy to me and no power at low rpm like my 335i. I’m leaning on getting the new IS even though it not really new. It’s weird because I had a 2007 IS 350 and the new IS has the exact same engine with same HP but it was always enough for me.
The CUVs have comparable gas mileage to their sedan counterparts and in most situations, drive exactly the same. If you canyon carve then you will feel the heft of the CUV but really, its more preferable for most people due to ride height and additional room. The RX is also inferior to the X3 which you should be comparing to your 335 with in terms of power and driving dynamics.
Also, your 2007 IS350 feels way faster than the new IS350. The gearing and additional heft make it a pretty slow car from a standstill. On the highway, it feels about the same. That is the biggest weakness of most NA motors...around town, they feel like dogs compared to FI engines due to lack of torque (unless you go big V8 of course).
The CUVs have comparable gas mileage to their sedan counterparts and in most situations, drive exactly the same. If you canyon carve then you will feel the heft of the CUV but really, its more preferable for most people due to ride height and additional room. The RX is also inferior to the X3 which you should be comparing to your 335 with in terms of power and driving dynamics.
Also, your 2007 IS350 feels way faster than the new IS350. The gearing and additional heft make it a pretty slow car from a standstill. On the highway, it feels about the same. That is the biggest weakness of most NA motors...around town, they feel like dogs compared to FI engines due to lack of torque (unless you go big V8 of course).
I'm not sure I would say "way" faster.
My 2007 IS 350 had 306 hp @ 6400 rpm, 277 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm with a 6 speed 0-60 5.5 weight 3527
The 2021 IS 350 F Sport has 311 hp @ 6600 rpm, 280 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm with a 8 speed 0-60 5.6 weight 3748
I guess it's the added 221 lbs of weight between the cars, even though the 2021 has more hp and torque and an 8 speed.
Still the difference between 5.5 and 5.6 is hardly something your going to really feel. I'll be test driving the 2021 IS when it's available.
Yes, I agree with you a fairer comparison would be the X3 M40i
I have driven a 2021 X3 it's a beast but it's also very expensive when you option it the way I want.
I could special order a X3 M40i and have it in 5 wks but I am hesitating.
I've had to replace almost everything in my 335i and have had some costly repairs, reliability not great.
It's too bad Lexus doesn't have a Utility that's equal or on par with the X3.
The UX and NX are so underpowered and the RX just wasn't sporty enough and felt it was under powered with all that weight.
I'm not sure I would say "way" faster.
My 2007 IS 350 had 306 hp @ 6400 rpm, 277 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm with a 6 speed 0-60 5.5 weight 3527
The 2021 IS 350 F Sport has 311 hp @ 6600 rpm, 280 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm with a 8 speed 0-60 5.6 weight 3748
I guess it's the added 221 lbs of weight between the cars, even though the 2021 has more hp and torque and an 8 speed.
Still the difference between 5.5 and 5.6 is hardly something your going to really feel. I'll be test driving the 2021 IS when it's available.
Yes, I agree with you a fairer comparison would be the X3 M40i
I have driven a 2021 X3 it's a beast but it's also very expensive when you option it the way I want.
I could special order a X3 M40i and have it in 5 wks but I am hesitating.
I've had to replace almost everything in my 335i and have had some costly repairs, reliability not great.
It's too bad Lexus doesn't have a Utility that's equal or on par with the X3.
The UX and NX are so underpowered and the RX just wasn't sporty enough and felt it was under powered with all that weight.
The fastest 2IS Lexus IS350 i've seen is actually 0-60 in 4.9s. The fastest 3IS i've ever seen was 5.5s. Thats a pretty big difference and its probably due to weight and gearing. The X3 is expensive but probably a good drive. The wrong wheel drive RX is simply a spruced up Highlander so not really in the same class. Lexus just doesn't have a sporty CUV...i hear Genesis is coming out with a GV70 which is a CUV based on the G70. Unless you go German or Tesla, you won't get a RWD CUV in the compact / midsize segment.
The fastest 2IS Lexus IS350 i've seen is actually 0-60 in 4.9s. The fastest 3IS i've ever seen was 5.5s. Thats a pretty big difference and its probably due to weight and gearing. The X3 is expensive but probably a good drive. The wrong wheel drive RX is simply a spruced up Highlander so not really in the same class. Lexus just doesn't have a sporty CUV...i hear Genesis is coming out with a GV70 which is a CUV based on the G70. Unless you go German or Tesla, you won't get a RWD CUV in the compact / midsize segment.
I’m ready to buy now and don’t want to wait any longer. I fear something else will break on my car and cost me more money, having no warranty is not fun.
I must be crazy thinking of getting another IS when it’s not really changed much but at this point I’m more about reliability and my previous IS was very reliable. A rear wheel drive is a must, I think the new IS will be fun and most reviews are saying the ML is amazing and something you have to hear to believe.
The only thing holding me back on the X3 is the price and cost of ownership, a lot of parts on BMW don’t last long and repairs are inevitable and costly. I also don’t need to haul cargo and it’s a truck but I do like the right height and I’ve gotten very use to the power of the turbo inline 6, I’m so torn between another sedan or joining the bandwagon of SUV/SAV ownership.
I’m ready to buy now and don’t want to wait any longer. I fear something else will break on my car and cost me more money, having no warranty is not fun.
I must be crazy thinking of getting another IS when it’s not really changed much but at this point I’m more about reliability and my previous IS was very reliable. A rear wheel drive is a must, I think the new IS will be fun and most reviews are saying the ML is amazing and something you have to hear to believe.
The only thing holding me back on the X3 is the price and cost of ownership, a lot of parts on BMW don’t last long and repairs are inevitable and costly. I also don’t need to haul cargo and it’s a truck but I do like the right height and I’ve gotten very use to the power of the turbo inline 6, I’m so torn between another sedan or joining the bandwagon of SUV/SAV ownership.
They just released the QV70 from genesis today and the pics are on Car Chat. It's quite a looker and the 3.3L turbo version starts at $45k. It's a pretty compelling X3 competitor.
A few Lexus dealers are starting to show stock on 2021 IS. Most that do have 350s. One dealer in NJ has quite a few 2021s. No actual pics from the dealers tho.
From the Lexus Japan website, there are some interesting performance TRD factory options for the 2021 IS350 F-Sport :
Rear chassis brace:
Underbody braces:
TRD 20 Inch Forged Wheels. What's even more interesting is that the 20 inch TRD forged wheels, though larger than the 19 inch BBS F-Sport forged, are lighter and cheaper than the BBS wheels(12kg vs 13 kg for the BBS):
From the Lexus Japan website, there are some interesting performance TRD factory options for the 2021 IS350 F-Sport :
Rear chassis brace:
Underbody braces:
TRD 20 Inch Forged Wheels. What's even more interesting is that the 20 inch TRD forged wheels, though larger than the 19 inch BBS F-Sport forged, are lighter and cheaper than the BBS wheels(12kg vs 13 kg for the BBS):
Interesting to see they have finally added paint to the caliper after almost 20 years with dull caliper color. Again this is not available on the standalone package. I wonder how much it will cost for Lexus to paint your caliper? I guess at least 10x more expensive than DIY. These wheels are exceptionally expensive, considering you can use the same money to purchase a 2IS 350.
TRD And Modellista Have Their Way With The 2021 Lexus IS
The facelifted 2021 Lexus IS was unveiled in June and already TRD and Modellista are offering styling upgrades.
Starting with TRD, it has launched a new front splitter that can be finished in black or painted body color. As standard, we think the updated IS looks pretty aggressive, but this new splitter makes it even more striking.
Elsewhere, TRD has designed aerodynamic wing mirror covers, new side skirts, a sports muffler and a custom rear diffuser.
TRD is also offering unique 20-inch forged aluminum wheels alongside a performance damper and new bracing. Those interested in the TRD parts can check them out in the online configurator.
As for Modellista, its parts are a little more subtle. At the front, there are new splitter add-ons that give the car some added style without being as eye-catching as the TRD splitter. Other parts include extended side skirts, a custom body-colored diffuser, a rear lip spoiler and a distinctive set of wheels.
In late September, Lexus confirmed that the 2021 IS will start at $39,000 in the U.S. The rear-wheel drive IS 300 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 241 hp, whereas the all-wheel drive version gets a 260 hp 3.5-liter V6 and the range-topping IS 350 a 3.5-liter V6 pumping out 311 hp.
You can buy the parts from TRD and Modellista. Alternatively, on the Lexus Japan website, you can add the TRD and Modellista parts as official dealer options when configuring your IS online and buy the car as modified straight from the Japan Lexus dealer :
I can understand the frustration with Lexus keeping the same power train and platform but how do you think they get to be rated #1 in reliability? They don't take chances. They are slow to evolve. Being #1 in reliability is their key differentiator. That's what makes their brand so valuable. Don't expect them to try and compete on tech and rushing new AI to the market -- leave that to Audi. One thing you can be sure of is that you'll still be careening through the canyons in your IS with 150K miles on it if you so choose -- and it'll still feel as solid as new. Also, no surprises when you buy a Lexus -- you may not get the doodads -- but you get a high quality components. Just my .02.
2021s are in. We just saw first one at dealer in Fife WA on Friday. Ordered our 2021 Atomic Silver IS 350 AWD F Sport same day. It hits port in Portland OR on Nov 12, and we should have it by Thanksgiving.
First 2 dealer got were sold before he even got them in. One blue 350 loaded with all options for $57k, and an Atomic Silver 350 with sunroof, park asaist, nav for $50k. Both AWD.
Yeah, that's a drag. Point of reference -- I owned a 2012 Genesis 5.0. It had all of the stuff i.e lane departure, adaptive cruise control, etc. But the backup camera was low def and the air conditioning unit would not cool the car on 100 degree days -- and this was a problem with every Genesis sold -- they went cheap to hit a price point and margin. IMO. Lexus said, well, we're not going to do that -- we just won't give you it. IMO. it's always about profits -- cut corners where the consumer can't see they're cut -- or don't offer the features. Some guy posted that he had to replace the bushings on his BMW at 50K -- it's built that way. What? Who expects that? But I'll bet he had a lot of cool **** on his car. Just my .02.
Been banging multiple 3 series and M3s in the canyons with 150-200k+ and still feel like new. So that's not exclusive to Lexus.
And performance products are built that way. The suspension philosophy of elastokinematics was pioneered by BMW in street cars in the 1960s/70s and is used today by sports sedans and high end sports/street cars everywhere. An object that performs highly such as a non-structural flexible suspension point has a lot of demand (load) placed on it and wears out fast. Ask any F1 racing team if they feel that their cars are terrible because components that need frequent replacing. Same thing w/ fighter jets.
This is why 3IS front FCABs get mushy quickly. Simple rule of pay to play. It's not a knock on the car, just a requirement of excellent performance.
As for the rear brace/damper... that's neat that it's offered but that to me suggests that Lexus acknowledges this chassis is floppy as per today's standard and is using that brace as a resonance tuning device (in this *specific* location. An inherently stiff chassis shouldn't need that brace (again in this *specific* location). Again, nice that it's offered but it reinforces that this chassis is still old and still relatively soft to today's standards. In fact, car and driver (or motor trend) recently tested the 21 IS and said its body is kind of floppy, despite the added rigidity. It's just old.
