Hello,

I'm looking to get a new car to replace my 1st gen 2002 IS300. I test drove the 2022 IS350 AWD and found the acceleration to be less smooth (some hesitation when shifting) compared to my 1st gen IS300, even in sport mode.

I was just wondering if this is expected or maybe gets better over time. If anyone has owned both cars and could provide comparisons, that would be great. Unfortunately, there aren't any test drive cars available at the moment, so I'm not sure if I'll have an opportunity to test drive again.

 

Normal. Clunkiness in low gears happens during the first several minutes while the transmission warms up.

Yours is a 5 speed which means less gears to shift through which also might explain why.

 

Bob - I had a 2021 IS 350 AWD which has the 6 speed transmission and TBH, that transmission is bullet proof and while it may be shifting differently than your 2002, the car is extremely good, reliable and once you have it, you will not regret purchasing it.

 

It seems like the 8 speed (which only comes in the RWD models) is known to be a little more refined. Also, most newer cars learn what a driver's driving habits are and then adjust to that (for instance, if a car is owned by an aggressive driver the transmission will shift more aggressively and vice versa).

 

Thanks everyone for the responses.

How about from a reliability perspective between 1st gen and current gen? My 1st gen has been ok in terms of reliability, but not as good as other cars we've had, such as the RX or Toyota Avalon. With all of the new electronics, I'm wondering specifically about that.

 

If you get the AWD which comes with the 3.5L engine you get the same engine and trans that the RX has which are bullet proof. The only real issue that you might want to address is get stiffer front bushings like a few of us have done, we went with the RR Racing front bushings to reduce inner tire ware on the front tires as you turn.

 

IME with my 16 AWD IS and the 21 IS350 I got as a loaner. They kind of run like &#% till the engine/trans gets up to operating temp. Usually takes about 15-25 min of driving around, maybe 10 on a really hot day. I have a bluetooth OBD2 reader and view my engine/trans temps live. Everything seems to drive as I would expect when the trans oil temp reaches ~188F+