When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
With the IS 500 being an F-Sport, what do we think is missing from it being a "full-fat IS-F" model?
Bigger Brakes? 6-pistonF/4-pistonR?
Suspension: Adjustable Coil-Overs? Different Sways?
Transmission: Either Tuning, Faster Shfiting? or the 10-speed Box?
Tyres? MPS4S's?
Trans Cooler/Oil Cooler?
Asking as I'm trying to find an Iridium/Black currently and wondering what mods it would take to make it "better" for backroads and the occasional track day here in Norcal.
With the IS 500 being an F-Sport, what do we think is missing from it being a "full-fat IS-F" model?
Bigger Brakes? 6-pistonF/4-pistonR?
Suspension: Adjustable Coil-Overs? Different Sways?
Transmission: Either Tuning, Faster Shfiting? or the 10-speed Box?
Tyres? MPS4S's?
Trans Cooler/Oil Cooler?
Asking as I'm trying to find an Iridium/Black currently and wondering what mods it would take to make it "better" for backroads and the occasional track day here in Norcal.
Happy Friday All!
Bigger brakes, coolers, stiffer shocks, stiffer springs, side air vents, leather bucket seats, fully perforated leather wrapped steering wheel, carbon fiber interior trim, and TVD.
Bigger brakes, coolers, stiffer shocks, stiffer springs, side air vents, leather bucket seats, fully perforated leather wrapped steering wheel, carbon fiber interior trim, and TVD.
Nailed it.
Irony is many of the things that would make it an IS-F would probably be drawbacks for many current owners. I love the comfort and sleeper aspects of the IS500 - definitely not interested in stiffer shocks/springs, side air vents, TVD (potential repair cost), or carbon fiber interior bits.
But the rest would be nice to have, especially bigger brakes, trans & oil cooler, and more extreme behavior from sport+.
Lets not forget the price tag. A brand-new '23 IS500 at msrp which is around $66k is a bargain. Back in 2008 when the ISF was released in the USA mrsp was $68.975.00 which is insane amount of $$ for 15-years ago. Factor in inflation that equates to $93,755.68 today.
I thought I had remembered the IS F being around $62k, which an IS 500 at $67k (with BBS wheels) is not much of an increase. With the sticker you have here my upcoming IS 500 stickers for $2k less 15 years later. That's even more shocking.
I personally think the IS 500 is basically the same as the old IS F. The IS F did not have a TVD diff or special seats. They seem to be the same seats that an IS 350 had. Honestly other than the coolers (did the IS F have extra coolers?) and the brakes it's in the same spirit.
The GS F and RC F are more "equipped" on brakes, TVD diff, coolers, special seats, etc. and are going to be more in cost. The IS 500 is not an F car on their level but it is on the original IS F car.
I'm really thinking about making some of those upgrades. brakes will be realistic (rears after e-brake is resolved). Although it'd be nice to do the trans/oil coolers, not sure if I'd really get the true use for those as I'll never track my bucket. Don't know if the TVD would be an option to install on the car. I have RR Racing bushings ready to install as well. the vented qtr panels would be dope for this model!
Lets not forget the price tag. A brand-new '23 IS500 at msrp which is around $66k is a bargain. Back in 2008 when the ISF was released in the USA mrsp was $68.975.00 which is insane amount of $$ for 15-years ago. Factor in inflation that equates to $93,755.68 today.
Using the same calculator but reversed, the IS500 would've cost ~$45,000 in 2008 (assuming $61000 for 2022 IS500)
If the is500 is already a v8. Engine should have more power that rivals the g80 m3. Supercharger? Or v6 turbo? Definitely bigger brakes and more aerodynamics
If the is500 is already a v8. Engine should have more power that rivals the g80 m3. Supercharger? Or v6 turbo? Definitely bigger brakes and more aerodynamics
No. The M3 is in a totally different league than the IS500.
Edit: Totally misread the post. I agree, a true F should have a different engine that is more modern.
In addition to what was said above, for a modern day interpretation of an ISF (as some of these were not on the original ISF):
F seats
Carbon fiber panels for lower CoG (hard to fit aftermarket, though)
Front/rear bushings and a more rigid steering rack with heavier EPS steering in SPORT+
High chassis/structural rigidity (my RCF shell feels almost twice as rigid as that of my '19 IS350 F-Sport chassis)
Optional TVD or a aftermarket Giken LSD with more aggressive locking characteristics than the Torsen LSD.
Wider wheels front and back as well as bigger track performance tires like PS4S.
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; Feb 4, 2023 at 07:00 AM.
IS-F was a 4 seater not 5, IS-F had different seats which was not ventilated seats, different outer tail lights compared to regular IS350/250, different electric steering computer, ISF had foglights
I thought I had remembered the IS F being around $62k, which an IS 500 at $67k (with BBS wheels) is not much of an increase. With the sticker you have here my upcoming IS 500 stickers for $2k less 15 years later. That's even more shocking.
I personally think the IS 500 is basically the same as the old IS F. The IS F did not have a TVD diff or special seats. They seem to be the same seats that an IS 350 had. Honestly other than the coolers (did the IS F have extra coolers?) and the brakes it's in the same spirit.
The GS F and RC F are more "equipped" on brakes, TVD diff, coolers, special seats, etc. and are going to be more in cost. The IS 500 is not an F car on their level but it is on the original IS F car.
Either way I am waiting for mine to arrive.
Crazy part is how many new RWD IS350s have MSRPs close to $60k. No brainer to pay $4k more for an IS500 Premium with the Enkeis.
Even worse some AWD IS350s have MSRPs within a couple hundred dollars of an IS500 Premium.
Heck I bought a loaded IS350 new in 2007 that had a $48k MSRP, which adjusted for inflation would be the equivalent of having a $70k MSRP in today’s dollars.
Should go without saying by now that an IS500 is a raging bargain.
Since the average new car price is about $46k and the average new car seems to be a mom’s POS KIA SUV, yeah a V8 Lexus super sexy sedan for 60k seems like a no brainer deal of a lifetime.
Forgot the IS-F didn’t even have a limited slip differential for the first couple of model years, making the initial model years of the IS500 superior in at least this aspect. Ditto for the 56 extra HP.
Save the braking & cooling upgrades, in BMW terms the IS500 would be more of an Alpina whereas an IS-F would be an M model. The average person might look twice when an M8 goes by, whereas the true enthusiast saves straining their necks for an Alpina B8 sighting.
Missing for "Full IS-F"
