I would also look at a S5/RS5 sportback. Looks are killer IMO, in a different way than the IS. Would definitely have way more rear leg room as well. It seems like Audi’s reliability is improving but still nowhere near Lexus.

 

It’ll be the last naturally aspirated V8 compact sports sedan and will hold its value better than it’s competitors in 5+ years. It’ll also still be running trouble free in 10+ years.

 

Personally I'm a fan of the G70. Much cheaper and still very luxurious. A simple tune will bring it up to par with the 2UR-GSE in terms of power. Only problem for me is that the TTV6 is only GDI, no port injection, which will cause issues in the future.

 

coconut - I agree, that is why I am getting mine. I don't need a V8 but I always wanted to own one, and the Lexus V8 is a great engine packaged around an entire car that is well put together and as reliable as they get. Besides, I always to wanted to have a RWD and thanks to all the snowflakes that feel that we can't drive in Canada unless we have AWD, trying to find a RWD that is not a Corvette, Mustang or vehicle of that nature, is really hard because all car manufacture now decided that they will only offer AWD. This car, on paper, has everything I am looking for - Looks, reliability, V8, RWD and decent price. When you all add it up, it just made that its the vehicle for me and as we don't live forever and cars are my passion, I say said F'it, I am getting it!

 

Roastpuff nailed it from the start.

Beeing from the EU, I must say that there will be NUFFIN that will come close to the IS500. Mercedes is discontinuing most V8 and even V6's right now, Volvo is going away from more than 4 cyls.

I can't see anything, right now, that would have the daily abilites of an IS500 (useable trunk, rear seats that are foldable, rear doors) and the mechanic attributes (V8 + rwd). And this for this price.

Lexus is actually alone on this. If I research something similar, I will have to look at Aston Martin, Ferrari and the M series of BMW. All over the 100k bar.

Like the GR Yaris in Europe, Lexus has had a splendid thinking in bringing such a car. He will be sitting firmly in a niche.

I'm excited for the 11th, when the driving impression will be out. Here, just my 2 cents, I drive Lexuses exactly because of their driving dynamics. When I drive something else, the big majority feels numb and boaty. This difference becomes dramatic when I tweak the suspension.

 

I'm on the list for the IS500 now, but I could always change my mind.
i fired up and revved a 2021 AMG E63S, oh my...that engine sound was perfect. Will the IS500 sound something like this? I can't really afford the AMG E63S!

 

just going from my previous ownership experience with my IS F, (assuming that the IS 500 may sound similar stock for stock), yes, you will get some V8 noise and induction growl but to really hear the V8, you'll need to get an aftermarket exhaust. IMO, nothing sounds like an AMG. the Lexus doesn't have that nasty, dirty growl the Mercs do. on my IS F, I first had a Borla cat back exhaust which upped the noise quite a bit. but I wanted more so I hacked off the resonators. then I needed a smog test so I had to put the stock cats back on but didn't want to lose the sound so ended up selling the Borla and went straight pipe all the way, which was kind of obnoxious but max noise without doing headers. don't expect too much from the IS 500. look up vids of a stock RCF exhaust and I'm told the IS 500 sounds identical.

 

RCF with aftermarket exhaust sounds amazing

 

negative, the turbo amg v8s are very muted from factory. Not much of the v8 grunt, but i feel the amg sounds much meaner and nastier in sport+ or race mode in between shift and when you left off. GSF, RCF, ISF should sound identical to the is500. im sure there are used ones out there you can test drive.

 

So, now that we know pricing, does this change folks' opinions much?

IS 500 F Sport Performance: $56,500
Premium package: $61,000
Launch Edition: $67,400

 

I think it's a good deal, a little more than the Type S. I will probably go with the IS500.

 

Not for me, its still full steam ahead, or is that full gasoline ahead?! (lol) It's been a while I have been so excited about a vehicle

 

I think it's priced right and am excited to purchase one. next question is, how long till production starts and when will they actually arrive in showrooms.

 

I saw a video in which they said, the 500 launch editions will slowly roll out over the fall and then in January, the standard models will start to roll out.

 

yes, I saw that video, too. I spoke with one GM and he mirrored that statement but said his source told him that both the regular and LEs would roll out together but the LE being more limited, may pop up here or there but not at all dealerships, obviously.