First of all, I REALLY, REALLY wanted to like this car. In fact, I went to the dealership convinced that I was going to get the IS F that day. I brought a few thousand in cash and my checkbook to the dealership as I had already negotiated a price. I lined up appointments the next day for clear bra and in two days for tinting. I figured I'd take my first test drive and make sure that my car didn't have any problems.

I have to say that I was underwhelmed with what happened.

1) I didn't feel that neck-snapping acceleration that I thought it was going to have. Perhaps that's just the way the IS F accelerates, but I guess I was expecting something that felt faster. Also, my salesman was a heavy set gentleman (250-300 lbs.) and I forgot to turn on sport mode. Plus I didn't really floor it as I didn't want to do that to the car I thought I was about to buy (or any demo to be honest). So I was curious if my impression was wrong according to those that have pushed their IS Fs, or whether it's just the Lexus nature of the car.

2) While showing me the Park Assist, the salesman kept telling me to get closer to a Denali that was parked in the lot. As I nervously inched closer and closer, the salesman told me not to worry and that many drivers are scared the first time they depend on Park Assist. He kept telling me to go as PA would warn me once we got within 3 feet of the Denali. Well, after I knew I was just a few inches from the Denali, the salesman stepped out of the car and we found that PA didn't work on the car.

3) I wanted a black/black car and noticed that even on their newly arrived IS Fs, the paint was scratched. I mean noticeably scratched. The salesman told me that it would buff out, but I've owned new black cars since I was 16 and I know that scratches like those are forever.

4) The salesman tried to change the price on me. I had already negotiated a price with the dealership via email but the internet manager was off that day. The salesman told me that my price wasn't possible (implying I was either wrong or lying) as he never knew the dealership to discount "one penny off MSRP." When I produced my email showing several thousand off, he claimed it must have been a mistake. Eventually they relented, but told me that the price was only good on the one with the broken Park Assist. Perhaps I should be used to this sort of tactic from car salespeople, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Eventually I ended up leaving.

In the end, I think Lexus has to discount the car even more. The recent R&T comparo showed it finishing last (4th) compared to the C63 which came in 1st. The C63 has more horsepower, is faster and seems like a better value if you were to compare MSRPs. I think the market is bearing this out as the C63 is backordered and sells for over MSRP, while the IS F is being discounted to near invoice. This is good news to me as I prefer the Lexus, but after that test drive, I think I should take a second look at the C63.

 

here's what i think. first of all the dealership was like an ***, so not sure if i would go back there.

the c63 is faster (obviously), but i am not sure if it's a more balanced car than the is-f. just like saying the m3 is not as fast as the c63 but it will eat the c63 alive on the track.

on the acceleration, you weren't on sport mode and you didn't floor it, what can i say. if you read my review and what others have concur, that's the "characteristics" of the is-f. on normal driving, it's very mild and you are really like driving a is350. but it opens up when you want it to by putting it in sport or push it hard. it will take a lot more input than most can imagine.

so in terms of driving, if you want the kind of rush, power, and handling at ALL times, the is-f is probably not the car you want. go with m3 or c63. but for those who want a mild car normally, with much better gas mileage, but when they want a spirited drive it's ready in hand, the is-f is the car to look for

and about the "discounted" price to buy an is-f with broken PA, if i were you i would probably insult the dealership for selling something "broken" as if they were doing you a favor. tell them why not take the car around to service department, fix the damn PA and put it under warranty where they GET money from lexus corp anyway, and sell the car to you at the same discounted price?

 

If you need people you don't even know on an internet forum to convince you to buy the IS F then maybe it isn't what you want. Go buy the C63 if that floats your boat. I would definitely go to another dealer if you decide to give the IS F another try.

 

While I respect your opinion on the car, I just dont understand people writing these reviews saying the car lacks performance. Then go ahead and say, "well I barely pushed it and it wasn't in sport mode." You're gonna need to have all those checked off to unleash the IS-F. I think even after break in the IS-F feels more powerful than one off the showroom floor.

That stealership sounded like a horrible experience to me. I would try out a new place or maybe just a new salesman.

It is a tame car as earlier stated. But will come alive when it is pushed. Good luck in the future with your test runs. Don't be afraid to push it on the test drive. I have driven mine hard from day one. Cars these days can handle it. Get your money's worth.

 

Thank you. That's what I wanted to know. Again, I couldn't tell if it was because of those factors (not pushing it all the way, having a heavy passenger, not putting it in sport) or if the car really does drive that way. Which is why I came on here to ask.

 

I understand what he is saying though. This mild then wild description of the car is just plain odd. No other top of the line sports sedan made by Audi, BMW or MB is meant to be tame at all. The RS4 and M3 are basically race cars on the street with 4 doors. I just don't get when I hear stuff like, "You have to put it in sport mode or manual mode to get it to open up. You have to push it harder to get it open up." That just sounds strange. I am positive that this kind of review isn't unusual as a lot of dealerships act like the IS-F is a race car and we won't let you drive it unless you give us a deposit crap is going on. When I testdrove a M3, we were doing 180's in the car with DTC turned off.

 

as strange as it sounds, that's fact, and it's acknowledged by a lot of people. i see it plus and minus from both ends. when i was at the driving event, i was disappointed by the "normal" feel of the car. but when people talk about fact that they like it opens up when necessary, it reminds me of the time when i drove the e46 m3, where even in normal driving the car was so damn loud, the throttle was so sensitive even NOT in sport mode.

from that sense, it's a plus on the lexus.

if it's odd, it's not your car, you will never get it. lexus wants to enter the segment, but by no means do they have to follow competitors in every aspect