Recently Published Review
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Driver School Candidate
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From: New Jersey
Recently Published Review
Hey guys,
I recently wrote a review on the IS-F and figured you guys would like to give it a read.
Let me know your thoughts, I would like to hear some feedback.
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10435...to-rumble.html
Best,
Richard
I recently wrote a review on the IS-F and figured you guys would like to give it a read.
Let me know your thoughts, I would like to hear some feedback.
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10435...to-rumble.html
Best,
Richard
Lexus Connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: USA
Richard,
That was a very fair review on the IS-F. I share the same sentiments with the steering feel. That's about the same I have heard from others. It's good, but doesn't have the feel and feedback of the Germans. It definitely is an improvement from the past models.
Just something I noticed, it's actually the 2 stage intake you hear. The intake box opens up into the secondary chamber at 3,600rpm, not the exhaust.
Welcome to CL!
Ryan
That was a very fair review on the IS-F. I share the same sentiments with the steering feel. That's about the same I have heard from others. It's good, but doesn't have the feel and feedback of the Germans. It definitely is an improvement from the past models.
Just something I noticed, it's actually the 2 stage intake you hear. The intake box opens up into the secondary chamber at 3,600rpm, not the exhaust.
Welcome to CL!
Ryan
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Dallas, Texas
Really nicely written article Richard! 
I find myself saying the same thing about the suspension. While others complain about it, I personally do not find it as rough as it could be nor nearly as rough as other cars I have driven. I really like the break feel as you mentioned as well, for a car like this, the breaks really do stop it in a dime. I constantly have friends say "holy *****, this is a Lexus?!"
Another thing I agree with you on is the 8 speed. It is an awesome transmission in my opinion, as you seem to agree. I do find myself downshifting quite a bit but oh well, it keeps the miles per gallon down when driving long distances and that to me is a plus
I constantly have people say "well its an automatic, an 8 speed at that," well, when you shift in fractions of a second, quicker then a Ferrari, I don't care how well you can drive a stick, this car will shift faster then any human with a manual
Welcome to the club and nice article again
I find myself saying the same thing about the suspension. While others complain about it, I personally do not find it as rough as it could be nor nearly as rough as other cars I have driven. I really like the break feel as you mentioned as well, for a car like this, the breaks really do stop it in a dime. I constantly have friends say "holy *****, this is a Lexus?!"
Another thing I agree with you on is the 8 speed. It is an awesome transmission in my opinion, as you seem to agree. I do find myself downshifting quite a bit but oh well, it keeps the miles per gallon down when driving long distances and that to me is a plus
I constantly have people say "well its an automatic, an 8 speed at that," well, when you shift in fractions of a second, quicker then a Ferrari, I don't care how well you can drive a stick, this car will shift faster then any human with a manual Welcome to the club and nice article again
Last edited by BigMikeISF; Sep 4, 2008 at 07:10 AM. Reason: spell check
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From: Alberta
Well written article Richard.
I agree with the comment that the steering isn't as firm as with the M3 or C63 AMG, but consider this one of the few trade-offs. The ISF is head and shoulders above the other two as far as luxury and interior quality is concerned. I personally love the look of the C63, but only like the coupe version of the M3. I think the somewhat understated look of the ISF belies it's true sports car nature.
The next consideration is reliability. While I can't speak to the MB, I know first hand how much of a nightmare BMW can be to deal with. Their "we're doing YOU a favour attitude" and ridiculous prices place them far behind Lexus.
The other significant factor is cost. To match up cars with identical packages, clearly puts the ISF ahead of the pack. The additional $8-$12K for a fully loaded BMW or MB doesn't seem worth the extra cash. I'll take my car with better fuel economy, higher reliability against the small tenths of a second in performance against the other two.
Just my opinion, but I LOVE my ISF
I agree with the comment that the steering isn't as firm as with the M3 or C63 AMG, but consider this one of the few trade-offs. The ISF is head and shoulders above the other two as far as luxury and interior quality is concerned. I personally love the look of the C63, but only like the coupe version of the M3. I think the somewhat understated look of the ISF belies it's true sports car nature.
The next consideration is reliability. While I can't speak to the MB, I know first hand how much of a nightmare BMW can be to deal with. Their "we're doing YOU a favour attitude" and ridiculous prices place them far behind Lexus.
The other significant factor is cost. To match up cars with identical packages, clearly puts the ISF ahead of the pack. The additional $8-$12K for a fully loaded BMW or MB doesn't seem worth the extra cash. I'll take my car with better fuel economy, higher reliability against the small tenths of a second in performance against the other two.
Just my opinion, but I LOVE my ISF
Driver
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: CA
Despite some recent discussions regarding shift times there still seems to be some confusion regarding numbers. My understanding is that the fastest upshift the car can do is 1/10th or 0.1 second, not 1/100th (which is 10 ms).
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Driver School Candidate
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Well, I put my confidence in the Lexus engineer I spoke to regarding this issue.
Driver
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From: CA
Fastest upshift (in manual with paddles, and I suppose from gear 2 to 8 since the torque converter is already locked) is 0.1 second or 100 ms, NOT 1/100th of a second (which is 10 ms).
Not sure where you got access to a "Lexus engineer" (I believe they are all in Japan) but ask him/her to look at the documentation (such as brochures) published by his company.
Not sure where you got access to a "Lexus engineer" (I believe they are all in Japan) but ask him/her to look at the documentation (such as brochures) published by his company.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
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From: New Jersey
Fastest upshift (in manual with paddles, and I suppose from gear 2 to 8 since the torque converter is already locked) is 0.1 second or 100 ms, NOT 1/100th of a second (which is 10 ms).
Not sure where you got access to a "Lexus engineer" (I believe they are all in Japan) but ask him/her to look at the documentation (such as brochures) published by his company.
Not sure where you got access to a "Lexus engineer" (I believe they are all in Japan) but ask him/her to look at the documentation (such as brochures) published by his company.
"...I found it relatively painless. The car rides very smoothly and manages to take bumps surprisingly well, considering it is fitted with 19-inch wheels and low-profile tires."
Well, I would agree if it was riding on a smooth pavement or at the track. On a mixed-road here in Los Angeles, especially on the transition road or a small dip, short-travel suspension, even under a Normal Mode, can shock the driver with a big jolt. OTOH, the tied-down feel and well-supportive seat offset the ride's stiffness.
TP.
Well, I would agree if it was riding on a smooth pavement or at the track. On a mixed-road here in Los Angeles, especially on the transition road or a small dip, short-travel suspension, even under a Normal Mode, can shock the driver with a big jolt. OTOH, the tied-down feel and well-supportive seat offset the ride's stiffness.
TP.
Driver
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From: CA
Well, you might want to tell him to read the printed brochures or online info about the ISF. If he's right then the brochures/websites are wrong. But he cannot be right because a shift time of 10 ms is probably totally impossible to achieve, that would be five times faster than a Formula One.
Lexus Connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: USA
Well, you might want to tell him to read the printed brochures or online info about the ISF. If he's right then the brochures/websites are wrong. But he cannot be right because a shift time of 10 ms is probably totally impossible to achieve, that would be five times faster than a Formula One.
http://www.lexus.com/isf/isf/brad/transmission.html
Originally Posted by Lexus USA
Speed is Essential
The most important quality in the development of the new gearbox was shift speed. Incredibly, the team looked at the world’s fastest shifting transmissions for reference and inspiration: Formula One. A typical F1 transmission upshift time is approx. 0.05 seconds, with virtually imperceptible lag. The IS F upshifts occur in approximately 0.1 seconds. The charts below put the remarkable shift speed of the IS F’s transmission in perspective.
The most important quality in the development of the new gearbox was shift speed. Incredibly, the team looked at the world’s fastest shifting transmissions for reference and inspiration: Formula One. A typical F1 transmission upshift time is approx. 0.05 seconds, with virtually imperceptible lag. The IS F upshifts occur in approximately 0.1 seconds. The charts below put the remarkable shift speed of the IS F’s transmission in perspective.
Downshift:
Driver
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From: CA
[QUOTE=flipside909;3810484]More info on the trans:
http://www.lexus.com/isf/isf/brad/transmission.html
Yes those charts from the Lexus web site do say the gear shift time is 0.1 second (that is 1/10th of a second or 100 ms). During some past discussions, though, I had asked about that 0.2 sec additional lag time and I recall someone saying that this lag time did not apply while in manual mode, which I cautiously believed. Looking at that chart, though, this appears incorrect. It does look any upshift change in manual mode will incur the 0.2 second lag time, bringing the actual total shift time to 0.3 second.
This chart from Lexus as well as reviews from magazines seem to all offer their own interpretation and numbers. And if a Lexus engineer did report to you that the shift time was 1/100th of a second then it just looks everybody is greatly confused about this subject or their math. I would tend to believe the chart from Lexus and I would tend to argue, from that chart, that the actual total shift time to 0.3 second.
Also, on that chart, who is "Competitor A" and whose DSG is it?
http://www.lexus.com/isf/isf/brad/transmission.html
Yes those charts from the Lexus web site do say the gear shift time is 0.1 second (that is 1/10th of a second or 100 ms). During some past discussions, though, I had asked about that 0.2 sec additional lag time and I recall someone saying that this lag time did not apply while in manual mode, which I cautiously believed. Looking at that chart, though, this appears incorrect. It does look any upshift change in manual mode will incur the 0.2 second lag time, bringing the actual total shift time to 0.3 second.
This chart from Lexus as well as reviews from magazines seem to all offer their own interpretation and numbers. And if a Lexus engineer did report to you that the shift time was 1/100th of a second then it just looks everybody is greatly confused about this subject or their math. I would tend to believe the chart from Lexus and I would tend to argue, from that chart, that the actual total shift time to 0.3 second.
Also, on that chart, who is "Competitor A" and whose DSG is it?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 933
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From: IL
I enjoyed the article. Couldn't agree more about the paddle shifters... I've taught myself to use the shifter when I think I might need to shift while turning the steering wheel.
The only thing I didn't get was the part about the IS-350 having a transmission that offers more freedom. The only thing in the IS-350 (IMHO) that's more flexible is the air conditioned seats and the fact that you could disable the sat-nav lock by pushing a bunch of spots on the screen (boy do I miss that).
The only thing I didn't get was the part about the IS-350 having a transmission that offers more freedom. The only thing in the IS-350 (IMHO) that's more flexible is the air conditioned seats and the fact that you could disable the sat-nav lock by pushing a bunch of spots on the screen (boy do I miss that).
Lexus Connoisseur
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From: USA
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 933
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From: IL
Is the process of making a hybrid NAV disk on the site? I don't want to pull to do anything that requires pulling out the console, so the NAV disk thing sounds great. Can you post the link?