I was wondering, with only about a .5 second difference between a 350 and an ISF, suspension that can be modded to make a 350 handle equal to or better (?), and more features available on a 350 (like ventilated seats, rear sunshade?, etc), all for usually 10ks of thousands less, why go with an ISF?

Also, seems like the ISF engine has a few issue (valley plate, header cracking, etc)? While the 350 is pretty solid.

 

Sounds like you've already decided. The IS350 is fun car. I had an '06 with the luxury package and traded it for the IS F in '08. I don't miss it at all. The wife does...

 

Oh, I'm not in the market for a sedan. Just wanted some input. I already have an IS350C, so different needs are met there.

It's just curious that Lexus made the performance so close (on paper at least) and decontented the features.

 

Only on paper. The F is a completely different beast than the 350.

 

You can say the same for 335/M3, C350/C63...Stock ISF run 12.7-13 easy, does a IS350 run 13.2-13.5 stock? Modified the ISF is in the 11’s meaning it can compete with even brand new sport sedans. An IS350 can reach high 12’s so about the same thing, though the motors in the Q50 and the Germans are much more potent. Does the IS350 come with the V8 noise, Brembos, Aisin 8 speed(that’s still being used today), rarity, and great resale value? Hell, ISF even gets better mpg..One is a 400-500hp rare V8 sedan, the other is a comfortable entry level luxury sedan. No enthusiast I’ve ever met has ever said they had or wanted an IS350. G37S and 335 is a better choice in that market imo. Test drive both and you’ll see the difference immediately.

 

Test drive one...you’ll see the difference. There are many intangibles that aren’t on a spec sheet. Also quite a few stock vs stock comparisons on the ISF and IS350...power-wise from a roll it’s not pretty...

 

Just a peek at just the power difference from stock cars

 

I see the top the end is pretty impressive, but for daily driving... esp in LA, I don't see being able to use it. I guess I'm just surprised that a stock 350 can be so close to their high performance halo car from back then:

2007 Lexus IS 350
0-60 mph 4.8
Quarter mile 13.3

2008 Lexus IS-F
0-60 mph 4.2
Quarter mile 12.6

Of course there are intangibles that can't be put on paper. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to troll, lol. I was just curious. I test drove it years ago when they came out and other than finding the suspension too rough, it was a hoot to drive.

 

get a prius

 

LOL. already had one.

 

i agree...to putter around town...the differences are negligible. If you drive it that way 100% of the time then I say stick with the 350.....but even if it was 95% civil and 5% hoonin’....that 5% becomes huge when it’s the ISF. 🤣

but to answer your question, that’s why they made these cars. One is for casual hoonin’ and the other is for “go to jail” hoonin’....or the track, like any responsible ISF owner would do 😁

 

That makes sense. I guess the saying that it's funner to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow holds true. I have a fast car and driving it anytime there's traffic around LA makes it a miserable experience--which is most of the time nowadays. But when the road opens up and you can tap that 5% (responsibly), it's quite something.

 

Not trying to troll either or an A$$hat, but if you said you not in the market for an ISF. What is the point of this thread really? Could you just Google and YouTube everything your asking without questioning the bias owners on this forum that love our Fs. Sounds like you already know the answers and just dont love our answers and or already got your mind made up. But, rarity / scarcity of a car holds more value to most true car enthusiasts than performance most of the time!

 

I'm rather surprised actually that the overwhelming response is taken so personally, especially coming from another long time CL board member. As an enthusiast, I always invite discussion about cars I own. I'm also very critical of them for their cons, but praise them for their pros (which is what I was looking for here). And that's the thing, I haven't actually made any conclusion about the two, just only stated facts. Notice how I never said that the ISF is worse or better and same for the 350? Which I would never do, since they are truly different cars, of course.

I find that there's too much "noise" on youtube and google searches usually lead me back to boards like these, lol.

EDIT: And actually that's why I reached out here specifically, because of owners that LOVE the ISF, what better group to get input from? I didn't know owning one or being in the market for one was a qualification for discussing cars? I entertain discussion all the time about my other cars because one never knows where it may lead.

 

This thread is like someone going to a famous winery in Napa, walking into the tasting room and saying "I think this Caymus Cabernet is really good. So why do you even bother making the more expensive Special Select Cab?"