Hmmm so let me understand this. You have a daily driver IS 350 that's paid off and has been super reliable, you want an EV because gas prices may spike, but you want a pre-owned GS F or an IS 500 as your daily and you live in a place that it snows. Why not consider an AWD Prius or suv? RAV4 Prime seems to be more logical if you're worried about future proofing.

 

Incorrect. I don’t want to buy anything. I like my car.

This just a conversation about cars currently on the market. As mentioned above, the is500 or GSF would be ideal daily drivers. However, I’d forego both if I were in the market, as I view an EV as a wiser purchase.

Snow is irrelevant. I’ve driven RWD in snow for almost 2 decades.

 

In my honest opinion, I think its almost not fair to compare the ISF and IS500 besides the Engine itself (although its more RCF/GSF than ISF but still its a 2ur).

The ISF was purpose built, Yaguchi-San had a vision for that car and executed (imo, biased because I own one lol) perfectly for its time. The F badge does have some meaning here and I believe that is why some F owners are up-in-arms about the "F-Sport Performance" moniker given to the IS500 using a F car engine. I personally have no qualms with it as its been 13 years now since the ISF came out and its about time Lexus gave us a "newish" V8 IS. I think most F owners are going to stick with the ISF (I bought the car for the feel of the car. In 2019 a 2011 is vastly outdated so the infotainment system was not a pro or con for me in the least).

Like I tell alot of ppl on IG about buying an ISF, "you buy an ISF because you WANT an ISF. It is a niche car. It competes well with cars of its time but you're not going to beat a Hellcat in it without some serious modifications. So if thats what you want, this isn't the car for you."

The IS500 to me, comes off as a cheaper alternative (for Lexus) in that there aren't as much "factory performance" modifications made to the car from the get-go. I think Lexus did that to not only keep costs down, but what real car enthusiast is going to keep the car bone stock? I bought my ISF bone stock (save for the dreaded K&N Typhoon intake, which is gone now btw) in 2019 and it now almost has every bolt-on that you can throw at it. Rendering all of the oem parts (especially the suspension) useless to me.

I applaud Lexus for NOT following the trend of TTV6 engines. Its odd that just 20 years ago, turbo cars were fairly rare and everything (consumer-wise) was naturally aspirated, oh how times have changed. I think the IS500 is going to be a good move for Lexus because it shows they want to be different and are listening to their consumers.

My only concern is why they're using the IS350 transmission AA81E instead of the F transmissions AA80E. I've been watching reviews on the new IS350 and the transmission feel has been one of the complaints from reviews in that it feels very "lazy". I imagine they can tune the transmission for responsiveness but Idk its just an observation I've made based on what I am seeing with reviews.

As Lexus fans we should be excited

 

This whole thread is about the new 2022 IS 500 F SPORT Performance and the V8. Can't wait for this to come out!

 

I'm pretty confident that was an overlooked detail that happened to make it on the press release. It should be the AA80E, not AA81E which is used for 2GR applications. I'm waiting for clarification which I should know more by late tomorrow.

 

I hope so, but that's a very big detail to overlook lol. Would be very odd to put the 2UR in and not have the ability to lock the torque converter.

I'm hoping someone in socal can get a hold of one on release as I would love to do a photoshoot side by side.

 

I think we’re miscommunicating. I’ve private messaged you. We will leave it off this thread so we don’t derail.

 

Lexus is using the AA81E transmission because there will be no "F Mode" since this is not a true F Vehicle. Sport Plus on the AA81E should be similar to Auto Sport Mode in our IS F.

 

Says who?

Notice the gear shifter has "M" Mode instead of "S" mode like in the other IS models?

 

I think all 3rd generation IS's use M mode. Even my base 2017 IS 200t had M mode.

 

Well, suffice to say that I am interested enough to have my name officially on a waiting list with my dealer....

 

This is true, all 3rd Generation IS models have M, including the 6-speed on the IS250 and AWD models. Lexus also refers to the 8-speed AA81E as a Sport Direct Shift transmission, just like the IS F, RC F, etc.

Jeff

 

Just got confirmation from my direct contacts at Lexus who confirmed with the TMC engineers, it is the AA80E Sport Direct Shift transmission with lockup torque converter (just like IS F, RC F & GS F). Not AA81E.

The press release is not correct saying the IS 500 F SPORT Performance has the trans from an IS 350.

 

good news! That means you can add a supercharger and not have to worry as much. Bad news is the price may be a little higher than some are thinking.

 

Yes, that's what I've been saying. Anyone who thought this wouldn't be getting the AA80E didn't know what they were talking about.

But yeah, all 3IS's have manual shift, doesn't matter which transmission it has.

Jeff