2014 Lexus IS

[Quentin]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

The new IS is bigger and heavier than its predecessor and to make it worse they stopped making the ISF.


I loved the first two generation IS but now they are too big so that is why it was off my list when I purchased my last car.

Yet, the 3IS sales are way up over the 2IS. The reviews on the 3IS are way better, too. It actually wins comparisons despite the old 2GR-FSE where the 2IS was basically an also ran out of the gate. Interior is a country mile better aesthetically and the rear seats are actually useful.

You mention weight and size, but the car is 3" longer, <1" wider, and <70lbs heavier if comparing RWD IS350 models (2015 vs. 2013). That is pretty marginal differences. The sales success of BMW's F30 would suggest that they could have gone even bigger. I'm glad they didn't, from an enthusiast's perspective, but they'd probably sell more if it was an inch or two bigger in width and length.

I'd love to see an IS-F come back, but I don't think we will see one with the RC-F V8. Lexus knows it has to go turbo like BMW to compete and they have some catch up to do since BMW has been building modern turbo 6s since 2007.


Sent from Tandy 400

[mn_ca]

The IS models (or any models in general) will only get bigger (tech, safety, etc). Kind of wish manual was an option. The last generation had a 6spd but it was RARE. I've only seen of 1 for sale in the last few years.

[Quentin]

Originally Posted by mn_ca

The IS models (or any models in general) will only get bigger (tech, safety, etc). Kind of wish manual was an option. The last generation had a 6spd but it was RARE. I've only seen of 1 for sale in the last few years.

The 2IS only had the 6MT with the 4GR (2.5L). Rare as hen's teeth and the car wasn't much to write home about even with the 6MT, unfortunately.

Fun fact: I've actually seen an IS250C with a 6MT. A coworker factory ordered it. He even had a number of F sport parts put on it. He put it into a light pole at a Walmart, though, and totaled it. He replaced it with an IS350 that he then replaced with an IS-F that he then replaced with and IS350C. He was a weird guy.

Sent from Tandy 400

[mn_ca]

Originally Posted by Quentin

The 2IS only had the 6MT with the 4GR (2.5L). Rare as hen's teeth and the car wasn't much to write home about even with the 6MT, unfortunately.

Fun fact: I've actually seen an IS250C with a 6MT. A coworker factory ordered it. He even had a number of F sport parts put on it. He put it into a light pole at a Walmart, though, and totaled it. He replaced it with an IS350 that he then replaced with an IS-F that he then replaced with and IS350C. He was a weird guy.

Sent from Tandy 400

That is one weird dude! LOL. I guess when you have money, you can do what you want.

But yeah I don't remember the engine but it was posted on isfanatics.com a while back. I wanted it but it was in California and I didn't have the desire to fly and drive it back. Having a clutch beats not having one lol

[pinski]

Originally Posted by Quentin

The 2IS only had the 6MT with the 4GR (2.5L). Rare as hen's teeth and the car wasn't much to write home about even with the 6MT, unfortunately.

I had one of those. IS250 F-Sport with the 6MT. Ridiculously slow, didn't handle well. Below average clutch and transmission. Nice highway cruiser and tremendous build quality. Traded it on the BRZ after owning it for 18 months. Only car I've ever gotten rid of that quickly!

[jkonquer]

I purchased a 2014 IS350 F Sport with Mark Levinson Sounds/Navi and BSM back in late 2014. I got a hell of deal for it (around $41k, the msrp was $48k) mainly due to new models coming in. ML sound/navi and BSM options are well worth it.

No regrets here. The seating position and handling make it the sportiest sedan I've ever driven (that includes 335i, s4, and q50). Make sure you drive the car in Sport+ mode, it goes from a quiet camry to a properly tuned sports car.

Only downside is that no one can tuned the lexus ECU. So the aftermarket and tuning option is very limited. Stillen, however are coming out with a supercharger kit.

If you are looking for something more powerful, i would look into 335i or s4. but both are roughly $10k more with same option.

[jkonquer]

You gotta see the new IS in person. you can't see the rear flared quarter panel, the line that flows around the front of the hood all the way to the rear trunk lip, and wide front fender that reminds of s2000 when looking at pictures.

I do believe that the IS is more of complete designed of a car over a RC. The RC looks like they used designs from different cars and put them together which they did. So nothing flows in the RC especially in the side and rear.

Fact is you will never find a more outrageous design of a car under $50k. Lexus definitely pushed the envelope with new design.

[MokSpeed]

Here's an IS package you won't regret getting:

[daiheadjai]

That '02 manual was fantastic... Buttery-smooth.
Looked fantastic with the TRD mesh grille and front lip and front projector lamps too.

But I do think the current generation looks the best from the factory (especially with F-sport package wheels and side skirts in the dark grey).

[Packofcrows]

IS300 or go home

[mn_ca]

I actually had a 2002 IS300 auto-stick. It was one of my favorite rides

[daiheadjai]

Originally Posted by mn_ca

I actually had a 2002 IS300 auto-stick. It was one of my favorite rides

That chrome ball shifter on a hot summer day though....

[mn_ca]

I had 4 cars at the time that I was driving so that's probably why I never got that experience lol. Plus, it sat in the garage and rarely moved lol.

[eddieEndo]

Originally Posted by jkonquer

I purchased a 2014 IS350 F Sport with Mark Levinson Sounds/Navi and BSM back in late 2014. I got a hell of deal for it (around $41k, the msrp was $48k) mainly due to new models coming in. ML sound/navi and BSM options are well worth it.

No regrets here. The seating position and handling make it the sportiest sedan I've ever driven (that includes 335i, s4, and q50). Make sure you drive the car in Sport+ mode, it goes from a quiet camry to a properly tuned sports car.

Only downside is that no one can tuned the lexus ECU. So the aftermarket and tuning option is very limited. Stillen, however are coming out with a supercharger kit.

If you are looking for something more powerful, i would look into 335i or s4. but both are roughly $10k more with same option.

I'm waiting for the price to drop, I love the new body style but I can't afford a used 350 fsport yet, I can afford a 2nd gen IS350 FSport, or I can grab a used IS250 Fsport 3rd gen :\