IS350 wins sports sedan comparo????

[sportyaccordy]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=34&article_id=4444

0-60 in 4.9 seconds??????? With an automatic????????? That's M3 territory!!! And that's no fluke, I've seen several videos of the IS running a 13.4-13.6s 1/4 mile! It's obvious it has the straight line advantage over everything bar (heh heh) the 335i...but I was unsure about its lateral dynamics. It's definitely making a strong case for automatic transmissions...

Thoughts??? I don't know what to think anymore...

[TheIntrepid]

The IS350 is still a boring Lexus but it's the least boring of the Lexuses because it's fast as shit. I think the styling is far from boring though.

[cawimmer430]

The IS350 in this comparison was tested going downhill. That explains the fast time. 

[TheIntrepid]

Okay Wimmer as much as I hate to compare:

Mercedes C350 [268hp]



Lexus IS350 [306hp]



Which one is more interesting-looking?

PS check ur PMs

[sportyaccordy]

The Benz looks like a European cab...a mini European cab

[MX793]

I do like the looks of the new IS.  Pity you can't get a manual with the 3.5.  Kind of kills some of its desireability in my eyes.

[TheIntrepid]

I do like the looks of the new IS.  Pity you can't get a manual with the 3.5.  Kind of kills some of its desireability in my eyes.

I thought you could get a 6-speed stick?

[MX793]

I thought you could get a 6-speed stick?

Not with the IS350.  IS250 offers a stick.

[TheIntrepid]

Not with the IS350.  IS250 offers a stick.

Oh i see. My bad.

[r0tor]

i like my coworkers IS250... its only some steering feel away from a great car

[the Teuton]

What didn't they like about the G besides the weak-feeling engine?  I still can't believe that the Lexus won the comparo.

[1 BAD 7]

I agree

The IS350 is still a boring Lexus but it's the least boring of the Lexuses because it's fast as shit. I think the styling is far from boring though.

[MX793]

What didn't they like about the G besides the weak-feeling engine?  I still can't believe that the Lexus won the comparo.

The G's fault was that it didn't stand out in anyway.  It was a "middle of the road" effort with no glaring faults or stand-out strengths.

[gasoline]

The G's fault was that it didn't stand out in anyway.  It was a "middle of the road" effort with no glaring faults or stand-out strengths.

Isn't that how the Camry wins comparos? Just asking...

[sportyaccordy]

I do like the looks of the new IS.  Pity you can't get a manual with the 3.5.  Kind of kills some of its desireability in my eyes.

Man, this is a 13 second car. IMO stickshift should only be relegated to slower cars...I'd rather enjoy the torque than risk a misshift.

I drove the G35x a while back and that car's automatic was great. Tiptronic that held the gears and shifted quickly. If it was RWD it would probably bark the tires on the 1-2 shift. The car wouldn't have been more enjoyable with a manual transmission IMO. Plus in traffic I could just chill. A good automatic or DSG isn't too bad...and it seems like Lexus got the IS's tranny right.

[JYODER240]

Okay Wimmer as much as I hate to compare:

Mercedes C350 [268hp]



Lexus IS350 [306hp]



Which one is more interesting-looking?

PS check ur PMs

The C-class is much better looking.

As far as the 0-60 time for the IS goes i'm a bit skeptical. Having driven alot of IS350's they really don't feel any faster than my Z.

[MX793]

Man, this is a 13 second car. IMO stickshift should only be relegated to slower cars...I'd rather enjoy the torque than risk a misshift.

I drove the G35x a while back and that car's automatic was great. Tiptronic that held the gears and shifted quickly. If it was RWD it would probably bark the tires on the 1-2 shift. The car wouldn't have been more enjoyable with a manual transmission IMO. Plus in traffic I could just chill. A good automatic or DSG isn't too bad...and it seems like Lexus got the IS's tranny right.

It's not about the speed for me.  It's very apparent Toyota got this auto right by looking at the numbers.  But I don't care how quick it is with an auto, I prefer a manual.  It's what I'm used to and most comfortable with.  I've been driving manuals regularly since I was about 9 years old and most vehicles I've had seat time with have had manual gearboxes.  I'm so used to having to use a clutch and change my own gears that I find it awkward when the clutch pedal is missing.

Convenience is a non-issue for me.  You don't see gridlocked traffic much where I live and stop-and-go with a clutch hasn't bothered me yet (did a lot of it when I ran the forklift at my last job).  A manual clutch is, IMO, superior in the snow.  Seems you have finer control over how much power you're putting down when trying to rock out of a snowy parking space or get moving on a slick surface than you do with a torque converter (at least without the aid of TCS).  I've yet to drive a vehicle with an automated clutch, but I don't see how it would provide the same degree of control when launching on slick surfaces.

[sportyaccordy]

Convenience is a non-issue for me.  You don't see gridlocked traffic much where I live and stop-and-go with a clutch hasn't bothered me yet (did a lot of it when I ran the forklift at my last job).  A manual clutch is, IMO, superior in the snow.  Seems you have finer control over how much power you're putting down when trying to rock out of a snowy parking space or get moving on a slick surface than you do with a torque converter (at least without the aid of TCS).  I've yet to drive a vehicle with an automated clutch, but I don't see how it would provide the same degree of control when launching on slick surfaces.

You make some valid points. I guess geography is a key factor. For somewhere like LA, an automatic RWD car w/no TCS would be fine, but hell in NYC. However on slippery surfaces, w/o TCS even a stick is hard to modulate...not to mention, probably a little scary at speed. My friend w/the S2000 says the car is useless in the snow. I have no problems w/my car even with all-season tires.

And I guess auto vs. stick is a preference. I have to drive a very fast car w/a manual transmission...but in my experience, slower cars are more fun with stickshift, and fast cars are fast with automatics. But that's primarily for racing. There aren't too many winding roads in the NYC metro area.

[cawimmer430]

Okay Wimmer as much as I hate to compare:

Mercedes C350 [268hp]



Lexus IS350 [306hp]



Which one is more interesting-looking?

PS check ur PMs

I'm not a fan of the IS style. IMO, it tries to hard to look cool and just looks like a fat little kid. 

The C-Class is pretty boring too, but it's not as porky looking as the IS. 

[MX793]

You make some valid points. I guess geography is a key factor. For somewhere like LA, an automatic RWD car w/no TCS would be fine, but hell in NYC. However on slippery surfaces, w/o TCS even a stick is hard to modulate...not to mention, probably a little scary at speed. My friend w/the S2000 says the car is useless in the snow. I have no problems w/my car even with all-season tires.

An S2000 is useless in the snow?  Is he running it with summer tires?  I don't see how it would be that bad with all seasons or snow tires.  A Corvette or something, sure, but I just don't see an S2000 being all that unweildy.  I drove my 240SX through several Upstate NY winters (really snowy) with just all-season tires and no driving aids whatsoever.  That car put out roughly as much thrust to the wheels in 1st gear as a stock S2000 at lower RPMs and speeds.  It was even an open-diff, so you only had as much traction as the rear wheel with the least grip.  Didn't have as much forward traction as my FWD, but I wouldn't call it useless.  Did prove to be a bit harry at times and challenging on hills, but I never got stuck and never augered into a ditch or the snowbanks.

[Maxxum]

The IS350 is still a boring Lexus but it's the least boring of the Lexuses because it's fast as shit. I think the styling is far from boring though.

Then how is it boring? 

[TheIntrepid]

Then how is it boring? 

It has no handling... no feel... I'm hoping to drive a 350 tomorrow though; I've only driven a 250 before.

[850CSi]

Where's the 335i to kick their asses?

[pommes-t]

Where's the 335i to kick their asses?

Maybe there's another explaination for the truly incredible 0-60 time: American set up. I mean European cars also have American set ups but maybe Lexus does this more aggressively. I the last Auto-Motor-und-Sport they had a break-test where the LExus GS scored average-bad. But last year it got the worst possible score. They explained that they had changed they didn't have a Euro-break set up yet. In other words: Lexus aims completely on the American market, so it might also use a completely American set up. hmmm. Writing this I realize that this is a shitty explaination since most of you are Americans and wonder about this too... 

Forget about it! 

[cawimmer430]

Where's the 335i to kick, rape, brutalize, terminate, erradicate, bang, kill, whoop, bitchslap, destroy, boom-boom, beat, spank their asses?

Fixed it for you.

[cawimmer430]

The Benz looks like a European cab...a mini European cab

Like this? 

[MX793]

Where's the 335i to kick their asses?

I think the comparo was Japanese sedans only.  You'll note the lack of several other entries in the class as well (A4, C class, CTS).

[850CSi]

I think the comparo was Japanese sedans only.? You'll note the lack of several other entries in the class as well (A4, C class, CTS).

Ah, yes. Stupid me.

[NomisR]

I was wondering how the IS350 could win any sports sedan comparo with BMWs or other european cars out there but I guess since this is a Japanese sports sedan comparo, it made sense.  I mean, the IS350 is neither sporty nor does it make a good Sedan with the cramped back seat.  So how can it be a good sports sedan???  Sure it's fast in a straight line but that doesn't make it sporty, it's just quick...

[SVT_Power]

Isn't that how the Camry wins comparos? Just asking...

Good question.