Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Lexus IS 300 AWD

[Jaeger]

Lexus charges top dollar for old engine and transmission technology.

Recommended reading for you below. 

Toyota moves at glacier speed (say glacier speed from 1900, not 2016...) in terms of model changes.  Even when they change platforms, they're likely to keep existing drivelines if they're working well.  Change for the sake of it isn't their thing.  For some consumers, this is awesome, and for some, they don't like it at all.

Then there's a massive "middle ground" that don't really know and don't care.  They look at the exterior, the interior, and go for a drive.  Even in the expensive segments, this is true.  If you drive an IS350 or GS350 you just know the engine pulls amazingly well - I doubt many buyers care about when the engine went into production.

There is an underlying strategy here.  By keeping proven tech even into new models, it keep failure rates low and CR ratings high.  This is the backbone of Toyota's sales strategy - rock solid cars that last, last, last and retain resale.

[mixmanmash]

Again, though, that 8 speed is only on the RWD models...

Also available on the RX and LS AWD models.

But yes...currently 8 speed only on RWD F-Sport...which is best model IMO.   

The RX is a transverse application, so totally different.  And the LS is in a different marketing space.

Problem is, you can only get the 8 speed with the IS200t.  According to Lexus Canada's web site, the IS300 and IS350 are AWD only so, no luck there.

[mixmanmash]

I've been trying to put a turbo kit on IQs car forever, dude.

so whats the hiccup?
Engine availability? Mechanic Availability? Something else?
Just asking because it will be awesome if you do it. It will also kinda validate if the build quality of the IS is similar to the supra (chasis and other mechanical components handling the extra power)

So many people have done it to the old IS300.  It's a known factor. 

[johngenx]

I've been trying to put a turbo kit on IQs car forever, dude.

so whats the hiccup?

She won't let him.

[greengs]

I think if you compare the competitions (e.g. BMW 3), it seems to make sense:

• 200T <-> 320
  300   <-> 328
  350  <->  335/340
  
  
  

While speed isn't everything and the nomenclature on surface makes sense, if you read some comparos online you'll see that BMW 335/340 is much faster than Lexus IS350, BMW 328i is almost as quick as IS350 in straight line acceleration. 
BMW 320 is faster than IS200T even though it has 60 less hp. So while Lexus drives better than the new 3 series according to the press, they really do need to update the engines as well in my opinion as they are behind BMW, MB, Audi, and now Infiniti. 

[CSH]

I've been trying to put a turbo kit on IQs car forever, dude.

so whats the hiccup?

She won't let him.

 

[Blueprint]

Again, in the car guys vs general public book of misunderstandings, the "old" IS250 awd had 80% (if not more...) of IS sales, plus repeat buyers. IS350 is a rare used bird, and I have yet to see a current GS on the road in premium-car infested Montreal.

[Loudpedal]

I'd love to see a dyno comparison between the IS300 and IS350.    I can't imagine that there is as much HP differential as Lexus states.   Anyone know if the de-tuned 3.5 is just software or also hardware?

[johngenx]

I'd love to see a dyno comparison between the IS300 and IS350.    I can't imagine that there is as much HP differential as Lexus states.   Anyone know if the de-tuned 3.5 is just software or also hardware?

It's my understanding that the 3.5L in the 300 is the port injection engine and the 3.5L in the 350 is the D4S - substantial differences.

[rrocket]

I've been trying to put a turbo kit on IQs car forever, dude.

so whats the hiccup?

She won't let him.

It's her car.  That's the hiccup.   

[rrocket]

I'd love to see a dyno comparison between the IS300 and IS350.    I can't imagine that there is as much HP differential as Lexus states.   Anyone know if the de-tuned 3.5 is just software or also hardware?

From my own experience dynoing my IS350, they make substantially more than the advertised 306HP.

At least in 2006 they did!

[rrocket]

I think if you compare the competitions (e.g. BMW 3), it seems to make sense:

• 200T <-> 320
  300   <-> 328
  350  <->  335/340
  
  
  

While speed isn't everything and the nomenclature on surface makes sense, if you read some comparos online you'll see that BMW 335/340 is much faster than Lexus IS350, BMW 328i is almost as quick as IS350 in straight line acceleration. 
BMW 320 is faster than IS200T even though it has 60 less hp. So while Lexus drives better than the new 3 series according to the press, they really do need to update the engines as well in my opinion as they are behind BMW, MB, Audi, and now Infiniti.

Actually the 328 is quicker than the 350.  It consistently hits 0-60 in 5.4 seconds.

1st Gen IS350 was 4.9-5.1     And the 328i falls down the farther you go....low 14s in the 1/4.  The IS350 runs 13s

I taught the forum's Julie how to drag race in my IS350, and she was consistently running 13.6-13.7 that day at the track.  Those are real numbers...not magazine stuff.

And in a couple of reviews, they picked the IS350 over the potent BMW 335i.

[tortoise]

It's my understanding that the 3.5L in the 300 is the port injection engine and the 3.5L in the 350 is the D4S - substantial differences.

That makes me wonder if the 300 will be less fuel efficient than the 350.
 

[rrocket]

I think if you compare the competitions (e.g. BMW 3), it seems to make sense:

• 200T <-> 320
  300   <-> 328
  350  <->  335/340
  
  
  

While speed isn't everything and the nomenclature on surface makes sense, if you read some comparos online you'll see that BMW 335/340 is much faster than Lexus IS350, BMW 328i is almost as quick as IS350 in straight line acceleration. 
BMW 320 is faster than IS200T even though it has 60 less hp. So while Lexus drives better than the new 3 series according to the press, they really do need to update the engines as well in my opinion as they are behind BMW, MB, Audi, and now Infiniti.

Actually the 328 is quicker than the 350.  It consistently hits 0-60 in 5.4 seconds.

1st Gen IS350 was 4.9-5.1     And the 328i falls down the farther you go....low 14s in the 1/4.  The IS350 runs 13s

I taught the forum's Julie how to drag race in my IS350, and she was consistently running 13.6-13.7 that day at the track.  Those are real numbers...not magazine stuff.

And in a couple of reviews, they picked the IS350 over the potent BMW 335i.

Your version was 200 lbs less than the current one.  I was pretty sure that I explained all this to you previously.  The new one hits the quarter in 14  according to C&D which is the fastest reported that I have seen.  According to the same rag, the BMW328 hits the quarter in 13.9.  So there you go.

Since you bring up real world acceleration, here is video from Autobytel.  Keep in mind that the IS350 here is the RWD version which is a couple of tenths quicker than the AWD version.  The BMW is the AWD version:

IS350: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EHzEvnrt0I

BMW328: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH-IePWbzI8&nohtml5=False

Yea..the BMW 4 banger tapers off in the 1/4 mile for whatever reason.  I've seen the quicker to 60 time for the BMW, but the IS always has the quicker 1/4 mile time.

BTW...I have a vid somewhere of Julie losing the holeshot to a 2005ish Mustang GT, but in the end she ran him down and won the race....So the IS does pretty well on the big end.

[mixmanmash]

I think if you compare the competitions (e.g. BMW 3), it seems to make sense:

• 200T <-> 320
  300   <-> 328
  350  <->  335/340
  
  
  

While speed isn't everything and the nomenclature on surface makes sense, if you read some comparos online you'll see that BMW 335/340 is much faster than Lexus IS350, BMW 328i is almost as quick as IS350 in straight line acceleration. 
BMW 320 is faster than IS200T even though it has 60 less hp. So while Lexus drives better than the new 3 series according to the press, they really do need to update the engines as well in my opinion as they are behind BMW, MB, Audi, and now Infiniti.

Actually the 328 is quicker than the 350.  It consistently hits 0-60 in 5.4 seconds.

1st Gen IS350 was 4.9-5.1     And the 328i falls down the farther you go....low 14s in the 1/4.  The IS350 runs 13s

I taught the forum's Julie how to drag race in my IS350, and she was consistently running 13.6-13.7 that day at the track.  Those are real numbers...not magazine stuff.

And in a couple of reviews, they picked the IS350 over the potent BMW 335i.

Your version was 200 lbs less than the current one.  I was pretty sure that I explained all this to you previously.  The new one hits the quarter in 14  according to C&D which is the fastest reported that I have seen.  According to the same rag, the BMW328 hits the quarter in 13.9.  So there you go.

Since you bring up real world acceleration, here is video from Autobytel.  Keep in mind that the IS350 here is the RWD version which is a couple of tenths quicker than the AWD version.  The BMW is the AWD version:

IS350: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EHzEvnrt0I

BMW328: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH-IePWbzI8&nohtml5=False

Yea..the BMW 4 banger tapers off in the 1/4 mile for whatever reason.  I've seen the quicker to 60 time for the BMW, but the IS always has the quicker 1/4 mile time.

BTW...I have a vid somewhere of Julie losing the holeshot to a 2005ish Mustang GT, but in the end she ran him down and won the race....So the IS does pretty well on the big end.

That kind of reminds me of the old Top Gear video of the 350Z vs. 300ZX.  They guy driving the 300ZX botched the launch, but holy hell did it catch up and pass the 350Z.

[rrocket]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjDJpcdBH-A

[rrocket]

I guess those 241 hp are some big azz hp.

I've seen the dyno plots...it's well under rated.  Putting down ~240..to the wheels.   

[Hannibalsmith]

I guess those 241 hp are some big azz hp.

I've seen the dyno plots...it's well under rated.  Putting down ~240..to the wheels.   

The turbo six in the 335 pulls really hard. I have not experienced it tapering off, too scared at those speeds!

[rrocket]

I guess those 241 hp are some big azz hp.

I've seen the dyno plots...it's well under rated.  Putting down ~240..to the wheels.   

The turbo six in the 335 pulls really hard. I have not experienced it tapering off, too scared at those speeds!

Yes.  They put down ~285 to the wheels whereas my IS350 put down nearly ~280.  The massive difference is the torque.  The BMW puts down between 50-60 more TQ than my IS350 did!!   

[Hannibalsmith]

I guess those 241 hp are some big azz hp.

I've seen the dyno plots...it's well under rated.  Putting down ~240..to the wheels.   

The turbo six in the 335 pulls really hard. I have not experienced it tapering off, too scared at those speeds!

Yes.  They put down ~285 to the wheels whereas my IS350 put down nearly ~280.  The massive difference is the torque.  The BMW puts down between 50-60 more TQ than my IS350 did!!   

Torque notwithstanding, wish Lexus still offered the RWD 350, or better yet, shoehorn the V8 in there:)