[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

It was probably a letdown because you were expecting it to be something it's not. It's not a performance car. It's a luxury grand tourer with a sweet sounding naturally aspirated V8. I absolutely love driving it whenever I get the chance to and would have strongly considered one if I didn't need usable backseats. It sounds amazing, is tail-happy and fun to drive, and looks incredible.

wasn't going in expecting performance. it has decent get up for its weight and power. especially on the highway.

the problem is it didn't give me the gears exactly when i wanted. its great in auto around town, or if you're fully on it shifting at redline. But when you are doing full throttle upshifts at 4-5k or 1/2 throttle upshifts at 7k the car gets confused and the trans lags. i found it pretty annoying when a 10 year old gtr dct trans or e92 m3 can do better.

car i drove was 2018. i've heard they sorted this out in later models. might just be a software/logic issue.

[Equilibrandt]

Yeah, as most of the reviews said: if you're going to compare the IS 500 to the M3, you'll be disappointed. It's a cushy sedan with some real power but it'll never measure up to the drama of the DCT.

Side note: surprisingly enough, markup isn't all that bad on the Launch Editions.

Here's Lexus of Oxnard:

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Equilibrandt

Yeah, as most of the reviews said: if you're going to compare the IS 500 to the M3, you'll be disappointed. It's a cushy sedan with some real power but it'll never measure up to the drama of the DCT.

Side note: surprisingly enough, markup isn't all that bad on the Launch Editions.

Here's Lexus of Oxnard:

Attachment 2787371

Markup may change the moment you enter the dealer. Some dealers don't bother listing ADM's on their website.

[Egrunt]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Markup may change the moment you enter the dealer. Some dealers don't bother listing ADM's on their website.

My wife was interested in the new IS 500 so we visited a dealer in SOCAL (Tustin Lexus) on January 8th. No ADM placed on the windshield or any other place on the vehicle. They had two IS 500's, one launch edition with a MSRP of 68k and one that was blue in color with a MSRP of 62k. We test drove the blue one and upon our return I asked the million dollar question, is there a mark up on the vehicle. Not surprisingly the salesman stated, "Yes". Both IS 500's were marked up 25k over sticker. We had a pleasant conversation but I told him I would not entertain paying over MSRP. He went to speak with a manager and when he returned he said today only, 5k over sticker. I thanked him and we departed the dealership.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Egrunt

when he returned he said today only

Ah yes... the classic "today only" special.

[kyriian]

Originally Posted by Egrunt

, 5k over sticker. I thanked him and we departed the dealership.

If you left your number, he will call you...

[x622]

Originally Posted by Egrunt

My wife was interested in the new IS 500 so we visited a dealer in SOCAL (Tustin Lexus) on January 8th. No ADM placed on the windshield or any other place on the vehicle. They had two IS 500's, one launch edition with a MSRP of 68k and one that was blue in color with a MSRP of 62k. We test drove the blue one and upon our return I asked the million dollar question, is there a mark up on the vehicle. Not surprisingly the salesman stated, "Yes". Both IS 500's were marked up 25k over sticker. We had a pleasant conversation but I told him I would not entertain paying over MSRP. He went to speak with a manager and when he returned he said today only, 5k over sticker. I thanked him and we departed the dealership.

Did you or your wife ever drive an older ISF to compare and contrast these cars to?

[wtwo3]

"If Lexus had played the acceleration game just chasing numbers with this car, they didn't stand a chance, so what they've done instead, is go for emotion."

I think that probably sums up the #1 most compelling reason to get this car. There's a few other pros... it's comfortable, and has Lexus reliability, and I think it looks incredible.

Is that enough to overcome the drawbacks? (old interior, lazy transmission, old tech). I'm not sure.... but I wouldn't blame anyone who wants this car.

Other sound bytes:

"The steering in an m340i is better than this, it's sharper. The chassis control in an m340i is better than this. The differential in an m340i is better than this, this has a torsen, but it's not as sophisticated as what BMW does. But somehow, everything about this is better than an m340i. And that's what we call, unquantifiables."

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Ah yes... the classic "today only" special.

…usually followed by the “only for special customers like you” special.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I think that probably sums up the #1 most compelling reason to get this car. There's a few other pros... it's comfortable, and has Lexus reliability, and I think it looks incredible.

Is that enough to overcome the drawbacks? (old interior, lazy transmission, old tech). I'm not sure.... but I wouldn't blame anyone who wants this car.

Other sound bytes:

I would take the IS500 over the M340i, no question. I would also take the M3 over the IS500…

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

I would take the IS500 over the M340i, no question. I would also take the M3 over the IS500…

Same.

[Germanauto]

I like Throttle House but it's a total joke that they'd pick this over the M340. Literally all this car has going for it is its sound and looks. The M340 is not only faster but a much better handling car. I don't even need to start on the interior/infotainment/NVH advantages yet. My only personal knocks on the M340 is the lack of pure road feel through the steering alongside my belief that it feels kind of asleep unless you are pushing it hard.

I have autocrossed the new IS350 F Sport and RC-F. The IS has slow lazy steering and a slow transmission. The RC-F was a complete boat. I doubt this engine is the saving grace given all the flaws of the IS.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I like Throttle House but it's a total joke that they'd pick this over the M340. Literally all this car has going for it is its sound and looks. The M340 is not only faster but a much better handling car. I don't even need to start on the interior/infotainment/NVH advantages yet. My only personal knocks on the M340 is the lack of pure road feel through the steering alongside my belief that it feels kind of asleep unless you are pushing it hard.

I have autocrossed the new IS350 F Sport and RC-F. The IS has slow lazy steering and a slow transmission. The RC-F was a complete boat. I doubt this engine is the saving grace given all the flaws of the IS.

Well they addressed all that didn't they? Yes the M340i is better in every measurable metric (except maybe reliability and comfort), but where an M340i appeals to a spreadsheet, the NA V8 in the IS500 appeals to your soul.

I don't know that I'd undoubtedly pick it over an m340i, because the flaws are pretty large (old interior, old tech, lazy transmission), but it would be a strong pull for me.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I like Throttle House but it's a total joke that they'd pick this over the M340. Literally all this car has going for it is its sound and looks. The M340 is not only faster but a much better handling car. I don't even need to start on the interior/infotainment/NVH advantages yet. My only personal knocks on the M340 is the lack of pure road feel through the steering alongside my belief that it feels kind of asleep unless you are pushing it hard.

I have autocrossed the new IS350 F Sport and RC-F. The IS has slow lazy steering and a slow transmission. The RC-F was a complete boat. I doubt this engine is the saving grace given all the flaws of the IS.

They said at the end they'd only be picking it if they were keeping a car for 10 or so years, but for 3-ish years they'd lean German. I can understand that reasoning, not everyone likes the idea of owning a German vehicle out of warranty.

[jmack]

I appreciate that the IS500 exists with a V8, but I don't agree that it's some soulful wonder-car. The transmission is so bad that it kills most enjoyment you can get from it. It's not just a numbers thing, it's a major failing of physical interaction with the car.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by jmack

I appreciate that the IS500 exists with a V8, but I don't agree that it's some soulful wonder-car. The transmission is so bad that it kills most enjoyment you can get from it. It's not just a numbers thing, it's a major failing of physical interaction with the car.

Yeah for me... if Lexus offered it with a manual trans and an updated interior, it would be a no brainer. But it's the major drawbacks with old tech and lazy transmission that really kill it for me ultimately.

[MisterF80M3]

So the only thing going for this car is it's the "last NA V8." It still looks soulless just like my previous car, IS350.

[Kimchiguy79]

While waiting for my G80 M3 xDrive I came across this unsold, cancelled order on sale for MSRP. Figured I wouldn't lose any money even if I wanted to sell it later on. One month in and the NA engine has me hooked. I'm still looking forward to the incoming M3 whenever it gets here (ordered 8 months ago) but I guess I'll see which one makes more sense to keep longer term? Will try to keep both.

[KennyFSU]

Nice, did you have to pay over MSRP? A few members over at CL have had hard time locking one down, congrats.

[Kimchiguy79]

Originally Posted by KennyFSU

Nice, did you have to pay over MSRP? A few members over at CL have had hard time locking one down, congrats.

Hey thanks! In my area (Toronto, Canada) there were 3 Lexus IS500 Launch Editions on sale. One was marked up $8K CAD and the other was $16K CAD above MSRP for a slightly used IS500 Launch Edition (the exact same one featured in the ThrottleHouse YouTube video).
Somehow I lucked out and found this brand new one at a dealership who was willing to sell it for MSRP. No-brainer.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Kimchiguy79

While waiting for my G80 M3 xDrive I came across this unsold, cancelled order on sale for MSRP. Figured I wouldn't lose any money even if I wanted to sell it later on. One month in and the NA engine has me hooked. I'm still looking forward to the incoming M3 whenever it gets here (ordered 8 months ago) but I guess I'll see which one makes more sense to keep longer term? Will try to keep both.

Nice IS, the V8 is definitely a sweetheart in that car. Definitely a great choice for those who want some nostalgic feel or like to keep their cars for a long time.

[Kimchiguy79]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Nice IS, the V8 is definitely a sweetheart in that car. Definitely a great choice for those who want some nostalgic feel or like to keep their cars for a long time.

Hey thanks! And that's the thing - this car is nostalgia and will preserve how cars used to be as we sadly move towards electrification. Let me be a dinosaur for a little while longer...