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Lexus IS350 review

Discussion in 'Other Toyota Vehicles' started by ColoradoTJ, Nov 5, 2016.

  1. Nov 5, 2016 at 8:40 AM
    #1
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I have had the Lexus IS350 for a bit now, and thought I would give an update.

    These cars are just phenomenal. In the event someone is looking for a sports sedan, I would really consider the IS350.

    -interior is so very comfortable. Driving this car is relaxing. Mine is an 07 model, so no Bluetooth or other fancy items, but still has a lot of options.
    -motor/drivetrain. This car doesn't feel like 306hp. My buddy drove the Lexus down from Denver and questioned if it was a V8. Place the car in ETC power mode, nannies off and hold on. Car is a blast to drive. The motor needs to be worked to keep deposits down. The car launches pretty good and pulls through the rpm range well. I think the car performs at freeway speeds, and need to watch the speedometer. I can get into triple digits really quick.
    -fuel economy has averaged 25.6 mpg, not horrible, nothing to write to your mom about either. Car requires premium fuel.
    -handling. I will just say this, it is a point and shoot car. If the back end comes out due to a loss of traction, the car is very predictable still. Add some more fuel, counter steer a little and keep the huge smile on your face.
    -brakes and performance downshifting. Thumbs up. Enough said.


    Dislikes:
    - this could be the tires, but the road noise is pretty loud. I'm glad it has a good stereo system.
    -spark plugs through Lexus IS 175.00 for 6. I have found them for 50% cheaper online.

    IMG_0021.jpg
     
  2. Nov 5, 2016 at 8:50 AM
    #2
    Y0TA PR0

    Y0TA PR0 Dirt biking & fishing

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    Rafael
    Alberta, Canada
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    Man that's nice car!! So to you have the rwd or the awd? Is it the manual? I believe the manual just come in rwd. But I'm glad your enjoying it. One day ill own one lol.
     
    ColoradoTJ[OP] likes this.
  3. Nov 5, 2016 at 9:11 AM
    #3
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Thanks. I've been looking at getting a Lexus in the near future and dumping the Corolla as my DD.
     
    ColoradoTJ[OP] likes this.
  4. Nov 5, 2016 at 9:15 AM
    #4
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    2016 White Crew Max TRD
    TRD Pro Grille, ESP Storage, Tailgate Inserts, Line-X Bedliner, Weathertech Floorliners, Wet Okole Seat Covers, 5" Shorty Antenna, Mickey Thompson MM-366 Wheels, ToyTec Boss, 35" BFG KO2 to name a few.
    Nice. But living in CO as you know, an SUV is great for winter. Plus, when family is in town visiting, te extra cargo room helps. Wife would love to go back to a sedan, but sill loves her Ford Explorer Sport. 365 HP twin turbo . . . :cool:
     
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  5. Nov 5, 2016 at 9:47 AM
    #5
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    RWD. Mine is the automatic. I have no need for the AWD and owning two trucks.
     
  6. Nov 5, 2016 at 9:49 AM
    #6
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    The Corolla is a great all around car. That was on my list for daily driver duties.

    If you look around, the IS350 can be had for pretty reasonable. Mine was $16k with 60k mikes.
     
    Muleycrazy13 likes this.
  7. Nov 5, 2016 at 9:51 AM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    For sure on the SUV, but we have two trucks to handle those duties. The car is for daily driver miles only. If I see a snowflake fly, that car is staying parked...lol.
     
    TXMiamiFan[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Nov 5, 2016 at 10:02 AM
    #8
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

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    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    I almost bought an is300 7 years ago, biggest regret ever! RWD, manual transmission, leather/suede interior, adult owned... ohhh the regret!

    Then I almost bought an is350 a few years ago as a second car, ended up going with a Corolla instead, only because I got a great deal on it. More regret haha.

    Maybe someday! Great review.
     
    trayday and ColoradoTJ[OP] like this.
  9. Nov 5, 2016 at 10:08 AM
    #9
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    If I went RWD I would just save for a nice SS Camaro, or LS3 Vette. :cool:
     
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  10. Nov 5, 2016 at 10:12 AM
    #10
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Here are some interior pics IMG_0025.jpgIMG_0026.jpg IMG_0028.jpg
    IMG_0030.jpg
     
  11. Nov 5, 2016 at 10:21 AM
    #11
    trayday

    trayday New Member

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    I'm impressed with the is350 for what it is. Handled better than my AWD S4 with suspension work. The only complaint for me is the size of the interior (I don't fit well) and the navigation system. I've raced a stock 350 up to 145+ mph and the thing was able to keep up just fine.
     
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  12. Nov 5, 2016 at 11:18 AM
    #12
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    :popcorn: ...New truck review
     
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  13. Nov 5, 2016 at 11:22 AM
    #13
    trayday

    trayday New Member

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    Thread jack
     
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  14. Nov 5, 2016 at 1:48 PM
    #14
    GoHuskers

    GoHuskers New Member

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    Love that color....matador red mica. used to have an 07 250 Auto AWD , the small v6 is butter smooth but slow. I'm 5.8 160 lbs and the interior is so cramped . ...
     
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  15. Nov 5, 2016 at 4:00 PM
    #15
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    I don't want to push the limits on this forum. It's a nice truck and serves its purpose well.
     
    T-Rex266 likes this.
  16. Nov 5, 2016 at 4:21 PM
    #16
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Thanks! I was wondering what color that was. Lmao!!
     
  17. Nov 5, 2016 at 5:39 PM
    #17
    louscrw

    louscrw all jacked up on Mt. Dew

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    Lou
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    We have a 14 350 Fsport and just love it. Ours is Nebula Grey Pearl (very similar to my MGM Tundra) and Rioja Red interior. Great little car and fun to drive...especially in Sport+ mode which stifffens the suspension and steering, and makes the throttle more responsive.
     
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  18. Nov 5, 2016 at 6:34 PM
    #18
    dragos28

    dragos28 New Member

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    Sweet ride bro, i bought my wife the ES350. I'm not sure if you saw it when you were over..

    I ended up buying some rims for it and putting some SunDown Audio 8" subs in a bandpass box. gotta have the bass.

    lex.jpg

    sd8.jpg
     
    ColoradoTJ[OP] likes this.
  19. Nov 5, 2016 at 6:36 PM
    #19
    louscrw

    louscrw all jacked up on Mt. Dew

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    Yeah, I saw it on TT and I remember you talking about adding subs. I still haven't bc I'm scared to mess with the ML system
     
  20. Nov 5, 2016 at 8:19 PM
    #20
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Yep, I remember you buying that for her.

    That was a good trip, when I make it back out to California, this time I'm going to have to wine and dine your family.

    I'm excited to see the progress on the new homestead.
     
    dragos28[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Nov 5, 2016 at 8:58 PM
    #21
    dragos28

    dragos28 New Member

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    i was afraid of messing with it also, but it really isnt any different from any other car.
     
  22. Nov 5, 2016 at 8:59 PM
    #22
    dragos28

    dragos28 New Member

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    have you been following my "ranch" thread?
     
  23. Nov 5, 2016 at 9:00 PM
    #23
    GoHuskers

    GoHuskers New Member

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    Love this color too, my '15 GX460 is nebula gray mica. almost bought the tundra in MGM but don't want two gray vehicles . ..

    I can tell that most of us on here love Toyota products .
     
    ColoradoTJ[OP] likes this.
  24. Nov 5, 2016 at 9:02 PM
    #24
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    No....just on FB and all the fun stuff you do with the family.
     
  25. Nov 5, 2016 at 9:07 PM
    #25
    dragos28

    dragos28 New Member

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    ColoradoTJ[OP] likes this.
  26. Apr 2, 2017 at 6:47 PM
    #26
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    So I was whispering in Erika's ear again today and doing a brake job on the car. Holy hell, these calipers are super light. The dealership wanted a crazy amount to do brakes on this car and it was 180.00 for me to do rotors and pads, and I also get a 30.00 rebate. So this was pretty cheap. Not to bad, 70,000 miles on the car and now finally needs rotors.

    I also put on some Continental DWS06 tires on. They work as advertised. Durning our little snow and rain storm they handled pretty good considering these tires are 225 front/255 rears.

    Still really liking this car 7k miles later.

    @Sean266 you should consider one.
     
    MotoTundra likes this.
  27. Apr 2, 2017 at 7:43 PM
    #27
    louscrw

    louscrw all jacked up on Mt. Dew

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    Just put some Continentals on ours about a month ago. The OEMs were worn out after 25,000 miles. Man, these new tires are substantially quieter than the OE Bridgestone's, and ride a little softer as well. Ours has the same 225 / 255 staggered setup. I also learned (according to my local discount tire) that a lot of companies won't offer treadlife warranties on staggered setups due to not being able to "properly" rotate; however, Continental does.
     
  28. Apr 2, 2017 at 7:51 PM
    #28
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I know right? Love that tire warranty. The wife came out to bleed the brakes with me and thought the D W S in the tread was pretty cool.

    They handle pretty good in the corners as well. I have yet to drift the ass end. It feels like it wants to break free, so I'm not sure if it will be as predictable as the Michelin tires.

    IMG_1117.jpg IMG_1118.jpg
     
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  29. Apr 2, 2017 at 8:40 PM
    #29
    louscrw

    louscrw all jacked up on Mt. Dew

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    I need to replace the pads on ours too. The F Sport pads produce a ridiculous amount of brake dust. Within a day of washing the car, it looks like you didn't even touch the wheels. Over on club lexus, a lot of guys recommend Akebono ceramics. Supposed to have a near stock feel with much less dust. I've yet to do any maintenance on the car myself, think I may wait post warranty, but these OE pads piss me off.
     
    ColoradoTJ[OP] likes this.
  30. Apr 2, 2017 at 8:43 PM
    #30
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    I know! Crazy how much.

    New ones have been pretty good.
     

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