[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Ugh. I really want this car now.

Me too!

[Humdizzle]

so moonroof is an option ?

does that mean the default is a slicktop ?

[damnitBobby]

^ default is hardtop

my money is on E92 around a circuit but IS500 in straight line

fun factor def E92 but would be afraid of something breaking

[CosmosMpower]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

^ default is hardtop

my money is on E92 around a circuit but IS500 in straight line

fun factor def E92 but would be afraid of something breaking

Pretty sad a brand new Lexus competes with a decade old BMW.

[damnitBobby]

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Pretty sad a brand new Lexus competes with a decade old BMW.

IS500 seems to be punching above its weight if it's competing with a M3

BMW M340i is the actual competitor

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

IS500 seems to be punching above its weight if it's competing with a M3

BMW M340i is the actual competitor

And in that context, the choice between the 2 is clear in my opinion. Inline 6 single turbo is my favorite engine layout, but Lexus takes the win if it was my money.

[CosmosMpower]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

IS500 seems to be punching above its weight if it's competing with a M3

BMW M340i is the actual competitor

Yeah a M3 from 2 generations ago....Pretty sure a M340i would be competitive with a E92 M3 as well if not faster.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Yeah a M3 from 2 generations ago....Pretty sure a M340i would be competitive with a E92 M3 as well if not faster.

The IS500 is not a M3 competitor. Lexus is branding it below F model, new "F Performance" branding. It is equal to a M340i. Supposedly future full fledged F models are coming.

[MisterF80M3]

Originally Posted by hellrotm

The IS500 is not a M3 competitor. Lexus is branding it below F model, new "F Performance" branding. It is equal to a M340i. Supposedly future full fledged F models are coming.

IS500 is lacking against M340i also.

Performance: Different Paths, Similar Results
The IS 500's powertrain differs from all of its key competitors, including the M340i, Audi S4, and Genesis G70, all of which use turbocharged six-cylinder engines. A 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 sits under the raised hood, delivering class-leading figures of 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent out to the rear wheels only through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite being much more powerful than its rivals, the IS 500 needs 4.5 seconds to hit 60 mph, likely due to its porky 3,891-pound curb weight.

BMW is the master of inline-six engines, and the M340i's 3.0-liter turbocharged unit is no exception. A new 48-volt mild-hybrid system is added for the 2021 model year, generating 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph takes 4.3 seconds in rear-wheel-drive configuration or 4.1 seconds with xDrive. The M340i proves the speed advantage of a turbocharged AWD drivetrain, as even a heavier 3,979-pound curb weight doesn't detract from its performance. This comparison proves the IS 500 would be no match for the M3.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

IS500 is lacking against M340i also.

Performance: Different Paths, Similar Results
The IS 500's powertrain differs from all of its key competitors, including the M340i, Audi S4, and Genesis G70, all of which use turbocharged six-cylinder engines. A 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 sits under the raised hood, delivering class-leading figures of 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent out to the rear wheels only through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite being much more powerful than its rivals, the IS 500 needs 4.5 seconds to hit 60 mph, likely due to its porky 3,891-pound curb weight.

BMW is the master of inline-six engines, and the M340i's 3.0-liter turbocharged unit is no exception. A new 48-volt mild-hybrid system is added for the 2021 model year, generating 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph takes 4.3 seconds in rear-wheel-drive configuration or 4.1 seconds with xDrive. The M340i proves the speed advantage of a turbocharged AWD drivetrain, as even a heavier 3,979-pound curb weight doesn't detract from its performance. This comparison proves the IS 500 would be no match for the M3.

They were originally talking E92 M3, which is 2 generations old now. Definitely not G80 competitor at all

[stein_325i]

Cars are not all about 0-60 times and performance. While the IS may lack in 0-60 times, it makes up for with tons of character and soul thanks to its glorious naturally aspirated engine.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Cars are not all about 0-60 times and performance. While the IS may lack in 0-60 times, it makes up for with tons of character and soul thanks to its glorious naturally aspirated engine.

Yeah, 4.5 vs 4.3, that's just a tick and can be down to tires, pressure, etc. More likely that the BMW has 369ft/lb at the wheels and the 395 of the Lexus is SAE at the crank. The torque below the curve is also going to be better with the turbocharged engine that is meant to get full torque from ridiculously low RPM and all the way through the range, so it'll probably still dominate a little bit on a course, but we are talking a very small amount. If you like high revving engines, you won't need to be much of a better driver to go faster in the IS most likely, but N/A engines aren't about the fastest 0-60 or stoplight times. If Lexus makes it handle really well, it could be a gem. If it's lazy there, that kind of kills it IMO.

[jmack]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Cars are not all about 0-60 times and performance. While the IS may lack in 0-60 times, it makes up for with tons of character and soul thanks to its glorious naturally aspirated engine.

It's also going to be held back significantly by Lexus's lame 6 speed auto.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by jmack

It's also going to be held back significantly by Lexus's lame 6 speed auto.

Yeah I get the engine sounds fantastic but the rest of the car is so dated it's like the Toyota version of the 370Z. Hard to get excited about the dated chassis, styling, and tech. If you value engine above all else then this would be a good buy but if the rest of the car matters then there are many better options.

[MisterF80M3]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Cars are not all about 0-60 times and performance. While the IS may lack in 0-60 times, it makes up for with tons of character and soul thanks to its glorious naturally aspirated engine.

Lexus and soul do not go in the same sentence.

You are over glorifying a decade-old engine, chassis, and transmission.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Lexus and soul do not go in the same sentence.

You are over glorifying a decade-old engine, chassis, and transmission.

Lexus and Soul have gone together in a few scenarios. The First IS300, GS-F, IS-F, and even the most recent LC are great examples. And the chassis of the current IS is actually pretty decent, not to mention their EPS is pretty good too. The engine is old but in the best of ways in that it encourages you to rev it out and sounds fantastic.

[MisterF80M3]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Lexus and Soul have gone together in a few scenarios. The First IS300, GS-F, IS-F, and even the most recent LC are great examples. And the chassis of the current IS is actually pretty decent, not to mention their EPS is pretty good too unlike most luxury cars. The engine is old but in the best of ways in that it encourages you to rev it out and sounds fantastic.

As a long-time Lexus owner, I disagree.

GS-F that is discontinued and failed to compete with Audi RS5, Mercedes E63, BMW M5? The same can be said for the IS-F against M3, C63, RS4.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

As a long-time Lexus owner, I disagree.

GS-F that is discontinued and failed to compete with Audi RS5, Mercedes E63, BMW M5? The same can be said for the IS-F against M3, C63, RS4.

I much prefer the GS-F to the M5. M5 is sterile and soulless in my opinion. Too focused on straight line speed. I find the GS-F to be more fun, engaging, as well as overall enjoyable. It may not be as fast or composed but those don't always equal enjoyment for me. Just because the model was discontinued doesn't mean that the car wasn't good.

[EDWYER]

Originally Posted by jmack

It's also going to be held back significantly by Lexus's lame 6 speed auto.

[damnitBobby]

Originally Posted by jmack

It's also going to be held back significantly by Lexus's lame 6 speed auto.

The IS500 uses the 8 speed auto from the RCF and GSF.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

As a long-time Lexus owner, I disagree.

GS-F that is discontinued and failed to compete with Audi RS5, Mercedes E63, BMW M5? The same can be said for the IS-F against M3, C63, RS4.

The M5 has zero feel - you might as well be driving a Tesla with engine noise playing through the speakers.

The IS500 is not perfect but it is a capable sport sedan with impeccable build quality that features NA 5.0L V8 engine that makes almost 500hp. All for about $65k. It will not win any 0-60 races against M340i let alone M3 but it offers a unique driving experience that will probably never be available again in a new sport sedan.

The LC500 has more SOUL than anything BMW currently makes. Just watch the review by Matt Farah or any YouTube video with shifts bouncing off the rev limiter and noise it makes. That car will be very desirable in 10yrs just like LFA wasn’t appreciated when it was new and now selling close to $1 million.

I’m no Lexus fan btw especially the hideous grill but i have driven the LC500 and it is an amazing car. The recent BMW products I tested have left me cold - just blinding speed without feel or emotion.

[MisterF80M3]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

I much prefer the GS-F to the M5. M5 is sterile and soulless in my opinion. Too focused on straight line speed. I find the GS-F to be more fun, engaging, as well as overall enjoyable. It may not be as fast or composed but those don't always equal enjoyment for me. Just because the model was discontinued doesn't mean that the car wasn't good.

It was discontinued because it was lacking in sales.

Have you driven the M5c around the track? I took the M5c around Sonoma Raceway at an M event a few months ago. The M5c is very agile for its size. Does it drive better than an F80/G80 around the track? No, but it is more capable than other sedans in its class (GS-F, RS5, E63). The incredibly fast Nürburgring time shows what it is capable of.

Straight line speed eh?