Methodman85

Hey Guys,

The IS350 has been my dream car for years now. I'm finally able to afford a used 2006 so I went and test drove one the other day. Now I'm coming from a 94 Integra so I won't pretend to know what high performance cars feel like. Nevertheless I expected a roaring, growling beast of a car (compared to what I'm use to) that would have me scared to put my foot down.

Sadly, I was rather dissapointed. I'm not sure what it was, but the car just didn't seem that fast. I'm thinking maybe it was the condition of the vehecile, maybe it wasn't well maintained by the previous owner? I could tell that it was winter driven and never rusted proofed, so the previous owner didn't give a damn.

It had about 75,000KM on it, Sports Package.

Slightly dissapointed and confused, I went and test drove a 2007 TL-S, and boy did it feel fast, much faster than the IS350 in fact.

So, I'm wondering if someone could provide some insight on my experience. Could the previous owner of the IS have destroyed the HP that much during their time of ownership?

At this point the TL-S has totally won me over.
Should I test drive another 350 to be safe?
Has anyone else had a simular experience?

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I don't see why not. If your dropping that amount of money, wouldn't you want to be sure?

Welcome to the forums.

quake97

It sounds like there was something wrong with that IS350. Those things have over 300hp and its rear wheel drive. Maybe there was 87 octane fuel in it? I think the IS350 requires premium. I also think the IS350 weighs less than a TL-S.

Joe

zsameer

My friend has a IS350 and that thing is quite fast. I have not driven a TL-s but it felt faster than my TL.

Methodman85

Yeah I was thinking something along those lines, pretty crappy dealership if they filled it with 87. I will try and test drive another this weekend and post the results.

ant27tls

I would definately test drive another one and if you still feel the same way then just jump into a tl-s which has a lot of power as well

jsonkimz

iTrader: (1)

I test drove both vehicles (TL-S and IS350) back to back, and I will say that they both felt quick, but the IS350 was hands down faster. Also nicer, with the RWD and smoother, more linear power. I fell in love at first drive. I ended up opting with a regular TL because I just wanted a more affordable payment, and I'm happy with my car. However, an IS350 is definitely in my future.

FeLSiR1

Both cars run about the same 0-60 & quarter mile times and the IS350 has more hp than the TL-S. I test drove both cars before i got my 08 TL-S vs the IS350. Over all the TL-S has way more leg room and trunk space inside vs the IS350. The only thing i can really think of the IS350 being better is that it is rear wheel drive for better handing vs TL-S.

pinina

iTrader: (2)

I am not sure about perfomance between the two, but hands down the interior room is a big plus with the TL. We have an IS250 and it is very small! If you put your front seats back to where your leg are comfortable, there no room left for the rear passengers. I am a family guy now and even when I was still hanging out there would alway be passengers in my car!!!!! We where thinking of getting rid of the IS but we have to wait till this economy get better.

Ruby

Theres no way the TL-S is faster than the IS350 if I get my ass handed to me by stock Camry V6's..

SatinSilverAV6

iTrader: (2)

Actually the IS350 is much faster than the TL-S 5AT and 6MT. IS350's run high 13's stock with no trouble. Some great drivers are even hitting 13.5-13.6 stock in their IS350. 0-60 times for the IS have been around 4.9 to 5.0 seconds flat. The TL-S 6MT is hard pressed to hit a 5.6 0-60MPH with 1/4 mile in the very low 14's. I personally would rather have a TL-S as its plenty quick.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

In a nutshell, the IS-350 drivers will enjoy crushed nutsacks, disgruntled passengers, higher hp (on paper), and a wonderful computer-controlled steering assist system that numbs the experience.

TL-S drivers, the opposite.

Rafiton

A friend of mine has a IS350 06 and he beats the crap out of my Type-S. Nut TL interior is way better, more comfortable, GPS, voice command, everything you need.

Im very happy with my decision going with the TL. I test drove the IS250 and didnt like the interior too much, i thought it was kind of simple. And their is no space on the back, only 2 people and they dont have that much room on their legs if someone in front is 6'0 feet tall or if they drive is like me that I like to drive far away from the steering wheel and i am 5'10

Ruby

I agree 100%, besides if the speed is your only complaint you shouldn't be looking at these kind of cars, get a Vette instead. And if your butt dyno says the TL is faster, either get a new dyno or choose a new IS..

runnin9z

I agree that there is something wrong with that 350, but remeber that these cars have a very smooth and some what refined power band, you are not going to feel a "vtec kick" like you would on your old integra. Keep your eye on the speedo when you put ur foot into it, you'll notice the performance there.

bzyrice

iTrader: (10)

my fiance drives an is250.. i need to try an is350.. i love her interior and exterior looks.. hate the navi and the small trunk.. and also small rear leg room.. i dunno if the speed can make up for all the little stuff.. unless it was an is-f lol

6spdtl-s

iTrader: (1)

they do not run close 1/4 mile times. the IS is about .5 quicker. not close at all I would say. the car is QUICK! But as others have mentioned, it also has shortcomings when compared to the TL.

lmao, funny but true

what do you mean on paper? the IS hp rating is not over rated and the car is definitely faster than a tl-s.

personally, since I hardly ever have a 3rd/4th person in the car, I'd take an IS350.

Cerezo

When I test drove the IS350, it struck me with the same feeling. It's actually faster but you don't feel it because it's smoother, has a flatter torque curve so you don't get the "kick" feeling as much. On the other hand, you really have to give it to the gas paddle for it to take off. Another possibility is that it could've been the transmission adapting to the driving habit of the previous owner.

6spdtl-s

iTrader: (1)

could be the DBW set-up

ionojimbo

i can relate i came from a 04 camry V4 so luxury and higher performance cars is definetly new to me.

i drove my friends is250 and the comfort i get from sitting in it is much more comfortable than the TL imho.( probably cuz im shorter and smaller.) the car engine is smooth and the leather and headliner all over the car feels nicer. i feel that the interior of the IS models is classier and the TL-S is sportier and has a cluttered(spelling?) feel if you get what i mean. i personally like that about the TL.

now i have yet to drive an IS350 and i assume its a considerable step up in terms of power. but if its purely speed you are looking for i would go for the IS350. If you want something sportier i would choose the TL-s. this is based on my IS250 drive but i feel the TL-s has a better kick but the IS 350 can mostlikely outrun it.

im all for the drive and not a race so a sportier car would suit me more.

i hope this helps at least a little bit!

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

IS-F LOL.

Its almost as fast to 100mph as my 450hp Camaro SS/RS.

I have heard alot of people complaining about the IS350 having alot of rattles and loose interior parts, its said to be the worst Lexus yet for those type of problems, but thats what I have heard, as I never owned one.

ImagePree

I chuckled a bit at this ..

My apologies.

rainmn

Some cars just simply don't feel as fast as they really are, according to the butt dyno. Others are just the opposite, and feel much quicker than they really are.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was nothing at all wrong with the IS that you drove, and it just "felt" slower than it really was.

ionojimbo

maybe check lexus forums and see topics of common problems?

JL1986

You should def test drive another IS350 so you wont have any doubts if you go for the TL-S. Go the the Lexus dealer so you can find a mint one to test drive.

winkyyy

the is350 feels and is faster than the tl-s. IMO i think something was wrong with that is350.

ac-n-up

if your were disappointed with the way that IS350 felt then you need to test drive the IS-F

but on a more serious note i would go with the TL-S

saetneta

Are you sure it's a problem with the car? Coming from a 94, it could be just as fast as you dreamed, but much smoother than you imagined. My old mercedes was pretty fast, but it felt slow... if you know what I mean.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

TL-S comes in stick. GG.

ParaSurfer1979

No you didnt because there are no such thing as a V4 in a car unless toyota makes bikes now...lol.

ionojimbo

well i mean the one that isnt a V6 model

ParaSurfer1979

Inline-4 bro...

tegged

Maybe it's the ride quality difference (if there is a difference)? When i owned an 09 civic Si, it seemed quicker than the TL, when it in fact was not.

d-townhakuzo

There is definitely something wrong with that IS. I would get the IS though. That is unless you want to have more than 3 people in the car at once...

ionojimbo

i would think its because it is smaller and lighter. and the specs on the civic SI engine as well. its lighter and the engine can push easier. thats my but im no professional at this some one will tell you a more legit answer.

cucaracha

maybe is something wrong with that car. when i was looking for a car to lease i test drove the is350 and the g37, and both of them were good, but the steering on the IS was not that great... so i got the g37
maybe the is350 u tried need a better gas or an oil change

Methodman85

Thanks for all the responses everyone, I agree with most of them.
Aside from speed, the TL-S interior was much nicer, but then again it's not really fair to compare a top of the line Acura trim package with a pretty much base IS350.

And maybe the smoothness and lack of kick did fool my senses, I will test one out again.

But the TL-S was just awesome, I tried both the 6MT and 5AT.
I think it would have to find a 350 with Lux & Nav package for it to compare, at which point I probably couldn't afford it.

I also tried the IS250 which didn't impress me either.

Please tell me you guys are joking about the V6 Camrys.

ionojimbo

well theres where you have to draw the line. you pretty much pay a flat price for just about all TL-s where as if you want an IS350 with the same features(Navi and w.e else) you need to pay a considerable amount of money to add on.

i have to say that i am jealous you guys get A/C seats in the IS.

for speed and such , theres always mods you can make to accomadate for what the other lacks. i would prefer to get the TL-s for a good price and throw some mods in the future to close that gap in power between the IS350 if thats even possible.

Ruby

I'd say IS350 and TL Type-S are competetors. So yes it is fair to compare. And no sadly we are not kidding about the new V6 Camrys being faster..my buddies SE V6 will beat me in the quarter mile every time by at least half a second..runs 14.1's stock. But enjoy it for what it is..I think most people can agree its still better than a Camry.

6spdtl-s

iTrader: (1)

he's saying its not fair to compare a type-s (which comes fully loaded) with a non-fully loaded IS.