My First TL-S and IS350 Test Drive
06-04-2010, 10:43 AM
#41
Registered TL Owner
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.
06-04-2010, 11:17 AM
#42
Instructor
I drove an IS-F on a track for a day last year and my main impression was that the car definitely does not feel as fast as it actually is. The thing hauls ass, but the 7-speed transmission is so deceptively smooth that the torque doesn't really hit you in the gut.
My recommendation to you is that you test drive a brand new 350 at a dealer. For myself, I'm starting a family soon so I opted for an 08 TL-S 5AT (I traded in my 07 G35 coupe 6MT). I would never consider an IS because the rear legroom is unacceptable to me, and I need to be able to haul the in-laws around!
My recommendation to you is that you test drive a brand new 350 at a dealer. For myself, I'm starting a family soon so I opted for an 08 TL-S 5AT (I traded in my 07 G35 coupe 6MT). I would never consider an IS because the rear legroom is unacceptable to me, and I need to be able to haul the in-laws around!
06-04-2010, 11:29 AM
#43
not sure where this came from or the rationale behind it, but v6 accords are pretty much as fast as TL-S's. The 1/4 mile times I found are only off .1. give them them the addition 15 ponies that the tl-s has and its probably fair to say they are about equal.
06-04-2010, 01:05 PM
#45
Registered TL Owner
it came from them talking about how the camry V6 could whoop the TL-S. I'm pretty sure it was in the quote...
06-04-2010, 01:29 PM
#46
i'd go with the is350. that thing is way faster than the tl-s. my cousin drives a GS350 (same engine as the IS350) and it's freakin fast .. considering it only has 3 less hp than the IS350. IS350 are rated at 306hp at the crank.
luxury wise .. i'd go with the TL-S since it's more roomier and has more head room for passengers (i know this cause my buddy owns an is250). but then again, if i had a chance to drive a lexus with 306hp, lighter than the TL-S, and rear wheel drive, i'd take it anyday over the TL-S.
luxury wise .. i'd go with the TL-S since it's more roomier and has more head room for passengers (i know this cause my buddy owns an is250). but then again, if i had a chance to drive a lexus with 306hp, lighter than the TL-S, and rear wheel drive, i'd take it anyday over the TL-S.
06-04-2010, 01:35 PM
#47
If you're looking for a car to drag in then either the IS350 and TL-S are the wrong cars to take a look at already.
If you want a car that is relatively quick, has all the amenities you could ask for, and is a pretty decent handling car (for its size and weight) the TL-S is for you.
If you want an even quicker car but are willing to pay a premium for the engine, and PAY for all the amenities the TL-S comes with, then the 350 is for you. Of course, a lot of people seem to put more brand cache with Lexus as well. I couldn't care less, personally.
I don't address looks in this post because for the most part, that is objective.
I've never driven a 350 but if the steering is anything like the 250, then the electronic steering really impairs the "feel" of the drive.
If you want a car that is relatively quick, has all the amenities you could ask for, and is a pretty decent handling car (for its size and weight) the TL-S is for you.
If you want an even quicker car but are willing to pay a premium for the engine, and PAY for all the amenities the TL-S comes with, then the 350 is for you. Of course, a lot of people seem to put more brand cache with Lexus as well. I couldn't care less, personally.
I don't address looks in this post because for the most part, that is objective.
I've never driven a 350 but if the steering is anything like the 250, then the electronic steering really impairs the "feel" of the drive.
06-04-2010, 04:36 PM
#48
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I drove my friend's IS350 with all the F packages. The car is quick but doesn't feel fast at all. It's very boring to drive. You dont really know how fast you're going unless you look at your speed. With the TL-S, you can really feel the vtec when you floor it. TL-S feels alot quicker than the is350 although is350 is faster. Overal TL-s very fun to drive.
thats it
06-06-2010, 06:40 PM
#51
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I drove my friend's IS350 with all the F packages. The car is quick but doesn't feel fast at all. It's very boring to drive. You dont really know how fast you're going unless you look at your speed. With the TL-S, you can really feel the vtec when you floor it. TL-S feels alot quicker than the is350 although is350 is faster. Overal TL-s very fun to drive.
I agree with that, aside from the speed it felt a lot like my mom's corolla. Not saying that's a bad thing, it's just not what I'm looking for.
Sadly, the guy with the 350 that I was going to test drive this weekend had to reschedule. So no second impressions yet.
For me it's all about the feeling, that's what makes a car fun to drive. Even if the Lexus is faster, I had way more fun driving the TL-S. I'm pretty sure I'll end up going with the TL-S, but will definetly give the 350 another go, hopefully this Tuesday.
Thanks everyone for the input!
06-08-2010, 06:19 PM
#54
Team Owner
My friend bought an IS350 with the sport package and big brakes new in "06 right after I bought the TL new. We compared them many times.
Against my base 5at there's a HUGE difference in a straight line. I've been with him when he raced a TL-S manual and it was definately closer than my car but still a no contest.
Both cars are a little quicker than average but both are far from fast. They're more similar than different in acceleration.
Handling and braking, my TL was always better. As odd as it sounds, the IS was an understeering pig on the track and I could get mine to oversteer by lifting throttle in a corner. By the 4th lap my friend was so frustrated with the understeer that he decided to use the throttle and make it look like a drift contest.
When we were on the track at the same time, my TL out braked him and out handled him. I could get on the brakes a good second after him. I could carry more speed around corners. Before brake fade came into play (an issue the TL-S won't have), I made up all of the distance he put on me in the straights everytime we had to brake and turn. Keep in mind this is the sport suspension big brake IS350. Once I put tire under the car and a couple light suspesion mods, they were in different leagues and only then did my car ride almost as stiff as his. However, once he learned to drive a little better he could start balancing the car out better with throttle and a larger RSB should really help it out.
There was an old test in Car and Driver with the G35, IS350, and TL-S at Willow, I believe and the TL-S beat both of them convincingly. Up until that test people thought I was crazy saying how I beat him on the track.
In my opinion, the looks are a tossup. Some days I like his better, some days I like mine better.
The back seat is nearly useless for adults.
However, it is RWD and a lot more fun to drive if you like throttle on oversteer. Part of the reason I picked the FWD TL for my daily driver is to stop my tendency to slide the car at every opportunity.
Torque! The IS350 feels much more torquey right off idle, something I wish the TL did. It doesn't have to downshift 2 gears just to ease around people on the highway.
There are little things I like about the IS350 like the led lights all over the car. The gunmetal 18" rims are nice. The 13.5" or 14" brakes have tons of potential. The direct injection engine will give better gains once the mods start and the RWD will put the power down much, much better once power levels start rising.
If we're talking bone stock, I honestly don't know what I would pick. 10 years ago it would be the IS, now I would lean toward the TL-S.
Against my base 5at there's a HUGE difference in a straight line. I've been with him when he raced a TL-S manual and it was definately closer than my car but still a no contest.
Both cars are a little quicker than average but both are far from fast. They're more similar than different in acceleration.
Handling and braking, my TL was always better. As odd as it sounds, the IS was an understeering pig on the track and I could get mine to oversteer by lifting throttle in a corner. By the 4th lap my friend was so frustrated with the understeer that he decided to use the throttle and make it look like a drift contest.
When we were on the track at the same time, my TL out braked him and out handled him. I could get on the brakes a good second after him. I could carry more speed around corners. Before brake fade came into play (an issue the TL-S won't have), I made up all of the distance he put on me in the straights everytime we had to brake and turn. Keep in mind this is the sport suspension big brake IS350. Once I put tire under the car and a couple light suspesion mods, they were in different leagues and only then did my car ride almost as stiff as his. However, once he learned to drive a little better he could start balancing the car out better with throttle and a larger RSB should really help it out.
There was an old test in Car and Driver with the G35, IS350, and TL-S at Willow, I believe and the TL-S beat both of them convincingly. Up until that test people thought I was crazy saying how I beat him on the track.
In my opinion, the looks are a tossup. Some days I like his better, some days I like mine better.
The back seat is nearly useless for adults.
However, it is RWD and a lot more fun to drive if you like throttle on oversteer. Part of the reason I picked the FWD TL for my daily driver is to stop my tendency to slide the car at every opportunity.
Torque! The IS350 feels much more torquey right off idle, something I wish the TL did. It doesn't have to downshift 2 gears just to ease around people on the highway.
There are little things I like about the IS350 like the led lights all over the car. The gunmetal 18" rims are nice. The 13.5" or 14" brakes have tons of potential. The direct injection engine will give better gains once the mods start and the RWD will put the power down much, much better once power levels start rising.
If we're talking bone stock, I honestly don't know what I would pick. 10 years ago it would be the IS, now I would lean toward the TL-S.
06-08-2010, 11:00 PM
#55
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^^Thanks for that post, it was a good read.
I test drove another 350 this evening, very well maintained, Luxury Nav package.
The difference was paramount compared to the first one I drove. But while the speed and luxury were definitely there, I'm still not sure about the fun factor. I'll need to give the TL-S another go tomorrow before I can decide for good.
I guess I'm officially a tire-kicker.
I test drove another 350 this evening, very well maintained, Luxury Nav package.
The difference was paramount compared to the first one I drove. But while the speed and luxury were definitely there, I'm still not sure about the fun factor. I'll need to give the TL-S another go tomorrow before I can decide for good.
I guess I'm officially a tire-kicker.
06-10-2010, 05:34 AM
#57
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yea that IS350 was a Lemon , because a friend of mine had one for a while and I used to steal it when he'd leave the keys laying around & that thing is a certified beast... NO TL has the power that thing has and this is coming from a proud TL owner..
06-29-2010, 04:40 PM
#59
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test drive both cars & see how you feel ... it's YOU who will be driving this car for a while so how you feel is the most important factor here .. not other people ..
Good luck ..
Good luck ..
06-29-2010, 05:08 PM
#60
I was in the same boat as you two years ago. The winner for me was the fun factor and the fact that the TL-S actually came in 6MT.
The IS350 is definitely the faster car, but it's just too small for me. If the IS350 came in manual and if it had the same interior room as the type-s, I would definitely had gotten it.
Oh and about the Camry V6s smoking the TL-s... i'm sorry to say that it's true--but on;y if you're a automatic type-s haha. The 5AT lacks power compared to the 6MT, just keep that in mind when you make your choice.
Ihatecars said it perfectly.
The IS350 is definitely the faster car, but it's just too small for me. If the IS350 came in manual and if it had the same interior room as the type-s, I would definitely had gotten it.
Oh and about the Camry V6s smoking the TL-s... i'm sorry to say that it's true--but on;y if you're a automatic type-s haha. The 5AT lacks power compared to the 6MT, just keep that in mind when you make your choice.
Ihatecars said it perfectly.
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