Should I buy Type S or IS 350??
02-23-2011, 04:20 PM
#1
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Should I buy Type S or IS 350??
I used to own a 2004 acura tl but i sold it last year and im currently driving an rsx Type S. I miss having a 4dr car and so now im in the market for another car. I need your thoughts and opinions. If you guys had to do it all over again would you buy a Type S or IS 350? My budget is around 18k. Ive debating for weeks now and ive found a few cars already. I like having more room in the TL but i like the styling and power of the IS 350. I plan on keep this car for about 5years or so. Since ive already owned a TL im leaning toward the lexus but ive owned nothing but hondas in my life. Im a lil worried about the tranny issues in the 3rd gen tl's. So what do you guys think....
02-23-2011, 05:37 PM
#7
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yes you can.
i recently got my 2007 acura tl-s for 17k, and my friend got a 2006 is350 this past weekend for 17k. we got our cars for the exact same price so we compare side by side. his is a bit faster but he has to share the car with his mom. the handlin on the tl-s is better, the seats are more comfortable in the IS, but wont hold you as well in turns. however, the mark levinson sound system is LOUD for stock and sounds clean.
i recently got my 2007 acura tl-s for 17k, and my friend got a 2006 is350 this past weekend for 17k. we got our cars for the exact same price so we compare side by side. his is a bit faster but he has to share the car with his mom. the handlin on the tl-s is better, the seats are more comfortable in the IS, but wont hold you as well in turns. however, the mark levinson sound system is LOUD for stock and sounds clean.
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02-23-2011, 05:56 PM
#10
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02-23-2011, 06:30 PM
#12
Pro
Get the TL Type S. I went on a test drive with my wife when she just had to have an IS350 and the interior room was very limited. I'm 6'2" and the TL has space for me and anyone else who wants to ride in it! Good luck either way you go tho on your purchase.
02-23-2011, 07:15 PM
#17
MechEng
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My vote is for the IS 
Particularly because of the 6AT (if you are going auto).
You know, a lot of chicks drive a Type-S too... the TL in general is a very girly car. Doesnt stop me from owning one though.
Particularly because of the 6AT (if you are going auto).You know, a lot of chicks drive a Type-S too... the TL in general is a very girly car. Doesnt stop me from owning one though.
02-23-2011, 07:34 PM
#18
Pro
02-23-2011, 08:08 PM
#20
Racer
TL-S all the way. My sister has an IS and there is no way I can live with owning that car. It's a very boring car to drive. Maybe the IS-F has a little more life to it but not the regular IS350/250
02-23-2011, 08:08 PM
#21
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If you read up on the IS you'll find that it has some pretty considerable downsides.
I recently looked at the GS and IS before deciding on my Base TL.
The problems with those cars (IS) included super shoddy brakes that squeal like crazy and overheat, an engine that sounds worse than a pushrod engine, and a crappily built interior.
The GS actually had issues where a body drain for the AC would get clogged and the interior would flood.
I just found them to be less than what I expected from Lexus, plus they were really soft and not very sporty, even compared to my base TL. I would go test drive one and then drive the TLS right after. I think your decision would be easier that way.
I recently looked at the GS and IS before deciding on my Base TL.
The problems with those cars (IS) included super shoddy brakes that squeal like crazy and overheat, an engine that sounds worse than a pushrod engine, and a crappily built interior.
The GS actually had issues where a body drain for the AC would get clogged and the interior would flood.
I just found them to be less than what I expected from Lexus, plus they were really soft and not very sporty, even compared to my base TL. I would go test drive one and then drive the TLS right after. I think your decision would be easier that way.
02-23-2011, 08:19 PM
#22
OP both cars can be made to look B.A. But if you're gonna mod it performance wise, go with the Type S because the IS350 don't have too much aftermarket support. Just the basic I/H/E which won't give you much gains at all like the J-series motors. My brother owns a IS350 & that's what he told me.
02-23-2011, 09:32 PM
#23
Racer
I've driven both cars before and I seriously wouldn't mind having either car at all. The reason why I have the type s is that someone gave the car to me. Many people here will tell you to get the type s but if you make a thread on clublexus they will tell you IS.
Many people complain about the IS rear seats and leg room but I can careless since I'm not that big of a guy and I'm never gonna sit back there lol. Having passengers is just added weight lol.
. The IS also has RWD and a stronger more powerful engine. I also find that the leather is better qualty than the TL and the interior pieces seem to be better too. Mark levinson sound system spanks the ELS. The car also has a turning radius to die for compared to the TL. The Lexus remote is also better and has push button engine start
The type s however is a sportier car. Suspension is noticably stiffer and is less of a floaty feel. I also like the shape of the seats in the Tl better. Holds you in quite well. The type s seems to respond better to mods, but I wouldn't say that it has more parts available for it. I also find that if both cars were stock the type s looks better. If both cars were heavily modded the IS would look better.
As far as problems. I think there are less problems with the IS compared to the TL. The TL is known for rattles. And recently we are getting transmission failures due to crappy z1 fluids. The IS has the steering wheel problem.
Many people complain about the IS rear seats and leg room but I can careless since I'm not that big of a guy and I'm never gonna sit back there lol. Having passengers is just added weight lol.
. The IS also has RWD and a stronger more powerful engine. I also find that the leather is better qualty than the TL and the interior pieces seem to be better too. Mark levinson sound system spanks the ELS. The car also has a turning radius to die for compared to the TL. The Lexus remote is also better and has push button engine startThe type s however is a sportier car. Suspension is noticably stiffer and is less of a floaty feel. I also like the shape of the seats in the Tl better. Holds you in quite well. The type s seems to respond better to mods, but I wouldn't say that it has more parts available for it. I also find that if both cars were stock the type s looks better. If both cars were heavily modded the IS would look better.
As far as problems. I think there are less problems with the IS compared to the TL. The TL is known for rattles. And recently we are getting transmission failures due to crappy z1 fluids. The IS has the steering wheel problem.
Last edited by winkyyy; 02-23-2011 at 09:40 PM.
02-23-2011, 09:41 PM
#24
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Type S ........i used to have one and it was an amazing car. I do see alot of chicks driving type s and TLs for that matter but it doesnt stop me from wanting or driving one. a TL-S is going to look much better with things like:
tint, suspension, spoiler, ect
and they are more sportier which IMHO, the TL-S has THE BEST COMBO OF SPORT AND LUXURY.....HANDS DOWN
tint, suspension, spoiler, ect
and they are more sportier which IMHO, the TL-S has THE BEST COMBO OF SPORT AND LUXURY.....HANDS DOWN
02-23-2011, 09:53 PM
#26
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (2)
If you read up on the IS you'll find that it has some pretty considerable downsides.
I recently looked at the GS and IS before deciding on my Base TL.
The problems with those cars (IS) included super shoddy brakes that squeal like crazy and overheat, an engine that sounds worse than a pushrod engine, and a crappily built interior.
The GS actually had issues where a body drain for the AC would get clogged and the interior would flood.
I just found them to be less than what I expected from Lexus, plus they were really soft and not very sporty, even compared to my base TL. I would go test drive one and then drive the TLS right after. I think your decision would be easier that way.
I recently looked at the GS and IS before deciding on my Base TL.
The problems with those cars (IS) included super shoddy brakes that squeal like crazy and overheat, an engine that sounds worse than a pushrod engine, and a crappily built interior.
The GS actually had issues where a body drain for the AC would get clogged and the interior would flood.
I just found them to be less than what I expected from Lexus, plus they were really soft and not very sporty, even compared to my base TL. I would go test drive one and then drive the TLS right after. I think your decision would be easier that way.
OP both cars can be made to look B.A. But if you're gonna mod it performance wise, go with the Type S because the IS350 don't have too much aftermarket support. Just the basic I/H/E which won't give you much gains at all like the J-series motors. My brother owns a IS350 & that's what he told me.
02-23-2011, 10:16 PM
#27
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Man get yourself the Type S and don't look back. Though I wanna say my boss/good friend (yeah funny how that works out) had an 05 IS 6spd? that thing was SICK. He traded it in for an S2000 and that should tell you right there. VTEC ARR DAY BABY!!!
02-23-2011, 10:45 PM
#28
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I was in the same situation as you when I was car shopping. I'm not sure where you live OP, but here in So. Cali. A LOT of the IS drivers are chicks, I know of 3 girls at my work place that has IS, not a single one with a TL, let alone a Type S.
If having 4 doors is important to you, get the TL. What I did was adjusted the front seats (TL Type S seats has more "bolster support" than the more "comfort" of the IS) to MY preference, which in the TL is almost all the way back, than got in the back seat and see how much leg room was left, the IS had very little room left. The IS is like a 4 door with the back seat leg room of a 2 door car.
Add the fact that I personally like the interior dash layout of the TL more than the IS and that the IS350 only comes as an Auto, but the IS250 has a manual, what?!?!? The 6MT TL Type S was perfect for me
But in the end, I would suggest you to try to drive both back to back to get a more accurate comparison of the two cars. Good luck!
If having 4 doors is important to you, get the TL. What I did was adjusted the front seats (TL Type S seats has more "bolster support" than the more "comfort" of the IS) to MY preference, which in the TL is almost all the way back, than got in the back seat and see how much leg room was left, the IS had very little room left. The IS is like a 4 door with the back seat leg room of a 2 door car.
Add the fact that I personally like the interior dash layout of the TL more than the IS and that the IS350 only comes as an Auto, but the IS250 has a manual, what?!?!? The 6MT TL Type S was perfect for me
But in the end, I would suggest you to try to drive both back to back to get a more accurate comparison of the two cars. Good luck!
02-23-2011, 11:20 PM
#29
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Merc knows how to make an interior, IMHO. Even my Volvo felt like it had some soul to it.
I like the TL interior because its not completely uninteresting, although it is still pretty practical. The use of real aluminum instead of metal plated plastic parts is probably one of my fave things. Rattles can be fixed easily anyway.
02-23-2011, 11:30 PM
#30
I'd have to agree with some of the previous posters. I'm not saying all IS drivers are females, but the majority I've seen are although they are mostly IS 250's. But you can't easily tell without looking closely.
Also, if you want something with a manual transmission as well as have some power to boot, I'd go with the Type-S. If you prefer an auto, then the IS 350 probably the better choice if you're focusing on performance on an auto.
One thing I noticed when I was shopping between a TL and an IS was the insurance for the IS was significantly higher, so that may come into play as well.
You can't go wrong with either one though....good luck!
Also, if you want something with a manual transmission as well as have some power to boot, I'd go with the Type-S. If you prefer an auto, then the IS 350 probably the better choice if you're focusing on performance on an auto.
One thing I noticed when I was shopping between a TL and an IS was the insurance for the IS was significantly higher, so that may come into play as well.
You can't go wrong with either one though....good luck!
02-24-2011, 12:05 AM
#31
Team Owner
Some of you seem almost blind to any other brand. Both are very nice cars.
I was in this exact dilema in '06. In fact, I ended up with the TL and one of my best friends got the IS350 a week later. I can tell you from experience the IS walks the TL in a straight line especially off the line. The quickest version of the TL, the Type-S 6mt will not touch one in a straight line without mods. Even the base model TL will out handle and out brake the IS. This particular one had the the factory 13.5" brakes or whatever size the upgraded versions are and the factory sport suspension and the summer tires. We ran them for many laps at a local track when they were stock. The IS understeers horribly. Add a larger RSB and that might change, not sure it it would be enough to beat the TL but it should make a nice difference.
Performance aside, it comes down to personal needs. How old are you, how tall are you, and what do you plan to use it for?I flat out don't fit in the IS. If I sit straight up, my head touches the roof and I'm only 6'1". I would say if you're under 6' and don't plan to carry adult passengers often the IS would be fine.
The interior is very nice on both cars. I have to give the nod to the IS gauge cluster and I think the TL has a slight advantage for the rest of the interior.
I like the sound of both cars. The IS has a nice mechanical ticking sound but in a good way, not like the valves need to be adjusted.
The IS rides on a shorter wheelbase and the sport version rides harsher than the TL yet has the same amount of body roll and handles worse. The sport version has slightly more road noise than the TL while the regular suspension seems slightly quieter than the TL. Somewhere in there, the sport suspension must spec stiffer bushings judging from the road noise difference.
The Type-S rides on 12.2" Brembos up front and 11.1" SOLID disks out back while the IS350 has optional 13.5" up front and 12.2" vented rotors out back. It's rear brakes are the same size as the Brembo front brakes on the TL-S. It won't make a bit of difference in normal driving but if the car will ever be driven hard or taken to the track you just saved yourself a $4,000 brake upgrade.
The 6 speed trans of the IS is for mpg. Contrary to popular belief, more gears don't mean quicker acceleration in most cases. Still though I would put more faith in Toyota's auto than Honda's. It is geared much better than the Honda 5at if you plan to accelerate above 100mph.
The IS has a lot more low end torque. Acceleration feels effortless. No need for high rpms in daily driving. The torque is very nice. The RWD puts it down nicely too.
Besides the space issue, I ended up with the TL because I believe it makes a better daily driver and I'm not interested in racing it in a straight line, I already have a car for that. I like the space, the ride, the reliability, and the fact that I can do the occasional trip to Vegas with a few friends in comfort and fit all of the luggage in the trunk. FWD keeps me from misbehaving too badly. I try not to get subjective but I think the TL looks more elegant and classy but that's personal opinion.
The other reason I didn't want the IS was DI engines were pretty new at that point and I wanted to see how they would do especially in the cylinder wall wear and intake carbonization issues.
I was in this exact dilema in '06. In fact, I ended up with the TL and one of my best friends got the IS350 a week later. I can tell you from experience the IS walks the TL in a straight line especially off the line. The quickest version of the TL, the Type-S 6mt will not touch one in a straight line without mods. Even the base model TL will out handle and out brake the IS. This particular one had the the factory 13.5" brakes or whatever size the upgraded versions are and the factory sport suspension and the summer tires. We ran them for many laps at a local track when they were stock. The IS understeers horribly. Add a larger RSB and that might change, not sure it it would be enough to beat the TL but it should make a nice difference.
Performance aside, it comes down to personal needs. How old are you, how tall are you, and what do you plan to use it for?I flat out don't fit in the IS. If I sit straight up, my head touches the roof and I'm only 6'1". I would say if you're under 6' and don't plan to carry adult passengers often the IS would be fine.
The interior is very nice on both cars. I have to give the nod to the IS gauge cluster and I think the TL has a slight advantage for the rest of the interior.
I like the sound of both cars. The IS has a nice mechanical ticking sound but in a good way, not like the valves need to be adjusted.
The IS rides on a shorter wheelbase and the sport version rides harsher than the TL yet has the same amount of body roll and handles worse. The sport version has slightly more road noise than the TL while the regular suspension seems slightly quieter than the TL. Somewhere in there, the sport suspension must spec stiffer bushings judging from the road noise difference.
The Type-S rides on 12.2" Brembos up front and 11.1" SOLID disks out back while the IS350 has optional 13.5" up front and 12.2" vented rotors out back. It's rear brakes are the same size as the Brembo front brakes on the TL-S. It won't make a bit of difference in normal driving but if the car will ever be driven hard or taken to the track you just saved yourself a $4,000 brake upgrade.
The 6 speed trans of the IS is for mpg. Contrary to popular belief, more gears don't mean quicker acceleration in most cases. Still though I would put more faith in Toyota's auto than Honda's. It is geared much better than the Honda 5at if you plan to accelerate above 100mph.
The IS has a lot more low end torque. Acceleration feels effortless. No need for high rpms in daily driving. The torque is very nice. The RWD puts it down nicely too.
Besides the space issue, I ended up with the TL because I believe it makes a better daily driver and I'm not interested in racing it in a straight line, I already have a car for that. I like the space, the ride, the reliability, and the fact that I can do the occasional trip to Vegas with a few friends in comfort and fit all of the luggage in the trunk. FWD keeps me from misbehaving too badly. I try not to get subjective but I think the TL looks more elegant and classy but that's personal opinion.
The other reason I didn't want the IS was DI engines were pretty new at that point and I wanted to see how they would do especially in the cylinder wall wear and intake carbonization issues.
02-24-2011, 12:59 AM
#32
the overexplainer
04-08 TL styling i believe is timeless, like the BMW E46s. If you read reviews of the UA6 TL pretty much everyone was impressed with its looks.
the IS on the other hand, while I'm sure is a nice car, I feel wont age well in terms of styling. Interior probably feels more cramped. When I'm driving the TL I look back at the rear seats and I think, "Damn, that's a lot of space back there"
the IS on the other hand, while I'm sure is a nice car, I feel wont age well in terms of styling. Interior probably feels more cramped. When I'm driving the TL I look back at the rear seats and I think, "Damn, that's a lot of space back there"
02-24-2011, 02:49 AM
#33
Yes! I'm 25 years old and the Lexus interior makes me feel dead inside. Looks like a lot of plastic and everything seems like it was laid out for an old man to use. The only interior i like less than the Lexus one is a BMW 3-series/X3. Some of those are just plain awful on the inside.
02-24-2011, 03:00 AM
#34
My buddy has an 09 IS350; its real nice. Only complaint I would have for the car is that its a bit snug inside so if you're on the bigger side then I'd go with the TL-S hands down. You cant go wrong either way though.
02-24-2011, 09:16 AM
#36
3rd Gear
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It all depends what your needs are. I had an 07 IS250 before my TL-S and there is ZERO room in the back seat. Its almost a joke how little room there is.My goalie pads barely fit back there let alone a human being. Dont be fooled, the IS has just as many rattles as the TL's. You'd think Lexus would be totally perfect but its not. Nice car,dont get me wrong. But they have their issues just like the TL's.
02-24-2011, 09:31 AM
#38
I had to sit behind the driver in the IS350 and it was torture. Driver was 5'9" older gentleman so no gangsta lean or anything and I am only 5'11". I always have people in my car and I always drive people around and love the roomy interior of the TL. I don't think I could see myself driving the IS, I'd feel too claustrophobic
02-24-2011, 10:36 AM
#39
The lexus IS350 is nice - anyone who thinks otherwise is on crack. TLs are dime a dozen.. the TLS is the same thing more or less and they are getting older. IS350 is still in its current generation and relatively quick. As far as the IS being a girls car - I've seen many moms driving the TL - TLS is no difference.
Btw - I dont think its that likely that you'll find a TLS or especially IS350 with decent miles for under 18k
Btw - I dont think its that likely that you'll find a TLS or especially IS350 with decent miles for under 18k
02-24-2011, 10:42 AM
#40
The lexus IS350 is nice - anyone who thinks otherwise is on crack. TLs are dime a dozen.. the TLS is the same thing more or less and they are getting older. IS350 is still in its current generation and relatively quick. As far as the IS being a girls car - I've seen many moms driving the TL - TLS is no difference.
Btw - I dont think its that likely that you'll find a TLS or especially IS350 with decent miles for under 18k
Btw - I dont think its that likely that you'll find a TLS or especially IS350 with decent miles for under 18k
And I don't think anyone said that they don't think it's a nice car. I think what most people are saying is that it's not sporty enough for their personal taste, and that there is no room inside of one unless you are 4 feet tall and all your other passengers are 4 feet tall as well haha