IS 500 F SPORT Performance Megathread

[James]

I love all cars and mostly performance cars. I have to agree with most enthusiasts that the LX is too fat and slow, steers like a boat. I know the new LX600 will have more power but I hope it also has sharper steering. I personally own a 2011 and a 2012 Full size Ranger Rover Supercharged, same color too! The reason for having 2 is that the 2011's engine blew up and it's not worth the money to fix it. So it sits in storage as a parts car! Even with that, I bought another Supercharged because of how it drives. 510hp! If you drive them back to back, hands down the Rover. But factor in depreciation and reliability, the LX is the smart choice. I'm just stupid, I love punishment and cannot say no to HP. BMW is not cheap to own. An extended warranty (VSC) on a LX is a fourth of the price of a warranty on a BMW X5M. Statistically, that means the X5 will have 4 times the problems that the LX has. Or less problems but the problems costs 4 times more to fix. Still hard for me to say no to a X5 5.0M. I am a gluten for punishment. I've owned 39 car is the past 20 years. Other than the 19 Lexus cars, all others were not smart choices. But most were fast and fun!

I’m looking to lease so don’t care too much about reliability I suppose...

 

[Lexus Jack]

Correction! The IS500 V8 is scheduled to arrive in September!

 

[Lexus Jack]

How long of a run is expected for the IS 500? The 2nd gen IS-F was six years from '08 - '14.

That's a question that I nor anyone can answer. The "New" IS is just a refresh of the IS that was introduced in 2013 so this platform is already 8 years old. I have to guess that it will be completely redone within the next few years, as long as the IS will stay in production. And will be based on sales numbers. I am making this comment based on the general sedan market trends and not from anything I've heard from Lexus. I hope the next generation IS will be bigger than the current, a little smaller than the GS,. Not too small, not to big. Goldielocks!

 

[Lexus Jack]

I’m looking to lease so don’t care too much about reliability I suppose...

Lease payments are a calculation based on depreciation. If the car has a faster depreciation, it will have higher monthly payments. The $100k LX will have lower lease payments than a $100k X5 or a Land Rover. But the average house hold income of a new LX owner is over $300,000 per year so I'm sure you get what you want and not worry about a few bucks per month! I wished I had that! I live in a cardboard box but you should see the garage! lol!!

 

[James]

Lease payments are a calculation based on depreciation. If the car has a faster depreciation, it will have higher monthly payments. The $100k LX will have lower lease payments than a $100k X5 or a Land Rover. But the average house hold income of a new LX owner is over $300,000 per year so I'm sure you get what you want and not worry about a few bucks per month! I wished I had that! I live in a cardboard box but you should see the garage! lol!!

Well the wife wants a new house so depends on how much that is going to be...trying to be on the lower end cause **** IL property taxes (sorry for the language but my state sucks!) and then decide on how much for the car. She does love fast cars her dad has RS7 and a SLS and they just got a GLS so she is used to high end care but he makes a lot more than we do lol

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

What's your point? I talked specifically about the engine used on this "F SPORT" model, and then you LOLed me, posting me a video of modified RCF. I then said all the current stock F model is too slow because I own one, and now you're teaching me that I should talk about F SPORT model?

Maybe, you should try to figure out and elaborate in a more civilized manner like I am. Your narrative keeps shifting. You want an F-sport to run faster an F car then? Go back and read your comment. You said the F-Sport should not have the V8 because the "engine sounds good, but is too slow". Those are your own words. Are those expectation of an F-sport?

BTW, the RCF video I posted, was a stock RCF with an aftermarket exhaust only. Everything was stock and it was running 12.2 seconds. There are stock RCF 12.5 seconds videos, if you really want to stick with bone stock. That is still considered "fast". If you say 12.5 seconds stock is "too slow". Yeah. too slow compared to a Nissan GTR, 488, Z06 etc., but I can only speak from personal experience that the RCF is on-par with the other cars in its respective category because I have met up with many in real life. I have never been embarrassed . Randy Pobst ran the RCF within 3/10th of an M4 considering it is a less than 1% difference. That is not "too slow" comparatively by any stretch.

 

[Lexus Jack]

Well the wife wants a new house so depends on how much that is going to be...trying to be on the lower end cause **** IL property taxes (sorry for the language but my state sucks!) and then decide on how much for the car. She does love fast cars her dad has RS7 and a SLS and they just got a GLS so she is used to high end care but he makes a lot more than we do lol

Funny you say that. When I try to convince my customer that a Lease is a better financial tool than a purchase, I ask this question: "Why buy a depreciating asset? Business Class 101 tells you to buy what appreciates and lease what depreciates. If your realtor says lets buy this house. In 3 years, I will guaranty you that it will be worth half of what you paid for. Would you buy that house?" Of course the answer is NO. A house is a solid investment but a car is a tool. Always put your money in a house before a car for investment. But again, I am stupid and I put my money in cars. The old parental saying: Do as I tell you, not what I do! I'm a car junkie working in a high end dealership. It's like an alcoholic working in a liquor store. The temptations are too great for me to overcome. I should have had a drug problem. It could have been cheaper and safer! Lol!!

BTW, in Colorado Leases, you pay sales tax only on your monthly payments and not on the whole car. The tax rates are based on the city of your residence and it varies in Colorado from 2.9% in rural areas to almost 9% in Denver and Boulder. I'm in a small suburb of Denver and pay 5%. But 1st year license plates costs 2% of new car MSRP and drops about 10% each year for 10 years, then you pay about $150 per year. I understand your plates are cheap but you pay toll roads. They get you one way or another!

 

[Lexus Jack]

Well the wife wants a new house so depends on how much that is going to be...trying to be on the lower end cause **** IL property taxes (sorry for the language but my state sucks!) and then decide on how much for the car. She does love fast cars her dad has RS7 and a SLS and they just got a GLS so she is used to high end care but he makes a lot more than we do lol

I just saw the new GLS63 AMG with the big 22" AMG Monoblock wheels. That car is awesome!! I think it was $180k though. I need to sell more Lexus cars so I can buy that! Or wait 5 years for the price to drop 70%. But then it will be out of warranty and it will cost me an arm and a leg to own. I guess no college for my kids!

 

[James]

I just saw the new GLS63 AMG with the big 22" AMG Monoblock wheels. That car is awesome!! I think it was $180k though. I need to sell more Lexus cars so I can buy that! Or wait 5 years for the price to drop 70%. But then it will be out of warranty and it will cost me an arm and a leg to own. I guess no college for my kids!

Screw saving for college for the kids Biden and the dems will pay for college soon for everyone (sorry for the slight political post!). Yeah they got the non AMG unfortunately so still a really cool looking car the 580 I think but yeah the AMG would have been so sick! They probably have 500k in cars right now...maybe 400k with good ole depreciation but it is fun to drive all of his cars that's for sure.

Are you a big speeder? Do you have any K40s in your cars? If not highly recommend!

 

[Lexus Jack]

Well the wife wants a new house so depends on how much that is going to be...trying to be on the lower end cause **** IL property taxes (sorry for the language but my state sucks!) and then decide on how much for the car. She does love fast cars her dad has RS7 and a SLS and they just got a GLS so she is used to high end care but he makes a lot more than we do lol

Cool father-in-law to have! You get to enjoy some fun toys without the ownership hassles. Your wife is a keeper! At least based on her dad's choice in cars. Lol!

 

[mikeavelli]

I can’t spill the beans but what I’m thinking is this is the answer for a higher hp F-Sport. Who cares what it is called? In an era of SUVs and EV, if a V-8 comes back, we should all welcome it. It might be a last hurrah who knows. Even the exotics are moving to V-6’s.

Another point to think about, a F-Sport should be more accessible than a full F. So I am thinking the price point will be attractive.

For me personally, I mod my cars anyway. So they can call it the Lexus Groot 3000, once the car is right, I’m all for it.

Hell my LC has the same engine as the F cars. I didn’t care what they called it. It’s a damn good package with a still solid engine.

 

[Lexus Jack]

Screw saving for college for the kids Biden and the dems will pay for college soon for everyone (sorry for the slight political post!). Yeah they got the non AMG unfortunately so still a really cool looking car the 580 I think but yeah the AMG would have been so sick! They probably have 500k in cars right now...maybe 400k with good ole depreciation but it is fun to drive all of his cars that's for sure.

Are you a big speeder? Do you have any K40s in your cars? If not highly recommend!

I don't speed that much, definitely not like when I was younger. I've hit 175 in my 2009 GTR and in my 2006 SL63 AMG on the same trip! I was driving to Nevada to buy the SL63 and trade in the GTR. Both could have gone faster but I got scared. Things pass by really fast at that speed. I have 2 Valentine 1's but they are both in boxes out of the car. Only take them on long trips to Vegas or Calif.
Does your wife have a sister? lol!

 

[James]

I don't speed that much, definitely not like when I was younger. I've hit 175 in my 2009 GTR and in my 2006 SL63 AMG on the same trip! I was driving to Nevada to buy the SL63 and trade in the GTR. Both could have gone faster but I got scared. Things pass by really fast at that speed. I have 2 Valentine 1's but they are both in boxes out of the car. Only take them on long trips to Vegas or Calif.
Does your wife have a sister? lol!

Full installed K40's are so cool honestly. They are about $3,500 fully loaded into a car but the technology and secrecy of them are so cool. I had an Escort for years that were mounted and loved them but my father in law of course has K40s and once you drive with those you will never go back. You feel so naked without them. I have one in both the NX and GS and I can't say they are super fast cars but just love having them.

She does have a sister but trust me that's a no lol she's adopted so doesn't really count as a "sister" haha

 

[Lexus Jack]

I can’t spill the beans but what I’m thinking is this is the answer for a higher hp F-Sport. Who cares what it is called? In an era of SUVs and EV, if a V-8 comes back, we should all welcome it. It might be a last hurrah who knows. Even the exotics are moving to V-6’s.

Another point to think about, a F-Sport should be more accessible than a full F. So I am thinking the price point will be attractive.

For me personally, I mod my cars anyway. So they can call it the Lexus Groot 3000, once the car is right, I’m all for it.

Hell my LC has the same engine as the F cars. I didn’t care what they called it. It’s a damn good package with a still solid engine.

I agree with you 100% Any bump in power, performance or looks is a thumps up in my book. I sell NX's and ES's and RX's day in and day out and I enjoy it. But I love selling the big dogs, LC, RC, even the IS. I will miss the GS-F. That car was special.

 

[James]

I can’t spill the beans but what I’m thinking is this is the answer for a higher hp F-Sport. Who cares what it is called? In an era of SUVs and EV, if a V-8 comes back, we should all welcome it. It might be a last hurrah who knows. Even the exotics are moving to V-6’s.

Another point to think about, a F-Sport should be more accessible than a full F. So I am thinking the price point will be attractive.

For me personally, I mod my cars anyway. So they can call it the Lexus Groot 3000, once the car is right, I’m all for it.

Hell my LC has the same engine as the F cars. I didn’t care what they called it. It’s a damn good package with a still solid engine.

Can we bribe you Mike to spill the beans or no...haha

 

[Lexus Jack]

Full installed K40's are so cool honestly. They are about $3,500 fully loaded into a car but the technology and secrecy of them are so cool. I had an Escort for years that were mounted and loved them but my father in law of course has K40s and once you drive with those you will never go back. You feel so naked without them. I have one in both the NX and GS and I can't say they are super fast cars but just love having them.

She does have a sister but trust me that's a no lol she's adopted so doesn't really count as a "sister" haha

As long as the dad lets her take the cars out, I'm good!

 

[James]

As long as the dad lets her take the cars out, I'm good!

Haha she's actually not allowed! Not the greatest driver lol

 

[Lexus Jack]

This post started with Lexus giving Lexus Enthusiast an advanced look on a upcoming car. That must mean someone at Lexus is reading this or must have some idea that it is an important site for Lexus sales. With that being said, I am asking Lexus to produce a real RX-F. It will get you more sales, more Street Creds and hopefully more profits so that you can use those profits to make low volume specialty cars for the Lexus Enthusiasts like all of us on this form. Please!! I sell Lexus products head to head with German competitors. And when it comes to performance, it's an uphill battle. We sometimes win because of our strengths but the customer always feels they compromised for the smarter choice, but gave up their passion. I want to give them the passion too.

For all I know, you probably have the RX-F in test mule stage, part of that $1 billion a year R&D budget Toyota has must be going into something fun. I understand that we are a small group of Lexus Enthusiasts and our views are not the norm of the typical Lexus Mr. and Mrs. Buyer but we have really good ideas on how to elevate the brands image. Mercedes and BMW sells cars purely based on image. I think we can surpass them. We build a better product. Just need the brand imaging to go up. We can, we will.

 

[Lexus Jack]

Haha she's actually not allowed! Not the greatest driver lol

Heck, I'm not a great driver! I'm Korean! Was she an Asian Adoptee? We'll get along great, looking awesome in dad's cars! Lol!
J/K. I am a great driver. One thing I am good at. Oh, and selling cars.

 

[mikeavelli]

Can we bribe you Mike to spill the beans or no...haha

Snitches get stitches lol..

This post started with Lexus giving Lexus Enthusiast an advanced look on a upcoming car. That must mean someone at Lexus is reading this or must have some idea that it is an important site for Lexus sales. With that being said, I am asking Lexus to produce a real RX-F. It will get you more sales, more Street Creds and hopefully more profits so that you can use those profits to make low volume specialty cars for the Lexus Enthusiasts like all of us on this form. Please!! I sell Lexus products head to head with German competitors. And when it comes to performance, it's an uphill battle. We sometimes win because of our strengths but the customer always feels they compromised for the smarter choice, but gave up their passion. I want to give them the passion too.

For all I know, you probably have the RX-F in test mule stage, part of that $1 billion a year R&D budget Toyota has must be going into something fun. I understand that we are a small group of Lexus Enthusiasts and our views are not the norm of the typical Lexus Mr. and Mrs. Buyer but we have really good ideas on how to elevate the brands image. Mercedes and BMW sells cars purely based on image. I think we can surpass them. We build a better product. Just need the brand imaging to go up. We can, we will.

Well what is encouraging is from the top down there’s some really great people in charge. These guys are car guys and understand enthusiasts without ignoring what’s made Lexus successful. Obviously from Akio and to Lexus Sato San (father of the LC) and to USA the new VP Andrew Gilleland and even Lexus Racing Manager Jeff Bal. The new head of marketing Vinay Shahani owns a modded GS F for example. Chad Deschenes in charge of training has a modified LC. I talk to the area offices and they are all pumped up. And to the dealer level guys like yourself who want to help break the traditional Lexus mold. Dealers are the partner and link to make it a true success. Craig Zinn (Pembroke Pines, Lexus N MIAMI) came to Sebring in his Nurburgring and his daughter and son brought RC F Track and Fuji Edition. They drove up they didn’t trailer.

And of course people here on their site. And even other sites and forums and groups all over. We have stayed enthused in good times and not so good times. I feel in the next 2-5 years we will be rewarded with dope products.

No product will be perfect but if we want these products to come and to get better, we gotta get dealers to really get behind them and for us to buy them new. Otherwise we will be stuck in a world with white/beige ES And RX and then EV and I’ll just move to Jupiter. Lol.

WE CAN, WE WILL!