LONG-TERM Wrap Up: So Is Lexus' IS-F That Practical After All?

One of the greatest arguments about the Lexus IS-F is that it brings about more practicality and reliability than its rivals. But, as a writer from CAR Magazine soon finds out, that is not exactly the case.

CAR recently wrapped up testing on its long-term IS-F and found some interesting things about the car that remain unfounded in brief testing. The value of long-term tests continues to show itself.

If you want to find out all of the insights into the first F-car out of Lexus, follow here...

CAR Magazine reports:

"I’m afraid I’ve been a bit lax with the Lex, or at least in telling you about it. The IS-F actually disappeared from the CAR car park in the autumn, since when I’ve been taking things at a somewhat more leisurely pace.

After 12 months and 22,000 miles at the wheel of a 170mph Lexus IS, I needed to calm down a bit. The F was seriously quick, particularly past 4500rpm when the two-stage intake system did its work and piped a load more power to the wheels and a brilliantly bassy growl into the cabin.

It was a great year, and not just because of the ability to hit 62mph in 4.8sec. There were surprises: regularly averaging an indicated 30mpg from a tank on longer journeys (on a V8 M3 rival!), making the back tyres last over 20,000 miles and finding that something went wrong (the keyless entry) even if it did fix itself by the next day..."

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Agent00R - 2/3/2010 3:09:57 AM

+2 Boost

Actually, I did read that.

If you scroll up you'll notice he gives the car a bit of trouble for its small back seat, trunk and seats that do NOT fold down.

The point I am getting at is that the car may not be as practical as one would think. AKA it doesn't do well in the snow.

Agent00R - 2/3/2010 4:03:25 AM

0 Boost

@Badgewhore

No kidding.

It's not a cheap shot but it IS a representation of what the writer from CAR said.

When I drove the IS-F, in August 2008, I said it was nearly as good as an M3 and a helluva product from Lexus considering it is their first shot. Anxiously waiting to drive a '10 with the LSD option...

Stop assuming, Badge.

JRobUSC - 2/3/2010 8:13:05 AM

+3 Boost

"The point I am getting at is that the car may not be as practical as one would think. AKA it doesn't do well in the snow"

Um... no vehicle in this class is going to do well in the snow without snow tires, whether it's the IS-F, M3, C63, or even the all-wheel drive RS4. You know that 00R, so it doesn't make much sense for you to target Lexus with that bullet as if they're the only ones. As for whether that makes the IS-F "not as practical as one might think", anyone who buys a 400+hp vehicle with performance summer tires on it thinking "this is going to be a great car in bad weather" is a moron. Again, that would include any vehicle in this class not equipped with snow tires, and I'm going to give most buyers in that segment the benefit of the doubt that they're smart enough to know that.

Agent00R - 2/3/2010 3:18:09 AM

-5 Boost

Better late than never ;)

r15mohd - 2/3/2010 7:57:06 AM

+3 Boost

30mpg from a v8/416hp vehicle!!!

definitely impressive figures...my GS350 used to avg around 28-30mpg, but these numbers definitely show value to Lexus' technological capabilities

germeezy2 - 2/4/2010 1:42:51 AM

+1 Boost

Yeah my 670 hp car that gets 30 mpg highway with a 4 speed auto can't hold a candle.

weaponX - 2/6/2010 1:46:50 AM

+1 Boost

This car shocked me when I drove it. So underrated and such a good value. Very direct steering, quality interior and a muscular (but not annoying) V8 sound. Also IMO, looks better than the M3 and C63. Or, at the very least it looks a lot less that its lesser siblings. Unlike the M or AMG, which if you're not an enthusiast can easilty be mistaken for a regular 3-series or C-Class. The IS-F is less common than the M3 too.