I did not make it to the bank today...
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:36 pm
But I did get to drive an IS-F!
How did that happen? Well, I wasn't intending on test-driving a car today.
My work is essentially walking-distance to an appointement I had, but the person I was supposed to meet with was not available. So the trip failed at its primary objective. Not one to sulk, I paused at the Lexus dealer which is only a block of bipedal transport back in the direction I was headed.
Being a lot full of... Lexi... there was naturally only one section of even vague interest: 3 IS-Fs parked next to each other. I focused on the Electric Blue (or whatever it is called). I have to admit, it is a good looking car up close. So good looking from the rear that I focused on the dual-stacked exhausts to see why they were being called 'fakes' (figured that one out pretty quick).
This is when I was ninja-approached by the dealer guy. Imagine a mid-20-something-year old is doing pushups while looking underneath a $60,000 car so as to not ruin their business attire and your mental image will match this guy's first impression.
As far as dealer experiences, this one was one of the most non-threatening/ aggrivating I've had of late. Before the standard introductions and getting of my personal info, he walked up to me and more-or-less asked "Interested in the IS-F? Wanna look inside? Wanna drive it?"
He seemed more proud of the car than of his own salesmanship. Which I can appreciate, since I'm more likely to give the car the benefit of the doubt.
Well, since my lunch-break plans had been foiled anyway, how could I turn down an opportunity to drive a car that I don't own? That would just be foolish.
Overall my experience agrees with the mags once again, but its a slow Thursday so I'm going to continue writing crap:
Phase 1: Sitting in the IS-F. Wow. Gotta hand it to them, that is the most ergonomically focused sport-luxury sedan I may have ever sat in. Comfortable seats, microsuede headliners, blue stitching on the door leather, great touch all around. One of my new favorite interiors, period.
Phase 2: Listening to the IS-F: Once again, wow. I'd heard that at above 3500rpms the sound transformed, but I had no idea it would be that dramatic. It goes from quiet and refiined to V8 aggressive like now!
Phase 3: Driving the IS-F: Took a bit of a detour on a twisty that I knew about. (the dealer said "I'm not supposed to deviate from our standard route, but you're the customer." To which I responded, "I won't tell if you won't.")
Good steering response, acceleration was strong, not much body roll, good grip, strong braking. I didn't mind the harshness of the ride as much as some testers.
On the highway its a luxury car. The only complaint is that at 70mph I was at about 2200 rpms in 6th gear. What is this, a diesel? Why the hell do you need a 7th and 8th gear? Completely pointless. I actually shifted into 8th and it bogged so much in this wind that I downshifted back to 5th and promised never to do that again.
Phase 4: Developing an opinion of the IS-F: Great car... if it cost the same as a 335i.
My opinion is that the IS-F would do well in that segment, by combining a more accessible powerband and faster shifting than the automatic G37. And having quicker steering, more grip and traction than the 3-series. Both the 335i and G37S approach the IS-F's 0-60 time of under 5 seconds with less power.
But priced above either of those, sorry Lexus. You can't just be good at that price, you must be phenominal. And sadly, it was not.
How did that happen? Well, I wasn't intending on test-driving a car today.
My work is essentially walking-distance to an appointement I had, but the person I was supposed to meet with was not available. So the trip failed at its primary objective. Not one to sulk, I paused at the Lexus dealer which is only a block of bipedal transport back in the direction I was headed.
Being a lot full of... Lexi... there was naturally only one section of even vague interest: 3 IS-Fs parked next to each other. I focused on the Electric Blue (or whatever it is called). I have to admit, it is a good looking car up close. So good looking from the rear that I focused on the dual-stacked exhausts to see why they were being called 'fakes' (figured that one out pretty quick).
This is when I was ninja-approached by the dealer guy. Imagine a mid-20-something-year old is doing pushups while looking underneath a $60,000 car so as to not ruin their business attire and your mental image will match this guy's first impression.
As far as dealer experiences, this one was one of the most non-threatening/ aggrivating I've had of late. Before the standard introductions and getting of my personal info, he walked up to me and more-or-less asked "Interested in the IS-F? Wanna look inside? Wanna drive it?"
He seemed more proud of the car than of his own salesmanship. Which I can appreciate, since I'm more likely to give the car the benefit of the doubt.
Well, since my lunch-break plans had been foiled anyway, how could I turn down an opportunity to drive a car that I don't own? That would just be foolish.
Overall my experience agrees with the mags once again, but its a slow Thursday so I'm going to continue writing crap:
Phase 1: Sitting in the IS-F. Wow. Gotta hand it to them, that is the most ergonomically focused sport-luxury sedan I may have ever sat in. Comfortable seats, microsuede headliners, blue stitching on the door leather, great touch all around. One of my new favorite interiors, period.
Phase 2: Listening to the IS-F: Once again, wow. I'd heard that at above 3500rpms the sound transformed, but I had no idea it would be that dramatic. It goes from quiet and refiined to V8 aggressive like now!
Phase 3: Driving the IS-F: Took a bit of a detour on a twisty that I knew about. (the dealer said "I'm not supposed to deviate from our standard route, but you're the customer." To which I responded, "I won't tell if you won't.")
Good steering response, acceleration was strong, not much body roll, good grip, strong braking. I didn't mind the harshness of the ride as much as some testers.
On the highway its a luxury car. The only complaint is that at 70mph I was at about 2200 rpms in 6th gear. What is this, a diesel? Why the hell do you need a 7th and 8th gear? Completely pointless. I actually shifted into 8th and it bogged so much in this wind that I downshifted back to 5th and promised never to do that again.
Phase 4: Developing an opinion of the IS-F: Great car... if it cost the same as a 335i.
My opinion is that the IS-F would do well in that segment, by combining a more accessible powerband and faster shifting than the automatic G37. And having quicker steering, more grip and traction than the 3-series. Both the 335i and G37S approach the IS-F's 0-60 time of under 5 seconds with less power.
But priced above either of those, sorry Lexus. You can't just be good at that price, you must be phenominal. And sadly, it was not.
