Lexus IS350 vs ISF - Is the V8 Worth it?
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- Опубликовано: 30 июн 2024
- In this episode I take a look at the Lexus IS350, a car I've wanted to drive for a long time. Let's see how my ISF's baby brother stacks up!
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:46 Exterior
1:18 Drivetrain
2:15 Interior
2:38 IS350 Driving Experience
4:52 ISF Driving Experience
Thanks for Watching! 
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About a year ago you could get a IS350 for as cheap as $7500! absolute bargin cars, it also helps the 2gr is known as one of toyotas most reliable engines in the last 20 years
Yeah but prices are just shooting up just like the Honda cl9
@@marlonbaird6070 sadly all cars are going up in value. My Mk6 gti I paid $8000 for is now worth $12000
Yeah cars are definitely going up
Maybe in really bad shape for 7500
Yes I bought a mint one in 2020 for 6700 with only 102k kms and 2nd owner!
I love these POV shots of driving like in 5:58 with you counter steering, really good :)
Haha yeah bit of fun
Love the comparison and great to see another kiwi ISF! The subtle differences between the two really add up. It's like a Skyline GTS-T vs GTR - on paper the don't seem too far apart, but it's hard to go back when you've tried the full fat option for yourself 😉
Yeah very ttue
Awesome video man, got a 350 myself and absolutely love it!
Good stuff!
Very good review! As someone that daily’s a FBO ISF, it is an experience of its own.
Oh yea I imagine
Man I raced one on the hwy a couple of days ago I had much fun running with him. The car def has a ton of spirit and the exhaust note was beautiful to say none the least.
Another good review mate, I think the IS350 would be a great choice for the 10 grand budget, I know a few people that really hate spending much more than that on a car even when they actually could increase the budget easily!
Yeah definitely haha
Also lower fuel and maintenance cost. As a daily driver, it's perfect for me that way
Very curious about this matchup.. thanks a lot!
All good!
I had my 08 IS350 for about a year and I know the whole time I was driving an absolute bargain sleeper, unfortunately i ended up totaling it in an icy road incident. I’ll always have a soft spot for the 350 after owning one
Yeah man they’re really good
@@KiwiCarLifeGot another the other day 🤣 would have got the ISF but I just got a house and with an 8 month old daughter it’s not the most practical. One day I’ll have the F…
@@sesh3508similar story bro. except im driving around in an is 250 since i got it for a steal. F this year!!!
@@manlai3657 Let’s keep grinding bro! We will achieve whatever we wish to 👌
IS 350 is an awesome car. I have owned 3 of them. 2006, 2012 and 2016. The 2006 was the quickest but not the fastest. It fell flat after about 80 mph because of the gearing. Great down low to bang out some high 13 second tines but if you catch it running on the hwy after aboit 80, it's dead. Contrarily, my former 2016 IS 350 would smoke it on a roll. No competition. It just blew it away up top. Down low, the 2006 slaughtered it. Same situation with my current daily, 2008 GS 350, it slaughtered the 2006 IS 350 up top due to the gearing. Nevertheless, the IS is a bargain and so, so reliable. GREAT CAR and review.
Interesting!
The rear diff can be swapped from a GS350, 3.769 gear ratio.
cheers mate!
@@frankwaynefrank4081 all good
I saw one once in San Diego ten years ago. The tips were unique.
Nice yeah they're quite cool!
Here in Japan, the IS350 is a total bargain! I got mine 2011 for 5k USD with only 45000km, looks almost brand new, The ISF costs at least 4x what I paid and for an older 2008 or 6x for a similar year. I went with IS350 because im poor LOL, on a budget i can get Work wheels, upgrade suspension with coilovers do intake and a few cosmetics mods and it will look fantastic.
Yeah good point they are pretty cheap
That V8 tho 😩
Enjoyed the review.... Possibly a fairer review would have been the ISF vs 350 F sport with comparable tyres.
Cheers
Yeah true, have to take what I can get
IS 350 F sport vs IS 350 presents no significant difference in performance on the street. The track performance is not much difference either. 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are exactly the same. You only get slightly stiffer suspension which will not affect this particular car's 0-60 and quarter mile times. If anything, it takes away a little comfort as a daily. I am not blowing smoke either because I have owned this motor many, many times. I have owned the following: 2006 IS 350, 2012 IS 350 F sport, 2016 IS 350 F sport, 2008 GS 350 (still have as my daily), 2014 GS 350 f sport (wife's current car). My other current car is a 2014 f30 335i. The BMW will tell you why I still have the GS 350 as my daily.
Yes!! As a owner of a ISF it’s worth it!!!
Haha yeah I’d agree
The stacked exhaust tips on the ISF are actually not fake! This became a common theme for further F cars such as the GS-F and RC-F.
Correct, but on the ISF they are very very fake. If you remove the bumper the tips come with it and you just have 4 rubbish looking outlets from the back of the mufflers. Therefore fake. GSF and RCF have the same design but they are real tips bolted directly to the exhaust
❤ _couldn’t really go wrong either way🤷🏻♂️love them both_
Good vehicles
I’ve owned both, back to back, and still own my 08 ISF to this day. It’s definitely worth it over the 350 in every way. But on a budget the 350 is 100% a great buy even today.
Yes agree the IS350 is a decent car but the ISF is better in every way
I had a is350 and next car ,but now have the ISF V/8 2011 which I love it. Will keep forever! 72 years old car has only 60,000ks on it. I bought it from IBC Japan.
@@frankwaynefrank4081 wow that’s awesome man! Nice upgrade
Currently looking into a new Lexus ( only owners a scion before this , im young) and seeing all the great stuff about both of these cars make this choice even harder.. might start with a 2021 IS350 and go from there …
Oh yeah the new IS350’s are really nice
I have a 2011 IS350. Stylish, comfortable, reliable and quick for what it is. Very very underrated car. Only thing that brings it down is no LSD and the transmission could be better.
Yeah agree, trans isn’t great, I’m not too phased by the LSD
If you dont track your car, the e lsd works perfectly fine. 99% of people aren't experienced drivers to even need an LSD or use one in these cars.
@@sdlausen1 agree, even on track mine would oversteer rather than one wheel peel. It worked great
To be honest, i would still choose isf because looks of it. But the 350 is acutally really good choice for someone, who wants power and comfort and good reliability. And love japanese cars and dont want to own infiniti for some reason haha. Great rewiev!
Yeah agree
quite wild they are both considered powerful, comfortable, and known to last twice as long as you need it. plenty of 300k+ mile representation on both.
I currently own a 2011 is350 fsport and a 2012 isF! The 350 is definitely more nimble. You can feel the weight difference when u drive them back to back. I like driving the 350 but i love to drive the F. Worth every penny
Yeah agree, although steering ratio I think has more of an effect than weight. There’s only 100kg difference
I have 2010 IS350. Plugged in the Power Steering ECU from 2012 ISF + HR suspension. On the track they do same timings - IS350 acceleration 0-60 is veeery close to ISF. Try the Power steering ECU change - it controls Steering - makes the wheel stiff, extremely responmsive and on highway keep perfect line at 120+mph. ECU controls as well the TCS and TRC = allows a bit more sliding :)
@@li.3 How reliable is this? also how expensive?
@@emmanagbalugo4465 400-500USD. OEM part, very reliable.
@@li.3do you need a laptop for the power steering ecu if i buy it new?
IS250 best car I’ve ever owned rwd doing burnouts no problem with the strong six speed transmission
Hahah nice
Have a is250 manual, best car ive owned
Dang that’s cool, not many of them around
yeah you can cut the hole in the airbox and get V6 induction noises... just like the "F-sport air intake".. but yes it's a question of 15k vs 40k
10k or 25k here but yep you’re right
The 2gr screams like crazy with a cold air intake, you need to head this once in your life
(Especially the 2gr-fe from 5800rpm to the redline)
Yeah I’ve heard them with intakes they sound great
Just sold my IS350 last weekend. Definitely was my bang for buck car and it looked sleek as hell. The 2GR is so unsuspectingly quick but sadly the 6 speed transmission it’s paired to the biggest let down on that car.
Hope the new owner enjoys it as much as I did.
Yeah would agree
I sold my 07is350, had heaps into it. I had a local shop toss in the OSGIKEN superlock LSD for me it woke that car up and it was a dig monster but that transmission was such a weak point. I wish I never sold but then again I wish I never put that much into it.
@@btownballer27does a OSGIKEN Lock LSD fit into a Toyota Crown Athlete?😊
@Luke Mothug likely. I ordered from. OSGIKEN direct but if it cross references with the 07 is350 then 100%
is the transmission bad or is it just not enough to handle the engine?
I have the baby IS250 sports rock hard suspension 18 inch wheels handling is well rounded Motor is as quiet as a mouse The vehicle is completely factory a pleasure to drive In time I suspect there will be an IS350 on the drive too
Very nice man! Yeah an IS350 would be a nice upgrade
I'm lucky. I own both! A 2011 ultra sonic blue IS350 FSport and a 2009 obsidian black ISF.
Stock for stock, the 350 is the better all around daily useable car. It's more comfortable in every way. It's quiet, softer suspension, and has a smooth engine and transmission. It's also deceivingly quick! Not a slouch at all.
The ISF is more of a weekend warrior. Bouncy/sport suspension, the sound, and power. It's a very emotional thrilling ride in every way.
You can't go wrong with either!
Agree
I’ve had both cars also (still have the isF) and miss the 350 for daily driving. Great car and very quick but once I drove the isF I had to make the swap.
To be honest, on the surface, paying 3x for a glorious V8 sound may not seem worth it. But if you have the money, get one because it's not like it will be worth a lot less money in 5-10 years. The ISF is a very rare car and with the electrification of modern sports sedans, there will be quite a demand for it in the future.
Yeah that’s trye
Used to own a is350 for years, own a ISF now. Is350 is a good and quick car, but even add a few mods, it will never be as good as a ISF in any aspects unfortunately.
I think you want to hide if you meet him..
ruclips.net/video/T9HRt6-VnnU/видео.html
Sometimes words don’t need to exaggerate that much…
I can mod a bus faster then a stock ISF.. any car can be good if modify.
That’s really not true haha but that one is impressive!
@@a1234ddf oh yea do you own both of these cars? Mod them?
How would you compare these to your old cl9? Lexus is definitely quicker but which would you pick? I am confused between getting either a cl9 or is350…..
ISF over CL9, but I’d probably have a manual CL9 over an auto IS350
I own a 2010 IS350 and a 2012 ISF, both are starfire pearl with the former having black leather and the latter having perforated red. The 350 is stock and the ISF is FBO with about 510hp. The 350 is about 300lbs lighter and feels much more nimble, the ISF does have 18x10 +45's 265 's and 285's respectively with TE37SL's though. Everything in the ISF is better, it feels more buttoned up. smoother shifts, more planted. It 'feels' higher quality like a heavier more solid watch does. The mark Levinson sounds better, though it was an option I believe for the 350 which I did not get.
The throttle response in the 350 is much better, though there are things you can do to 'correct' it in the ISF. 0-39 mph 'stock' both cars are the same due to the aggressive gearing in the 350 with a 6 speed trans and 8 gears in the ISF. Gas mileage can be the same at around 25mpg, I get around 12 mpg in the F because it has 500 fucking HP and I love the sound of the V8 and 0.1 second downshifts.
It took me over a year and a plane ticket to find the one that I wanted specifically with LSD (MY2010+) SFP and the upgraded headlights. If you want a very rare car (3 or 4 thousand left in the US) that is Lexus quality and can beat a new Skat pack stock, and within hundredths on the track of the V8 M3 and AMG of the same generation get the ISF. It will make your heart POUND every time you get in it.
Good vehicles
"because it has 500 fucking hp" is a great reason😂
Any other Kiwi owners with an IS have a fix for the horrendous sticky dash? Mine looks like a furry mess. Not to mention the door cards bubbling, bulging and chunks being taken out of them. Other than that my IS350 has been solid for the 80k's I've owned it. The starter motor went last week, that and the alternator are the only two parts that have needed replacing.
Lexus was doing warranty recalls for a bit but now I think they’re long gone. Mine had been repaired at some point and looked a bit average but I just left it
Give it a revin Kevin!
Indeed
That's the one engine I can't get here in the Netherlands. It has such an edge over the IS250 because its dual injection and doesn't have it's carbon build-up issues.
It's also that bit quicker. But alas, i'd have to import it and that is usually buying things sight-unseen. I dont want to do that..
Did we get the is350 to any other european country or are we talking US imports?
US or jdm imports I think. Most of the 2GR cars never made it because of emissions
What about a Toyota Crown Athlete are they legal for import in your country?
@@lukemothug3744 they are, still have the same transmission issues as the IS350, and bigger and heavier
I have them in Poland. Some of them sold to germany - they love those cars.
How do you find the Japanese infotainment system? Is it easy to use even when you don't read Japanese? I have been considering an import 350, but worry about the controls not being english.
It’s horrible haha
@@KiwiCarLife can you get by? Or really really painful?
You should’ve got the fsport variant which has a better suspension than the standard is350
Have to take what I can get. We hardly get an IS350 F sports of the 2IS gen anyway.
doesn't it need premium fuel though?
Your point that the IS350 will always be the "lesser car" is absolutely right!
Yeah unfortunately it’s true
IS350 0-60 6.3 secs top speed 143 ISF 0-60 4.4 top speed 177
Yes
6.3 seconds? Try taking the park brake off next time.
originally I have 250 swapped for larger 3.0 (3grfse) I am prepraed to put 4.6 LSD from GT86, Chromoly Flywheel and larger clutch and mayber Carbon propeller shaft I forgot its a manual. Might drop in 2GR eventually i think with current gearing 3.63 and open diff it sucks but with LSD and 4.6 and those transmission mods and some tune it may ripass actually. ~1460Kg
Very nice
You put the 3gr into a 250 while keeping the 250 transmission, driveshaft and rear differential?
I have a crown with the 4gr and want to put in a 3gr
@@michaelp8053 yes transmission holds clutch ok upto 330nm same for pressure plate. manual. Auto is fine as well. Diff and shaft everything same
I like my IS350 but the ISF is always on the back of my mind, just can’t get over my pragmatic ways, damn it.
Hahah id recommend it man!
If only the people who buy them new could operate a clutch pedal, just imagine what a cult car the IS350 could have been with a "stick shift"
Yeah I’d totally buy one
Drive a facelift 250/350 they have made improvements. My 09 can have its TCS fully disabled and the gear selector is a bit better
Oh yeah that’s good
@@KiwiCarLife mines the lightest IS250 too (cloth interior no sunroof)
can you review a soarer ? please
Already done a chaser
The ISF is like an old Rolex. Not being manufactured anymore, but still being bought from generation to generation and keeping its value. And yes the V8 is worth it for me😂 i mean you can tune the V8 up to 700hp and compete with the M2/M3/M4
Yeah the ISF is definitely cool
You reckon a 200,000 kilometre model would be a good buy for 6.5k nzd??
Yeah I reckon
Yes
Yes
What kind of rims are those on the silver one?
I’m not sure sorry
I had both the ‘06 IS350 and the ‘16 IS350 FSport. Awesome cars and I absolutely l-o-v-e-d them, but there’s no replacement for displacement! My IS500 is hands down the best of the 3.
Ooh yes IS500 good car
@@KiwiCarLife It shares many of the same characteristics with the ISF. When I first got it, took it in because the transmission seemed really rough! Didn’t tell my service rep my concern, just asked him to drive it and I rode in the passenger seat. He loved it, so I mentioned the transmission… “Oh the jerky analog feeling? That’s how the car was designed, the ISF drove the same way.”
Please make a drag race video 🏁
Can’t I’ve sold the car
@@KiwiCarLife got it. Thank you the video. Very nice picture. I have IS350. Thinking maybe for the upgrade.
@@KiwiCarLifewhich car you sold?
I have an is350 and raced my buddies is-f at the track 3 times. I always beat him to 1/8th mile by .1-.2tenths but he had 2mph more. My car ran 13.8@100 his best was 13.4@104 that's the moment I realized I can't justify upgrading to the v8 for a car they only traps 4mph more.
Ahah you had me a track then I realised you were talking about the drag strip lol. Get out on a real track with corners then come back to me
Wow 104 mph 1/4 mile trap speed. That has to be the world record lowest trap speed for an isf lol. Most bone stock isf trap 112-114. Mine consistently traps 119 1/4 and 94-96 in the 1/8th.
@tcmcclure2323 nice! I'm also at 4420'ft elevation with up to 7500 DA in certain summer days. So it slows both N/A cars down at least a half second
@@tcmcclure2323stock isf trap 113 mph at best not 119 lol
@@b58forever that’s exactly what I said.
Is that an is350 or a is350f? Sorry might be a noob question but just seeing what the difference is between the two
Just a standard IS350 with a few aftermarket bits on it. IS350 F Sport is only like 2011-2013, the very last of them
@KiwiCarLife cheers for that, any difference in power?
@@mikemitchell7529 nah just body kit
Wish companies would state power and torque to the wheels. Everyone's always excited for big numbers only to be disappointed. My 2006 IS 350 makes 245hp and 230 ft/lb of torque, to the wheels. That's around 280hp and 265 torque to the crank....sad panda
Yeah but crank figures are a lot more consistent, atw depends on transmission, drivetrain losses, rwd/Awd all sorts. Crank kW gives a more accurate representation of how the power of cars compares
Which would you prefer, Is350 or 3.0r?
3.0R because manual
🎉
Yuuurs
Why didn’t they make the is350 in England 😫
You can probably import them from Japan
You forgot to do the sticky dash test that all IS250-350-F has
Surprisingly neither of these had that problem
lifted model no issue 2009+
@@li.32011+*
No issue with mine built in November 2008 IS 250. The 350 was another €4500 om top along with more milage and pre-facelift as well 😅 Saved some 💸 250 is so comfy cruising along with.
Would you take an accord euro r or an is350 ?
Euro R for sure
@@KiwiCarLife overall better car or just better driving car ?
@@KiwiCarLife u choose the euro r as a better car overall or better drivers car ?
If price concerns you, you better get a turbo Barra for $15k and $5k on mods and it’s can destroy ISF easily too.
ISF vs IS350 => ISF wins completely
The V8 roar, faster transmission, better brakes, suspension, acceleration times and rarity-discontinued long time ago.
The ISF in video is the JDM model (2008) it also doesn’t have torsion LSD. Try 2012 model onward with upgraded suspension is much better to drive and faster.
Anyway spend less than $10k for a FBO and the ISF turns to different animal.
Yes all valid points but you’ve completely missed the point of the video. Money doesn’t grow on trees haha
I like the video, very clear presentation. I can see the main point that value for money. IS350 is of course much cheaper than ISF, it is worth it at certain points for particular buyer but if I want to buy Is350 I will definitely go with 2020 models onward for complete fresh modern look and design. I’m currently having 2010 ISF as daily car, so very confident to tell all IS350 in that year model (2008-2013) all have ugly interior design especially the steering wheel and dash.
what wheels does that is350 have.
Not sure sorry, 19’s
Hmmm, what about the heavy front end , the IS 350 is a lot more agile in tight corners
Nah it really isn’t haha
You forgot to mention that the Lexus ISF has Yamaha Enging.
Yea
I have both. The 350 is the better daily.
Yeah I imagine, more comfortable and better fuel economy
Man used car prices today are ridiculous... actually makes me mad knowing that i couldve bought myself a nice ass car for 15k... now i gotta fork over 35k for something nice and new... gr. No thanks.
Yeah man things ain’t cheap
ISF is worth every penny!
It is an excellent vehicle
The quad exhaust rips are fake??? Don't think so look at little closer!!!
The secondary intake opens at 4k, look closer!!!
Haha they are very fake my friend.
@@KiwiCarLife I guess you have a fake ISF! The ISF quad tips come from the quad exists on the mufflers.
@@jdub6797 if you take the bumper off, the tips come with it HAHA. That’s the definition of fake. Yes, the mufflers have 4 outlets but the actual tips are fake
@@KiwiCarLife no not really! Fake is one of the tips doesn't go anywhere! Camrys have fake tips. Only one actually is functional. So I disagree with the ISF having fake quad tips. 4 tips, 4 outlets from muffler equals real.
Almost all cars have what you call fake tips.
Kiwi
Hello
@@KiwiCarLife love the reviews
Keep at it mate
Nicely done, shame the is350 was clearly on rubbish tyres.
He mentioned the worn retreads😅.
Yeah wasn’t ideal
350 drivers wya 🫡
Strong vehicle operators
70% of the ISF for 30% of cost.. .? Has to be an obvious conclusion. Bare in mind some people don’t NEED to hear the motor…
This is such a pointless comment 😂
經典
Yes
The steering wheel is on the wrong side!
You are so unbelievably narrow minded 😂
How about jus engine swap the 350 to a 3uZ or 3uR 😈
Because it’s not really any faster
@@KiwiCarLife No for people that want a IsF They can simply use a 3uR witch is from a Land Cruiser that produces 507 .. witch is more than the IsF.
But not your car specifically since It's already modded..
Just a gud idea Dont you think?
Is350 ain't 10k in Australia 😂
You’d be lucky to find one for under 20k
Cheap as chips here..
They're expensive cos we only got them 2010+ locally. But you can now import 06-09 models from Japan for cheap as.
Yep, keep forgetting in Aus they generally only have AUDM new hence why Lexus’ are very expensive
@@bentleyv8t how?
too bad that is350's are literally rarer then an IsF. not literally, but you cant find em lmao.
Really? There’s loads here
Yes the v8 is worth it.
I agree
Funfact: paddle shifters are made for you to not take your hand of steering wheel! You look like a jerk changing theese gears, like the lambo guy
Funfact: I couldn't care less
Keep my GS460 over the 350
Fair