[Thecatch83]

Aútomobile magazine fleet update

"6139 miles-Several staffers have questioned the role of an eight-speed automatic transmission in the sporty IS-F. If you don't really jump on it to get the eight to three downshift, passing or merging acceleration is pretty lazy for a car with 416 hp, notes senior web editor Phil Floraday. However, several road trips have revealed impressive fuel economy in the mid-20s, which some attribute to that same eight-speed transmission."

Who exactly is driving this car...Dick Clark? It sounds like the only people who have problems passing in the IS-F is the metamucil drinking, shuffle board playing staff at Automobile magazine! And such riveting journalism to surmise the better than fuel economy can be attributed to the 8 speed slushbox. Bravo!

Here's a long term report for you automobile magazine. I averaged 28 mpg on my road trip to the east coast from San Diego. I have had zero issues mechanically (zero spent on 1,000 and 5,000 mile service). And I just clocked a 0-60 time of 4.1 which is as fast or faster than an Audi R8, BMW M3,M5,M6, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, Jaguar XKR, MB C63, CLK63 black series, Porsche 911 S and 4 S, and Shelby GT500 super snake. And to think I spent $5.99 (october issue) for that nonsense!

 

[BigMikeISF]

I read that article and was hoping somebody else would. Automobile mag doesn't seem to think to highly of the IS-F to begin with, they were complaining of the looks, "fairly brutal suspension," and the intake that opens at 3600 RPM's. The full article is below if anyone is interested in what they thought of the car.

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/lexus/0710_2008_lexus_is-f/transmission_and_interior.html

They might not think to highly of it but oh well, you can't make everyone happy at once, we all personally love the IS-F otherwise we wouldn't own it I know I can't stay out of mine

 

[FChampOH]

"
Here's a long term report for you automobile magazine. I averaged 28 mpg on my road trip to the east coast from San Diego. I have had zero issues mechanically (zero spent on 1,000 and 5,000 mile service). And I just clocked a 0-60 time of 4.1 which is as fast or faster than an Audi R8, BMW M3,M5,M6, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, Jaguar XKR, MB C63, CLK63 black series, Porsche 911 S and 4 S, and Shelby GT500 super snake. And to think I spent $5.99 (october issue) for that nonsense!

I like Thecatch's long term report much better. Seems like there are a lot of magazine staff writers who are and have been skeptical of the IS-F from the get go. I think it's tough for many of them to let loose of the long standing tradition of the German made cars ruling the mag. tests. Most likely because of the amount of years that those German makes have had to build their culture. I wonder if some of them are afraid to say " this new Lexus really kicks ass! What an outstanding effort by a Japanese car manufacturer that really gives a spit in the eye of the German's". We may never know. Now it's up to us to build this new culture of the IS-F and any of the future "F" branded cars from Lexus! (You may now step down from the podium Doug)

 

[SMOKE]

BRAVO!!,, I think we should all tell them a piece of our mind, because yes they may be "used to" always talking about the Europeans but also let's not forget some of these "auto magazines" and "road & track" people are also heavily influenced by the manufacturer.It's not all but some receive "incentives","kickbacks" or even "the first to know" scoop on their vehicles.Just like the awards that are given out to actors, very few shows are really voted by the audience, most are "hand picked" to win!!

 

[ChrisH]

This is a tricky one. I just got Motor Trend in the mail today, and they did a 'best handiling car' feature with a number of cars in the same class as the IS-F, as well as some below (Evo, Cobalt) and some above (911 Turbo, R8).

The IS-F was not included, but neither was the C63. The tried and true M3 was there (of course).


http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/112_0810_americas_best_handling_car_conclusion/index.html

The R8 won the test overall. I'm not sure where the IS-F would have placed among these other cars, but I am sure it would have done well.

I was thinking of send them an e-mail and asking that they include the IS-F the next time they do this test (seems to be annually).

Anyone else interested in starting up a petition?

 

[ChrisH]

If you are interested, here is the link to Contact Motor Trend.

http://www.motortrend.com/contactus/index.html

 

[BigMikeISF]

FChampOH, good summary. I agree with you. I always get magazines in the mail like Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Automobile, etc. and I find that they seem to be a little biased, especially toward BMW. This could be perhaps because BMW has owned others this category for so long. They don't want to give up that BMW might of been beaten by Lexus on the first attempt. Who knows, I love the F, as many, and hopefully all of us, here do.

 

[A03]

Personally I think magazines in general are always bias towards new comers no matter what they do..Bottom line, I think F really needs to pay its dues overtime..Prove itself that it can keep it up with the big boys..Not today, not tomorrow but maybe 4-5 years F will get better tuning, suspension etc as time goes by..So right now current and only F is a test mule for the public..
I mean Hey, everyone has start somewhere right?
Personally If that's the case I think my future car the GTR is too hyped up for it's own good..I mean Every Mag has this car practically 10/10..Yes, it is worth what they say but I think it's great not the best for the money. Whopping $80K price tag it is a super car but the hype is too much. After watching dozens of videos on youtube(if It means anything) I'm having a sort of having second thoughts on it..Anyhow, Everyone seems to love the F at least my way, I see woman staring at the F like if it's Good looking Dude starting at them.. Other times lot of dudes looking at it as well and asking questions..Matter of fact I had a officer in duty asking me about the F..Despite what Mag says,to me this car is Handsome piece of machinery..Besides doesn't feel good to cheer for the under dog? Right Guys? As us F owners that is..

 

[old$parts]

Here are some comments that I made some time ago. I think they are still very spot on!

Hey Champ,

Very Nice!
Your comments are more informative and less bias than many of the sports car writers. IMHO most of these guys are like sheep, one jumps over the cliff and the rest follow. They know not why or how the car performs the way it does, but they don't want to be the one who sticks out in the crowd of reporters. Writers and reporters have been so brain washed through the years on car brands and performance characteristics that they don't want to buck the tide. After all their job depends on how they write up their reports. Not to mention the treatment they might or might not get by reporting in a negative way against long time major car manufacturers. ie. Mercedes, BMW, etc. After all,going against the grain is not rewarding for their career. Take for example; if popular sentiment is that BMW is a tried and proven product year after year, then low and behold, heaven help the poor sole who has the gull to stand up and rightfully shoot down a vehicle for obvious flaws and short comings.

old$parts

 

[Thecatch83]

well said old parts. I have read reviews that comment on the double stacked exhaust tips and that they serve no purpose even though we in here already know that at high speeds they act as a diffuser of sorts. Or on motorweek a comment was made that the lexus is-f won't be easy on your pocket book when at the gas pump even though it's the only car in its class that does not have a gas guzzler tax and has actually produced 27-28 mpg on long road trips (myself included). Or that the supsension is too rough and not "lexus" like...well of course it's stiff, we're talking about a street legal race car built for and tested on the track. Or that the brakes are too grabby as opposed to having them soft and mushy????

The more inane and idiotic reviews I read by doltish automobile writers, the more I am convinced that this car is great in every way and the perfect car for my lifestyle. Room enough for four and two sets of golf clubs in the back, and quick enough to spank 99% of the cars on the road today!

 

[pat.ross]

I agree. I am "happy as a clam" with mine. It now has a little over 11k miles on it and I enjoy driving it every day. I do not have one regret buying this car.

 

[permasmile]

I stopped reading all the mags years ago. I agree with all of you guys who say that its difficult for the reporter to go against the grain and say anything negative about the BMWs or MBs, but I'll go one step further. Simply skim through the magazine and see all the advertising pages those manufacturers pay for! You don't bite the hand that feeds you! I recall many years ago when Chrysler came out with the Neon(remember that piece of crap?lol). They had been hyping the car as "fun" well before its release, sure enough when one of the magazines(I think it was Automobile?) did a review I think the word "fun" was used a dozen times in the article!

 

[axtellz]

Room enough for four and two sets of golf clubs in the back, and quick enough to spank 99% of the cars on the road today!

Cool, i had been wondering about the fit of golf clubs, but didn't want to bother to ask! My Mustang has the stupid-a$$ 1000-watt stereo, with a ginormous subwoofer in the trunk--clubs won't fit

Doug, looks like this is the car for me, be ready when 2009 hits the books!
Jeremiah

 

[F1ackM0nk3y]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Car Mags have got their noses so far up BMW tail pipe that they won't see daylight until they hit the intake. They all B**ch about the iDrive, but turn around and give the car perfect marks. Or, say it's cheeper than X vehicle, but fail to mention that the price they list is bare bones and that BMW will nickel and dime you for each additional add on.

I priced out a loaded ISF and loaded M3 and it came down to (if I remeber correctly) an 8 k difference

Now BMW can do and price their cars and add ons how ever they see fit, but the car mags have really got to start stepping up and giving us the real story.

 

[F'n around]

The way I look at it let them complain; they'll keep complaining when I blow by them as I pass them. I don't seem to have a problem passing in my F.