The wrap up
So that’s the IS F. ‘Ours’ in electric blue and soft cream leather interior turned heads everywhere – some drawn to its muscular, hunkered-down lines, some simply to the sound of that V8.
Would we buy one? Would you buy one? If you had 130 big ones lurking in the pocket and you were in the market for a howling performance saloon, you would have to consider it. With a price advantage of nearly $25k over the M3 Sedan in Oz showrooms, and that’s before you start optioning the M3 up, it almost buys itself.
Performance wise, there are just margins in it – most leaning to the advantage of the brilliant M3. But that price differential, that leans things back a-ways; and that brute of an engine… you’d consider the IS F on the sound of its V8 alone… and the flawless Lexus quality…
Which brings us back to where we started.
It’s a margin thing.
The Insider’s Big Statement
“The IS F is a stunning car. Though enjoying a price advantage, it is perhaps still a little costly and perhaps a little too raw-edged on the road. But there is no denying its strengths and no denying its potential. If Lexus sticks to the mission on this – please do, Lexus - we will have a truly sensational sporting sedan one or two models distant. As the first out of the mould, the IS F is surprisingly good in so many ways. If it gets the years of development that BMW and Audi put into their performance flagship models, then it will really be ‘game-on’ in the luxury performance sedan segment.”
The Insider likes:
- The IS F’s fabulous, truly fabulous quad-cam V8 donk
- Rocket-ship power off the line
- Stunning attention to detail and quality of interior trim and fit
- Brutish road ‘presence’
- Remarkable fuel consumption
- The IS F’s significant price advantage over its obvious rivals
The Insider doesn’t like:
- Not sure about the eight-speed auto
- Lack of a manual option
- Showy quad pipes at the rear (that aren’t really pipes)
- ‘Heavy’ black dash
- Having to give the keys back (tears before bedtime)
Gallery
GALLERY » 2009-lexus-isf-review
Specs
| Engine: | 5.0 litre V8 |
| Type: | 2UR-GSE, alloy block, DOHC VVT 32-valve |
| Displacement: | 4969cc |
| Bore x stroke: | 94.0mm x 89.5mm |
| Compression ratio: | 11.8:1 |
| Maximum power: | 311kW @ 6600rpm |
| Maximum torque: | 505Nm @ 5200rpm |
| Performance: | 0 – 100km/h in 4.8 seconds |
| Max. Speed: | 270 km/h |
| Transmission: | Eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic, electronically controlled with lock-up torque converter (2nd to 8th speeds) |
| Suspension: | Front: Independent, double wishbone, upper A-arm, lower L-arm, coil springs, monotube gas dampers, ball-joint mounted anti-roll bar. Rear: Independent, multi-link type, with castor locating rod, coil springs, monotube gas dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Brakes: | Front: Aluminium Brembo six-piston caliper, 360 x 30mm cross-drilled and ventilated discs Rear: Aluminium Brembo two-piston caliper, 345 x 28mm cross-drilled and ventilated discs |
| Steering: | Rack and pinion, power-assisted, electric DC motor. |
| Wheels: | Front: BBS 19 x 8J forged alloy, 225/40 R19 93Y tyres Rear: BBS 19 x 9J forged alloy, 255/35 R19 96Y tyres |
| Kerb Weight: | 1700 kilograms |
| Safety: | Switchable Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management system links VSC, TRC and ABS, eight SRS airbags, including knee airbags, full-length curtain-airbags |
| Fuel consumption: | 11.4 l/100km average |
| Price: | $129,000 (plus dealer delivery and statutory charges) |
2009 BMW 335i Sedan 
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2009 Holden Commodore SS Sportwagon 
2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 
2009 Ford Mondeo MB (Titanium)
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good to see the Japanese taking it to the Germans
with K Rudd’s stimulus payout I can afford one wheel nut from the IS-F (maybe)
You don’t need to be a car club member to go to the track. A lot of race tracks run their own “run what you brung” days.
Just noticed you have misplaced the torque figure with the power output.
Cheers cobber.
The Insider
Thanks Joe, that was my stuff-up there.
I’m sure Lexus would LOVE the reference to the male reproductive organ in the opening lines.
Good work!
Sorry Mark… what was I thinking? It’s so clear to me now… the male reproductive organ doesn’t exist, never has, take the chisels to the cherubs, drag out the fig-leaves… “My God man, what in blazes is that unsightly thing?”
(Thanks for the help, no, really…)
The Insider
This is exactly the car that will tell the public that Lexus doesn’t make cars for the middle aged, cardigan wearing, bean counting golf enthusiasts/retirees anymore.
Bring it on.
I don’t think too many will end up on a racetrack Royalauto have just tested the IS F spare parts bin came to an eye watering $10,594. #Front pads $1095 #front rotors $930. imagine if you tapped a fellow competitor in the rear (whilst on the track of course) $2458 for a HEADLIGHT!!! and $2420 if you bang up one of those pretty rims on a kerb. And i’m sure the richer people are the less they like to part with their hard earned money on parts.
True.
At that price for spares, if you wanted a track car you may as well have bought a GT-R and bought something that’s actually fast and handles well.
those prices of spares would be no different to an M3/AMG (if anything they would be more being German)which is what the ISF is targeting…and its doing a bloody good job of it! If I was in a market for a car like it would be a tough choice between an M3 and ISF….but at the same time the ISF does seem like better value..only negative there is no manual gearbox but that is my own personal preference.
I bought an isf for my wife we waited 6 months for it and took delivery in december and let me tell you they are one awesome bit of gear! we looked at the m3 sedan but hated the looks they are ugly compared to the isf and that exhaust note as the report says you could listen to that v8 note all day! compared to the m3 in my opinion the isf wins in looks, power & torque, finish,and equipment levels, trying to get it off my wife for me to have a drive is the hard part, if you ever get the chance to drive one do this put it in sports mode change to manual mode and nail it and hit 2nd there are not much around that is a quick and mean quick! also we are getting around 10 lires per 100km highway driving not bad for a car that will do mid 12 sec quarter mile times but it is a bit thirsty around town! the lexus isf is one hell of a ride i tell you!
Wait, you’ve got a wife that enjoys driving an IS F? Mate, you’re one lucky fella…
If all you’re interested in is fuel economy and straight line performance, no wonder you don’t like the M3 and prefer a Toyota.
The M3 is a driver’s car, not a rocket sled.
Charlie if all i was interested in is fuel ecomony i wouldn’t have bought the isf! i bought the lexus because i believe it offers way more bang for buck over the bmw! show me where you can drive any of these cars to there potenial in australia? i wanted a premium quality car with great handling and plenty of get up and go so i bought a lexus isf!
And by the way TMR a great road test well done!
I think it’s a great achievement for Lexus/Toyota to bring this car out. It hopefully heralds a new era where some respectable performance cars can be seen coming out of the Lexus/Toyota stable.
For this car to even exist is a win for enthusiasts and well heeled consumers.
I do however much prefer the AMG C63, I think it has more presence and drool factor for me anyway. When I see one I don’t mistake it for a regular C class. The price difference is much closer in the UK, so it doesn’t make sense to buy the japanese competition here.
Another site {let it be nameless} just did a road test against with both cars,the M3 4 door came out on top as prefered car. If its a dollar thing then yeah go for the Lexus but you want the better car,its the M3
I also read that IS250’s fitted with the F-Sport kit actually outruns an IS F through a slalom !!!
Can someone confirm that Lexus are only making 40 of these a month ?
The “other” site is right.
The M3 is the better car.
You get what you pay for.
Can I just say the bottom left photo in the gallery of the front left wing - Great photo there!
Yo Biggles, BM…
Not sure you read our review correctly, nor our conclusion.
To recap (second-last par): “Performance wise, there are just margins in it – most leaning to the advantage of the brilliant M3. But that price differential, that leans things back a-ways; and that brute of an engine… etc.”
No argument about which is the better car, better balanced, better sorted (at this stage of the ISF’s development); but the price advantage is not insignificant. Nor is the fact that - at the end of the day - few M3 owners are going to line up on the track against an ISF to see whether their car in their hands is going to beat home the ISF in ‘the other bloke’s hands’.
So it makes at least some of the discussion about margins somewhat academic… duzzinit?
At the end of the day, most of us will choose a car that makes us feel good. For some, say an M3 buyer, the knowledge that they’re driving the benchmark stormer for the sector… well, understandably, that makes them feel good (and probably you and I likewise).
For others, driving the amazingly grunty ‘new kid on the block’, flawlessly built and saving the better part of 30 big ones over the M3, makes them feel good. (And, I have to say, I doubt anyone could fail to enjoy the ISF’s howling donk.)
If Lexus doesn’t drop the ball on the ISF (which is always a danger), we might have a real line-ball comparison in three or four years. It’s more than a fair first-up effort.
The Insider
(Say hello to Algy and Ginger…)
Sounds like a real ball tearer! You guys need to get us an mp3 of that engine note, i reckon. Haven’t had the pleasure of hearing one on the road yet…
I really can’t imagine swapping a proper manual for one of these semi-autos, or even a semi-manual for that matter. I can see the benefit of blistering upshifts, and the virtually uninterrupted thrust of a DSG box, but it’s just not the same without that third pedal…
A friend drove this car for a few days this week, this is his review…..
picked up lexus .
1) it looks like crap . it is SO fugly i cant believd they signed it off . check out the rear door window line and the bonnet and the fake exhausts . i was embarrsed to be in such an ugly car . nice blue tho’ .
2) exy cars must be silly or whats the point . it is not silly , it has 4 doors . its boring . boring cars must be cheap .
3) the ride is bone jarring like my modded evo . its slower than my evo and over twice the price and looks worse.
4) the interior is ordinary bordering on ugly and that reviewer must be blind . the fake silver carbon looks naff and the starter button is obscured by the wheel
5) good bits … the seats are good and the stereo ok . the engine sounds good when you ring its neck . it has nothing down low
6) the gearbox is rubbish . its ok on auto but stupid in ” manual ” . how can an auto box be ” manual ” ? its stupid .. needs a real PDK thing .
7) did i mention how bad the ride was ?
verdict … another under cooked japanese car .
buy an m3 or a c63 if you must have a four door .. better still , get a lotus and an suv for less money and get the best of both worlds .
spot on mate ! ” undercooked jap car ”. sums it up :]
Being 12 years old anom I doubt you’ll be choosing between any M3, C63 or IS F, anytime soon.
Did I mention you can’t spell for sh!t?
i am surprised for a 12 year old you can spell so well! go do your home work NOW! and its person! the isf is a awesome car read the report first before making any more comments!
oh and peson as a matter of interest what dealership did your mate go into i bet that salesmen doesn’t have a job anymore for letting a fool drive a new isf!
I’ve been in one of these and quite enjoyed it.
The wheels are soo damn light. It felt like picking up a 15″ stockies.
But, I do believe it needs stickier tyres at the rears and Lexus needs to use proper Carbon instead of look-a-likes.
How is a PDK any less automatic than a torque converter?
As far as the driver is concerned, they both do the same thing. 2 pedals, 2 paddles, 2 modes.
It’s only in how they do things internally, and the programming that the engineers come up with to control it, that differentiate them but in the end they both behave identically.
isf rules, you could take it to a race track. Its those things that are as big as golf courses, but not populated with the same density of tossers.
There are several around each of the capital cities of Australia.
I’m not surprised that you bought the Lexus. The fact that you’re not even aware of the concept of track days makes you the stereotypical Toyota sedan driver.
If you wanted a car with great handling, why did you buy a car with a heavy nose that gets lots of initial understeer before the power overwhelms the tail? That’s the opposite of “great handling”.
bavarian missle i can tell you are a bmw lover and good luck to you the m3 is a great car, i never looked at the merc c63 i dont like mercs at all and also i dont like the look of the c63 it looks very old so when me and my wife where looking for a high performance car for her we only drove the m3 & isf and we both agreed the isf was way better bang for my buck (i can easily afford the bmw) but you are right in saying the bmw m3 is a great car with heritage but she liked the luxury and looks of the isf with the performance factor, and i dont know about only making 40 a month i do know that we waited 6 months and australia are only geting 10 a month and there are orders out to june 09! i would love to get a cold air intake system and full stainless exhaust that gets an extra 70hp at the rear wheels but i will wait a bit longer for that they tell me the sound is incredible!if anyone can afford a car of this value do yourselfs a big favor and drive both the lexus & bmw both are awesome 4 door super sedans, ours is black with black leather and looks like a stealth fighter with dark window tint and the shadow bbs wheels! once again TMR a great none bias write up!
ISF rules - hahah already thinking of modifying the ISF.
My current favourite colour for the ISF is pearl White after seeing all the colour next to each other at Toyota HQ but black is not far behind.
reggie my wife’s a rev head what can i say! thats why she bought a 311kw 4 door super sedan! have to be first to the gym you know!
Lexus gave me a blue ISF for a weekend to test drive. I currently own a BMW 335i and have owned 2 M3’s.
The ISF has a sensational note, is quick as and looks great, but it doesn’t handle quite as well as a BMW and the ride is very firm. Also, 8 gears is 2 too many. The awesome note only kicks in at 3600rpm so I found myslef constantly gunning it just to hear the note.
I test drove the new M3 V8 and found the note sedate compared to the ISF and certainly no quicker than the ISF. The new M3 sedan looks ordinary so I would have to go for the coupe….problem is by the time you option it up with SMG and 19″wheels it costs over $180K. The ISF is $130K with a sunroof and ALL the bells and whilstles, so I would say I will probably go for the ISF next year when my 335i (which is awesome!) comes off it’s 3 year lease. The $50K difference is too big to ignore, and lets face it, we don’t drive on racetracks every day.
spot on brad the looks you get in the isf is incredable and ours has now done 2300kms and getting faster every day, my wife drives the car all the time and she said the ride is on the firm side but its by no means a problem and doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about she just said “mob of wimps”!one of my mates has a new 2door v8 m3 and he even admits they did something wrong with the 4 door design!you wont be disappointed with your decision i tell you!
Lexus IS F are only making 10 a month for Australia
Having just driven both the ISF and M3 (coupe, not sedan and manual) in the last few days they are both terrific cars.
I drive a previous model M3 and can’t believe how much easier the new one is to drive. That said, the ISF felt as quick, sounds much more raucous and is very well built. Value for money - no contest really, the Lexus wins. Better car - M3 by a little bit. If it came with a 6-speed traditional manual, I’d get one. Still might. By the way, the auto with torque converter lock up works as well as any twin clutch manual I’ve driven.
Reading all the responses, it’s obvious that personal preferences play a big role in whichever car you chose. I am an M3 man myself, and I make the effort track my car - this is what it was designed to do occasionally! but I think you should choose whichever car makes you feel good doing what the car was designed for. Either way, you’re smiling