I am sure that it is close. Not too sure about a 2006 and older IS350s though. I am pretty sure that I took a few of those, since I believe they had less HP than the 2007 and 2008 IS350. Overall all they are all fine cars. There is definately something exciting with turbos however. I am sure the a 996TT or 997TT must be unbelieveable.

 

All IS350s are the same 06, 07, and 08 all have the same engine...no difference...all have 306 HP stock. Where you probably took them was there is sport mode AND the power switch which adjusts fuel maps etc...you have to enable BOTH to get the optimum performance and since most people dont drive around like that, you probably took them if they were not in both...in 06 the VDIM computers turn off in a different manner (the magazines said it couldnt be turned off, but that not true) so thats the only difference...between the 3. It is kinda cool to turn off ALL electronic aids except ABS on a 300+ HP car. Talk about donuts and power slides!!!! But about the 335...nice car, very mod friendly...if I was buying new, It would have made me think long and hard, but I got mine used for 15K less than a 335...so it made my decision easy! Its a great age to have ALOT of cool cars that have great performance.

 

Heres my 08 335XI. I just got back from a spin and havnt even WHACKED the car yet keeping it under 4k rpm. And all i can say is WOW and it handles very nice and gives a very nice ride. I cant even imagine a chip in this thing and I have the paddle shifters which are really cool.

 

Nice...congrats.

 

I use that line all the time! Porsche is the most bulletproof high end sports car money can buy. A daily driver that always gets the front spot. Plus, you can build them to the point where the only thing a BMW driver will see is the faint outline of the most recognizable rear end in motoring history.

 

But powder coat them black and your opinion might change.

 

Porsche > BMW

full stop.

 

I love them both, but in the end I'll be walking away with my 996

The 335's power is sick with software and exhaust, but would still chose the 996

 

Is this a an older 996 comparison? there's no way anyone in a IS350 could take me in my '02 996. Nothing against them, but it 's not going to happen.

 

Um...if you are stock....you may get taken.....be careful...the car will do 0-60 in 4.9s no matter how good the driver is....it will also do the 1/4 mile in less than 13.5 @ 104 mph....so a 996 would have to have a REAL good driver, and get it all perfect, and if you do it a few times, you will burn your clutch off the line....an IS350 will do it without a sweat....

R&T numbers.....

R&T IS350 test

According to motorweek....a 02+ 996 C2 will do:


0-60 mph 5 seconds

1/4 mile 13.5 seconds @ 107 mph

Again...thats a professional driver with no regard to the clutch making perfect shifts....tires in perfect shape, and under optimum conditions....that IS350 time is repeatable.....Now handling, the 996 is a better option, but the IS is no slouch....oh, and if you see an IS with a "F" next to it...DONT try it...you'll get toasted......lol

 

Dont get me wrong, i'm a huge Lexus fan. I've had both a GS and LX. Love them immensely, and the IS is the first car that they've built that has decent handling qualities. I've been a CL member for years, but i'm not going to drink the Kool Aid. While it's true that the IS is the first "decent" handling car they've produced, it is a slouch in comparison to a Porsche, of any model.

I have a friend with an IS350, great car, but it's still a Lexus at heart with the same lack of feedback in the steering, just not such mushy suspension for the geriatric group.

I think the IS-F is a really cool "idea" but it's off the mark. they should've made it cheaper. It's their first foray into the M class, and it should be 15K cheaper to even be a consideration for anyone with means. I was excited about it until i saw the price; i wouldn't go near it now as an M3 is only a few grand more, and you get free service to boot. But I digress, i'd be more than happy to do a track race with anyone with a stock IS350 (as mine is stock) for pinks, anytime. you game?

 

Well I for one NEVER said an IS handles BETTER than a 996. Reread...ON THE STREET and in daily driving, stoplight to stoplight, the IS is a faster car, and easier to drive fast....All while providing heated and cooled seats, bluetooth connectivity, Dolby surround sound 15 speaker sound system, etc...now if you wanna go to a STRAIGHT track, like a drag strip..you my friend are on...

As to the IS-F, if it were 15k cheaper...it would be an IS350! IS-F is MSRP 59k....If you equip an M3 with all the IS-F standard features it comes out at about $70k....

 

I think you should reread what i actually wrote. i never, ever alluded to the fact that you stated anything remote to the IS being a better handling car. i simply said it was a decent handling car, but any model Porsche would out handle it.

That said, how could a car that was an inferior handling car be an easier car to drive fast??

you comparisons and logic are skewed. my 02 does have heated seats, and a great stereo system, as good as the Mark Levinson offered by Lexus that year.

maybe you should go hang out on the CL board where the rest of the IS community hangs out?

 

Maybe you should do some research...there is a REASOn my screen name is Newport996....and when I sold my car...many said to stay because my knowledge of the 996 was VERY extensive....I had a VER heavily modded C4 Cab and lots of experience driving it fast. Maybe I will hang out on CL where people dont get bent out of shape if another car may be as fast as theirs.....

 

don't assume i'm bent out of shape lady. not the case, i said i love Lexus in general for what they are, but i'm not blind to their shortcomings either. you seem to be the one with the emotions tied to their car.