An Informative Lexus Blog

With all the excitement lately over Lexus technology, many blogs have emerged with great content. Lexus Enthusiast is one of the most up to date blogs on Lexus news. You can find information on literally any Lexus model or search for news on particular models. Simply click the database at the top of the page and select the car you desire to find articles on. I pulled up the Lexus IS-F and discovered a great new part, a carbon fiber wrapped steering wheel. This is a simple modification to improve the look of the interior. Be warned, carbon fiber modifications are pricy and may not offer much of a return on investment. I followed the link from the blog and discovered an entire product lineup of carbon fiber products for the IS-F! The article database is huge. Lexus Enthusiast covers everything from spy videos, technology releases, car show photos, and even model recalls.
I highly suggest visiting this blog, you will find yourself immersed in really interesting automotive articles. I discovered a Lexus IS race team for sale for $250,000 which includes 3 Lexus IS-F GT race cars. These are extremely powerful 500+ rwhp cars, with ultra weight reduction. Take a look at the blog and you will find many cool articles on Lexus technology and some great articles on the IS-F. A fan base is developing for this site and they are posting some interesting feedback on the blog posts as well. At the time of this post, the latest article is about the Lexus LS featuring self-restoring clear coat. This addition to the car was clearly in response to Ford's paint comparison with the LS which clearly made the LS look bad. I find myself checking this blog often for the latest news and updates on Lexus vehicles.

Lexus LF-A Sound Check

I know this blog is dedicated entirely to the IS-F, but I could not help but point out this amazing spy footage of the next model in Lexus's F lineup. Listen to the incredible sound coming from the LF-A. This car revs really high at 9k+ RPM. Although I cannot judge entirely from a Youtube video, the sound coming out of this car sounds as good as an Enzo Ferrari. The LF-A is labeled a supercar and will be competing against other supercars such as the Audi R8, Mercedes SLS Amg, and the Nissan GTR Spec V. Lexus has delayed this car for years, but it is finally going to be sold in 2010. This car sports the same F badge as the IS-F. It seems like the white model is louder, however the black model may not have been at full throttle. The design is not out of the ordinary Lexus F styling. The design caters to a very specific crowd, just like the IS-F. They certainly have not been influenced from the designs of the rival supercars on the market. Lexus seems to go out of the way to make their F performance models appear slightly over the top, with excess usage of mesh grilling. The sound coming from these cars is simply amazing. The cars will certainly attract attention from very long distances at full throttle. The IS-F sound seems very mild in comparison. The IS-F was purposely built tame to still capture the essence of the daily driver, with its dual stage intake that is quiet at low RPMs but loud at higher RPMs. I would not be surprised to see a high quality exhaust system included on this performance car. Check out the initial posting of this video at http://lexusenthusiast.com/2009/09/26/two-lexus-lfas-caught-at-a-gas-station/

The 2010 IS-F specs are in!

These specs just in from Lexus.com:

Engine
Type: 90o V8, aluminum block and heads, direct and port injection
Displacement: 5.0 liters (303 cubic inches)
Valvetrain: Four cam, four valves per cylinder, with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence and Electronic intake valve timing (VVT-iE)
Compression Ratio: 11.8:1
Horsepower at RPM: 416 hp @ 6,600
Torque at RPM: 371 lb-ft @ 5,200
Emission Rating: Certified Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV II)

Performance
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.6 seconds
1/4 Mile Acceleration: 13.0 seconds
Top Track Speed (electronically limited): 170 mph
EPA Fuel Economy Estimates (city/highway): 16/23 mpg
Aerodynamic Drag Coefficient: 0.30 Turning Circle: 33.5 ft

Drivetrain
Type: TORSEN® torque-sensing limited-slip rear differential
Transmission: Eight-speed Sport Direct-Shift automatic transmission with paddle shifters, Manual mode and torque converter lock-up clutch for gears 2-8
Drive Wheels: Rear-wheel drive
Final Drive Ratio: 2.937

Chassis
Suspension (front): Independent, double-wishbone with high-mount upper arms, coil springs, monotube gas-pressurized shock absorbers and hollow stabilizer bar
Suspension (rear): Independent, multi-link with low-mount upper arms, coil springs, monotube gas-pressurized shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Steering: Electronic Power Steering (EPS), vehicle speed-sensing coaxial rack and pinion, power assist, 2.91 turns, lock to lock
Brakes: Four-wheel power-assisted discs manufactured by Brembo®, with four-sensor, four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
Brake Size: 14.2-in drilled and ventilated front discs with six-piston aluminum calipers and high-friction brake pads, 13.6-in drilled and ventilated rear discs with two-piston aluminum calipers and high-friction brake pads
Wheels and Tires: (front) 19 x 8.0-in 10-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels manufactured by BBS with 225/40R19 summer tires

Body / Dimensions
Type: Five-passenger high-performance luxury sport sedan
Construction: Welded-steel unibody
Overall Length: 183.5 in (4,661 mm)
Width: 71.5 in (1,816 mm)
Height: 55.7 in (1,415 mm)
Wheelbase: 107.5 in (2,730 mm)
Curb Weight: 3,780 lb (1,715 kg)
Fuel-Tank Capacity: 16.9 gal (64 L)
Trunk Capacity: 13.3 cu ft (377 L)
Headroom: 37.2/36.7 in (945/932 mm) (front/rear) (w/moonroof)
Headroom (available): 39.0/36.9 in (991/937 mm) (front/rear) (moonroof delete)
Legroom: 43.9/30.6 in (1,115/777 mm) (front/rear)
Shoulder Room: 54.4/52.7 in (1,382/1,339 mm) (front/rear)
Hip Room: 54.1/53.7 in (1,374/1,364 mm) (front/rear)

IS-F Oil Change

So you do not trust your dealership with your IS-F? I've heard of dealerships stripping the threads before, so be careful. A Lexus dealership will charge nearly $100 for a synthetic change, so if you have the tools, go ahead and do it yourself! I have provided a quick guide to changing the oil yourself, however I do not recommend it! Lexus uses the same oil used at the Toyota dealerships, and you can have your oil changed there for the same price it will cost you to do it yourself. Changing the oil yourself will require tools such as a jack, oil obviously, and new filter / gasket. It's not possible to raise the vehicle with a typical jack. You will need a long frame floor jack with a maximum 5" lift point. Buying one of these yourself will be costly, and I do not advise doing so unless you feel you have no other option in changing the oil. You will need 12,000 LBS ramps to get under the car. Anything less is risky and I advise against it. Once you are underneath the vehicle, the oil pan is easy to locate and access. You will need a 14mm socket wrench to remove the bolt. Be sure to have a large drain pan. The oil will takes several minutes to drain since the IS-F holds a lot of oil! Go near the front bumper. You have to remove a panel to get to the oil filter. Remove the panel screws with a standard phillips screwdriver. You now have access to the filter. Be careful in this next step. Grab yourself a generic filter wrench and remove the casing. Oil is going to come out when you remove the filter. Be prepared to drain this. I suggest ordering the OEM filter, but you can always goes with a generic filter as well. Lubricate the gasket and place the new filter in. Screw the plate back in and then fill up the car with the new oil. You can go with synthetic or the stock Toyota oil, which can be found at the dealerships. The synthetic oil is simply not necessary unless you live in extremely harsh climates. Put the oil cap on, and you are done! Make sure to reset the oil service feature in the car by clicking the information button on your display, and selecting the oil option.

Can the IS-F withstand the test of time?

It has been roughly 5,000 miles and six month since I purchased my IS-F. I've been thinking of what is to come of the IS-F in the future. Generally, cars like this become the obsession of teenagers who cannot quite grasp the reality of price. Five years down the line though, this vehicle will most likely have a younger, tuner crowd behind the wheels. This is exactly what you see with the older SC400 and IS300 series Lexus vehicles. Parents have passed these cars down to their children, or they managed to save up enough money to buy a used model.
I have a good feeling that this car will be driven by teens in the years to come. The design is less mature than a standard Lexus, with body kit modifications and a unique stacked exhaust. If this car does not hold it's value and starts losing demand, it may very well be in the hands of teens sooner than anticipated. There is no doubt that these engines will withstand the test of time. The IS-Fs are built for abuse, and will not leave the road for a long time. Could soaring gas costs in the future reduce the likelihood of a less fuel efficient vehicle being driven on the road?
What about the legacy? There is the possibility of the F series model to be discontinued in the future. This may or may not increase the collectible value of the car. Take a look at the Toyota Supra, for example. The value of this vehicle has gone up over the past few years as the performance potential of the engine has been exploited. We may see the same exploitation of the much larger V8 engine in the IS-F in a few years. There is no doubt a fully modified IS-F has some serious horsepower potential. I believe the F legacy, whether successful or not, will be remembered as a bold attempt by Lexus to produce a vehicle outside of their target niche.

A top site for Lexus IS-F information

Have you ever been searching for information on the Lexus IS-F, but just cannot seem to find it? Let me introduce you to Lexus IS-F Aftermarket Parts. This website was developed for the sole purpose of informing prospective IS-F buyers and current IS-F drivers about the available aftermarket performance parts, special tips, tricks and gadgets that improve the F experience. Lexus really did not leave out too much of their handbook, however there is no local database organizing all the aftermarket parts available, until this website came along. Basically, you can find everything you need to know about the IS-F, and if you cannot find it here, the owner of the website has made it very simple to contact him for assistance. The owner of IS-F Aftermarket parts is a major enthusiast and will help you resolve your questions / problems.

The database of aftermarket parts is really useful. The available parts are rare and often not made in standard production. The market is still waiting for somebody to crack the ECU so we can get some serious parts like turbochargers. IS-F Aftermarket Parts will be on top of things to let his viewers know when these parts are available. I never would have known Eisenhaus had created an exhaust part for the IS-F until I ran in to this site. Beware, Eisenhaus is not to be confused with the authentic German exhaust manufacturer, Eisenmann. The website goes into further detail about this. The tricks on this site are cool as well. I never knew the car windows could be rolled down remotely, and that there is a secret code to disable all of the electronic assistance in the car, to give it a true hot rod feel. I also stumbled upon a great car washing guide here, definitely worth a look!

3 reasons why the IS-F is superior to its European competition

1. Reliability

One thing you will never read about in the IS-F bashing Euro tuner magazines is the mechanical reliability of a Lexus over all the competition. J.D. Power ranked Lexus as the most reliable automobile in 2008. Lexus had the lowest amount of problems per 100 vehicles with only 120 problems. BMW came in second with 164 problems. Audi came in third with 207 problems. Mercedes came in last with 215 problems, that’s an enormous increase in problems! With reliability in mind, Lexus reigns supreme. If you are buying a high performance car, the last thing you want to do is buy an unreliable model. Chances are, the way you drive this car will subject it to more abuse than a normal automobile, so go with the reliable model.

2. Gas Mileage

The IS-F reigns supreme once again with is efficient gas usage. The Audi RS4 sedan runs at 13 / 20 mpg. The Mercedes Benz C63 AMG runs at 12/ 19 mpg. The BMW M3 comes closest with a 14 / 20 mpg. The Lexus IS-F blows away the competition with a comfortable 16 / 23 mpg. Every one of these cars is subject to the EPA’s gas guzzler tax, except the Lexus IS-F. Do not believe me? Check it out for yourself: http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/guzzler/420b08016.pdf

3. Price

Based on Cars.com new car inventory:

A new C63 AMG will cost you $62,000 - $76,000
A new IS-F will cost you $61,000 - $64,000
A new M3 will cost you $60,000 - $83,000
A used RS4 will range from $62,000 - $70,000
The low prices on the M3s are rare. Take the averages. Need I say more?

Audi RS4 Video Comparison Against Lexus

Audi RS4 Video Comparison Against Lexus Video
Germancarblog.com spotted a great video comparing the RS4 head to head with the Lexus IS-F. For those of you not willing to deal with the overly dramatic cinematics, I will summarize the shoot out. The race begins on the slalom. The IS-F was thought to have the advantage being lighter, and it was proven true being 2/10 faster. The next test was the 0-80 and 80-0 mph test. The Lexus won this round as well. The Audi did decelerate faster, however the IS-F acceleration made up for its slack. The final challenge is at the Horse Thief Mile track. The video goes on for minutes with the driver's description of both car's handling. The driver chose the Lexus IS-F for its fun factor. It simply was a more exciting drive. This puts the nail in the coffin for the Audi RS4. It simply is no match to the IS-F. I do give the car respect for holding the title for a long time.
Audi is not completely out of the picture. they have developed a new lineup with the S4, and the S5. Both are beautiful automobiles capable of achieving more where the RS4 left off. The RS4 simply was not considered fair competition due to its aged engineering, which is probably why, coupled with poor sales, the model was discontinued. Audi has also released their super car, the R8, which has proven to be a fierce competitor on the track, and also a pleasant site to see. Other videos circulating have put the RS4 ahead of the IS-F, but the consensus is that the RS4 has seen its days and newer models are simply outperforming. The C63 AMG, the M3, the IS-F, and the CTS-V are all sending Audi engineers back to the drawing board.

Carbon Fiber Everything IS-F

Chances are, if you bought an IS-F, you already know about carbon fiber and its benefits. One, carbon fiber is sleek and attractive. Two, carbon fiber is ultra light and in large quanitity, can shave pounds off your vehicle, further enhancing the vehicle's power to weight ratio. No, you cannot create a Bugatti like power to weight ratio with simple carbon modifications, but you can shave enough time to make the car noticeable at the track. L-Tuned parts has a ton of carbon fiber mods for sale for the IS-F. This does not necessarily mean you are going to shave pounds though. Most of these modifications are for looks , but you may consider them for peformance, but the high price tags on carbon fiber will discourage you.

Check it out here

Carbon exterior mods include:

Side Skirts
Front Lip Spoiler
Rear Lip
Roof Spoiler
Pillars
Hood
Roof

Carbon interior mods include:
Steering wheel
Shift Knob
Door Handle Covers
Center AC Trim
Side Garnish
Outer AC Trim
Rear Seat Center Cover
Gauge Cluster Trim
Paddle Shifters

Expect to pay upward of $15,000 for all of these modifications, ouch!

Some posts on the IS-F you may find interesting

The Lexus IS-F is given a limited slip differential for 2010.
Well it's about time! This should be beneficial to those that take this car to the track. I want to drop this in mine.

An employee's experience with the IS-F
This describes some of the encounters one individual had in his IS-F. This is typical when driving a car like this. People really do not know what the car is about and many have no idea how expensive it is.

Britian uses the IS-F for new police fleet
You usually do not see police fleets using foreign cars. Does this say something about the IS-F?

The new IS350C is modified, looking very similar to the IS-F
IS-F fenders on an IS350? I do not think this is necessary. The IS350 may be a sporty car, but is undeserving of the excessive body modifications given to the IS-F. However, this is a tuner company, and they are free to do what the please. The bulging wheel wells seem a bit odd, but it would definitely turn heads on the road.

The 2009 Lexus IS-F for Sema
The color may repulse you, but you cannot deny the mean looks of the body modifications. This model also received the Artisan turbo kit, bumping the car over 500 horses.