Lexus IS 500: The Last Stand for Naturally Aspirated V8s? | 2024 Model Review

[@JCVACCARO]

My brother just traded his 23 Charger Scat Pack wide body for a 24 IS500. What can I say. The Charger was nice but it went back to the dealer 4 times. Screen glitches, oil pan leak, a dash rattle never fixed and an upper control arm. The Lexus is light years ahead in build quality and fit and finish. The Charger feels quicker off the line but the IS has a screaming V8. The quality is impressive.

[@alpe6228]

Never compared a crappy dodge to a Lexus,the quality isnt even close unless it's a viper.

[@bigjdm5460]

@@alpe6228I own a 23 is500 and I wouldn’t call the Dodge crap. Even though dodge Chrysler products I’ve experienced when I was a Nissan tech was the worse quality out of every manufacturer I touched . I still think the Charger/challenger muscle cars have a lot of character and a great presence on the road. Priced well I’m sure cause I see them ALL day. Not my cup of tea but I see the allure.

[@Yoshdogg]

Finally, a reviewer that gets the IS500! It seems that all the "younger" reviewers just don't understand an NA V8 with RWD. And yes, you need to drive it in manual mode if you want fast, crisp shifts! The CD player though, nobody seems to understand that aspect. Lexus has kept it for so long because CDs are the highest quality sound most people can get. Streaming audio is crap, topping out at around 320 kbps, while CDs are around 1411 kbps. Do yourself a favor and toss a CD in that Mark Levinson system, then crank it - it's fantastic. Then, switch to Sirius XM, and notice how awful the music sounds. Also, there's a volume switch in front of your left knee, that when turned down until it clicks, turns the fake engine sound off. Great review!

[@Head_huncho-zd6ik]

I just bought my 500 yesterday, I was wondering why it sounded so quiet but now I see why, thank you 🙏🏽

[@blu_is500]

I have watched your 2022 review a few times and it’s interesting to see the consistency between the two. For one, I am SO GLAD you leaned more into your personal love for this car. Especially since your friend ‘Sam’ sold his and dared to call the IS500…soulless. 🙄🙄 I’m glad you were able to experience fresh brakes compared to the 2022 as well. I’m at 2.5 years of ownership at 28.5K miles and I absolutely l-o-v-e this car. Surface streets, highways, or the mountains…this car is comfortable everywhere. (Granted, I ditched the OEMs for Michelin PS4S Summers and dropped in a dry aFe filter to amp up the goodness.) Thanks for posting this again, I really really enjoyed it. 💪🏽😎

[@BrianMakse]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it...and that you're enjoying your IS500!

[@joespeed5991]

So glad to see people appreciate this car. It brings a smile on my face every time I start it and get to sit in it. I just love that interior ever since it existed. Please can you send me the part no and where you ordered your dry air filter cartridge i presume? Thanks in advance. 👌. And if it makes the intake sound better!!

[@nicksobolta717]

I also would appreciate the air filter replacement information since K/N and BMC do not make performance air filters for my IS 500. Ths.

[@blu_is500]

@@joespeed5991 I’ll have to message you directly. I think the info I posted was removed.

[@blu_is500]

@@nicksobolta717 I’ll message you directly. I think my reply to the other guy (with the info) was removed.

[@JacobMitchell-df7np]

I have a is500 that I've owned for about a year and a half and I drive it pretty hard sometimes and that thing never breaks or gives me any problems. All you need to do with it is just change the oil every 5,000 miles and that thing could easily last over 100,000 miles with no major problems. It’s the same engine that was in the isf back in 2008 and there’s been so many of them with just under 500,000 miles going strong.

[@dacuse2009]

I’m keeping my Molten Pearl for years to come…super happy with the car! Reliable, performance and luxury wrapped in one.

[@timw2083]

Two years later, I still love mine 🎉 The n/a V8 is why I bought it. I love the sleeper effect most of all. I have an exhaust to install to give it a little more tone. My GR Corolla has taken the IS500 role as daily driver, so the 500 is more of a weekend treat. Thanks for another review as a reminder

[@oz88og40]

that lexus is badass and the v8 sounds good

[@BrianMakse]

So good!

[@eligos13]

ya the cd player plays dvd’s for some reason nobody seems to figure this out you need a cd slot for dvd’s 😂

[@CobraShuttle]

I've had mine for a few years, and you can get almost 33mpg on the highway.

[@RichWithCars]

From a dynamic/driving perspective how does this compare to the LC500? I have an LC and I'm planning to add the IS500 to my garage as more of a daily driver....

[@BrianMakse]

Check out the LC episodes here first before you buy!

[@RichWithCars]

@BrianMakse I have....I checked out your initial review of the LC500, which was one of the determining factors of my LC500 purchase 6 years ago. Just curious on how it compares to the IS500....planning on test driving it as soon as I can get my hands on one

[@richardhetzel329]

I am seriously thinking about trading in my IS300 AWD for this beast.

[@Yoshdogg]

Do it. Seriously.

[@blu_is500]

You will not be disappointed! It'll be familiar and totally different at the same time. (It's super weird how it's able to do that!) 😀 I had a '06 IS350 and a '16 IS350 FSport, the 500 is hands down the best IS they've made. Looks, Engine, and a smooooooooth ride...it is simply amazing and worth every penny.

[@ApimpNamedSlickBack663]

Good review. Subbed

[@BrianMakse]

Welcome and thanks for the sub! Hope you enjoy!

[@Vosovogalsyncope]

If it had a manual transmission, I wouldn't own an LT1. That Lexus looks good.

[@davevan9150]

I was thinking the same thing, but maybe a sportier coupe. SC500 !

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Great video thanks for sharing, it is a shame the IS 500 never came to the UK.

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! Yes, that’s a real shame.

[@alpappalardi7044]

I seriously considered, but for the price point I went with the longest produced car over 70 years . The C8 corvette stingray. 2 less seats but a lot more car.

[@BrianMakse]

Completely different use cases and both are delightful to drive.

[@clubracer6]

I really want a CT5VBW manual, but it’s so big. I love this car and wish it had a 3rd pedal. Would this and a manual sports car be a good combo over the BW? Nice reviews!

[@VitoC.]

Gorgeous

[@asifhirji226]

Great review. I’ve heard many complaints about the dated transmission but sounds like you didn’t mind it?

[@urbanalbino619]

Yes, allot of reviewers complain it’s not the transmission from LC500 10-speed. I have the Molten Pearl and love it and it’s a none issue unless you someone that takes your IS500 on a track that’s my opinion. 💪🏼

[@BrianMakse]

There's nothing wrong with the transmission. Great car.

[@dacuse2009]

@@urbanalbino619- I’ve got one of the Moltens too…love the car!

[@yousef.al-assaf]

So many complaints of people who only review the car, not own it. As an owner of an IS500, I can tell you that these people are clueless. The transmission has a dual personality. Super sharp shifts at full throttle, Sport + mode, manual shifting. Super smooth shifts when cruising in Eco mode. Reviewers just don't know how to use it, complaining that it's shifting slow while they are at like 4k RPM and half throttle.

[@Yoshdogg]

​@yousef.al-assaf yup , its specialty is full-bore upshifts. Not sure why so many can't understand this...

[@shahrukhbakar3248]

The IS500 is a very special car in today’s market. Hopefully there will be a 2025 IS500 to round out the final year of 4 years of the IS500.

[@BrianMakse]

Indeed

[@blu_is500]

It will be around for 2025 as well. Rumor-mill says it will be a mild refresh, but no one...yet...knows what 'mild' means.

[@stevechin1866]

Hi Brian. Another great review. Just wondering if you found the cabin bit cramped. I sat in one a few weeks ago and found it cramped. I am not tall (5ft 5in).

[@anthonykiedis1765]

I drove an IS350 that's the same size for 5 years. I'm 5'10 and thought the interior was nice and roomy.

[@BrianMakse]

I like the smaller cabin of the IS so I don’t have any complaints.

[@Yoshdogg]

I'm 6' 2" and have no problem in my IS500. when I initially test drove the I350 two years ago, I was a little heavier, and felt that the cabin was a little tight, but as I lost nearly 30 lbs last year, it now fits like a glove.

[@base1096-d7x]

Just got the 2023 is 350 and idk if it’s just me but my ankle is becoming sore and I think it’s because of how the gas and break pedal is like I think the brake pedal is too high or something

[@rocknrolldog5116]

You can turn off the synthetic sound.

[@dacuse2009]

Yes!

[@ratshackmojo]

Lexus seems to only give the good colors to car reviewers. Meanwhile every Southern California dealer only has 3 choices: White, black, Grey.

[@BrianMakse]

When you control the supply, of course you’ll do that. From my perspective dull colors don’t show well on KZbin so I’m happy.

[@ywsaechao]

The touch pad is “the greatest thing ever” said no Lexus fan ever lol I don’t have a touch screen on my 15’ RCF and rarely have my infotainment screen on because the touchpad is horrible 😄

[@Slickpete83]

*I'm guessing 16.4 L/100km or 14mpg*

[@ajshapiro1269]

Who cares? It's a fun car.

[@motaz1975]

with the atkinson cycle you can get amazing highway mpg with this engine. 25 mpg or better is totally possible.

[@2URLex]

32.5 or slightly better in you’re in eco and cruising. 15-17 if you’re gunning it everywhere. These engines utilize the Atkinson cycle like the Prius without shutting off cylinders, when you’re ready to play the programming will switch it back to the Otto cycle. These Yamaha engines are a master piece that a ton of people are still missing out on. My RCF is the vehicle I’ve ever owned and I’ll never give it up lol

[@Yoshdogg]

I routinely get 25+ mpg if I'm delicate with the long pedal. Efficiency is not an issue for this car. I've seen as high as 28 mpg on some legs of 30+ miles.

[@RandyJM21]

CD player is not a problem for people who have CDs . Don't want to buy music in the different ways you can and having a CD you like and being able to just hit a button and not deal with screens and tech etc is not a problem considering you can fuck with your tech as well . As an expensive throw back car many buyers will be 50s and beyond and may be appreciate a CD player regardless of what anybody else thinks . Same way everybody got rid of turntables and vynl to not be a stupid old person now that everybody followed the trend now its cool to re buy or collect records . It's smart to leave the CD player . Its older people who will appreciate lesser performance in exchange for a NA V8 not needing the acceleration #s of boosted to the tits 3.0 like most cars . There's a reason people like outdated stuff , some rational and some not soo much . Same way a lot of updated stuff is not rational In regards to screens and digital stuff for the sake of it that hurts the experience or even dangerous and may cause issues down line or you WANT TO BE AWAY FROM SCREENS ONCE IN A WHIILE and have all your life recorded by what is supposedly your car but a tool designed for all kinds of corps and others benefit they make you fund for them .

[@yousef.al-assaf]

It's a DVD player too

[@thyself9258]

v8 staying v6 going

[@2URLex]

This is the last year our 5.0 will be made.

[@BrianMakse]

Boo

[@thyself9258]

@@2URLex ahh unless they doing a entire new v8 which I doubt nope. V6 and 4cyl will be replaced for more then likly same road as toyotas camrys half EV bs. RC/v8 stays untill they replace it in GT series with a new model which is why a is500 would be staying around.

[@blu_is500]

@@thyself9258 I read the same thing yesterday. Looks like the current 3rd Gen IS will get another mild refresh for 2025, which means the IS500 will be around for at least another year. (...and I'm A-Okay with that!) 😀

[@thyself9258]

@@blu_is500 same ill be happy it stays.

[@brianco12]

I feel like a bit too much emphasis is placed on the naturally aspirated aspect of this car. I think a more important thing to grab before it's gone is a manual transmission, and for that reason I think the Cadillac Blackwing should be mentioned here.

[@BrianMakse]

Too bad the majority of BW buyers think otherwise.

[@brianco12]

@@BrianMakse Yes that is a shame.