2011 Lexus IS-F - Drive Time Review | TestDriveNow

Drive Time review of the 2011 Lexus IS-F by auto critic Steve Hammes
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Welcome to TestDriveNow official KZbin channel! I deliver trusted, top-rated popular car reviews on cars like the Honda Accord, Audi s5, Dodge Durango, Subaru Crosstrek and more! TestDriveNow.com features Drive Time with Steve Hammes offering video program segments showcasing the newest vehicles and industry innovations coming to market.
2011 Lexus IS-F - Drive Time Review | TestDriveNow
• 2011 Lexus IS-F - Driv...
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/ stevehammes

[@PrometheusForever]

i'll just say this: somethimes when u have an icon such as this car, i think you should change very little and u would be surprised how a little thing such as a tail light scheme could take away from the appearence of the car. AND that is y ithink LEXUS didn't fool the model's original scheme on this version. IT AINT BROKE...

[@fienyanney8]

isf or m3 tough choice

[@droppinsumfudge]

@Charles2337 so you would spend $60k on an "underdog"?...

[@droppinsumfudge]

i still dont understand why anyone would buy this car instead of a c63 or m3...

[@WaqasKhan-rs7ho]

The best sounding v8 ever made 2URGSE

[@Toyota4Life]

LOVE THIS CAR ! So sweeeet and rare. Looks great side and out and will last longer then the M3 and etc ! Awesome

[@dasppg9737]

Good luck to those who buy the Cadillac CTS V😂

[@kempowarrior]

This baby does 0-60 in 3.9 to 4.2s not 4.6s.

[@kfr19]

@droppinsumfudge It has equal acceleration to the M3 and is only a step slower than the C63, yet it easily gets better gas mileage than both German competitors. On top of that, the IS-F doesn't get slammed with the gas guzzler tax. And personally, I think the center console of the IS-F looks a lot better than both the BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

[@mustafasalih6345]

Best car ever made ❤

[@PrometheusForever]

I am just glad that they havn't changed the tail light scheme like they have on the 250 and i think 350. They already talk about this car (250) being a chic car and the revised tailight scheme makes it look even more.

[@thetriplex9365]

@stevehammes Look, in this manner one could compare the Panamera S to the E63 or maybe the S63 AMG to the A8 W12. There are different segments and one shouldn't compare cars based just on price. The Cadillac CTS-V is longer than an M5, as wide and as tall. How can you compare a CTS-V to an M3? Sorry, you're just favoring a bad comparison, just to introduce the CTS-V into comparison, just because it's American. The CTS-V is a direct opponent to the M5. There is no comparison, so don't make one.

[@kfr19]

@droppinsumfudge Did you completely miss my comment about the similar or equal performance of the IS-F? Yes, gas mileage is important because if you weren't aware... gas is expensive these days. And who wants to shell out the extra cash for the gas guzzler tax? Yes, the center console is also important because I prefer to drive a car that has a good-looking interior. Have you seen the C63 dash... it's awful. You obviously only care about the performance of a car, but that's only one aspect.

[@droppinsumfudge]

@kfr19 i dont care about gas mileage but i agree about the c63's center stack that its ugly (i think mercedes in going in the wrong direction with interior styling). if gas milage is so important to you, buy a IS250. thats not why people purchase a 420+ hp sports sedan. also, i think the outside of the lexus is ugly and too japanese looking.

[@stevehammes]

@von32897 Had to get me a Peanut Buster Parfait!

[@droppinsumfudge]

@kfr19 so you would buy a car like this because of gas milage and the center console? then youve missed the point of any car in this segment...

[@IamLoGiiC]

@droppinsumfudge Seriously? Maybe maintenance costs? No gas guzzler tax? Not to mention bulletproof reliability? Dont get me wrong, the c63 amg and M3 are amazing cars, but in the long run the ISF is the better buy imo

[@stevehammes]

@wowowonki 30mph...the posted speed limit ;-)

[@GotThePug]

I have one of the latest from 2014 and love it all the way 😎

[@CHUUMPASS]

this car has hamster cheeks, to me most japanese cars these days all look uncomfortable in their own skin, while this certainly looks head and shoulders above infinty`s manatee styles, still it also has got something very odd about it, on the upside, i think the powertrain is stellar though.

[@wowowonki]

hammes carvin up gland. whats the fastest you've ever gone on depot.

[@stevehammes]

@bg1379 Point well made!

[@snowysnowcones]

Great review as always! I think the car is very attractive and I'd buy one if I had 60k :P

[@stevehammes]

@TheTripleX You sound a little hot-tempered, but nevertheless you've grossly underestimated the prioirty of the buyer's bank account. An E63 or an M5 costs almost $25,000 more than a CT-V. That's not an insignificant difference. If you've got about $60,000 to spend it doesn't matter that the CTS-V is a midsize, the M3 is a compact or the IS-F is a subcompact; they all generally appeal to the same buyer for obvious reasons, not the least of which is MSRP.

[@droppinsumfudge]

@Darkender1988 i have seen this car in person... even though i might have said its ugly in previous comments, its not necessarily "ugly"... i just cant think of a word other than "japanese" to describe the styling...

[@thetriplex9365]

CTS-V comparison? Bad idea...different segments.

[@stevehammes]

@TheTripleX OK, let me ask you guys a question: if you had about $60,000 to spend on a high-performance sports sedan which car would you choose? Prices and dimensions for the Caddy, Bimmer, Mercedes and Lexus are all very similar. In my experience, German car buyers don't cross-shop Japanese while a Lexus buyer is far more inclined to cross-shop a Cadillac. Not that anyone asked, but for my money I'm taking the CTS-V hands down.

[@stevehammes]

@WildStriker86 Heading to SC later this month to drive the Genesis R-Spec and new Accent. Will report back later.

[@Kyu1LL]

@droppinsumfudge exactly... not that it's a bad car, but it's just priced too high, with an uglier interior...and less handling / power

[@ManGaribay]

@droppinsumfudge I'm with you. I just can't justify paying that much for a toyota product. I am a loyal BMW owner, but the M3 is kind of small for my taste, I'll have to wait for the M5 to hit the showroom, so I can go check it out, but if it still feels small then the ALPINA B7 will replace my 740iL

[@ManGaribay]

Right the 750 is on the larger side, but it is perfect for wide open American roads, not so much for European narrow roads. I have a 2 year old boy that is as wild as can be, and the more rear seat leg room I can get the better. That way he can't kick the back of my seat while I'm driving, besides I travel a lot between L.A. and Texas, and the long wheel base BMW's have a very nice ride at highway speeds. Sometimes I go into the triple digits without waking up my wife and son, and I like that.

[@ManGaribay]

@droppinsumfudge I forgot to tell you. I saw the Trident on your page, and about 15 years ago I was a MOCNA member and I had a Gibli and a Biturbo. Since I was a Little kid I had a passion for Italian and German cars, and I grew up in the Los Angeles California area, car capital of the world. That, probably had something to do with it.

[@thetriplex9365]

@stevehammes Not hot-tempered, actually cool headed. Just because two cars cost the same, it doesn't mean that they should be compared. All I'm saying here is that from an MSRP POV your are 100% right, but... The one that can afford a 60K performance sedan doesn't take money into account, but rather the car he wants to buy. Each 60k+ performance sedan has it's fans and they tend to buy cars based on personal preference, not MSRP. If you want an M3 you get it, it doesn't matter the CTS-V is there

[@IamLoGiiC]

@droppinsumfudge But whats the point of having a fast sports sedan like the ISF, C63 amg, or M3 if its always going to be in the shop? Ive heard horror stories of C class and 3 series cars in general and a few from the higher end models but from my experience, Toyota cars are much cheaper to maintain and more reliable than their German counterparts. And you talk about the sound and brutality of the car....if you buy (not lease) a car like this, would you honestly keep it stock?

[@kfr19]

@droppinsumfudge I never said anything about buying this car soley based on gas mileage. If a person is looking at these cars objectively, then gas mileage/no gas guzzler tax is a huge plus. If the person likes Lexus in general, then gas mileage might be the deciding factor because they're not losing on performance by choosing the IS-F. If you simply want a fast 420+ hp sedan, save yourself some money, and modify an Evo and call it a day. You seem to forget this a LUXURY sports sedan segment.

[@HectorRachid]

I prefer this one.

[@bob808]

@droppinsumfudge My Dad has a C63. It's had a dashboard rattle since new, the dealer has never fixed it. My Evo X has a quieter cabin, not to mention a better gearbox. These things might not matter to all, but at that price (especially on my little Island) the Lexus makes more sense.

[@droppinsumfudge]

@arehman i do agree about the m3's interior...but for me, an interior is not why i would buy either of these cars. my favorite is def the c63 especially with a sound like that

[@droppinsumfudge]

@IamLoGiiC for me, i wouldnt buy a car in this segment for the long term reliability... honestly its about the performance and power and the way it makes you feel and the lexus just doesnt do a justice to that c63 sound and brutality... either way, i dont think reliability is a problem with either of these german sport sedans, especially the bmw

[@kfr19]

@droppinsumfudge Well fine, Subaru STi then. You only care about a fast sedan because you said that the only thing that people who buy from this segment want is performance; who cares about gas mileage, who cares about the interior/center console. You say these other things are trivial when considering the M3, C63, or IS-F. Well in that case, your desires can be met for a lower price than any of these luxury sport sedans by purchasing an STi or Evo and going with aftermarket modifications.

[@droppinsumfudge]

@SpiritA350 yes, i think the c300 is kinda girly, but its hard to say that about the c63... and yes, this current generation m3 is getting a little old and quite common on the roads, but its a popular car for a reason. if youre looking for something new and exciting, the ctsv is a good option i guess, but for me, i would still be torn between the m3 and c63

[@tallen35875]

@stevehammes there are no dairy queens anywhere near me. the only one close was in town and close about 7 years ago.

[@droppinsumfudge]

@IamLoGiiC i never lease any of my cars... and come on now, thats a huge exaggeration "always going to be in the shop"... i also take good care of my cars (many of which have been mercedes and bmw), so i dont experience reliability issues. and yes, i would keep the c63 stock becuase any more power and it would be difficult to transfer it to the ground, plus that exhaust note is perfect. the m3 however, i would modify with a more free flowing exhaust cuz i dont like the stock sound

[@droppinsumfudge]

@pelepihuamo ya sounds like the 750 is perfect for you. I dont know if youve heard, but bmw is planning on a 650i 4 door that will rival mercedes cls550. ive seen a few pics of it and i have a feeling its gonna be awesome... but ya i think the ghibli is one of the nicest looking cars ever to come out of italy. my family actually has a white granturismo right now and we love it. we live just a couple hours south of LA and i always enjoy seeing some great exotic cars around beverly hills area

[@Darkender1988]

@droppinsumfudge see this car in person and say that. I think they don't look that great until you see them in person. It is truly a stunning vehicle.

[@tigerbalm666]

@kfr19 Absolutely correct on all points, but forgot reliability! I'll take Japanese reliability any day. Sure, looks aren't as good, but as a package hard to beat. The blue looks awesome IMO. Love the gauges too.

[@droppinsumfudge]

@kfr19 neither did I, I was just commenting on what aspects you were talking about. but come on now, dont bring a mitsubishi into the conversation.

[@droppinsumfudge]

@kfr19 i just looked at all my previous comments and couldnt find where i said "the only thing that people who buy from this segment want is performance"... either way, im done talking to you. have a nice day

[@bg1379]

@stevehammes If you're asking, I'd really get the S4. It sure as hell can't compete with these big V8s in a straight line, but I'd imagine that its more tossable in the corners, and I'm sure is easier to live with on a daily basis (MPG boost doesn't hurt). I'm with Jeremy Clarkson in thinking that people in C63s or M3s just look like dicks, and the Audi provides a much fresher face. And, call me crazy, but I actually could take or leave a V8 grumble over a nicely tuned 6 engine note.

[@droppinsumfudge]

@Charles2337 well, i dont know about it beating the m3, but its also not really toyota at all... but everyones entitled to their opinion

[@droppinsumfudge]

@pelepihuamo i cant wait for the new m5!! i love the alpina too... my mom has a 750i, its pretty nice but it is on the large side... thats why i prefer the m5

[@Chris55524]

would have been better if you had of stopped talking when you were talking about the engine noises :(

[@Toyota4Life]

I Love this car. . . . . . Its so pretty in real life and such a beast at the same time. My friend is looking to get one soon

[@WildStriker86]

@stevehammes Good news! Since when I found out about you, you're the only car reviewer I trust lol

[@dllndvs]

I think this is suppose to compete with the m3 more than the ctsv

[@kalargyi]

yes LF-A is SLIGHTLY out of my price range of $380k-390k, $10k is a lot.

[@WildStriker86]

Could you review the new Genesis sedan, perhaps the R-Spec when it comes out? :D

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Great video Steve, I am looking at the Humdrum IS250 of this Generation. I love the ISF!

[@stevehammes]

Thanks, Mr. Glasgow!

[@CarsofGlasgow]

@@stevehammes No worries Steve :)

[@05front]

could use a set of borla atak or s tune exhuast ;)

[@JAYFROMHARLEM]

You could never go wrong with BBS rims :) WRX Owner

[@droppinsumfudge]

@TheTripleX cmon man... youre embarrassing yourself

[@kensai69]

@droppinsumfudge "Different flavors for different folks"....

[@tallen35875]

i thought the exhaust tips were for show only?

[@droppinsumfudge]

@SpiritA350 even though the ctsv got good reviews, its still by far the ugliest, worst sounding car of the segment. i think cadillac finally got it right engineering-wise, but theres no way i would consider a GM car when purchasing cars like the c63 or m3. (but thats just my opinion)...

[@tallen35875]

@madant1977 you realize its Japanese, right?

[@Ecoteric]

the website says it comes standard with a "Power tilt-and-slide moonroof with one-touch open/close and sliding sunshade"

[@hoarbaby]

Daniel Ajiboye it does. A handful of them were explicitly ordered without a moonroof

[@droppinsumfudge]

@NasahrSandi9 it does sound good...

[@Rody69]

you channel is the best steve

[@Jahwarrior91]

Listen to that beast roar!

[@bbenally88]

i like the cts-v

[@droppinsumfudge]

@SpiritA350 ok

[@jarvisthebox]

beautiful

[@timtime88]

still rather have M3, c63amg, or CTS-v

[@d1sturb3d119]

Hows that working out for you now?

[@europlebr3216]

d1sturb3d119 Welp, The M3 and the c63 are probably exploded by now, and the CTSV doesn’t compete with this car

[@kempowarrior]

@@europlebr3216 😂😂😂🤣🤣