2005 Lexus IS 350 Version S 3.5L V6 from Australia and New Zealand
Summary:
4 door sports car
Faults:
Absolutely nothing.
General Comments:
Fantastic performance from that 2GR-FSE; it can compete with STIs and EVOs, yet maintain its comfort and reliability.
Handling is good; it's the Version S model, so lowered suspension and tighter handling, yet it's still comfortable.
JDM Lexus, so it's a 2005 model, and has remote start which is quite cool.
It has a hard drive, which rips every time you put in a CD.
DVD works on the move.
The Mark Levinson audio system is stunning; easily one of the best audio systems I have ever heard.
The downside is most functions are in Japanese, however you get used to it.
Engine is great, makes a nice throaty noise thanks to an aftermarket intake. Sounds like a mini V8.
Fuel economy is 11.5km-12.5km per L for 306 HP - that is amazing. Barely need to use the throttle; why buy an underpowered IS250 which makes Tarzan noises, while this overpowered car can easily hit speed limits without breaking a sweat.
It's a grade 4.5 car from Japan. The interior was given a B, yet it's very clean. Exterior was an A; not one dent or scratch, and the paint is in amazing condition.
For a 10 year old car, I was utterly shocked when it was scanned to have not 1 fault.
The Lexus dealer asked for the car to come in for a free checkup, only for the IS350 model; they gave me a new IS, so dealer gets 10/10.
I didn't get this treatment from the local BMW dealer, nor was the younger 335i ever as reliable as the Lexus. Hence getting rid of the 335i for the IS350.
IS350 won't handle like the 335i around the track, yet as an allrounder the IS350 wins hands down; 300+ HP, plenty of torque, reliable gearbox and electronics. Good looks, good fuel economy. What's there to lose?
Not good rear leg room and a foot hand brake are the downsides.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th September, 2015
8th Jun 2018, 15:29
"For a 10 year old car, I was utterly shocked when it was scanned to have not 1 fault."
Nice comment coming from a former 3 Series owner (same if he was a former Audi, Vw, Mercedes or Volvo owner).
9th Jun 2018, 17:17
Recently drove a used 2006 IS350 at the local Lexus dealership in Woodland Hills Ca. It was a fresh trade in and had not been safety or detailed yet, not even washed. It was a mess and the prior owner looked like he hauled everything in it for his job. It was dirty and had a lot of trash in it; still had an empty donut bag mix in the trunk of the car. Thought to myself that this car would have not survived this abuse, but I wanted to drive it anyways. Couldn't believe how smooth it was and how much power it had for a small V-6 engine. Didn't have any rattles on it and cornered very well. An amazing car, even looking like it did. The dealership wanted 8990.00 plus tax and fees for it. But wasn't interested in it because I couldn't see past the dirty condition it was in. Followed it on their website for a few days and it sold quickly. Never did see it cleaned up and probably should have seen it again but didn't. Also I did see that the dashboard had some very odd cracking to it. Not sure what type of materials Lexus was using for their interior plastics, but sensed the molding process didn't go well, at least with this year.
18th Jan 2016, 12:05
A very honest review of this excellent car!