Hi.
It is a very nice, smooth, and reliable car. However, I'm going to go out on a limb and honestly say that, in my opinion, it wasn't a very fun car to drive. The IS 350 is a little more of the same, just more power. The car's steering wasn't as sharp or weighted as I would like. I felt that the wheel and shifter placement wasn't optimal. In a car that is marketed as "sport," if those two things are done well, they can mask a majority of the deficiencies in the car. The shifter's feel is not like a Miata (short and smooth). The clutch engagement is okayyy, which is there to make driving smoother. Throws a long, but the shifter engages well. It feels ok. The shifter is ok overall. Not a little notchy like the BMW 3-series, a little more dull. Not as short as a Miata. It's a shifter haha.
The suspension was well designed and I felt that it offered good articulation and performance around the track. If you plan to drive hard, that needs to be modified a little.
The engine is wonderfully smooth, like all Lexus engines. However, I would describe it as not a very sporty engine. Lots of smooth power delivery in the rev ranges where we drive most (lower end of the spectrum). I felt a flat spot at ~5800 rpm...which was probably when it ran out of steam. But that's ok...we don't drive at 5800 rpm all day :] It simply does not produce power the way a race engine would. But then again it's a luxury consumer vehicle haha. So I will not knock it for that.
I felt that the throttle was very smooth. A little dull when I lightly tipped the pedal, then it is quite responsive.
Brakes are fine, however, they did fade after about 20 minutes of testing on the track. Handling is quite neutral, leaning on the understeering side a little. Engine bay is tight, but well organized.
Interior is very nice like all Lexus vehicles. Everything is very well sported out, not confusing like on some Audi and BMW sedans. Intuitive and well thought out are my two remarks concerning the interior. I have always liked Lexus interiors. However, there is a marked sense of utilitarian that you will not see in their other vehicles...which in my opinion is good.
Hmmm...what else were my driving impressions...aha. Freeway driving is nice and smooth. Road noise does permeate the cabin a little, but nothing like an Acura TSX...which is very noisy in comparison.
Fuel economy around the track was less than 15 mpg. On the freeway I observed ~28 mpg cruising at 75 mph.
The IS-250 is a Lexus vehicle. Very reliable, very smooth, and stupendous quality. However, in my opinion, they left the sport to the IS-F.
Great vehicle. Hope my opinions shed some light on it. If I angered any of you I do not mean it that way. I am just giving my opinions.
