Picked Up A New Is..

[VBdenny]

Just rolled down beautiful Route 20 across NYS last week over to Saratoga Springs for a car gathering. I didn't take my car and was forced to ride with my friend Chip in his 1972 Chevelle SS-454 convertible. A lot of cubes in that baby if I do say so. Very nice event hosted by Hemmings and fantastic weather. On my title my the empty weigh is listed as 3795 lbs.

[13IS250C]

Wow.....454. That is some cubes!

Hubby and I were headed to the casino Sunday. There had been a big car show at Sams Town and it must have just let out. For about 20 miles we had a rolling car show rolling towards us. I saw some beauties for sure.

I sure miss having a car to show. :-(

[VBdenny]

I do love old cars but have found the older I get, the newer I like cars. But going back, nothing like displacement. My wife drove my IS for the first time today and really liked the way it drives. Not that I wanted to let her but after a rough flight she was air (car?) sick.

[13IS250C]

Yeah, as much as I loved my supercharged Z28, I had gotten to where I enjoyed driving my 370Z better. I rarely drove it. Selling both of those let me be able to buy my sweet Lexie and retire and enjoy her.

[VBdenny]

Well Becki, I think you hit it directly. I do like older big block V-8 cars BUT, new cars are so much nicer. My 66 Cutlass hasn't been out of the garage in a couple years because it just isn't as much fun as other cars. I had a riot with Miata I had but sold it before I blew it up (which is apparently impossible) or scrubbed the tires to the cords (which is very possible) or killed myself (which my wife worried about). The IS is just more fun and with bluetooth? ahhh so good.

[LEX-SV]

And that's the appeal of a Mustang GT, to some at least. Old school relatively large displacement V8 power with most of the amenities of a modern car...

But when I think of my old IS350 3.5L with 306 hp, not bad for a common sport sedan.

But like others here, I really have little interest in actually owning and driving decades old car today.

[13IS250C]

I sure like to look at them though, and I sure love the rumble of a good LT1. When I first bought my Z28, I would crank it up and just stand behind it and listen to it. I was the first V8 I had had since my '76 Camaro.

[VBdenny]

I have a 350 Vortec with a 700R4 and 12 bolt posi in the Silverado. Came with true duel exhaust to the muffler then a single 3" to the side. When I get the urge for a V8 surge, well I have it. How can you not love the sound of a V8? Now V-10 engines sound terrible but the V-12's are sweet sounding.

Speaking of sound, this IS really has some pretty good pipe with the true duels. I got on it down the street the other day and got a nod of approval from my neighbor (we all have a good relationship so occasional acceleration, burnouts etc are acceptable). Probably why my fuel economy is limited but I do like taking this little V-6 to redline. Not sure how I'd do with 100 more horsepower but I'm sure it would cause issues.

[Lexrrss]

I Love the sound of a v8 and v12 as well, my range rover sport supercharged sounds incredible. I have that 5.0L s/c v8 with the resonators deleted and it screams, around 550 hp. I must admit though, our IS has a very good and highly refined sounding six, such a great car.

And to the v10 comment.. Maybe the dodge viper and older ford trucks don't sound too good, however the Lexus LFA/Carrera Gt/E60 M5/Gallardo etc. v10's sound absolutely fantastic.

[LEX-SV]

I too love the sound of semi-extotics and exotics including Porsche flat 6's, LFA, Carrera GT, Aston Martins, Lambos.

I also enjoy the sound of a common Lexus IS350 with F-sport exhaust (which is how I equipped mine). Sounds similar to a Masi Ghibili 3.0 V6 tt.

[VBdenny]

I guess it has something to do with high RPM's. I like higher winding engine sounds better that lower. For example, a John Deere "A" or a Harley.

[LEX-SV]

Yes, and my interest in pushrod engines has diminshed drastically.

[VBdenny]

Ahh, say it ain't so. But yeah, same with me. Best engine I've had is the 32v 4 Cam 4.0L V8 in my 90 LS400 but it had zero pipe whereas the IS has excellent sound. The transmissions back then were okay but nowhere near as sophisticated as the new units. Seems only a short time ago that a 6 speed automatic was impressive but now? I think I hear MB has a 9 speed.

[13IS250C]

Can you just imagine how much it would cost to repair a tranny like that? Eek!

I love all kinds of cars and nothing sounds better than pulling up to a Harley at a traffic light with my top down. Also, my Z28 with the supercharger whistle and the Borla exhaust going under an overpass. Ahhhhhh

[Lexrrss]

I too love the sound of semi-extotics and exotics including Porsche flat 6's, LFA, Carrera GT, Aston Martins, Lambos.

I also enjoy the sound of a common Lexus IS350 with F-sport exhaust (which is how I equipped mine). Sounds similar to a Masi Ghibili 3.0 V6 tt.

Absolutely agreed, porsche's flat 6 sounds amazing, especially this gt3 banging through the gears. my favorite car..

[13IS250C]

Yum. What is that in MPH?

I saw a Porsche with a spoiler like that in Memphis the other day.

[Lexrrss]

186 mph.

Yea the gt3 is an amazing piece of engineering. This rs 4.0 squeezes 500hp out of a naturally aspirated 4.0L flat 6, and combined with the lightweight body, it really moves out..

[13IS250C]

Amazing. When I had my S2000, it had more HP per liter than any other non forced induction engine. I don't know if that is still true. That was a fun little car. Not fast, just fun and a real head turner.

[LEX-SV]

I've never driven a S2000, they must be fun.

I still see a lot driven around today, must be durable too.

[13IS250C]

Oh yeah. I had it 4 1/2 years and it never went back to the dealership. Honda doesn't try to trap you into a lot of unnecessary maintenance like Lexus and other luxury brands. It is SMALL! There wasn't any kind of console compartment or glovebox at all. Did you know that they didn't even come with an auto tranny! Only a 6 speed. You really had no choice of options. They only came one way. I actually saw the guy that bought it a few months ago at a gas station. It was still in great shape. He had replaced some kind of sensor and replaced the top. It looked brand new.

I'll tell you a little funny. I'm VERY claustrophobic. When I bought the car, it was on the showroom floor with the top down. I didn't realize how small it was inside till I left in it with the top up. It was January. I had to drive around with my window down for months. I would have nightmares about getting trapped in it. I eventually got to where it didn't bother me. It is kinda scary driving a car like that in a distribution city like Memphis. 18 wheelers are everywhere. It sure was fun on a curvy road though....winding that thing up to 9 grand!

[LEX-SV]

I have one friend of the family that has a S2000 for his weekend car. I need to drive that thing, just because.

[13IS250C]

Find some good curves. :-)

[Lexrrss]

Just an update after 8 months of ownership, the IS is just phenomenal.

Traded the range in and got myself a new toy as well..

F10 m5.

[LEX-SV]

Wow, black on black M5. How's the M5 experience so far?

[Lexrrss]

It's unreal, very fast- blows my mind every day.