Well the IS350 is home and tucked away beside the IS300 in the garage. I just checked the paint codes...both of our Lexus IS' have the same 202 "Black Onyx" paint code. So I guess if the floor mat gets jammed in the car and I have an accident, any leftover paint from the repairs can be used as touch up for Import Queen's IS300!
The ride is quite taut, but is never harsh. The car runs silently on the highway..TOO quiet for my taste, actually. I've already ordered a new Magnaflow exhaust for it (according to Magnaflow, I've purchased one of the first ones since the exhaust was only made available a few weeks ago), a new intake similar to the FSport, and a Cosworth air filter. So I'll have a nice induction and exhaust sound. As a nice bonus, the combo is usually worth about 10-15 RWHP. Not that it really needs it. The engine is very powerful and smooth. And I was amazed by the highway fuel economy, a mere 7.6L/100kms. Not too shabby for 300+HP! As with all Lexus, the interior is beautifully done and the seats are buttery soft and smooth. Overall, I'm really pleased and it should be a nice car to do some modding to.
Some more of my impressions:
-The keyless entry/ignition is perfectly executed. Just leave the key in your pocket, touch the door handle and it unlocks the door. Jump in, push start and away you go.
-The cooled/vented seats are nice. This feature will be great in the summer. The leather is super soft.
-Side view mirrors seem HUGE, but allow you to adjust perfectly to avoid blind spots. Not sure if I like the tilting mirrors when you put the car in reverse though. I also think the placement of the side mirror electric adjust sucks. It's too far forward for my taste.
-"Base" stereo seems anything but. With 13 speakers and plenty of power it sounds great.
-I think the outcry about not having an "off" key for the VDIM system is over blown. I went around some of my favorite corners and the system didn't intervene at all. So you'd have to be driving like a real a$$ to have it activate. Besides, I've already tried the "cheat code" and it disables the system completely.
-Rain sensing wipers work as advertised.
-Adaptive lighting works as advertised...but seems gimmicky to me. I can't ever recall wishing for lighting that follows the curve as you drive around it.
-Gauges are beautiful, day or night. So crisp and easy to read. Like Julie's BMW, you can set tach shift lights or a speed warning light. I could do without the speed warning light, but the tach shift lights is a nice touch.
-2 different presets for 2 different sets of tire pressuring monitors. Nice..since I'll have winter wheels on it too. You just toggle between "1" and "2".
-Console lid is not to my liking. It doesn't open up or down like a regular lid. First you slide it back, which reveals another cup holder. Only after it's in the "slide back" position will it open up like a regular lid. Meh. Not sure why it's that way...not crazy about it. Inside the console is where the aux. power source and aux input for stereo is.
-3 presets for driver's seat and passenger seat seems a bit much. 2 each would have been fine.
-Vehicle info screen is located between tach and speedo right at the top of the gauge cluster. Toggling through it (with button on steering wheel) shows avg speed, fuel economy, range, temp, gear, etc. Easy to see and use.
-Soft ambient lights in it are a nice touch. Very soft light. One small LED shines from ceiling onto the console. You can't actually see the light shining per se...just the soft lighted glow on the console. There's also one each in the front footwells. Nice.
I'll post more as I think of it. Overall a beautiful car. So far pretty pleased with it.
Sorry for the crappy pics (especially Bob and others who take great photos...I feel huilty when I show my POS shots). These were taken quickly with a cell phone.
