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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Lexus IS F

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2011 Lexus IS F

Overview

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2008 Lexus IS F Review

By KBB.com Editors

Recalibrate your image of Lexus. The 416-horsepower 2008 Lexus IS F, the fastest production Lexus ever, will be the first of many from the brand to compete with the BMW M series, Mercedes-AMG and aftermarket tuners. Coupled to the Lexus IS F's 5.0-liter V8 is an automatic transmission that upshifts in a race-car-like 0.1 second. Expect similar factory hot rods from Lexus: F-Sport accessories are already on sale. (An "F" surrounded by a circle is Lexus' internal symbol for a special project. Also, the logo is said to resemble Turn One at Fuji Speedway.) Lexus says that many IS F buyers will have owned Japanese performance cars such as the Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru WRX STi and Toyota Supra Turbo.

You'll Like This Car If...

You'll love the IS F if you want to know (kind of) what it feels like to drive a race car and you don't mind spending time in traffic court. A better, safer and definitely wiser option: Explore the IS F's lofty limits at a car-club event at a race track.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you enjoy the comfortable, quiet ride of the ES 350 and think it's plenty powerful, the IS F is not for you. On uneven roads, the ride can be harsh, and its 19-inch-diameter super-low-profile tires and wheels may be susceptible to damage from potholes.

What's Significant About This Car?

The 2008 Lexus IS F is built on the same chassis as the IS 350 and 250. A 416-horspower V8, which replaces the IS 350's 306-horse power V6, is coupled to what Lexus says is the fastest-shifting automatic in a production car. Other features include a race-track tuned suspension and giant brakes.

Driving the IS F

Driving Impressions When we pressed on the 2008 Lexus IS F's throttle, our first impression was that Lexus' claimed horsepower figures were more than a bit conservative. After two upshifts we were...

shattering the highest speed limit in the U.S. We didn't disarm the IS F's stability control for the curvy sections, but, unlike similar systems, it allowed very aggressive driving before it kicked in. With wider rear tires and 54 percent of its weight on the front wheels, the IS F can lose front grip first if you get into a corner too fast -- but by that time you'll be going way too fast for public roads, anyway. On the other hand, that chassis behavior is ideal for overly aggressive street driving or track-day novices. On the whole, the ride comfort is perfectly acceptable on smooth roads, but -- understandably, given the car's capabilities -- not so terrific over uneven pavement.

Favorite Features

Eight-Speed Transmission
The 2008 Lexus IS F's eight-speed automatic allows anyone to shift almost as fast as a professional racer: Lexus says it's the world's fastest-shifting automatic. Upshifts take 0.1 seconds, downshifts occur in 0.2 seconds and include an automatic throttle blip to match the speeds of the engine, transmission and drive wheels.

Paddle Shifters
In the transmission's manual mode, shifting is accomplished with Formula 1-style steering-wheel-mounted paddles. So that drivers can focus on the road, the car gives a single beep when it's about time to upshift. A double beep means the driver tried to downshift at too high a speed.

2008 Lexus IS F Details

Interior

Even passengers will notice they're in an IS F: The F symbol is everywhere. There's an F between the speedometer and tachometer, on the headrests, on the steering wheel, on the console, on the side of each seat and several more places. At speed, the IS F leather-trimmed seats provide excellent lateral support.

Exterior

It's not difficult to distinguish the 2008 Lexus IS F from its IS siblings. First, there's the "F" badging on front fenders and trunk. Next are wider fenders to accommodate wider tires, vents behind the front wheels to reduce aerodynamic lift at high speed and a larger rear spoiler to help keep the rear tires planted to the pavement. Also, the IS F gets its own grille with a wider opening to help cool the V8. To accommodate the larger engine, the hood has a raised center section. Brake cooling ducts are located next to the foglamps. In the rear are quad exhaust outlets.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

If you build a car capable of 170 miles per hour (and more without its electronic speed limiter), you'd better be able to get it slowed down in a hurry. Lexus had Brembo build extra-large brakes and BBS produce 19-inch wheels to accept them. The front vented and drilled brake discs are 14.2 inches in diameter and surrounded by six-piston aluminum brake calipers. On the rear are two-piston calipers on 13.6-inch rotors.

Optional Equipment

Among the few options available on the 2008 Lexus IS F is a 300-watt sound system with 14 speakers and a six-disc in-dash DVD/CD changer. Those who park their IS F in tight places will want the backup video camera and the sonar-based system that warns of unseen objects. Other options include a DVD-based navigation system.

Under the Hood

For the IS F, Lexus replaced the IS 350's 306-horsepower V6 with an enhanced version of the 4.6-liter V8 used in the LS and GS. To bump horsepower to 416, Lexus engineers added, among other things, electrically (rather than the common hydraulically) controlled variable intake valve timing. This feature is maximized with titanium intake valves, which are lighter and stronger than steel. Also, maximum engine speed was upped from 6500 to 6800 rpm. Torque is down 14 pound-feet and occurs 1200 rpm higher than in the LS 600h L. The eight-speed automatic, based on that in the LS 460, upshifts only about 0.05-second slower than that of a Formula 1 car. Traction and stability control can be adjusted to allow for a more dynamic drive with the touch of the "Sport" mode switch on the dash, or the system can be disarmed completely.

5.0-liter V8
416 horsepower @ 6600 rpm
371 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23

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2008 Lexus IS F Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.1

Out of 10

Based on 353 Ratings for the 2006 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.1/10

Quality

9.4/10
Reliability

9.5/10

Performance

9.2/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.5/10

I love this car

By Les (FL) on Wednesday, May 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 55,599

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"It's handles like a sports car, has plenty of horsepower but is comfortable, good on gas and has all the bells and whistles. At 5 years old it still drives like new."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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I love my car!

By Sadie (AR) on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 68,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Comfort, stereo, smooth ride, cheap maintenance"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have had my car for over a year and I love it. I haven't had any issues with it and I haven't regretted my purchase one time. If I were to get a new car I would definitely consider buying another IS, but maybe a 350 instead for added pep. I would buy this car over my previous 3-series BMW for sure. Love the cheap maintenance in comparison and how smooth the ride is. I love everything about this car!"

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Smooth ride - decent mileage

By Tallguy (FL) on Sunday, April 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 50,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Clean lines, beautiful design, good quality"

Cons: "Tight back seat, large blind-spot"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I sold my Infiniti G35 for the IS250. So far so good. Tight steering radius, smooth ride, easy to find controls, decent mileage (26mpg Hwy - 22mpg City)."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Can't stop driving it, it's a great sized limo

By Guzeman (NV) on Tuesday, April 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 28,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Everything is top shelf, navigation, keyless entry, wireless pandora, seats are beautiful and great long distance plus 32 mpg driving 322 miles to San Diego. Sold my diesel problematic BMW and never missed it with this Lexus."

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Another stylish coffin with tiny windows

By Eddie Vam Haulin' (NM) on Saturday, March 23, 2013

I don't own this car

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: 8/10
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"This car takes the current design penchant for squishing a car to make it look like a raked coupe to the extreme. Possibly the smallest side windows I have yet encountered. If you want to feel like you're sitting down in a hole with only teeny tiny side windows to peer out of, this is your car. Otherwise, it's claustrophobia-inducing. Absolutely horrible."

2 people out of 22 found this review helpful

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Most Perfect Car Ever Made

By Coolhandlucy (CT) on Monday, January 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 18,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "fun to drive, smooth, comfortable, perfect"

Cons: "gas mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I'm serious, this car is ridiculous. I've owned 3 cars in my life, this being the 4th. Driven at least 20 (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Acura, Volkswagen, Volvo etc!). This is honestly the best car I've ever driven in my life and every day I drive it I cannot believe I own this thing, 10,000 miles later. I was very close to owning an A4 but after just test driving the IS on a whim I did not look back. If you said I would be driving a Lexus now instead of an Audi I would think you were joking. Easy to drive, incredibly quick on the highway on a straight, so easy and fun on windy roads. I pass cars without any problems. I could not believe how many standard options this car has for the price, compared to all other German ones. I love everything from the comfortable bucket heated and air conditioned seats (not standard, but still amazing!), smooth steering and road handling, the STANDARD bluetooth and CD disc changer...can listen to the music on my iphone, no need to connect with wires (Audi needs to get a clue on this one), the ignition sequence (love showing this to everyone). Beautiful and tasteful styling inside and out. Really is a pleasure to drive. I tried this baby in heavy snow with snow tires, everyone was slipping and sliding while she was cool and collected. Did not slip around once. My ONLY gripe with her is the gas mileage. Maybe I have a lead foot but I get about 26 mpg total mixed driving. It gets pretty expensive to fill up with premium. This car is definitely luxurious, not exactly the fastest car ever, which you can definitely upgrade if you can afford it. Although, I would not recommend this car to anyone with a family with small children. The back seats do not seem to be big enough for a car seat. Other than that, fantastic car, recommended!"

8 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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See all 353 reviews