Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 3253269)

isnt that a dressed up civic?

id rather do the accord sport with 6MT if getting such FWD sedan...

Originally Posted by TN.Z (Post 3254055)

The ILX is the dressed up civic, the TLX is the new TL. I think it's on the Accord platform, and it is available with AWD, but it isn't available with a manual that I know of.

Originally Posted by RicerX (Post 3255130)

It does, however, feature an 8 speed dual clutch transmission. I find that fairly impressive. For some reason, I'm just not interested in the rest of the car.

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 3253106)

I'm sure it did. IIRC it was every option possible. Some stupid price, too, at the time - I think it was near $60K, though he was leasing it. I guess I didn't even realize they had a package without the steer-by-wire. Now I want to go test drive one :driving:

Originally Posted by RicerX (Post 3255159)

So after my test drive with the steer-by-wire (which is the Deluxe Touring Package that features that, btw), I found the system to not be as bad as people say. You can even tune the steering feel and response via the car's computer, which is pretty wild stuff. The strangest thing about it is that what people describe as "numb" is the last of bump/road/pothole feedback through the steering wheel as it's not physically connected with the wheels in any way. So you'll go over bumps, feel it in your seat and not your hands (that's what she said), and it's definitely culture shock coming from a car as raw as the Z.



I really, really, really like the Q50S. Hilariously enough, I'm starting to understand the cult 7AT guys on this forum - the transmission is pretty legit.



Compared to the Lexus IS350 F Sport (which I also drove), the Q50 stomps it with power. I was surprised that what looked like a negligible power difference on paper turned into a monstrous difference in reality. I think part of that is due to the Lexus's transmission - I'm pretty sure it waters down what is already a less powerful engine.



I will say this - the Lexus's cockpit is by far the sportiest and coolest of any sedan I've ever sat in. You sit IN the Lexus as opposed to ON it (which is the general feeling I expected going to a sedan from my Z in general). It is by far the sportiest feeling car with respect to seating position and all of the controls in the car. The steering wheel is tiny in a great way, and every piece of it screams "SPORTS SEDAN". I drove it before the Q50, and I have to say - before I felt the powertrain difference I was pretty sure that I was going to buy a Lexus.



The Q50 has a great seating position itself (not as nice as the Lexus, but sporty enough in the S trim), but the powertrain is just so much better. Toyota gonna Toyota, and Nissan gonna Nissan.



The Lexus does have some wussy little wheels too, though. 225 40 18 in the front IIRC, and 245 in the rear (or 255?). However, the 18" doesn't look bad on the car, and it's a decent configuration for the car itself, but could stand to be upgraded.

Originally Posted by RicerX (Post 3255159)

So after my test drive with the steer-by-wire (which is the Deluxe Touring Package that features that, btw), I found the system to not be as bad as people say. You can even tune the steering feel and response via the car's computer, which is pretty wild stuff. The strangest thing about it is that what people describe as "numb" is the last of bump/road/pothole feedback through the steering wheel as it's not physically connected with the wheels in any way. So you'll go over bumps, feel it in your seat and not your hands (that's what she said), and it's definitely culture shock coming from a car as raw as the Z.

I really, really, really like the Q50S. Hilariously enough, I'm starting to understand the cult 7AT guys on this forum - the transmission is pretty legit.

Compared to the Lexus IS350 F Sport (which I also drove), the Q50 stomps it with power. I was surprised that what looked like a negligible power difference on paper turned into a monstrous difference in reality. I think part of that is due to the Lexus's transmission - I'm pretty sure it waters down what is already a less powerful engine.

I will say this - the Lexus's cockpit is by far the sportiest and coolest of any sedan I've ever sat in. You sit IN the Lexus as opposed to ON it (which is the general feeling I expected going to a sedan from my Z in general). It is by far the sportiest feeling car with respect to seating position and all of the controls in the car. The steering wheel is tiny in a great way, and every piece of it screams "SPORTS SEDAN". I drove it before the Q50, and I have to say - before I felt the powertrain difference I was pretty sure that I was going to buy a Lexus.

The Q50 has a great seating position itself (not as nice as the Lexus, but sporty enough in the S trim), but the powertrain is just so much better. Toyota gonna Toyota, and Nissan gonna Nissan.

The Lexus does have some wussy little wheels too, though. 225 40 18 in the front IIRC, and 245 in the rear (or 255?). However, the 18" doesn't look bad on the car, and it's a decent configuration for the car itself, but could stand to be upgraded.

Originally Posted by TN.Z (Post 3255182)

Question: did you by chance turn the traction control features off on the Lexus? My friend bought one pretty recently and I agree the interior is spectacular, but he said that he thought it was weak and was pretty set on buying a m235i until he turned off one of the traction control settings on the Lexus, he said it really made the car come alive.

All this said I also love the Q50s from my driving experiences it would be the choice I would make if I move to a sedan.

Originally Posted by b15 (Post 3255347)

Nice comparison. I'm still not sold on the new exterior styling of the IS, but I love the Q50s exterior. Interior goes to the IS.

Have you crossed off the STI from the list? Personally, I wouldn't even consider after those two, but if you're still after performance over luxury, it'll win there.

Originally Posted by RicerX (Post 3255159)

So after my test drive with the steer-by-wire (which is the Deluxe Touring Package that features that, btw), I found the system to not be as bad as people say. You can even tune the steering feel and response via the car's computer, which is pretty wild stuff. The strangest thing about it is that what people describe as "numb" is the last of bump/road/pothole feedback through the steering wheel as it's not physically connected with the wheels in any way. So you'll go over bumps, feel it in your seat and not your hands (that's what she said), and it's definitely culture shock coming from a car as raw as the Z.

I really, really, really like the Q50S. Hilariously enough, I'm starting to understand the cult 7AT guys on this forum - the transmission is pretty legit.

Compared to the Lexus IS350 F Sport (which I also drove), the Q50 stomps it with power. I was surprised that what looked like a negligible power difference on paper turned into a monstrous difference in reality. I think part of that is due to the Lexus's transmission - I'm pretty sure it waters down what is already a less powerful engine.

I will say this - the Lexus's cockpit is by far the sportiest and coolest of any sedan I've ever sat in. You sit IN the Lexus as opposed to ON it (which is the general feeling I expected going to a sedan from my Z in general). It is by far the sportiest feeling car with respect to seating position and all of the controls in the car. The steering wheel is tiny in a great way, and every piece of it screams "SPORTS SEDAN". I drove it before the Q50, and I have to say - before I felt the powertrain difference I was pretty sure that I was going to buy a Lexus.

The Q50 has a great seating position itself (not as nice as the Lexus, but sporty enough in the S trim), but the powertrain is just so much better. Toyota gonna Toyota, and Nissan gonna Nissan.

The Lexus does have some wussy little wheels too, though. 225 40 18 in the front IIRC, and 245 in the rear (or 255?). However, the 18" doesn't look bad on the car, and it's a decent configuration for the car itself, but could stand to be upgraded.

Originally Posted by RicerX (Post 3255440)

I haven't totally crossed it off the list, but damn if it isn't a lot further down the list than it was last week.

I didn't realize how much I would like the extra creature comforts the Q50 and Lexus offer. I fear I'm finally getting adult. :rofl2: