So I did get to do a little car stuff recently, I hustled up to Bristol Dragway in my IS-F to make a couple passes in the cool(er) air. I’m very happy with the time/mph, especially given that it only has my DIY muffler delete and a set of drag radials.

I’m clearly behind on my updates, but this one takes the cake! Anywho, last summer I was lucky enough to find a great deal on a 2008 Lexus IS-F. My interest in this car was no passing fancy, as I’d read every magazine and website review of it before it even hit the dealerships. On paper, it read like my own perfect car creation. First, you start off with the everyday utility of a sedan, mix in the performance of a legitimate sports car, add one heaping cup of luxury and sprinkle in some real performance parts to taste.

Voila! My dream car. This was no new recipe, as the BMW M3 and the Mercedes C63 AMG have offered those features for years. While the IS-F follows the lead of those great cars, it is a different take on that successful recipe. Lexus simply borrowed the German stuff and added some Japanese game show flavor to the mix.

I’ve racked up enough miles in the last 12 months to know that I still enjoy this car as much as I did the first time I drove it. Although the 5.0 liter V-8 doesn’t have the scrappy character of my turbo four cylinder cars, the syrupy powerband and melodious exhaust note are driving enjoyment at its best. I’ll be updating the site with more on this car, so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading!