Hi i'am not sure if this is the correct forum but please move if if wrong.
I currently own a 2001 Lexus IS300 looking to get something else in the next month.. My question is about handling anyone here went from a IS300 to Mustang GT.How does the 2005 Mustang handle the corners and turns. The previous generation pretty much sucked i'am driven my friends 2003 GT mustang and its horrible.
Any opinions welcomed.. I will test drive the GT most likely this weekend the rain pretty much killed me this weekend

 

Performance wise, the 'Stang will beat the IS in every category, however I wouldn't really say the two are comparable. If you prefer sport, get the Mustang, if you prefer refined luxury, the Lexus. If Lexus made a stick shift IS350 with stiffer springs however...

 

IS350 is more powerful, and they both weight the same.

 

Mustang GT. It'll own the Lexus in pretty much every peformance category.

 

It'd still suck? BOT...

An 06 IS350 retails @ $35.5K, versus $26.5K for the Mustang. There's a lot of stuff you could do to the 'Stang with the extra cash... and while the IS' has 3hp more than the 'Stang, less than noticeable, the 'Stang has a nice 43ft-lbs more torque. And everyone knows torque = fun. That will easily make up the 3 pony difference.

Oh, and the 'Stang can hit 60 about .3 seconds faster. So, if light-2-light street racin is your version of fun, then the 'Stang is for you.

 

More HP (306), yes. More torque (277), no. Here are the numbers (from Motor Trend):
IS350
0-60: 5.2 sec
1/4 mile: 13.8 @ 102.9 mph

Mustang GT
0-60: 5.1 sec
1/4 mile: 13.5 @ 103.6 mph

So it's a driver's race really.

 

MT is also known for... (edited out- think of the children!)

PC version: MT is biased to import brands. Always.

 

They are not really comparalbe cars... for performance you can't go wrong with the Mustang GT and with the money you'll save over the IS350 you can add plenty of mods.

 

In a straight line, yeah its close with the Mustang winning by a nose. With respect to road feel and overall handling,I can't directly compare the two because (oddly enough, I haven't driven an S197 GT), but the IS left alot to be desired (for driving enthusiasts.) From what I hear and read the GT is worlds better when the roads start to twist.

 

Thanks for all the replys guys.I already have an IS so i was thinking about something different this time around.I am keeping my old car. I've heard the engine on the GT and man is it sweet. Nothing like an American V8. The handling was what worried me with the GT. I drive my car really hard i'am lowered with Staggared wheels and my car handles like a dream but ride like its on rails. Reason being i've wasted about 10k mods in my IS and plan to keep the Stang totally Stock.I've learned my lesson MODS are a total waste thats why i have to keep my car.
Thanks again for the help anymore insite welcomed. Hopefully its sunny this weeking in NY i'll get to test drive one.

 

As an owner of a 99 GT i am a bit confused as too how the 99-04 GT's "pretty much sucked" It seems that you are comparing performance. In that case lets look at the numbers:

1999 Mustang GT (and a heavy vert mind you)
HP: 260
Torque: 302
0-60: 5.5 secs
1/4 mile: 14.1 secs @ 99 mph
Skid pad rating: .87 g
60-0: 120 feet

2001 IS300
HP: 215
Torque: 218
0-60: 7.1 secs
1/4 mile: 15.3 secs @ 92 mph
Skid pad rating: .83 g
60-0: 113 feet

***all stats from www.fast-autos.net***

So all in all besides a 7 foot difference in the braking test the SN95 has the IS300 beat hands down. This is not to say you have a bad car at all but just take a look at some specs next time first.

 

Ok my friend has a 2003 GT which i've driven quite a bit. Around the Turns we have alot of back roads out here on the Island the car does not feel stable at ALL over 50mph.With my IS its the complete opposite. Now i'am not talking horse power the GT kills the IS hands down. Only in the handling department. This is what i've noticed in his car.

 

Are you sure there's not something wrong with his car? I've been in a few GTs before and they seemed fine...

 

No car was purchased new and no accidents.i have to test drive the 2006 GT and see for myself.

 

You say that mods are worthless as investments in that they dont hold their value (and youre right), but a new car is the same way. Why do you want a new car? If I were you I would just stick with the IS, it is a great car. Just throw a little more money into it in power mods and call it ia day.

 

What we need is someone who's owned a 99-04 and an 05+ to weigh in on the difference in handling between the two. However, I can say that my car has never felt unstable at 50mph, or even 80 mph for that matter. I'm not sure what you consider 'unstable' so it's hard for me to comment on that, but I think the car feels fine, particularly for it's price bracket.
Whether you'll be happy with an 05+ Mustang depends on what youre looking for. The Mustang is never going to handle as nicely as the new Miata, but compared to the torque and hp of the Stang, the Miata takes forever and a day to get through the quarter mile. If you don’t care about power at all, you may be happy with the Mazda, but that's not for me. If you want a car that perfoms on the same level as the Mustang in terms of power, but handles like a race car, you're gonna be spending $60-70k for the new M3 or Lotus.

The fact is that for it's $25-30k price, nothing is going to beat the Mustang in it's combination of power and handling. And even though you want it to remain stock, you can significantly inprove the Mustang's handling with a few simple, inexpensive suspension mods. If you want to explore that posibility, you should visit the 05+ Mustang GT performance section here.

 

i have driven a '93, '96, & '03......the difference is NIGHT & DAY. the '05+ feel more neutral, stable, exudes more confidence, responsive steering vs that 'numb feeling', and handles great in the twisties.

its no 350Z (stock one), but w/ a plethora of handling parts for the '05+, you can make it handle like its on rails or like a 350Z (stock one that is).

ur best bet, take one out for a spin on a sunny day.

 

Well i've had the car for 5 yrs now and i'am just itchin for a new car. I just recently paid off my car and have money to burn i guess.lol
my car has 60k miles i've done Wheels, Navi, Sound System, intake exhaust, JDM fogs with HID's for example. I have a turbonetics Turbo also but nver went through with installing it.It would be almost 10k to install and tune properly for this car. Pluss the headache off problems that goes with F/I.
I've liked the mustang GT the first time i saw the body at the NY car show. I have looked at the M3 but dealers cannot find a White SMG coupe, PP, Xenon, with the options "I" want on the East Coast.All are fully loaded Black or Blue going for well over 63k. Production has ended unfortunatly. This is the only reason i would sell my IS for the M3.
I will try to go out this weekend if weather is sunny to test drive one

 

Your IS sounds killer, but if you've got the money I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by your S197 test drive.

 

$10k to install a turbo!!! Definetley not worth it. You could buy an S197, sell the turbo kit and have money left over to play with. Say for a Vortech S/C or if you want to go the turbo route STS turbo's makes a mean single and twin setup for the 05 and up Stangs.