2nd gen Lexus IS & IS-F

[strat61caster]

After owning a brand new car I don't think I'll ever spend as much money ever again unless it's a classic I plan on keeping forever.

idk, at this point give me a stereo that does bluetooth to my phone (I bet I can kludge one into anything) and something fun to drive and I'm in, literally dozens of options that tickle my fancy well under $20k and most could be taken to the track for a fun time if you're cool being the slowest car out there.

I guess I just really want to post a dissenting opinion, I don't get the appeal of >$25k sedan daily driver that doesn't check my fun box, personally.

[shiro]

Originally Posted by Noble713

Used luxury sedan vs brand new luxury coupe? I doubt he's cross-shopping those.

And the RC-F is packing the IS-F's 2UR-FSE engine (5.0L V8), not the IS350's 2GR-FSE (3.5L V6).

Oh, and I vote IS-F....UNLESS you want AWD for bad winter weather (dunno what your winters are like in Nebraska).

The RC F is a pretty sick car but probably not the best for a daily driver. I believe that is the "replacement" for the IS F. A lot of the IS F drivers that do track on the weekends say the don't like the 8-speed transmission. It tends to stay in to high of a gear if you aren't manually shifting it. But I do love that quad-tip exhaust! lol

As for winter's in Nebraska it is give or take. I'm already starting to hear it is going to snow next week ... I/m thinking the AWD would be fun in the snow. Worst case I could just take the FRS out to a parking lot and whip some donuts LOL.

Side note (wasn't going to say it) but I might put a small 7PSI supercharger on the IS350 in a year or two and use Vivid racing's new tuning. I think it'll sound sick LOL

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Annahra

Quick, someone get this man a hobby!

Pretty sure we just a sample of his!
Have to admit it was spectacular though.

[shiro]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

After owning a brand new car I don't think I'll ever spend as much money ever again unless it's a classic I plan on keeping forever.

idk, at this point give me a stereo that does bluetooth to my phone (I bet I can kludge one into anything) and something fun to drive and I'm in, literally dozens of options that tickle my fancy well under $20k and most could be taken to the track for a fun time if you're cool being the slowest car out there.

I guess I just really want to post a dissenting opinion, I don't get the appeal of >$25k sedan daily driver that doesn't check my fun box, personally.

I do agree on the cost of a new car, especially if you have to pay tax, tag and title. Buying a used one can cut the cost significantly. The key thing is getting the car as a Certified Pre-Owned so you'll get a full three year warranty. Plus registration and tax is a lot lower.

Example for Nebraska: Purchase a new 2015 IS350 at ~50K (will be cheaper after getting a few bucks off and trade-in). Below is what it will cost for tax and registration in NE... lol. I know other states it can be higher but damn! lol

OHHH And to ADD: that $740 motor vehicle tax, plate fee, and motor vehicle fee will be like $720 next year when it comes time for registration renewal... The used one I'm looking at will only cost $350 for registration. Man, 2015 to 2011 makes quite the difference!

[MokSpeed]

Originally Posted by Noble713

Used luxury sedan vs brand new luxury coupe? I doubt he's cross-shopping those.

And the RC-F is packing the IS-F's 2UR-FSE engine (5.0L V8), not the IS350's 2GR-FSE (3.5L V6).

Oh, and I vote IS-F....UNLESS you want AWD for bad winter weather (dunno what your winters are like in Nebraska).

Sorry I meant to say RC350.

[shiro]

Originally Posted by MokSpeed

Sorry I meant to say RC350.

True, it is the RC 350, but I figured you were referring to the F-Sport variant

[rxlynn]

Originally Posted by Noble713

Used luxury sedan vs brand new luxury coupe? I doubt he's cross-shopping those.

And the RC-F is packing the IS-F's 2UR-FSE engine (5.0L V8), not the IS350's 2GR-FSE (3.5L V6).

Oh, and I vote IS-F....UNLESS you want AWD for bad winter weather (dunno what your winters are like in Nebraska).

It's Nebraska!! How could winter be anything but horrible (says the driver who's lived her whole life in TN, SC, and GA)

[dem00n]

Some really odd advice in this topic.

I'd go for the IS-F, it's got a nice engine, looks good, fun little car by the looks of it.

[Ammonia]

I was really bored when I Illuminated you guys.



Btw, ISF over the IS350, better value retainment, prestige, power, fun. More money though.

Same argument for 335i vs M3. If you think you can use the extra power and can afford the difference, get the M3 (even slightly used).

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by shiro

I do agree on the cost of a new car, especially if you have to pay tax, tag and title. Buying a used one can cut the cost significantly. The key thing is getting the car as a Certified Pre-Owned so you'll get a full three year warranty. Plus registration and tax is a lot lower.

Example for Nebraska: Purchase a new 2015 IS350 at ~50K (will be cheaper after getting a few bucks off and trade-in). Below is what it will cost for tax and registration in NE... lol. I know other states it can be higher but damn! lol

OHHH And to ADD: that $740 motor vehicle tax, plate fee, and motor vehicle fee will be like $720 next year when it comes time for registration renewal... The used one I'm looking at will only cost $350 for registration. Man, 2015 to 2011 makes quite the difference!

Let me rephrase my point short and sweet:

A 'new' car (built within the last 10 years) offers me nothing I can't find in an older cheaper model that has more character and offers more smiles/$.

[EAGLE5]

Just get an FRS.

[Sasquachulator]

If its the ISF vs 2nd gen (2006-2013) IS350, ISF easy. Same cars but the ISF is roided up beastmode compared to the IS350.


If its the ISF vs current gen (2014+) IS350...tougher sell.
Trading off complete utter beast mode old body vs a newer more refined ride, with IMO way better looking interior (and wicked awesome seating position, nice and low to the ground).


Plus the AWD models have this weird AWD hump in the drivers footwell in front of the gas pedal so the floor is raised a little where your calf would be resting. Its feels weird and is kind of annoying.


Ive had the same thoughts, cuz I want an IS350 (heck even an RC now) or an ISF.

[cdrazic93]

Don't forget about insurance. The ISF will be more to insure than the IS350 AWD.

[shiro]

Daaaaaa Hump!

Haha, I just like how the people on the clublexus forms talk about "da hump." It's true there is a small hump on the AWDs but it doesn't seem to bother many people.

Though, it seems I might go against the consensus this time and roll with an IS350 AWD. I figured if I go this route and get a 2nd generation (before ~2nd half of 2013) for fairly cheap and do some fun mods on it over the winter. The IS F is great but it some Lexus owners are saying it's hard to see it full potential if your not on a track/straight away. The IS350 is "supposedly" a well rounded car for performance, luxury and fun factor. Otherwise I see it as a learning curb, in which my real toy [FRS] is still in the garage.

Love the discussion guys! Appreciate all the input too!

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

Don't forget about insurance. The ISF will be more to insure than the IS350 AWD.

Agreed on that too! The small increase in performance and style might not be worth the $$ on the side. When I compared my insurance rates from the Camry to IS30 to ISF with the exact same coverages this is that I had:

Camry rate + $30 = IS350 insurance/month
OR
Camry rate + $67 = IS F insurance/month