teeder27

I'm thinking about picking up a leftover NEW 2008 Lexus IS 350. I am not very familiar with Lexus and the overall quality of their vehicles. I did have a 2004 Toyota Solara that I purchased new and it was a piece of garbage, so thats why I am unsure about Lexus. I am also curious if anyone thinks that I could get a better price on the car- Here are the details-

08 Lexus IS 350
Obsidian/Black
Headlamp Washers
Navigation System
Sport Package
Preferred Accessory Package
All Weather Mats
Rear Lip Spolier

MSRP- $44328.00 (Which we all know means nothing)
Sale Price- $33991.00

Lexus's financing rate on the 08's is not good for top tier credit, so thats one thing to consider also.

This would be my first 4 door car purchase ever, and my first purchase of a car that is not fully loaded. I would be trading my other vehicle in to purchase this car. I'm planning on going back to re-test drive it tomorrow and take my iPod along to see how the "base" stereo system in this car sounds, since it is not equipped with Mark Levinson or any of the other tech gadgets that are available. I know that I can get a Mark Levinson DVD headunit on ebay that should be plug and play for DVD purposes, but other than that I'm unsure. The car I'm looking at has not had its warranty started, it has about 250 miles on it, a good part of those from me driving it, and a rattle in the back window, which would have to be fixed before I would sign paperwork.

Any suggestions?

ilocke

iTrader: (11)

That sounds like a good price for a new 08 350. Let's just say I paid more for mine with similar options.

bigbwb

TEEDER,

I just bought the exact same car but in SGM with same options about 3 weeks ago. It was also a leftover 08. Listed for $43k and I bought it for just under $35K. Being its just over a year old, $8-$9k off sticker seems fair.

I love it so far! I also wanted the ML stereo and had a chance on a 2007 IS350 with it among other options like the radar cruise but it was not in mint condition and I am very particular

Here is mine,
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/aut...detailing.html

Good luck!

Brandon

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

The price is pretty good... two things from your post though-

The ML unit won't exactly be plug and play... IIRC you need a custom harness... not impossible, but it won't really gain you anything except watching movies. The magic of ML versus the stock audio (imho) is in the different amp/speakers.


As to quality, Lexus just ran off a streak of like 15 straight years as the most reliable vehicle in the world, so you're probably ok.

teeder27

Your car looks great. I should bring my black car out to you and have you shine it up for me. lol.

I'm going to go out and check the car out again tomorrow afternoon and see what I think. I am hoping that they will give it to me without a salesman so that I can play around with it and get a true feel for it, otherwise its worthless.

How is the base model stereo system?

Thanks for your help!

bigbwb

teeder,

Thanks! I spent too much time on waxing/polishing

The 350 is a blast to drive, lots of power! The sport pkg helps the ride IMO. Its more BMW like(wearing flamesuit) ha.
This is the 2nd IS we have owned both with the same stock stereo and its sufficient. Nothing like the ML system escpecially after hearing my moms in her LS460. I think with the ipod adaptor you would be happy, just dont listen to the ML first

Brandon

2009is350

teeder,

Whatsup man, I just picked up an 09 is350, and they had an 08 there that was the exact as you are looking for listed for 36,995 so i think the price listed to you is pretty decent. I would definitely buy the Lexus, besides reliability of the car they have the best service that is out there. You might be able to negotiate the price a little out there but that is a pretty decent price anyway. The financing isnt bad i just got 2.9% for my is350 and i went around looking at other dealerships such as BM'W and Infiniti for the g37 and they are all at 2.9

Fizzboy7

Your Toyota was a piece of crap? I've never heard of such a situation with a Toyota. Maybe it was underpowered or tinny, but did you mean unreliable?

The Lexus is pretty nice, I think you can't go wrong with one.

teeder27

They actually dropped the price down to 33,991. I went back on Saturday and checked it out again. It has 190 miles on it and already has some rattles in it. I'm going to think about it until Monday morning and see what I think. Its a tough decision, because I currently have an 08 Infiniti G37S coupe that has every option available. I was looking at different cars because the G37's trunk is extremely tiny. I've never owned a sedan before, so this would be a first. We'll see what my mind tells me in the morning.

teeder27

It was a new 2004 Toyota Solara V6SLE. Piece of crap in regards to reliability. I could PM you the details if you really want to know.

RSMDR

I looked at trading my '07 IS for an '09 IS over the weekend but decided against it. I drove several and they all rattled, just like my '07. If you are adverse to rattles, plastic "ticking" noises then stay away from the IS...

I then drove a G37 w/ Journey package and really liked the build quality. I think that's the way to go me.

teeder27

The rattle in the 08 that I drove, drove me nuts! There were a couple of other sticking points that kept me from pushing forward with the IS350. Infiniti's navigation system is light years ahead of what is currently used in the Lexus IS350. The Infiniti version is a hard drive based system with a much more in depth, user friendly interface. In my G37S, I can also have satellite radio AND an iPod interface, without having to choose between the 2. I would have been mad at myself if I had gotten a car that was not loaded exactly like I wanted. I'll see what Lexus has out in a couple of years when I am looking for something different at that time.

If you get the G37, you will definatley enjoy it!

kur1j

I just got a SGM 2008 with < 4k miles on it for right around 30 with all the TTL.

I drove it home from his place which was about 1k miles and I didn't hear any rattles or anything. Amazing car and I absolutely love it.