oduwu1

Hi there,

This is my 1st post so please go easy on me!

I purchased a new 2014 IS250 last July but am really thinking about upgrading to the 2015 IS350. I want the faster engine, ventilated seats and ML stereo system. I ended up paying my 2014 car off earlier this year but I don't want to pay crazy money out of pocket for the 350. I would pay cash for the difference.

Another reason for the trade is that I purchased obsidian and it's just wayyy to hard to keep clean. It swirls easily and you can easily see water spots. Currently my everyday car is a 2003 Honda Accord. I drive it 95% of the time because I'm scared to "damage" the IS250. (My 2014 250 has about 7600 miles). I would like to sell my Accord and purchase the ultra white 350. I'm tired of maintaining two cars and I think a white car makes a better everyday driver than a black car.

Please let me know your thoughts. Is this insane, a waste of money, etc???

EZZ

Having two cars that are about the same class makes no sense. Waste of money as you have duplication costs with insurance, registration, and maintenance. The IS350 is a really different driving experience vs. the 250. I say go for it. BTW, the nebula grey is the easiest car to maintain. Its the color of dirt so you can't ever tell its dirty

oduwu1

Oopsy! I said 2013 Honda Accord, it's a 2003...big difference. It's literally worth nothing, maybe $1500. I'll edit my initial post and thanks for the response!

CF1LUV

Your car doesn't have the ventilated seats? Does that mean it also doesn't have heated seats? Sorry I don't know all the features of these cars. I went from a black car to the star fire pear white, totally cooler parked out in the sun, also I think it looks cleaner longer.

Like the poster said before me, why have two cars within the same class? It's not like you have a garage queen sports car, then your daily sedan. I'd only upgrade to the 2015 if you sell your accord. I'd also only get the 2015 if you get the car loaded with features. Otherwise why have a luxury car?

well nvm you accord is a '03

oduwu1

It has heated seats but not the "cool" seats that the 2015's have. I got the FSport without nav. But now I'm in agreement with you, I want the fully loaded 350. This is my first "luxury" car so the thought of paying $45-50k for a car seemed foreign to me. Yeah, the black doesn't stay clean at all which I knew when I pushed it but I didn't consider all of the other "stains" that are so much more visible on black.

Yeah, the 03 either needs about $1500 in service or I just need to let it go. I was thinking that could offset the price different a tiny bit.

corradoMR2

Expect a trade-in of about 30K at the dealer for your '14 IS 250 F Sport so you're looking at a 15-20K premium.

Financially of course this is not worth it, but emotions play a big part in the purchase of a car so go with what will make you happy.

Good luck.

tea

If you can afford it, I say go for it. I'd rather have one 350 than a 250 and Accord. Which is ironic since I currently have a 2013 Accord and 250 lollol but I do need twotcars ars

azmojo

Sell the car yourself on CL and you should be able to sell it quickly if you are in a decent sized market. Lots of people are looking for private party IS's with low miles.

I went from a 2014 IS350 to a 2015 IS350 and there are lots of nice, subtle changes that I am happy about. Nav is much better and some bugs have been fixed, the ventilated seats are nice, but none of these are compelling by themselves to warrant the upgrade but I would agree that going from a 250 to a 350 would be a nice upgrade.

oduwu1

Thanks everyone for your responses. I think I'll look into this a little more. Would I get the best deal waiting until the end of the year for their December to Remember sales event?

corradoMR2

Don't count on '15s to be available then and remember your current IS will depreciate further. In short, taking the plunge now or later will cost a similar amount.

dstopsie

i did the exact same thing as you last year at this time. could not stand the black car any longer.

i got the is350 in the ultra white and i loved it.

so much so that i traded it in this year for the RC 350 Fsport in ultra white.

I suggest you go to carmax to get an estimate of the value and sell it to them if the price is what you want. I had the same car and last year i got $35,000 from carmax.

give carmax a shot, it is free.

evident

I would just keep the 03 since its not worth much. I'd list it casually on Craigslist, definitely not trade it in.

coldsoda

^ I agree. I like having an older car around as a backup and to tinker with....

I can see trading in the 250 for the 350 as others have talked about. keep us posted on what you end up doing!

Jbreezie

I'm in the same position, the 350 would be really nice! Do it!!!!

oduwu1

Oh wow. How do you like the RC 350 F Sport compared to the 350? I was looking at that as well but I would probably need to get that used in another year or so. The RC 350 is a bit more than I want to spend.

Do you prefer the white over obsidian? I assume so since you got white for the RC 350 too.