mscuil

So I put a down payment and am ready to pick up a 2014 IS350 F sport which has 30k miles for ~34k plus fees, and has a warranty. I love the way the car looks and the interior, however, I did not put it in sport mode during the test drive, so really didnt get a feel for the speed of the car. While I have been waiting for the title for the car to be sent to the dealer, I started looking into ISF's. I found one (2008) within a 5 hour drive from me, for 25k, but it has 100k miles. It is a one-owner car with service records. I am interested as this would actually save me close to $200 a month in payments, and I also believe the 350 will depreciate much more than the F, but correct me if I am wrong.

Do you experts think I should pay the extra couple hundred each month for the lower miles, warranty, updated interior and exterior, of the 350 f sport, or should i save some money and also get the ISF? From the many threads I have read, it seems that as long as maintenance was done at 60, 90k miles, I shouldnt be concerned, but I am unsure if I need that rolling speed and v8 or if i am simply trying to justify getting into that exclusive car. Thanks for any suggestions, and honesty!

Diesel350

As long as the car has been taken care of there should be no issues. Just make sure you have a PPI done by an ASE Certified MASTER Mechanic. Also, be prepared for insurance to be quite a bit more expensive than the IS350. You are probably looking at $600+ more per year to step up to the IS-F.

F_Throttle

Many of us here have been given a 350 f-sport loaner, and it was painful.. For the cost of that newer f sport, you'd get a really decent F (maybe even a 2010+).. I'd say if you are committed on the switch, and its not too late to pull out, spend a little more for a lower mile at $30k *not that you need lower miles*. There are some on the FS section of this forum.

My CPO warranty is about to expire, and I haven't had a chance to use it. My only expenses has been maintenance: spark plugs, fuel, tires, oil, other fluids, etc..

mscuil

Thanks for the suggestions. Insurance is actually $6/month less expensive than the IS350 F sport. Maybe simply due to the age of the car.

kiryu

i had a IS350 for a year, sold it a year and 9k miles later for $500 less than what i paid for. I dont think they depreciate more, especially if they already hit the bottom of their depreciation curve. In that sense the IS350 is a bargain.

The F is a very different car other than the shell. I am selling my F and it seems like I am going to lose 4-5k a year in depreciation including taxes. The higher the value of the car, the more it depreciates, to a certain extend. If your IS350 is priced at 34k, yes there's still a lot of room for deprecation for sure vs the older F priced at 25k

ISF4life

iTrader: (30)

nothing , just mods will cost u

makena88

iTrader: (1)

I've owned IS-F's since 2008, not much of any thing major except for the recalls, It's pretty bullet proof like any V8 Lexus.

some cons....
1. Insurance maybe more because of the V8 and if you are young at age
2. Gas (16MPG / 21MPG)
3. Rotor/Brakes can be expensive if you stick with OEM (I'm using Stoptech)
4. Tires if you stick to OEM (I'm using Hankook)
5. Rims are uni-directional so rotational is not possible because each rim is directional (correct me if I'm wrong) & Staggered tires
6. Oil changes (10 Quarts)

Meraki Autoworks

iTrader: (8)

Yup.. This is where you'll get screwed.. Other wise.. Lots of tires and oil changes every 7k miles..

-Josh

Rickna

iTrader: (3)

Your most expensive cost wil probably be insurance.

makena88

iTrader: (1)

Don't go for a test drive in a IS-F, otherwise you will be doomed ha ha..... nothing compares

ISF4life

iTrader: (30)

if u like to speed and have lots of speeding tickets yeah like Ricky lolz if not like less than 1000$ a year full coverage lolz.

tas02

iTrader: (2)

Per post #4, his ins is actually less, ru new lolzz??

Rickna

iTrader: (3)

It also depends on where you live.

Vitveet

Cost and performance wise, it's a no brainier! 350 F sport can't compare to the F. BUT....one thing to consider.... especially if this will be your daily driver. Tech on the '14 350 is much better than the '08 F. If you're a 'tech' kind of guy, this transition may frustrate you. I would try to find an '11+ F. The 08s dash doesn't have the piano black finish of the later Fs, the 08 has the more dated dash cluster, factory suspension in the 08 F isn't the greatest from what I hear (of course plenty if aftermarket suspension setups to change this if you're into modding), lack of Bluetooth, USB, etc on the 08 F vs your '14 350, some of the 08s had dash melting/peeling issues, lack of LED headlights....etc etc etc. So just something to consider if you're a nit picking type of person. Of course if this will be a weekend car, none of that will bother you, lol. I rarely listen to the radio in my '12 F b/C I drive it once every 2 weeks or so and I'd MUCH rather listen to the engine/exhaust notes, lol.
Anyhow, best of luck with your decision! I def vote to go for the F, but to get the tech closer to what you're in now, maybe search for an '11+ F with a lil higher mileage to stay within your price range👍

V.

blckbrd

If you test drive the F then you'll buy the F! It's engine/exhaust note (even stock) is intoxicating. I agree with Vit that the tech on the earlier models lacks a bit, but that doesn't bother me. As far as aesthetics go, in my opinion, the body enhancements that the F was given make a far more aggressive statement than a 3rd gen FSport.
I've owned my 08 for just over 4 years and the only expenses have been brake pads, tires, oil changes and gas.
Good luck!