Tony26

At the end of the this year I'll be transferring to Japan for 3 yrs. I'm debating on whether or not to sell my IS350 or keep it in storage while I'm gone. Good thing in selling it is that I won't have a car payment and can save the money. Then again, keeping it is will also be good because when I get back the car will still have LOW mileage on it and I can bring back LOTs of goodies for it from Japan. I don't want to take the car with me....tough cause I just got the car early this year

ffpowerLN

iTrader: (1)

Sell it. You might want something different after 3 years anyway, like a 3IS.

pisaykotik

For me 3 years is too long, sell it.

Namir

I agree, the car will depreciate due to its age regardless of how many miles you put on it. If you come back in 3 years and still love it you can always find one on sale, or perhaps upgrade like ffpower said to the 3IS.
Although, after seeing R34's and S13's for 3 years I don't know if you'll want to come back haha.

wkw84

yea, if you sell it, you'll have cash now. 3 years is way long to keep a car that you're not going to drive. when you come back, like namir said, you can find a low mileage one to buy.

slee18

iTrader: (1)

keep it. you will end up upside down unless you put alot of money down.

Tony26

You guys are right. I'll just have to see if they'll be any buyers by November. Plus I'll probably lose a little on it. So selling it is the best way to go huh. Never had to put a car up for sale so will have to research and see. Gonna miss the IS though....

kuuqi

well what you could do is sell the is350 in the US and lease one in japan. though if i were you (provided you can legally drive there) is to take the extra cash you saved from selling the is350 and buy something unavailable in the US. for example an R34 or S15. Or maybe even an R33 or R32. Three years later when you return, sell that car, come back and buy something else. Such as a 3IS.

Or instead of buying in Japan, lease a new car. Course money might be a factor. But it's your call. I would say try to enjoy your time in Japan. The extra money you save here can be used in Japan. Besides, when you return, if Lexus follows suit they change models every 6 years or so. MAYBE 7 or 8 but the way things are now, probably around 6. We're in our third year in, when you return there'll be plenty of used IS350's laying around or if you REALLY wanted, you could buy one since they'll just be changing models (provided you wouldn't go for a 3IS)

tex2670

I don't see how low miles makes up for the car sitting fo 3 years. There will probably be a new body style by then--the increase the kbb value will be modest.

gsrthomas

iTrader: (1)

Sell it for sure! 3 years is a LONG time to make payments on a depreciating car that you are not going to drive!

Tony26

Well, I'll see what happen....will have to talk to the wife about it. Thanks for all your inputs.

This sucks

JKA.nyc

sounds like a good idea, you should definitely take some Japan only cars into consideration...

gsrthomas

iTrader: (1)

I don't know about you but if I moved to Japan the IS350 would be the last car I would get. I would get something that is not available in the US. It would be a waste getting an IS350 in Japan IMO.

Plus he most likely does not need a car in Japan since public transportation is good there.

Tmirk

iTrader: (3)

Sell it. Cash is king, specially with a depreciating asset. Low mileage won't make up for the lost vale. Put the monthly payment you are making now into an account, that way when you get back, you'll have a bunch of cash available for a car.

sirkfc

If you have a sibling or cousin that you trust, you can also let him use the car as a 3 year "lease"... offer him good payment terms so that you get some cash flow out of this, limit the mileage, and you'll still have your car when you come back... but of course you have to trust this person to properly maintain and treat your car, if you are picky about it.