itsthesong

Hey Folks!

I'm leaning towards upgrading my '09 ES 350 to a '11 IS 350 with 27k miles. The car has daytime LEDs, Nav, etc., and the dealer is offering at 29,700. The car was lowered (which doesn't thrill me, but it's certified so I guess I can deal).

Not sure if it's a good deal, but seems decent based on the few comps I've found. Thoughts?

I've read pages on reliability and gas MPG on the forum. I've test driven the 250, but feel it doesn't have the "pep" I'm angling for. Do you feel the added pep is worth the MPG expense?

rxonmymind

I just bought my wife IS350c and that" pep" was exactly what I was looking for. You know the old saying "better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it" As for the negligible difference in mpg what is it? Couple mpg's? Didn't even come into the equation when I purchased the car really. If I wanted mpg I would have bought a Prius.
As for the price I'd say it's fair. That's almost a new car with only 27k. Good luck.

Also look at this thread.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...e-threads.html

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

Drive a 350 and you'll feel that Pep! 100 more HP

jdmSW20

iTrader: (12)

Co sign!!!!!

i drove a 2014 ES350 and that car had about as much get up and go as an IS250. trust me, both cars struggle to get out of their own way. if you want more "pep" get a is350 vs those 2 options. i got my car back from the dealership after having that ES for 2 days, i swear my IS350 felt like a ferarri compared to it lol

saturdays

I just bought a certified 2011 IS 350 F-Sport (34k miles) for $29.5k... I think you should try and negotiate down to $28k.

Mike_1GO

iTrader: (2)

that's exactly how I felt when I returned an es300h loaner and picked up my is350 after DLG recall !

itsthesong

Thanks for the input! Do you think I should be worried that the car was previously lowered? I figure that since Lexus certified it, it should be fine. I have ZERO experience with after market mods, and didn't know if this would affect the car's overall drivability.

itsthesong

I looked up the Lexus service history and it said "front rear body" ... what does that mean. All of the other entries seemed normal (oil changes, rotations, brakes, etc), but that one stands out.

rxonmymind

Hmm. Never lowered my car so I'd suggest asking those who have in the MODS forum. I had cars that were already pretty low. Lol. Between this and my RX7 I can't even get under the car. Low enough for me. Seeing it is certified by Lexus you should be good to go. But DO ask here on lowered cars.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^Exactly what is it lowered on? If done with the right products, I'd be fine with it. But Lexus should have known that a lowered car is a MUCH hard-sell vs one that is not. Surprised they didn't throw on an old, used set of the shocks/springs laying around. LOL!

itsthesong

I couldn't tell you what was lowered - but the whole car is an inch or two lower than usual.

Coming from an ES 350 - the car is VERY easy to steer. It's almost ridiculous. After test driving the IS 350, I feel like the steering requires a lot more effort to steer. Is that typical for the car?

darkdream

Yes. You do not want an easy to steer car or numb feeling steering for a sportier car. I actually find the IS350 too assisted. I take it you don't fancy sports cars?

itsthesong

Ha! I actually don't mind it at all - compared to my ES it's quite nice. I wanted to be sure it's supposed to feel that way - rather than it being some kind of problem in the making.