Newbie newbness - which would you buy?
12-19-14, 01:46 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Newbie newbness - which would you buy?
Hello all, im new to Club Lexus and coming from a Subaru Wagon, and before that the VW/Audi world. I am in the process of picking up an IS350 but am having a hard time picking which one to get, here's where im at.
1. 2006 IS350 Grey Mica for 16.6k
- 64k Miles
- 2nd owner
- No nav
- No Levinson
- Full Maintenance History
- New Tires
- New brake pads
- Light colored interior (looks like off white not sure of exact color)
2. 2007 IS350 Grey Mica for 15.5k
- 78k Miles
- 2nd owner (father and son)
- No Nav
- DOES have Levinson sound
- Full Maintenance History
- Black Leather (which I prefer)
- Car was enthusiast owned, father bought it from his son who apparently works for Toyota race team
From what I have read there arent many differences between the 06 and 07 besides the fact the 06 was first model year of production, and something with the gas release button orientation being different. Only thing I dont like about the 06 is the grey-ish leather but it has significantly less mileage and new brakes and tires, which is awesome. The 07 is newer by a year and has the black leather which I prefer, and the Levinson sound which from what I have read is significantly better than the stock stereo.
Any input? Thanks in advance!
1. 2006 IS350 Grey Mica for 16.6k
- 64k Miles
- 2nd owner
- No nav
- No Levinson
- Full Maintenance History
- New Tires
- New brake pads
- Light colored interior (looks like off white not sure of exact color)
2. 2007 IS350 Grey Mica for 15.5k
- 78k Miles
- 2nd owner (father and son)
- No Nav
- DOES have Levinson sound
- Full Maintenance History
- Black Leather (which I prefer)
- Car was enthusiast owned, father bought it from his son who apparently works for Toyota race team
From what I have read there arent many differences between the 06 and 07 besides the fact the 06 was first model year of production, and something with the gas release button orientation being different. Only thing I dont like about the 06 is the grey-ish leather but it has significantly less mileage and new brakes and tires, which is awesome. The 07 is newer by a year and has the black leather which I prefer, and the Levinson sound which from what I have read is significantly better than the stock stereo.
Any input? Thanks in advance!
12-19-14, 01:56 PM
#2
I would get the 2007 IS350 for the following reasons:
1. Mark Levinson system. This thing is expensive and also sound very nice with amazing clarity. The mid, and the high frequency are so good. It has the surround sound effect as well where the non-ML doesn't. I have two cars one with and one without ML so I can tell you the big difference and I have high expectation on sound. Both systems, however, still lack the low bass but the ML has more accurate and better bass than the non-ML. The staging, balance, and clarity in ML system is really really really excellent!
2. 2007 version can turn off traction control so much more easily by pressing and holding the "traction off" for 5 seconds. In 2006 version, you have to do pedal dancing. You only care about this when you track your car haha.
3. You saved 1,000 and have a newer model. Their miles are not that far away.
4. Black leather seats
which you like
5. Car was enthusiast owned so I assume that the car is well maintained in term of look (paint, leather, interior etc), and engine wise.
1. Mark Levinson system. This thing is expensive and also sound very nice with amazing clarity. The mid, and the high frequency are so good. It has the surround sound effect as well where the non-ML doesn't. I have two cars one with and one without ML so I can tell you the big difference and I have high expectation on sound. Both systems, however, still lack the low bass but the ML has more accurate and better bass than the non-ML. The staging, balance, and clarity in ML system is really really really excellent!
2. 2007 version can turn off traction control so much more easily by pressing and holding the "traction off" for 5 seconds. In 2006 version, you have to do pedal dancing. You only care about this when you track your car haha.
3. You saved 1,000 and have a newer model. Their miles are not that far away.
4. Black leather seats
which you like5. Car was enthusiast owned so I assume that the car is well maintained in term of look (paint, leather, interior etc), and engine wise.
Last edited by FSportIS; 12-19-14 at 01:59 PM.
12-19-14, 02:00 PM
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I would get the 2007 IS350 for the following reasons:
1. Mark Levinson system. This thing is expensive and also sound very nice with amazing clarity. The mid, and the high frequency are so good. It has the surround sound effect as well where the non-ML doesn't. I have two cars one with and one without ML so I can tell you the big difference and I have high expectation on sound. Both systems, however, still lack the low bass but the ML has more accurate and better bass than the non-ML. The staging, and clarity in ML system is really really really excellent!
2. 2007 version can turn off traction control so much more easily by pressing and holding the "traction off" for 5 seconds. In 2006 version, you have to do pedal dancing. You only care about this when you track your car haha.
3. You saved 1,000 and have a newer model. Their miles are not that far away.
4. Black leather seats which you like
5. Car was enthusiast owned so I assume that the car is well maintained in term of look (paint, leather, interior etc), and engine wise.
1. Mark Levinson system. This thing is expensive and also sound very nice with amazing clarity. The mid, and the high frequency are so good. It has the surround sound effect as well where the non-ML doesn't. I have two cars one with and one without ML so I can tell you the big difference and I have high expectation on sound. Both systems, however, still lack the low bass but the ML has more accurate and better bass than the non-ML. The staging, and clarity in ML system is really really really excellent!
2. 2007 version can turn off traction control so much more easily by pressing and holding the "traction off" for 5 seconds. In 2006 version, you have to do pedal dancing. You only care about this when you track your car haha.
3. You saved 1,000 and have a newer model. Their miles are not that far away.
4. Black leather seats
which you like5. Car was enthusiast owned so I assume that the car is well maintained in term of look (paint, leather, interior etc), and engine wise.
12-19-14, 02:38 PM
#4
Enthusiast owned could mean that it was 'pounded" on........a lot. Maybe. The gray interior is harder to keep clean looking (I have it on my '06) than the black but overall my '06 350 has been great. Nary a problem. Mark Levinson is nice but I'd still lean toward the lower mileage 2006. How often will you want to turn off the traction control? Probably not often and dancing can be fun, no?
12-19-14, 03:59 PM
#5
I turn off traction control everyday especially on the IS350, the car COMES ALIVE!!! So much more fun in cornering without the computer interference. However, becareful with it off and do NOT turn it off during rain. And regarding the traction off button, it is just so much more convenient at least for me.
Anyways, OP ultimately is the one who makes the final decision so...
Anyways, OP ultimately is the one who makes the final decision so...
Last edited by FSportIS; 12-19-14 at 04:27 PM.
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12-20-14, 11:40 AM
#13
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks guys, apparently the 07 has the OEM Sport exhaust option, not sure if this was the same as the F-sport exhaust option but he said its all stainless steel and was an option from the factory.
12-20-14, 05:39 PM
#14
^Probably the HKS exhaust then, which is nice from what I've read. Between the two, I'd also go with the '07; having a non-black interior would be a deal-breaker for me. Plus, you seem to have a RARE-optioned model having ML without the NAV screen. If you want to down the road, you can source a NAV screen unit that accepts the ML system and then view DVDs on screen! 
Also wanted to comment about the car being previously driven by a car enthusiast. As long as you have documentation that the car was taken care of, I'd not have a single issue knowing this. "Car guys" are more apt to keep their car in the best shape/condition anyways.
Also wanted to comment about the car being previously driven by a car enthusiast. As long as you have documentation that the car was taken care of, I'd not have a single issue knowing this. "Car guys" are more apt to keep their car in the best shape/condition anyways.
