chuck64

Good Morning,

This is my first post on this forum. I would appreciate your advice. I am contemplating purchasing a 2014 Lexington IS for my wife as an anniversary present. My question is should I purchase the 250 or 350? Should I get all wheel drive or just rear wheel drive? Finally, should I wait until the 2015 cars arrive to get a better deal? Thanks so much for your input.

Chuck

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

have you looked at the changes to 2015? Not much IMO except for the ventilated seats and Atomic Silver in F Sport for 2015. Unless you are dead seat on those you can get good deals on 2014s in August or so. End of the month is even better.

FinaLpeace

If you're planning on keeping the car, get the 2015 otherwise spend less on the 2014. The Piano Black replacement for center console is a great change. A big mystery is if the battery drainage problem would still exists on the 2015 model. To answer your other question, I'd go for the IS350 because there's probably a 99% chance that Lexus is replacing the IS250 with the IS200 turbo for 2016. Also Opt for the RWD to get the 8 speed automatic transmission along with sport + mode.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

350 has bigger brakes too. 350s hold their value a lot more than 250 as well. AWD doesnt get the 8 speed even in 350, only 350 RWDs get it. I would get a 350.

FinaLpeace

Totally agree, I check the black book and the 250 value does drop fast down to 29k within a year. The 350 can still hold around 35k especially with the F Sport Package. Got to love those brakes on the IS350 as well, the IS250 needs better brakes imo I tried suddenly braking to avoid accident, but I don't have confident after trying it once in such situation because the brakes doesn't perform well enough.

spwolf

since it is for wife, I guess 250 AWD would be fine... unless she likes fast driving, then IS350 AWD.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

my 06 IS350 was still worth 18-19k after 7 years, bought it for 40k back then

chuck64

Many thanks for the prompt responses. I am going to the Lexus dealership now to check these cars out and test drive each one. Again.many thanks

NebulaIS

I would try to get a good deal on a Lexus 2014 IS350 for the reasons mentioned above. Don't imagine you get that much snow in Kentucky(?) so RWD is probably just fine...

Unless you're actually looking for advice on a Lexington IS in which case I've never heard of that

Glashub

chuck64 -- I can say that I have not had any problems with my 2014 nearing 9K. I drive it hard. No battery problems, etc. That said, there are those who have had problems -- my friend has a black 3IS 350 -- came out of the theater and the battery was dead.

That said, there are always going to be a certain % of any manufacturing process with faults imo.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

Lexington is probably an autocorrect from a phone.

chuck64

Test drove both the 250 and 350. I think the 250 will be fine for her. She wants a small luxury car but she is not really into the sport aspect of driving. The price I was quote was $45,000 with the navigation package, 18 inch wheels, back up camera, ventilated seats, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic, etc. What do you guys think of this quote? Many thanks for your help.

drbazing

I have an IS350 F sport with NAV and that added about $6k to the base price. On the other hand, IS 250 non F sport starts at $36k. Add the NAV which is about $3k? Your total should only be around $39k-$40k. I think.

MILKEE

Hello and welcome!

We bought our '14 IS350 F Sport in March. We paid $45K. F Sport, Nav, ML sound, BSM, etc.

Although your wife isn't into the sport aspect, I would strongly suggest you go with the 350, F Sport or not, that's your call. The 350 has the giddy up to get out of the way when needed.

Go back and play a little hard ball, it's getting late in the model year and we're moving into the second half of the month. Good luck.

BTW, great choice whether 250 or 350! Oh, the F Sport is so much fun to drive...just saying.

chuck64

I hear the resounding recommendation for the F Sport 350. Sounds like a wise recommendation. Thank you all.