Bachata

Hey Gang, I am looking to get an used IS250 AWD Fsport, is there any year that I should be looking for that has less problems. I know that usually the first year of any model will have some kinks. I am planning to keep the car for at least 7 to 10 years. I am not too concern about the smaller engine of the 250 (vs 350) as I am not a "race driver" LOL, but if you guys feel that the 350 is more reliable than the 250 in any particular year (3rd Gen only), I'd welcome your input. My budget is in the low $30s K

I saw a 2014 IS250 AWD Fsport with only 7,300 miles (CPO) asking price $33,900. Which I know after negotiating, I can get them to drop some $$.

Thanks in advance guys and gals!

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Well your options are slim. 2014 was the first model year for the 3IS, 2015 saw some minor trim and tech additions and later this year the IS200t will debut as a MY16. So if you want a new body style IS250 you can get a '14 or '15

My0gr81

If it has the options you want, then that is a good price.

corradoMR2

First, welcome to the forum and hopefully we can help you get into your IS!

Some more common minor issues reported by owners with the '14 (don't believe '15s have these issues) are the battery drain and Infotainment lockup/reboot. I personally had the battery drain issue and since a new battery was replaced last year, not a single hiccup though the root cause being tested by Lexus is an ECU fix.

Carbon buildup may more likely occur in the 250 as we've seen in the 2IS forum (or every car engine with Direct Injection for that matter), but so long as you regularly put quality premium gas and do your maintenance, you'll be fine for 100k+ miles.

33.9K, base F Sport is pricey, but if it has Nav/Enform at minimum, it's a fair deal in the $31K range.

Good luck!

Bachata

Thanks guy, and yes, i totally forgot that the 2014 is the first year model for 3rd gen, so as someone mentioned, perhaps I should be looking at the 2015's. However, the prices for the 2015 are still high IMO. Since I am paying cash for the car, I am confident that I can get the 14 250AWD F sport for around $30k with hard negotiation.

One of my neighbors has the 2014 350AWD F sport (White with red,,,beautiful combo) and he got into my head that I should be looking into the 350s as they are very good deals to be had on used or CPOs. And then my brother in law tells me to get a 2013 535i xdrive as they are the best engine in the BMW line up >((( now I am getting more confused. I did some research and indeed the engine and reliability of the e46 BMW for year 2013/14 seems to be great (albeit being German cars-history of bad reliability). Looking at prices, I've seen those bimmers as low as $36,000 with sport package uhmm food for thought.

I will test drive the bimmer on Monday and I will be driving my neighbor IS350 tomorrow to see how it feels. Oh Lord, so many choices!

corradoMR2

Once you get a taste of power, be warned, your budget may need to increase!

Personally, as tempting as that 3L turbo is, BMW still has many years to prove itself if indeed it is in an upward trend. I would personally stay away from them for a long-term ownership unless you were going to lease for 2-3 years.

Bachata

Thanks for that chart corrado, I will be buying (no more leases for me), so I want to make sure my next car will stand the test of time. I am realistic however, and I know that any car can have problems, heck, my brother first Maxima gave him hell, while my 07 Acura TL type S was a work horse. I am leaning more for the IS250, I might have to increase my budget to go for the 2015 as it has some kinks already worked out from 2014. But I will test drive those cars I've mentioned above just for kicks :>)

My0gr81

That year's BMW is not based on the e46 chassis, those where the 2000-2006 3series. The e46 chassis was the most reliable relatively speaking. There some nagging items, but they were well documented, had good aftermarket support and more than accommodating for DIY .

If you want to keep it long term, and can find an IS350 for a small premium, I'd go for that just for the inherent difference in the fuel injection that makes the IS250 susceptible to carbon build up. The IS250 is still a great car (I have the 2015 awd version) and you can't go wrong.

jkonquer

you can pretty much get a brand new is250 f sport for around low $30k and with 0.9% APR, it beats buying used car..

tea

i've never see low 30s for a new F Sport. the cheapest i've seen is around 37,000 + TTL, unless you consider 37,000 in the low 30s lol

jkonquer

there are several people on this forum that purchased their is250 for under $32k, not entirely sure what their options were. Even if you add f-sport package and navi, you are looking at about $35-37k. Which I rather spent than buying a used one for $33k with higher interest.

stlgrym3

iTrader: (4)

i bought my '11 IS250 with navi brand new for $32k plus TTL back in 2011. so a brand new IS250 for low $30k is very doable (non-f sport that is), especially with this very possible being the last model year of the 2.5 V6, you can probably get them down close to $30k if the official confirmation for '16 IS200T comes out.

tea

yes, a base IS250 can be had for around 32+TTL. Sticker price is a little above $38,000 and i believe the only options on it are back up camera, accessory package and floor mats, i believe. If you add in the F Sport and Nav package, the sticker price is around $43,000. I don't believe any dealer will sell that in the low 30s.

lexi90

Agree! Bought mine (new 15' IS250 F-Sport AWD) for 40k + TTL. Sticker was 46xxx. If they were selling for low 30s, they'd be long gone

As for OP, try to go for a 15' IS250, unless you're willing to go for a 14' IS350. Either way, you can't go wrong. Also, you have to consider CPO from Lexus vs. an used one from a non-Lexus dealership. That also affects the asking price! Good luck!

Bachata

You've warned me CONRADO....test drove neighbor's 350 Fsport,,,,man, it is a different feel. That car really moves and although I will be ok (power wise) with the 250, spending lets say $2k to $4k more for what I believe is a more car is totally worthy. As far as getting a brand new 250 F sport AWD by me (NJ) in the low to mid $35k, that is not an option. I believe someone suggested that, but they are too expensive as of now. The cheapest I have seen near me (brand new 250 F sport) are in the high $30s pushing to $40 and above. So a used/certified 2014 350 F sport is now on my radar. And the different in MPG is not that big, so I believe I will not be missing out on "savings"

Now, totally different note, test drove this past Saturday a fully loaded 2013 535i Xdrive M sport BWM...why did I do that to myself??? :>((( For starters, it moves for a heavy car, great torque, great steering and as I've mentioned before, doing some research it appears that the F10 engine is very solid, although no car is totally bulletproof. The asking price for the one I test drove was $38,799 CPO (BMW dealer) with 32,000 miles. I know that the 5 series would compete with the GS, but I cant bring myself to like the GS for the life of me. I think is hideous and it is not sporty at all.

So in short, I am narrowing my choices now between the 2014 IS350 F sport and the 2013 BMW 535i Xdrive M sport......my ideal config would be IS in White with Rioja int. The Bimmer sales guy told me that they should be many leases coming off in the next 2 months or so and the same for the 2014 Lexus IS350. Lets see what the used inventory will have in store for me.

Will keep you posted when I take the plunge after finding the car that I want. Thanks good for the beater car that keeps me going between purchases :>)

B