I would be highly suspicious of a less-than-$50k GS F.

Honestly, the IS 500 may be "powerful", but it is a cruiser. It is not the most sporty. I have owned an IS 350 as well, and the 500 rides nicer and just generally feels a little bit more refined thanks to the V-8. However, it's going to take a miracle to find one in the $50k range.

But if you want something more comfortable than that, I agree with SW that the ES is the best bang for the buck. If you must have a RWD setup any GS/IS platform car would be great - obviously the GS is a little larger and thus more comfortable.

 

Its ancient, and its a track focused sport sedan, of course it doesn't ride luxuriously.

 

"Not riding luxuriously" would be an understatement....at least for some versions. I still remember, around 2008 or so, when I sampled one of the first-year IS-F models that had just been introduced, at Lexus of Silver Spring. That suspension/wheel package was, IMO, nothing short of miserable. Route 29, at the time, was still an old concrete surface, with frost-heaves, warps, bumps, and some construction. The suspension in that car was so stiff, even with proper tire PSI, that the rear end of the car, even at moderate speeds, over some bumps/heaves, would sometimes bounce up slightly off the ground for a split second or so and come back down a a slight angle. It seemed designed for perfectly glass-smooth roads and nothing else. The only other sedan I ever sampled with a suspension that stiff was the Mitsubishi Evo.....which was essentially a rally-car, although the 2008 BMW M3 came close. And it was not just me.....a number of IS-F owners that year complained of excessively-stiff underpinnings (as did reviewers and car-mags), and Lexus eased up a little on the suspension for the next model year....2009.


In comparison, my yellow 2001 IS300, with the optional 16" 55-series all-season tire package, almost seemed like an LS. (stiffer 17" 45-series summer-only wheels/tires were standard),

 

How many miles a year do you plan on driving it?
Another words, is the car intended to be a daily driver racking up the miles or a casual cruiser?

Also, it would be nice to know what is important to you, things like:
1) reliability
2) cost of ownership
3) resale value

What are your expectations on these things?

 

Complaining about the ride being to stiff on an F car means you shouldn’t have bought an F car to begin with. The point was they were serious sport sedans.

 

I want a daily driver, that will be reliable so I won't spend more money on repairs. The cost of ownership on a Lexus is expected to be expensive since it is a luxury car. For the resale value, I am planning on having this car for at least 5-7 years minimum. Resale value isn't that important for me. My expectation on these things is a luxury car. I daily drive a Honda Accord and was hoping for something that would be a lot more comfortable, but a still a fun car to drive. Whenever I would go on lexus.com to build a IS 500, I would max nearly everything out and get the price to be around 66k. I am pretty sure it's possible to find it for around 50k-60k used. Also, speed isn't about everything for me. I still want it to be powerful, but it doesn't have to be a GS where it doesn't even include any Apple CarPlay. I was thinking of getting an LS, but I'm worried about the air suspension going bad after a couple years, since people usually replace them on older LS models like the LS 430. Also, someone previously mentioned to get a LC 500h, but wouldn't the hybrid part be an expensive part to replace once the batteries get bad and don't hold their charge anymore? Sorry for not responding sooner. I just haven't been online for a while and just read everything. Thanks for trying to help by the way!

P.S. Would you suggest to get something weaker like a IS 350 and save around 20k or its worth to get a Lexus with a V8? Thanks again!

 

Just save another $10-15k and get a lightly used LC500 that has a V8.
That is a proper luxury car that is also fun to drive.

 

And they will be very desirable as well....

 

What are some other cheaper lexus cars that are fun to drive and are desirable? Since 70k seems a lot to me to be honest.

 

Get an Audi instead if you want fast and fun, use the price difference to buy a long warranty

 

I've had a 2020 LC 500, 2015 RC F, 2020 GS F, and now a 2023 IS 350 F Sport with F Sport Handling Package. All are great and different. I will say the IS 350 F Sport is a lot of car for the money. Something about the steering is better than the others. Although the sound of the V8 is intoxicating...I don't miss the extra weight it adds. I love the 1800 watt Mark Levinson, 360 camera, rear cross traffic braking. Another nice thing is not having to regularly clean the brake dust off the IS 350 F Sport brakes like I did the other cars with high performance brakes...yet it stops about the same for street driving. I think a IS 350 F Sport, IS 500 F Sport, or a ES 350 Ultra Luxury are great vehicles myself. I am looking forward to the 2024 LC 500 with it's new touch screen, 360 camera, added safety equipment.

 

I'll look into an IS 350 F Sport. Thanks

 

This is an entry level sport oriented sedan, not really that luxurious. Doesn’t even have leather seats. It’s a nice daily if you don’t need huge back seat.

Lexus doesn’t offer many options for coupes / sedans.
GS350 is your best bet for good mix of sport and luxury for decent price. The interior quality is way superior to IS.

 

Honestly, the NuLuxe is better than leather, at least for me. It's soft and should be easier to take care of.

I mean if the person wants a sport sedan, that's cool. They should get it. But I also think when you drive it casually it can be somewhat luxurious if not exactly a sensory deprivation chamber. It is a car that is nice to drive without allowing you to forget what you're driving, if that makes sense.

 

I agree with arent07. The Nuluxe seats actually shocked me how comfortable they are at least in the IS F Sport. The best car seats I’ve had. Soft and hug you. Try them. I had always been one to want the semi-aniline leather in previous models when available like my RX Luxury package.

I had a GS F which was great, but it’s outdated compared to the revamped IS. IS has CarPlay, touchscreen, available 360 camera, much improved Mark Levinson, updated safety equipment including reverse automatic braking and lane trace assist. The steering feel is also better than the F cars I’ve had. It’s just an updated model and it shows. I find the interior quality about the same minus the carbon fiber pieces in the GS F. IS is a great sports luxury sedan. But if you want more room and luxury go ES.