Hello,

This is my first post. I am looking into getting either a 2011-2013 IS 350 F-Sport or a 2008-2009 ISF. It will be used as a daily driver only a 5 mile commute to work and for bumming around Wisconsin.

I understand the differences in performance but was wondering more about reliability of the V8 vs the V6. Maintenance, costs after purchasing, etc.

I have had a heavily modified Subaru 2.5rs turbo and a stock WRX. I want to sell the WRX and get something a bit more grown up, but something that is still fun to drive...

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

ISF hands down no matter the model year. Best car I have ever driven

 

Welcome to CL as a new poster.

Unless you're simply a torque-addict, if you are going to use it for daily commuting and recreational use, I'd go with the 350. Lower insurance premiums, newer vehicle with less potential wear and tear on it (assuming it is lower-mileage, which you didn't say), and probably a little more comfortable. The 2008 IS-F (I myself did a full-review of one) had a rock-hard suspension that pounded unmercifully over bumps. It was so stiff that, from what I remember, Lexus eased up a little on it the next year. And, if you are going to be driving around Wisconsin, that state, as you probably know, gets a lot of torn-up roads from severe winters.

 

I really appreciate the two responses I got back and the poll votes.

I am leaning towards the 350 for many of the reasons mmarshall suggested. The ISF looks great but I would probably rather wait and get a newer one in a few years.

 

Both are great choices. The 350 will be a little more economical and have an AWD option with plenty of pep. The F will have that V8 soundtrack so that's tough

Personally I would shoot for either model, but in a 2010+ since MY2010 saw gen6 navigation which added bluetooth audio.

 

Yeah the 2010+ ISF would be out of my price range. I'm looking around $20,000 - $25,000 tops.

One problem I noticed is that no 350's that I am finding have the mark levinson audio option. I am a hifi audio nut so this is driving me nuts!

 

The ML system in the 2IS is ok but the difference isn't huge. I believe ML is rated around 330 watts vs the 256 watt pioneer (Lexus premium audio). The 2014 redesign brought with it the 835 watt version from the GS and LS.

 

For the IS-F, I'd do everything I could to get the 2011+ MY because you'll get the suspension revisions, steering ECU revision, and LSD. As I've posted on here before, these make the 2011+ models a far superior driver's car relative to the 2008 (I've owned both a 2011 and a 2008).

The 3IS is a fantastic car with a much better suspension (especially rear) compared to the vanilla 2IS. I'd still take the IS-F - even 2008 or 2009 - over it, though. It's not like the 3IS F-Sport models ride that smoothly either anyway.


The suspension revisions on the IS-F were based on input from Gazoo Racing's entries into the VLN Endurance series on the Nürburgring, not comfort. Remember, cumulatively from 2008 to 2013, the rear spring rates on the IS-F actually increased.

 

I have both, I use my is350 for work and the ISF when I wand to burn gas and anything else on the road trying to race me lol both are very reliable but the is350 replacement parts are cheaper to buy if something were to go wrong.

 

IS-F hands down but keep in mind that your insurance premium will go much higher. Going from a GS350 to an IS-F mine went up $600/yr

 

I would go with the IS F. Haha.

But really, if you can find a 2014 IS 350 F-Sport in your budget, I think that might be a better overall choice than the pre-refreshed IS Fs.

 

How is that? I have both and I pay the same for both cars here in New York. I have Allstate... Maybe it's the state?.... But then again I'm paying $600 more than you just because I live in New York lol

 

Unpopular opinion:
I had a 99 LS for 7 years from 2011 to 2018. You’ll be disappointed with both the ISF and the is350 in terms of long term up keep.

the 350 will have a warranty but depreciate much more.

others have posted things about the UX on the 350 and dated navigation on the ISF.

The 350 will be much more fun to drive than a GS400.

if your down for some basic maintenance I think the ISF is probably more reliable than a new 350 because It was a flagship.

this isn’t what you asked, but $500 and you have a better ux than both the 350 and the ISF. The GS is probably more reliable than both.

im fairly jaded with so-called progress , as you may notice. So I chose the ISF Over the prettier 3IS350.

still just choosing between two good options.

 

Oops auto scroll wins again. Thought I was replying to a current thread. Disregard. Or sorry 😐