First, there aren't many actual second hand transactions that have taken place on the IS series. How many used IS's have you seen? So the calculations are based somewhat on conjecture at this point.

Second, almost all cars take a huge hit the first year. But so what? Unless you are an individual who must have the newest car every couple of years it doesn't mean anything. Most people keep their cars four or five years, and some, like myself, will keep a car 8 to 10 years. In these cases depreciation really doesn't mean anything.

Those posters who think that by leasing you avoid the depreciation hit are dreaming. A lease is based, among other things, on the residual value of the car after the lease ends. That means DEPRECIATION. So you are paying the heavy first year or two heavy depreciation in your lease. There is no free lunch.

A good site to check out the true cost of owning an automobile is www.intellichoice.com. They break it all down including depreciation, insurance, repair, gas, etc.