I have mostly settled on getting a used IS250, probably '06 or '07 and I have researched the car to death. I seem to get a feeling that there were some reliability issues on the '06 model that were corrected for '07. Is this the case? I have seen some of the issues such as the A/C leak on the '06. I am just trying to be at ease with a purchase and wondering if I should exclude the 2006 altogether.

 

I got an 06 with 30000 miles when I bought it in may 2010. Great condition, just get the vin number and register on Lexus owners to find out if it's been maintained at Lexus for tsib and other services or just Carfax it.

 

Thanks. I have seen the Lexus owner's site. I am just worried about something going wrong at 70 or 80K. I have read that the '06 model had an issue with engine valves. That is much more major than faulty cup holder or something. I just keep getting a bad vibe on the '06 model, and I don't know if I am making myself paranoid or if there really were reliability problems.

 

According to Consumer Reports Reliability Ratings from 2010, the 06, 07, & 08 IS350 are about the same. The 06 was better in a few areas, and worse in others, but none were major. All three years received an "Better than average" overall rating.

The IS250 did not fair as well, with the 08 clearly being superior to the 06 & 07 models which received a rating of "average". (the 08 was "Much better than average")

The brakes and the fuel system seem to be the two big ones that dinged both the IS250/350 models for the 06 year. If I were looking at a 250, I would probably stick with the 08, unless I found an 06/07 with a good warranty.

Take from that what you will.

 

There are no '06-only valve issues. The valve spring recall affects 2006-2008, and the cam-gear starting noise also affects multiple model years too.

I've had an '06 since the first week of December '05, and I've had to do nothing more than the usual maintenance items like tires and brakes.

 

Oh yeah, don't forget to check out JDPower. Seems like both cars are exceptional
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Lexus/I...Sedan/ratings/
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Lexus/I...Sedan/ratings/

 

i just had my valve springs replace/cam gear at lexus of bellevue for free and got a full tank of gas, plus got a free extended warrenty. great service and they loaned me a hybrid. so far no problems. Good luck with purchase.

 

Wife's '06 has had no issues and it's at 82K and my '07 is at 57K.....

 

Same here. I love Lexus service dpt (Seattle).

 

50k on 2007 no issue... =) go tthe cam shaft tsib and valve spring and got the ac thing done as a precaution.

 

exceptional? take another look -- the dependability section leads one to believe the car was made by hyundai in 1994.

 

Mmmm nothing like the build quility of a 94' hyundai elantra

 

AC thing????

 

Exactly. The IS300 had all 5 stars. The 250 is about 2.5. I try not to read too much into these things, since I have had a car for 10 years that supposedly was not very reliable, but it has been pretty great for me.