Did any of the IS models come with the ML package? More specifically, the IS250 AWD? I've been saving and searching for a few months now for a GS350 AWD with ML package but everyone that I find is either 1000+ miles away or just slightly out of my price range, which is anything less than $26k. I don't want to spend a whole lot on my next car and I think if I'm patient I can find something for this price but AWD is basically a necessity and I'm thinking I may have better luck with an IS given my budget.

 

Unless you're often driving entirely off-road or up and down very (>15-20% grade) steep hills in the snow AWD isn't really a necessity...RWD with snow tires can handle pretty much anything else just fine... but to address your question, ML and ML with nav are both options available on all ISx50 cars.

Now, FINDING one is another matter. But you can still order em new with either option.... though it may in a given area require a special order to do so (and always will for ML without nav)

 

I recently purchased a 2006 IS350 RWD with 14,000mi for $25,000 with NAV and ML.

I searched within 500 miles for about 3 months before I found this jewel. Hopefully you can find a GS or IS AWD with ML in your budget.

I love the ML, but the stock Lexus stereo is pretty good too.

 

I passed on a IS250 w/ AWD and the ML system when I was looking and went with a IS250 w/o ML (it was like 4k cheaper - not worth it to me).

the one with ML had 65k miles and was 20k if that helps
mine w/o ML and 60k miles was 16k

 

When I was looking for my used IS, Mark Levinson was a must for me. Since I did not confine myself to any geographical location (I was willing to - and did - ship my car), I searched far and wide to ensure that the car I was looking at had the ML sound system.

If you insist on having ML, make sure you search for what the logo on the stereo looks like and where it's located. I would say that 98% of listings do not mention it (either due to ignorance, lack of space, or just plain forgetting), therefore I never bothered reading the actual listings. As long as it had a picture of the center stack and a picture of either front door panel (indicative of memory seats; I wanted the Sport or Luxury Package), that was all I needed to know.