I had a few more reasons for switching out of a corolla. The safety ratings is 4/5 for front impact, 3/5 for side impact, it's going to need alot of repairs soon because the previous owner didn't take that great care of it, since when I bought it I already noticed a few issues. I'm getting a 08 honda accord (coupe or sedan doesn't matter), it's more practical than IS and cheaper. 5/5 front impact, 4.5/5 side impact.

 

You can get the same safety out of a non luxury brand too.

For example, the Subaru Legacy is 5-star rated from all sides, 4-star from rollover, and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Subie costs 21K new, is AWD, and looks remarkably good (somewhat similar to IS IMO), plus better gas mileage.

I would recommend against getting a higher-mileage Luxury brand, and getting a more reliable, lower-mileage car. It may not have Navi or leather, but you are still getting more for your money. Just my $0.02.

Good Luck!

 

Yeah after reading everyone's response in this thread I feel like its better to get non lux brand even if I can find a used one for low price. I thought about it long and hard and I know that a 2006 IS250 isn't exactly my dream car and its pricely, I'd rather get something more casual with better resale value since lexus is a luxury brand and has lower resale than non-luxury.

TBH I don't care about the IS because its luxury, I just like it cause it looks nice and its one of the more reliable cars out there haha. I'll worry about getting the IS later once (or if) I become an engineer

 

That's a wise decision.

Plus, it gives you something to work for.

Get through school, then reward yourself with a brand-spanking-new Lexus... especially considering you don't have student loans.

 

Thanks crispy and everyone else here, you guys just saved me from a lot of future headaches

 

Finance the car. Your $ earns more investing decently than the low interest rate of an auto loan.

 

i sold my is 350 3 weeks ago because i figured at my age i may as well buy something more of what i want so I bought a GTO, my mom wasnt' too pleased i got rid of the is but in my opinion, i have the rest of my life to have a luxury car.

Also, I wouldnt worry about people doing things to it at school. I had mine at school and never got tampered with in any way.

 

yes tjschraf you have the rest of your life for any lux car if you work hard in school or work unless you want a nice car to impress chicks lol. i don't have to worry about my car getting tampered but it is a college, lots of young drivers there lol, car got hit 3 times

someone did a bad job backing in or out of a parking and scratched my car while i was in class, that person didnt leave a note

someone else was behind me and lightly rear ended me cause he accidentally let go of the breaks

another guy also did a horrible job backing in a parking and dented the bumper, didnt leave a note

if i get a newer car i'd park it in the safest location possible, wouldnt mind the extra walk