IS300 vs IS250 Resale Value
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: mi
IS300 vs IS250 Resale Value
Hey guys,
Is it just me or is the IS250 resale value a lot higher than the resale value for the is300?
In Aug of 08 I bought an IS300 2001 90k mile for 8700. The value of the is250 seems to hold a lot higher. Has anyone noticed this? Maybe it is due to the all wheel drive feature? Hopefully the high resale value will continue when I sell it in 10 years.
Is it just me or is the IS250 resale value a lot higher than the resale value for the is300?
In Aug of 08 I bought an IS300 2001 90k mile for 8700. The value of the is250 seems to hold a lot higher. Has anyone noticed this? Maybe it is due to the all wheel drive feature? Hopefully the high resale value will continue when I sell it in 10 years.
The second gen are a more recent generation and I believe there are more parts for them available than the first gen is. Also, when I was looking to buy a lexus is300 before I stumbled across my 350, I also read a lot of them aRe used and abused, so they don't have a good rap. BUT if I ever find a clean one Canadian owned, I'll rob ably end up buying it too
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,368
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From: Socal
I actually think the IS250 are losing value quick. I see many with over 100k miles go for just over 10k. Chances are buy a IS250 now for say $9000 and want to sell it later in 10 years, it might be worth $4000. But really why worry about what a car will be worth 10 years from now when it is so small of an amount? The only cars that hold their value fairly well are cars that were discontinued and highly sought after.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: mi
I actually think the IS250 are losing value quick. I see many with over 100k miles go for just over 10k. Chances are buy a IS250 now for say $9000 and want to sell it later in 10 years, it might be worth $4000. But really why worry about what a car will be worth 10 years from now when it is so small of an amount? The only cars that hold their value fairly well are cars that were discontinued and highly sought after.
Back in 2008, the is300 2001 with 90k miles was going for roughly 9k-10k. (7 year difference). Now is250 2007 with 90k goes for well over 12k (same difference).
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,449
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From: NY
You cant really compare an 01 IS300 purchased in 08, and an 06-08 is250 purchased now resale value. The economy value of the car was completely different then, than it is now. The average value of a car is higher now than it is 6 years ago. Plus in 2008, the is300 was already stopped and completely redesigned with the 250 and 350 V6 taking its place instead of the I6 300 with discontinued engine from toyota. The 250 will still hold a higher resale because even the 3rd gen 250/350's still share the same drive train with a lot of interchangeable parts.so the car still has some value out there.
Plus the technology and styling in the X50's are completely different than what the 300 had such as smart key instead of traditional ignition key, i dont remember seeing alot of 300's with in-dash navigation that controlled everything, shiftable automatic transmission in the x50's, and the different drive train availabilities. Im sure there are more but I cant recall it all
Plus the technology and styling in the X50's are completely different than what the 300 had such as smart key instead of traditional ignition key, i dont remember seeing alot of 300's with in-dash navigation that controlled everything, shiftable automatic transmission in the x50's, and the different drive train availabilities. Im sure there are more but I cant recall it all
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,368
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From: Socal
So the IS300 depreciated barely anything from 2008 to 2014? If you do a quick search the going rate is $8-10k.
Last edited by darkdream; Jul 16, 2014 at 10:50 AM.
I test drove a lot of IS300's recently. A few had navigation but is was a half-*** design (a popup on dash). You literally couldn't see anything due to glare. And build quality was nothing compared to second gen.
And with their history with the racer crowd, a lot of beat up ones on the market. Rare to find one well maintained and stock.
And with their history with the racer crowd, a lot of beat up ones on the market. Rare to find one well maintained and stock.
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just enjoy the car. who cares about depreciation on a used car anyways. you only go around once so stop being a cheap skate 
but I definitely agree, the is300 doesn't hold a candle to the 250/350 in terms of interior build materials/quality.
but I definitely agree, the is300 doesn't hold a candle to the 250/350 in terms of interior build materials/quality.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: FL
Just traded in my 2001 IS300 for a 2009 IS350 today. Might just be stockholm syndrom as I'm the original owner and that was my first and only car ever but I already kinda miss it. I loved the interior of it. The IS350 is better car overall but the IS300 is definitely more special.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: mi
Just traded in my 2001 IS300 for a 2009 IS350 today. Might just be stockholm syndrom as I'm the original owner and that was my first and only car ever but I already kinda miss it. I loved the interior of it. The IS350 is better car overall but the IS300 is definitely more special.
I hope my future is250 is just as reliable.
You really can't look it at it like this. Depreciation is the difference between the purchase price and the current value. Is250's cost more new than the IS300's. You have to see what the price is in % if the new value. If a new 2001 is300 was 30K and is worth 10K it depreciated 66%. If the value of a is250 is 12K and it's new price was 40K it has depreciated 70%.
I'll touch on this a little. My comparative isn't quite as yours 'I have a 06 350' but I've owned both this far.
My 02 Is300 5 speed purchased for 7500 with 120ish on the dash. Everything was overkill on it,from recalls to cleaning mods like new oem headlights and fogs to re painting bumpers,door handles,etc. I sold the car with tinted windows and tien coils for 9500 a year and a half later with about 135ish on it. Granted my car came with a book of receipts and was dealer maintained to the T. So that's more of an exception.
Currently I own a 06 350 with over 100k. Back story was an elderly couple bought it new used it everyday and was also overkill dealer maintained. The couple didn't smile or have pets, and were quite plesent to work with. BUT and that's a big butt. The attention to detail,quality, fit and finish didn't compare to my 02. I've had the dealer replace my dash and other verious recalls. It's not a bad car , apples to apples my 02 was hands down better then this second gen. I don't think id be able to get close to what I paid for it also. It's fully loaded and is a rare color they tell me but it's just cheaply made and lacks in so many ways.
My search contuines weekly looking for the right 05 Is300 to come my way. When that day comes the 350 will go far far away.
My 02 Is300 5 speed purchased for 7500 with 120ish on the dash. Everything was overkill on it,from recalls to cleaning mods like new oem headlights and fogs to re painting bumpers,door handles,etc. I sold the car with tinted windows and tien coils for 9500 a year and a half later with about 135ish on it. Granted my car came with a book of receipts and was dealer maintained to the T. So that's more of an exception.
Currently I own a 06 350 with over 100k. Back story was an elderly couple bought it new used it everyday and was also overkill dealer maintained. The couple didn't smile or have pets, and were quite plesent to work with. BUT and that's a big butt. The attention to detail,quality, fit and finish didn't compare to my 02. I've had the dealer replace my dash and other verious recalls. It's not a bad car , apples to apples my 02 was hands down better then this second gen. I don't think id be able to get close to what I paid for it also. It's fully loaded and is a rare color they tell me but it's just cheaply made and lacks in so many ways.
My search contuines weekly looking for the right 05 Is300 to come my way. When that day comes the 350 will go far far away.
Just traded in my 2001 IS300 for a 2009 IS350 today. Might just be stockholm syndrom as I'm the original owner and that was my first and only car ever but I already kinda miss it. I loved the interior of it. The IS350 is better car overall but the IS300 is definitely more special.
I agree. I would say the is300s are more special now than before, especially low mile unmodified examples. 350s don't handle as well but they definitely have MORE power, better mileage, and way more new tech
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