Hey everyone, names Matt and I just signed up. I have not bought an IS yet, however after doing some searching, I am narrowing things down and have a question.

Should I hold out and wait for a "Sport Package" model IS350? Test drove a non sport package IS350 today locally, and I'm really digging the car, the size, the options etc. But is the sports package worth holding out for/traveling for?

I am in real estate so I spend a lot of time in the car and put many miles on it. I doubt the sports package would make it that much harsher of a ride, but thats why I'm here as there are no local sport package IS350's to test drive.

This will really be my first luxury sport car. I currently have an 04 TSX, which is nice, but just need something new. Have had a few s2000's, but being in real estate, s2000 isn't practical

Look forward to hearing some thoughts on this and can't wait to get the car(will be the first auto I have bought )

Matt,

Nashville, Tn if anyone seeing this is here

 

Welcome to the Club! You should try to do a search as this topic had came up so many times before. Here is an example of what was discussed. Anyway, I would wait for the right car to come along. Good luck with the search.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ges-drive.html

 

Thanks for the reply. I didn't see that post in my searches. I'll figure out the best way to search this site soon

 

If you are driving clients around you should consider a 04-06 LS430 ^_^

 

Well what is it in the fsport package u really like? Maybe an easy add on? One thing I like is the option for ultra sonic blue like this:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-second-generation/778987-new-here-2011-is350-f-sport.html

 

Honestly, it's not the fsport I was looking at. I like that the sport package comes slightly lower from factory, & I wouldn't have to do anything to it(of course unless I wanted even more of a drop). Also, I really don't like the wood grain, so just one less thing to buy and replace or wrap. Trying not to really modify the car beyond tint, visors and some other appearance items.

 

Thanks for the input. I actually sold my s2000 so I could drive clients around but I have only driven someone around like two times.... Everyone has followed or meets me at the properties. No doubt the LS460 is a great car, just not sure I'm ready for something that big

 

I also had an 04 TSX and now have an IS350 with sport package. I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor. The suspensions difference is negligible and I replaced my shocks/springs anyways.

I don't even have the wood grain but I wrapped my centre console anyways.

The aluminum pedals are nice, but can be easily added.

 

Thanks for the reply! Just the type of reply I was hoping for.

I dont plan on swapping any of the suspension, but I may consider springs with a minimum drop.

What type of wrap did you use for the console?

 

I purposely sought a sport pkg (07 IS350), not wanting wood trim. Also since I went with (moderate) springs only (Eibach), the sport pkg shocks were a plus.

But I agree finding best car sb priority.

 

If you're going to use the car to drive people around, I'm not sure if the IS is a good car for it. It's little too small if you sometimes got a big person, or someone needs to sit in the back. If LS is too big, I would get the ES or GS instead.

 

Thanks for the reply. I've got the tsx now, and its size has worked thus far, as I haven't had to drive many people around. I'll go test drive another and check it out again.

 

I think the TSX had more room in the back than the IS.

With that being said, I don't sit back there, so I don't care.

And I used 3M 1080 carbon fiber.

 

Ok, good to know. I have the same feeling, Im not back there so its no biggie to me

 

My wife has successfully used C-class Benz sedans for years as real estate car, no problem. The back seat isn't much bigger than the IS. The key to usable back seat room is having driver and front seat passenger of modest height, leaving reasonable leg room.

Back to the sport package requirement being topic here, they are somewhat rare cars and probably less than 20% of total available.