Hey folks, I've been thinking about buying a Lexus IS, but before I start searching for the right car, I was hoping I could get some opinions on what to look for, what to avoid, and specific year that is preferred over others, etc.

I'll be buying the car with cash, and trying to find the best bang for the buck. Trying to keep it in the $8k-$12k range, automatic is preferred. I don't intend to do any modifications unless they are reliability/durability type upgrades. I'd just like to have a comfortable "newer" (to me) car with some creature comforts that I'm not used to. Plus the top notch Toyota engineering is a major plus. I've had my '01 Tacoma for 6 years and it has 215k miles, and it has never skipped a beat. Best damn vehicle I've ever had (and I've had a lot) but it's lacking in the comfort/options department and with the big tires & a little 3RZ-FE 4-cyl. it is downright gutless on the highway.

Thanks for any info.

 

Hello! This page pretty much sums up everything about the 2IS. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...e-threads.html

It helped me before I bought my car (:

 

The later years having integrated bluetooth is a serious win! With that comes USB for the MP3 folks. There are work arounds but these are used daily. Even a 2014 Rav4 has this tho....

That said I doubt you find one for $12k!

 

As long as it's an IS350, you cannot lose...no matter the year!

 

as new as you can I find that 2011 and newer ones are rarer than the 06-08s and come with nice updated amenities. Also like Gville said, as long as it's ISF you can't go wrong

 

Sadly, not any more. Toyota is having more problems with mechanical and other issues than most other car manufacturers right now (carbon buildup on the IS250, melting dashboards and door panels on the IS and LS models, brake actuators, touch screen digitizers, the list goes on and on.............)

But, in answer to your question, get a 2011 or later IS250 if your budget can stretch to that.

 

2009+ is better cuz it doesn't come with the stupid dvd based nav system...