I've procrastinated picking up a car since selling my old Subaru Legacy GT (2.5 turbo) just before covid and prices shot up.

Debating what to pick up now. However, I'm in a state (VA) that charges excessive personal property taxes on vehicles every year, and especially not subsidized after $20,000. So, trying to keep total cost no more than $30k, though ideally around $25k or less to keep my taxes down. (Even a $30k vehicle is like $1000 a year in taxes EVERY year!)

From some reading, it sounds like the GS350 is the most comfortable and best handling, though I'm not a fan of the exterior styling. The IS looks great to me, but back seats a bit tight. I'm writing out a few notes here - let me know if you think I'm missing any critical year cutoffs:

- 2017 in general seems like a good minimum cutoff because that's when Lexus made all of their safety features standard across the board?
- No carplay until 2021 on most models right? This is horrible and I don't really want to spend $1000 installing some crappy system
- 2018+ adds the 2GR-FKS vs 2GR-FSE which seems slightly better but not a big deal. Also not yet tuneable by R&R racing though. (though they told me they may have a way to tune it by end of 2023)
- For GS350 2016 model year in general is the bigger update from 2015

Any other major feature cutoffs I should watch for? i.e. nav systems, LED headlights, or other quality issues to watch out for?

Kind of cross-shopping a 2017 340i which has carplay and an incredible engine/trans but worried about reliability long term. (the b58+transmission is proving very reliable but worried about rest of car and 7-12yr quality)

 

Welcome. Do you want to look at the IS or the GS? Unclear from your post as it sounded like you were considering both.

As for the IS, I personally think the pre-facelift 3IS (2014-2016) is by far the best value. Though the refresh and 2GR-FKS engine are nice upgrades, the car will mostly feel the same. It depends on what you value most.

And yes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (along with a touchscreen) were added for 2021. For earlier cars, the aftermarket will be your solution.

 

If you are concerned for cost, as you mentioned taxes, then stay away from a used German car. great cars but expensive as they age. I have had many German cars. IMO Japan and Germany make the best cars in the world, LOL. Look for the newest, lowest mileage IS maybe.

 

I think I'm open to either IS or GS, though have heard the GS is a better performer. I also like that it's a slightly bigger car in case I keep it longer.

 

Oh man, in the past I would have NEVER considered BMW for the reasons. However I'm hearing that the B58 (2015) has really been rock solid along with the transmission since it's had so many iterations from the N54 -> N55 (2005). That's roughly 2GR type length of time for improvements, and it's an insanely powerful engine also with amazing highway mileage. Of course I'm concerned though that people who saw no issues on the first 7 years might end up with typical BMW disasters on years 8-12 or so.

They claim to have improved heat management, but I'm also concerned about the plasma coated pistons and the fact that they moved the timing chain to firewall side of the bay which means engine out for any serious work. Also electronics in general could probably eat me alive.

Really love the idea of it and people are saying it's rock solid, but so hard to know with early days.

I don't even care about the performance that much, but what I hate about the GS350/etc is the miserable fuel economy with the 2GR. Talking 19/26 for the AWD model which is as bad as my old Subaru Legacy 2.5GT from 2005, 18 years ago.

 

In my experience, the RWD versions drive better, and they get a couple more MPG.

 

Subaru 2.5 s are solid and run on regular. my 2019 Outback gets 30+ highway. I wouldn't consider AWD in Va. I only still have mine because I moved from a snowball area. I would not even consider the AWD on my IS.
Maybe a Subaru 3.6 Legacy?

 

I would say 2017 is the best year for the money. Lexus seemed to have worked out the common issues for years 14-16 (navigation, battery draining, etc). Added bonus is the car is still tunable for that year if you want to go that route in the future. You can buy an aftermarket Carplay unit and install for less than $1000 if you want.

People are pushing the limits with DP + Tune of those engines (500whp/500wtq) on B58s and proven to be reliable. Trade off between 2GR and B58 is newer technology and performance per dollar.