I have a '16 IS350 F-Sport RWD, and came from a 2015 STI.

I was leasing the STI, and trading in the STI for the Lexus made more economical sense - the Lexus ended up costing about $80/month less than the STI to lease. While the residual values of the two cars are similar, Subaru doesn't really incentive leases with low money factors like Lexus does.

So, going from a very performance-oriented, analog, manual transmission car like the STI to the IS350, I thought I'd be sacrificing a ton of performance and feel for comfort. As it turns out, I was mostly wrong. In terms of pure speed, I'd say the Lexus is about 80-85% of the STI - in terms of torque, the STI made about 295lb ft stock, whereas the Lexus makes about 277lb ft. However, because the STI has pretty bad turbo lag (at least stock), it didn't really pull hard unless you were above 3500 rpms. In contrast, the Lexus, because it is naturally aspirated, it has a much more linear powerband and it never feels like it's caught sleeping. That said, yes, the higher in the rev range you go, the more power it makes (like any car), but the build is progressive, whereas the STI was felt more on or off. While the STI will be much quicker 0-60 and 1/4 mile because of its ability to utilize its AWD for hard launches, from a roll, it doesn't feel much (if any) slower.

In terms of handling, you'll probably feel more confident in the STI due to its AWD system. I can't speak for the Lexus' AWD since I haven't driven it, but the STI's AWD is pretty advanced - 3 locking differentials, torque vectoring, etc. You can just push it hard into a corner and accelerate out of it knowing it will grip. Also, for the 2015+ models, Subaru really improved the chassis so that understeer is nearly gone. The Lexus, on the other hand, can still be pushed hard, and turn in is very good. But, because its RWD, I find that you can't go full power quite as quickly because traction control is very tuned very conservatively. I haven't had much chance to turn it off, but the STI, even with traction control fully enabled, just felt more tossable.

In terms of "feel," the STI wins hands down. The hydraulic steering, manual shifter, stiffer chassis, etc. keep you feeling more involved and communicate much more about what the car is doing than the Lexus ever does. This is probably the thing I miss the most. I installed the RR Racing USRS in the Lexus, and it definitely helped, but its still a ways off compared to the STI. Perhaps new tires and an intake or exhaust might help, but it would still be lacking in this department.

Interior feel - while STI's have come a long ways in terms of interior fit and finish, Lexus is just in another league. Seats are much better in the Lexus, the Mark Levinson sound is great, and its just overall much nicer. That said, I felt the STI had a bit more rear passenger space, although it seems that isn't really a factor for you.

Overall, very happy with the Lexus. It does everything probably above average - its quite comfortable, fast enough, handles well, and is very easy to drive. It is a very good car for eating up highway miles. However, it doesn't excel at any of the things I truly care about, namely feedback and engagement. Because my wife and I missed certain things about the STI, we just ended up getting a 2005 STI. So, once the Lexus' lease is up, probably won't be keeping it (also, because the residual is so high, buyout after a lease doesn't make much sense). Might look for a CPO 5-series or E-class as the "comfy" car, since we no longer need it to be the "fun" car.

 

Was able to negotiate the price down to $600 per month an extra $500 on my trade in at this particular dealership. I'll check out another one and hope for a better offer (probably on last years inventory for bigger discounts) and talk with the wife.

 

I love the STi but my wife hates it so unofortunately it was a pipe dream to consider it lol. She's partial to either Audi or Lexus because of family and reviews, and definitely doesn't want me getting another BMW lol. When you have to call you wife 3 times in 1 year asking for a ride to work because your car broke down, she's not going to be very happy.

 

In NJ, are you required to pay sales tax on the full amount of the vehicle even on a lease, or do you just pay sales tax on the monthly payments?

I ask because $600/month sounds very high, especially since you are putting down $2000. For reference, in CA, I put down nothing, and pay $460/month inclusive of sales tax on an IS350 F-Sport with ML, Nav, and BSM. In general, people advise against putting anything down on a lease because if you total the car, your down payment is forfeit, whereas if you put nothing down, because Lexus Financial will carry gap insurance on the vehicle, you can walk away free and clear. If you're trying to get your monthly payments down, see if you can use the money for multiple security deposits instead - each security deposit is 1 months' payment, and each one reduces the money factor a bit so that your overall monthly payments still go down, but at the end of the lease, you get your security deposit back. I know BMW allows this, not sure if Lexus does though - worth asking imo.

 

Hey man what part of nj are you in? On what exit are you on? I leased a 2016 es last April from Lexus of Edison from a family friend, if you want I can give you his details?