lillex06

Hello everyone been a long time since Ive been on here!! Thinking about getting back in the Lexus game. I've owned so many different cars and I think Lexus is really the best car you can buy for the money IMO.

Anyways, I'm looking at a 14 IS350 non f, nav, ml sound, luxury pkg with 16k miles asking $28k. Also looking at 2015 IS350 fsport with same options except of course different seating surface with 21k miles for 34k? Last but not least a 15 IS250 with nav, prem pkg, fsport 16k miles for 26k?

​​​​​​​ Out of these which seems like a better deal? I don't really care about power (have a fast toy for that). Really can't talk myself out of that ML stereo lol. I don't change cars too often but might consider a lease on a 17 200t fsport. Especially if I could get away with roughly close to payment on a new car. I'm in dfw area, thanks

Mrg02d

I'd go for the 14is350.

EJ255t

i'd go with the 350 for sure!! only a few K difference and you get more power!!

lillex06

Kinda what I'm leaning towards. I love the f sport pkg but I don't have to have it. Just be nice though lol.

Mrg02d

I don't think f sport adds much aside from looks and more stiffness for tracking.

TinoPing

I'd pass on the 200t. Having driven one and recently purchased a new 350F, I feel the car is only complete with a 6c. It's heavy enough as is for the 350F, the engine whine and labor of the 4c takes away so much of the IS character. Also I agree with you, the ML is an absolute must. I paid the extra bucks on the F for two features I was obsessed about, the FSport wheels which I'm planning to keep. I think they still look the most balanced of any aftermarket, especially on ultra white, and the F sport gauge. The tach is what differentiates the IS from other ho hum japs. Good luck.

arentz07

Well, there's the F Sport instrument cluster, different wheel and tire sizes, different seating, and the removal of fog lamps, all of which have functional impacts over the non-F-Sport models. It also opens up Sport+ mode on the 350 trims. It also gives you a slightly different steering wheel, which is heated.

It adds a bit more than just a pure styling/suspension package.

lillex06

kinda disappointed to hear that about the 200t. Figured it would be comparable to mb c300 with their I-4 turbo. Maybe there's some big weight difference or gear ratio. I know my gf 2017 c300 has a 7 speed tranny and it kinda peppy for 241hp to me anyways

nathantse

The Germans figured out how to limit turbo lag with the 4 bangers. =\

The is200t has the same 241 hp, but still slower.

MasonGrey

iTrader: (2)

The issue with the 2.0 is that Lexus has castrated the engine for reliability reasons; they prevent you from getting more than 30% throttle up until 4000 RPM whereas the Germans just let the engine do it's thing.

That being said, I agree with the 3.5 purchase. The engine sounds better and is smoother. There's also more aftermarket support if you're into that. The 2.0 seems to be an underwhelming that needs an ECU reflash to become good whereas the 3.5 goes from good to better with a reflash.

corradoMR2

I had the IS 250, have the 2L turbo in the NX, and now the 3.5L v6 in the IS 300. If power is not an issue, ignore the engine and go with everything else that matters to you.

For me, engine NVH, exhaust sound, and throttle response are important and the 200t falls short compared to either 250 or 350 V6s.

Happy shopping!

TinoPing

I agree with all the above comments. I had 2 new German 2.0Ts. The secret behind the Germans is the ZF 8 gear transmission. That thing will make any engine perform better. Has a way of selecting the optimum/ right gear instantaneously under any circumstance before you know it and without you feeling it. This is were Lexus is behind the times, with its conventional transmission, in other words, slow to react and you can definitely feel it. That and as someone commented above, Germans got the low end torque on 4c turbos down to an art. There's no point of trying to compete with Germans at their own game with the 200T. Go with the 300 or 350 where Lexus has some advantages.

lillex06

Thanks for the feedback guys.. I'm gonna shop around online some more and see how things go. Anybody here from dfw that's leased a new 300 or 350 that got an awesome deal?

goldengame

Lexus's transmission and the ZF are both conventional torque converter transmissions. They both also have the ability to lock up for "sportier" driving. I agree that the ZF is much better than Lexus's 8-speed though. It's very smooth when you want it to be and extremely fast in sporty driving.

lillex06

Well as bad as I hate it, had to throw the 14 IS350 out of the pic. Turned out to not have ML stereo even though ad said it did :/