base vs Fsport
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 317
From: SoCal
They're both long term keepers and near identical cars...biggest difference given who the car is for is color and front grille. 95% of drivers probably wouldn't know what all their car has or doesn't have or what the drive difference is between this or that etc. Looks pretty, costs X, color X, has X button, etc.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: OR
Unless she's into cars, go with the base model. Use the difference to put towards new tires and/or the insurance costs (which I'm sure won't be cheap for a newer "sports" sedan and a younger driver).
I know. Just couldn't help that. No judgement here. Just my 2 cents. To be fair it was off topic but hey, it's the internet. Someone was gonna mention a comment like this. On topic, though if I were to choose, I'd get her the base model.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
From: fl
Originally Posted by @osiriskidd 
have you looked at the luxury package?
outside of the is350 sport+ mode, fsport of mostly aesthetics.
memory seats and parking sensors would be worth it.
have you looked at the luxury package?
outside of the is350 sport+ mode, fsport of mostly aesthetics.
memory seats and parking sensors would be worth it.
yeah and thanks; but I am getting a CPO, so its sort of color and then options for her etc but yeah that's a nice set up the lux package
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 36
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From: fl
@OP. I asked the same question last month when I was shopping an IS200t for my son. I decided the F-Sport option was a "must have". The difference in price was not much for me. My decision to go with the F-Sport were follow:
- Resale value in the future
- Buyer's remorse for not getting the "Non-F" will be greater than getting the "F".
- For maintenance, as far as brake pads and tires. The cost will not be a big different during the life of the ownership. 5-7 years for 12K per year.
- For reliability, technically, it is a Toyota. :-)
- F-Sport looks better.
- Resale value in the future
- Buyer's remorse for not getting the "Non-F" will be greater than getting the "F".
- For maintenance, as far as brake pads and tires. The cost will not be a big different during the life of the ownership. 5-7 years for 12K per year.
- For reliability, technically, it is a Toyota. :-)
- F-Sport looks better.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 36
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From: fl
while i wholeheartedly agree with you on a certain level, i did mention in an earlier post, that somethings you got to say what the heck or some exotic and/or esoteric phrase lol but yes those cars, or really most sub 5k cars are great for the "there i was at 3am raining and dark as ever and car wont start....let me call my dad!" so it may backfire on me as well...but seriously, i had a 330, my wife now has a 350 and both cars have been the best of all of them in terms of reliability...so i guess im looking for that peace of mind for her as well with a little bling to go along with it....
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 36
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From: fl
spot on my thoughts initially and still back and forth, but yes that is left shoulder caricature, the right one says, go blue..fsport... lol
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: GA
while i wholeheartedly agree with you on a certain level, i did mention in an earlier post, that somethings you got to say what the heck or some exotic and/or esoteric phrase lol but yes those cars, or really most sub 5k cars are great for the "there i was at 3am raining and dark as ever and car wont start....let me call my dad!" so it may backfire on me as well...but seriously, i had a 330, my wife now has a 350 and both cars have been the best of all of them in terms of reliability...so i guess im looking for that peace of mind for her as well with a little bling to go along with it....
I respect you for wanting to get her a car that is going to have 0 issues at least for a few years. My old Buick Century (first car) was pretty much bulletproof other than the infamous false-alarm check engine light of GM sedans of that time, and window regulators dying a couple of times. Drivetrain-wise, I had no issues whatsoever as I added 30,000 miles to the odometer over 4 years. I was lucky that my grandmother felt like upgrading to a newer car after paying it off. Well, more accurately, my uncle convinced her to.
So I "bought" it from her for $1. However, I think I got lucky. Most GM products of the 2000's weren't known for being uber-reliable like Toyota/Lexus vehicles. And with the IS 200t being a sub-$30,000 vehicle CPO, it's not too shabby an investment as a reliable runabout. So I think any hate is uncalled for - though at the same time, I'd have been giddy to have a snazzy Lexus as a first car. Heck, I was intimidated just owning a car at all...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 774
Likes: 97
From: BC
while i wholeheartedly agree with you on a certain level, i did mention in an earlier post, that somethings you got to say what the heck or some exotic and/or esoteric phrase lol but yes those cars, or really most sub 5k cars are great for the "there i was at 3am raining and dark as ever and car wont start....let me call my dad!" so it may backfire on me as well...but seriously, i had a 330, my wife now has a 350 and both cars have been the best of all of them in terms of reliability...so i guess im looking for that peace of mind for her as well with a little bling to go along with it....
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,195
Likes: 1,844
From: WA
If they're both in good condition, at similar price and miles, then just go with aesthetics and whichever one pulls you stronger. It sounds like you're leaning to the F Sport.
I wouldn't worry about the instrument cluster. There is a small electric motor, but I see no reason for it to be more prone to failure than, say, a power window motor, door lock actuator, windshield wiper motor, etc. and you aren't worried about those. After that one item, it's just a TFT display, which the base cluster has as well.
I wouldn't worry about the instrument cluster. There is a small electric motor, but I see no reason for it to be more prone to failure than, say, a power window motor, door lock actuator, windshield wiper motor, etc. and you aren't worried about those. After that one item, it's just a TFT display, which the base cluster has as well.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
If they're both in good condition, at similar price and miles, then just go with aesthetics and whichever one pulls you stronger. It sounds like you're leaning to the F Sport.
I wouldn't worry about the instrument cluster. There is a small electric motor, but I see no reason for it to be more prone to failure than, say, a power window motor, door lock actuator, windshield wiper motor, etc. and you aren't worried about those. After that one item, it's just a TFT display, which the base cluster has as well.
I wouldn't worry about the instrument cluster. There is a small electric motor, but I see no reason for it to be more prone to failure than, say, a power window motor, door lock actuator, windshield wiper motor, etc. and you aren't worried about those. After that one item, it's just a TFT display, which the base cluster has as well.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
From: fl
An ES 330? A BMW 330i? An ES 350? Lots of models with those numbers attached.
I respect you for wanting to get her a car that is going to have 0 issues at least for a few years. My old Buick Century (first car) was pretty much bulletproof other than the infamous false-alarm check engine light of GM sedans of that time, and window regulators dying a couple of times. Drivetrain-wise, I had no issues whatsoever as I added 30,000 miles to the odometer over 4 years. I was lucky that my grandmother felt like upgrading to a newer car after paying it off. Well, more accurately, my uncle convinced her to. So I "bought" it from her for $1. However, I think I got lucky. Most GM products of the 2000's weren't known for being uber-reliable like Toyota/Lexus vehicles. And with the IS 200t being a sub-$30,000 vehicle CPO, it's not too shabby an investment as a reliable runabout. So I think any hate is uncalled for - though at the same time, I'd have been giddy to have a snazzy Lexus as a first car. Heck, I was intimidated just owning a car at all...
I respect you for wanting to get her a car that is going to have 0 issues at least for a few years. My old Buick Century (first car) was pretty much bulletproof other than the infamous false-alarm check engine light of GM sedans of that time, and window regulators dying a couple of times. Drivetrain-wise, I had no issues whatsoever as I added 30,000 miles to the odometer over 4 years. I was lucky that my grandmother felt like upgrading to a newer car after paying it off. Well, more accurately, my uncle convinced her to.
So I "bought" it from her for $1. However, I think I got lucky. Most GM products of the 2000's weren't known for being uber-reliable like Toyota/Lexus vehicles. And with the IS 200t being a sub-$30,000 vehicle CPO, it's not too shabby an investment as a reliable runabout. So I think any hate is uncalled for - though at the same time, I'd have been giddy to have a snazzy Lexus as a first car. Heck, I was intimidated just owning a car at all...