17 y.o teenager and driving a 3IS for a starter car? Might wanna consider a CT200h, less powerful car, sips fuel and safer for inexperienced drivers. 3IS turbo or not, f-sport or not, it might be a tad too powerful for a young driver. Just my 2c...

 

It won't really be "your" car, but I know myself that if I made the decision over a few bucks and such, that every time I saw an F-Sport afterwards buyer's remorse would kick me in the gut.

 

I'm just saying, getting an IS as a first car seems great. I would have been asking people to pinch me if my first car was an IS. I got my grandmother's 2001 Buick Century as a first car. At the time, it was nearly 10 years old and was pretty much the most boring car on the road. And it was slow and not luxurious - but, a very good highway car. Comfy and smooth, with 30 MPG on the highway to boot.

 

 

I agree with the 3is but this is the 200t, from all my reading , this like a good blend of reliability, safety and still sufficiently powerful etc, but yes, the gas mpg is not the best

 

i agree, my first car was a datzun 510 wagon type beast with paneling...yeah i was an eighties kid and this car was a 70's beater, but it ran and ran well through college....she is my only one, so though such a nice car is something i wouldn't have thought to do earlier in life especially when single, now seems logical or at least a strong why not...life passes quickly and though a few, a lot really, said , get her a beater etc, you know same as you...while i agree and have great stories about my beater, well if i can spoil her just a little, it must be a good thing...you know , before real life comes calling lol

 

well, really considering keeping it stock , but yeah a lip and then a spoiler and then rims, and then hid this and that...lol, no stock it is but a lip kit wont hurt...so good news and thanks

 

btw , what have you replaced in your car and was cost significantly different than a non f sport?

 

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.

 

Can't say yet. I haven't had to do brakes yet. The only thing I have replaced is a set of tires. I got the BFGoodrich G-Force Comp-2 A/S. They're fantastic and cheaper than OEM Bridgestone Turanzas. Otherwise, I haven't paid a cent for anything yet.

 

 

@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.

 

if it was either of my daughters, it would an easier choice, used well maintained Toyota Yaris or Rav4 under $5k CASH. No way I'd buy them a Lexus IS. They want a Lexus, get good grades, college, than their own job.

 

 

If all else being equal, get the F-sport, always.. it just stands out, looks better and easier for resale. There are conversion kits that convert base IS to F-Sport and not the other way round lol.. i think that says it all.

FWIW, i love my Base IS200t and as posted on the other thread, i've already drvne it for 2.5years and plan to keep it for another 7.5 making it 10 years. I don't plan to "convert" mine to look like an F-sport, but i always think to myself... "F-sport just looks nicer"