Are non-F sport IS 350’s rare?
06-25-19, 02:31 PM
#1
6th Gear
Thread Starter
Are non-F sport IS 350’s rare?
I am looking at purchasing a 2015-2017 IS 350 and have been looking for a non-F sport model in black. I live in a big city, so would think this shouldn’t be too hard to find. However, I can’t find any in black/black in the whole state (using Edmunds and Autotrader). Is this an impossible find? Am I using the wrong websites?
I’m not totally opposed to an F-sport but have heard that tired and brakes wear out more easily on them so am worried about the increased costs. I definitely don’t want a turbo model though (based on constant repairs needed for my boyfriend’s 200T).
I’m not totally opposed to an F-sport but have heard that tired and brakes wear out more easily on them so am worried about the increased costs. I definitely don’t want a turbo model though (based on constant repairs needed for my boyfriend’s 200T).
06-25-19, 02:56 PM
#2
drives cars
I think they are rarer the newer they are. If I jump on cargurus for instance, it seems like it's easier to find 2014-2016 IS 350 non-F-Sports than later. That could also be a function of the IS's sales dropping off in general, especially in the 350 department.
I am pretty sure the brake and tire issues you've mentioned are, in my opinion, overblown and solvable. For the brakes, you can just use the non-F-Sport or aftermarket pads once they wear out. For tires, I think it's not specifically an F Sport problem, but you could go with aftermarket (FIGS, RR Racing) or GS F OEM bushings to reduce the tire wear. Alternatively, just be religious with your alignments.
I am pretty sure the brake and tire issues you've mentioned are, in my opinion, overblown and solvable. For the brakes, you can just use the non-F-Sport or aftermarket pads once they wear out. For tires, I think it's not specifically an F Sport problem, but you could go with aftermarket (FIGS, RR Racing) or GS F OEM bushings to reduce the tire wear. Alternatively, just be religious with your alignments.
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scubacat (06-25-19)
06-25-19, 03:11 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by scubacat
I am looking at purchasing a 2015-2017 IS 350 and have been looking for a non-F sport model in black. I live in a big city, so would think this shouldn’t be too hard to find. However, I can’t find any in black/black in the whole state (using Edmunds and Autotrader). Is this an impossible find? Am I using the wrong websites?
I’m not totally opposed to an F-sport but have heard that tired and brakes wear out more easily on them so am worried about the increased costs. I definitely don’t want a turbo model though (based on constant repairs needed for my boyfriend’s 200T).
I’m not totally opposed to an F-sport but have heard that tired and brakes wear out more easily on them so am worried about the increased costs. I definitely don’t want a turbo model though (based on constant repairs needed for my boyfriend’s 200T).
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scubacat (06-25-19)
06-25-19, 04:12 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
it's not the kind of tires that accelerate wear its the front control arm design. changing your tires isn't going to affect how they wear.
if you want to minimize costs, this car as a whole isn't for you. you're going to eat it no matter what model you get, compared to an eco car.
if you want to minimize costs, this car as a whole isn't for you. you're going to eat it no matter what model you get, compared to an eco car.
06-25-19, 06:31 PM
#5
I would agree that the 350s are more of a rarity than the 300s. I know dealerships around here only have 1 or 2 IS350s as compared to 5-10+ IS300s.
Alternatively, you can look at the IS300 AWDs (non F-Sports) which have the same V6 engine as the IS350s although detuned from the factory. But as E46CT said above, the maintenance costs for this category of car would be higher than a non-luxury brand - the IS needs premium gas too.
Alternatively, you can look at the IS300 AWDs (non F-Sports) which have the same V6 engine as the IS350s although detuned from the factory. But as E46CT said above, the maintenance costs for this category of car would be higher than a non-luxury brand - the IS needs premium gas too.
06-25-19, 06:52 PM
#7
I would agree that the 350s are more of a rarity than the 300s. I know dealerships around here only have 1 or 2 IS350s as compared to 5-10+ IS300s.
Alternatively, you can look at the IS300 AWDs (non F-Sports) which have the same V6 engine as the IS350s although detuned from the factory. But as E46CT said above, the maintenance costs for this category of car would be higher than a non-luxury brand - the IS needs premium gas too.
Alternatively, you can look at the IS300 AWDs (non F-Sports) which have the same V6 engine as the IS350s although detuned from the factory. But as E46CT said above, the maintenance costs for this category of car would be higher than a non-luxury brand - the IS needs premium gas too.
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06-25-19, 08:03 PM
#8
Intermediate
350s seem to be a bit more rare than 300s. All AWD for the v6 cars, unfortunately. I would say F-Sport IS350 is more common than non here.
300 RWD and 200t RWD are quite rare. I've only seen one IS300 RWD and haven't seen any other IS200t at all since I picked up mine in March.
300 RWD and 200t RWD are quite rare. I've only seen one IS300 RWD and haven't seen any other IS200t at all since I picked up mine in March.
06-26-19, 06:50 AM
#9
Yeah I’ve learned this through the last couple of years. Gotta pay to play, although compared to some other fine toys in the market, Lexus/Toyota reliability is on your side here. Having a non F sport IS300 myself, I am quite pleased with it and with the help of the forum and it’s members though, I’ve managed ways to make my ownership much better. Sure, it’s underpowered compared to the IS350, but it can be tuned to match the power as well because they are the same engines, if that’s your concern. I just installed the RR Racing flash to mine and absolutely love it.
Yeah, there's definitely not a lot in inventory at dealerships - let alone CPOs unless they're several years old.
06-26-19, 10:38 AM
#10
I am looking at purchasing a 2015-2017 IS 350 and have been looking for a non-F sport model in black. I live in a big city, so would think this shouldn’t be too hard to find. However, I can’t find any in black/black in the whole state (using Edmunds and Autotrader). Is this an impossible find? Am I using the wrong websites?
I’m not totally opposed to an F-sport but have heard that tired and brakes wear out more easily on them so am worried about the increased costs. I definitely don’t want a turbo model though (based on constant repairs needed for my boyfriend’s 200T).
I’m not totally opposed to an F-sport but have heard that tired and brakes wear out more easily on them so am worried about the increased costs. I definitely don’t want a turbo model though (based on constant repairs needed for my boyfriend’s 200T).
That's precisely the car I have, but 2014 model.
Black on piano black interior non-f IS350.
I looked (also for 2nd gen) for black/black IS350 for a long time...maybe 6 months. I searched at a 500 mi radius. Not saying I bought the only one I found but they were very few.
(Small chance I'll be selling soon so I'll let you know! Ha)
As for F-Sport wearing...tires are tires. They are worn in accordance to their treadware rating and driving conditions. True for any car.
Brake pads are a quick easy and cheap change. True for most any car but even more this one.
It was not easy to find just want I wanted as clean as I'd like and at a price I needed. My choice for non F-Sport was cause I checked off all the other boxes which were more important to me than the front grille or speedo. Not because of brakes and tires so I wouldn't worry about they either.
06-28-19, 10:03 PM
#11
get gsf / rcf bushings for to reduce tire wear.. i just got new brake pads + rotors all 4 from ebay for $200
06-30-19, 03:49 AM
#12
Pole Position
That's precisely the car I have, but 2014 model.
Black on piano black interior non-f IS350.
I looked (also for 2nd gen) for black/black IS350 for a long time...maybe 6 months. I searched at a 500 mi radius. Not saying I bought the only one I found but they were very few.
(Small chance I'll be selling soon so I'll let you know! Ha)
As for F-Sport wearing...tires are tires. They are worn in accordance to their treadware rating and driving conditions. True for any car.
Brake pads are a quick easy and cheap change. True for most any car but even more this one.
It was not easy to find just want I wanted as clean as I'd like and at a price I needed. My choice for non F-Sport was cause I checked off all the other boxes which were more important to me than the front grille or speedo. Not because of brakes and tires so I wouldn't worry about they either.
Black on piano black interior non-f IS350.
I looked (also for 2nd gen) for black/black IS350 for a long time...maybe 6 months. I searched at a 500 mi radius. Not saying I bought the only one I found but they were very few.
(Small chance I'll be selling soon so I'll let you know! Ha)
As for F-Sport wearing...tires are tires. They are worn in accordance to their treadware rating and driving conditions. True for any car.
Brake pads are a quick easy and cheap change. True for most any car but even more this one.
It was not easy to find just want I wanted as clean as I'd like and at a price I needed. My choice for non F-Sport was cause I checked off all the other boxes which were more important to me than the front grille or speedo. Not because of brakes and tires so I wouldn't worry about they either.
06-30-19, 05:27 PM
#13
Lexus Champion
My IS350 was not an F Sport. I really enjoyed the car. In the IS, having the F Sport package wasn’t important to me at the time and I didn’t want to lose features that weren’t available on the F Sport. Both of my GSs have been F Sports. More important on the GS than the IS I think, but if I were to go back to the IS, it would be an F Sport. My GS ownership has shown me the value of AVS. I would miss it if I didn’t have it.
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