When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I made a separate thread for this, but it's clearly worth posting here as well I clearly should have posted here first:
1) Yesterday I purchased a 2018 IS 300 F-Sport 4cyl Turbo from CarMax.
2) CarMax has a 30 day return policy (CarMax horror stories not required...)
3) Today I found a 2019 IS 300 AWD V6 F-Sport that's identical to what I purchased in every way, but has the V6 and AWD for $3k more.
Q: Is it worth an additional $3,000 for the 260hp V6 and AWD alone? I know hp is roughly the same as the 4cyl., but I like knowing I can mod the V6 down the road for more power, so aside from that is there anything else I'd really be missing if I didn't opt for a 350 F-Sport?
I made a separate thread for this, but it's clearly worth posting here as well I clearly should have posted here first:
Thoughts?
As someone who has driven a '21 IS300 AWD F-Sport, and also owns a '19 IS350 AWD F-Sport, I believe the $3k is worth it if you want more power, better engine sound, better throttle response, are intending to keep the car long term, and if you deal with snow (which the AWD is very good at, as it's a full-time system).
In my experience with the above, there is no discernible difference in power between the 300 AWD and 350 AWD without pushing the engine all the way to redline in multiple gears (ie. going flat out). I drove that '21 the same way I do with my '19, on the street without hitting go to jail speeds, and I couldn't tell a difference in power output.
One major difference you'll find (actually two, or three) are that the transmission is a 6 speed and there is a hump in the driver's footwell right beneath your right leg.
People trash the 6 speed for being a 6 speed, but it honestly is still a good transmission if you mostly leave it alone in auto mode. It doesn't gear hunt, and you can hit 60 in 2nd gear. The manual shifts are slow unless you are going hard on the throttle, then they'll speed up significantly.
I'm 5ft 11", and the hump never bothers me (my leg doesn't even touch it) but it might be different for your body type.
If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate to swap out cars for the 3.5L V6 powered IS.
How do you feel about your 3IS ownership decision? Do you regret not buying a German sports sedan or just getting a Toyota model?
I feel my own experience has been tainted by listening to auto bloggers and reviews about the 3IS.
The first time that I laid eyes on a 3IS I fell in love. Then, I watched the Consumer Reports (CR) review which advised me to RUN, not walk away. A short time later, I decided to ignore CR and test drive one for myself. I loved it! I liked the sporty handling and the cockpit cabin. I didn't see what all the CR fuss was about. Eventually, I purchased a 2016 IS300.
Almost immediately, I began to regret my emotional purchase as I began to realize the faux quality of the components and lack of standard luxury options. It bothers me that the there is plastic where there should be aluminum, pleather seats, piano black trim, no auto-tilting mirrors, no memory seats, and no accessory outlet options or climate control for the rear. To be fair, I missed many of these on the test drive. It is my fault, however, shouldn't these all be standard options on a car with the Lexus name? Once you put onthe Lexus badge, the base model should be equipped comparable to a Limited Toyota Model. It erks me that there are better equipped Camrys and Avalons at nearly $10K cheaper!
Lastly, the performance of the car leaves me self-conscious and embarrassed. Before watching the reviews, I wasn't aware that an XSE Camry ( and pretty much all other mid-sized cars) we're faster than the 3IS. It looks so sporty, but then you realize your the biggest faker in the room. People ask me all the time, "man, I bet that things a rocket?". I don't lie, but I can't tell them its slower than their dad's F150 and not want to crawl under a rock.
Anyway, I know I am going to get hate over this, but I really just needed a place to vent where some constructive feedback might be available. Truly, I really want to love my car. I paid a premium for it and I can't afford to get rid of it for another few years. I work hard to love it but it has been a real challenge.
I know it's stupid to let reviewers get in your head, buit'sts hard not to when every reviewer hates the car so much. I feel like I would have been better off buying a Camry, Avalon, or Optima. I'd likely have more luxury options, better performance, and similar reliability all while still saving $10k.
How do you guys deal with this? Does my argument have any merit?
In the end, I feel mad at Lexus! I feel like I am being forced to settle4 because I needed a reliable vehicle. Why can't Lexus just build a comparable product to the German luxury cars? Why make their owner's sacrifice all the performance and comfort for reliability?
Remember your not stuck with it. You can always sell it if you're not happy.
^^ I agree...And while we are talking about the tranny - I find ironic that car reviewers drool over a 6 speed manual transmission but a 6 speed automatic is archaic. I mean 6 speed is 6 speed (lol)
Watch "The real reason automatics are quicker than manuals | Know it All with Jason Cammisa | Ep. 11" on YouTube
Couple years ago got a 3rd Gen is350 fSport RWD w red leather, but sometimes have a "tiny bit of remorse" NOT getting another GS instead, but this regret passes pretty fast.
IMO with GS you simply just get so much "more car" (apples to apples often for a LOWER price), leather, space, well thought out dash & console (with IS gotta stretch around for coffee cup), luxurious feel, much better "views", & in general feels wayyyy more solid (awesome sheet metal is not the least bit tinny), etc.
But IS agility, turn radius, fold down seats, "hatch back" kinda thing (forget the exact word), & of course "LOOKS", etc, makes up for things Audi, BMW, & mBenz don't offer. Plus, it's a great size coz i have a bit of a small garage. And, don't forget "different personalities in one car" - going from ECO mode to Sport (+) always feels so f'n cool!
If anything "dies" then will look for a "clean" gs350. On a related note, the 2021 IS, & is500, kills all previous model years.
For me, after driving the car for nearly five years, I am glad to say that I am a happy owner. For sure, the car is slower when compared to its peers, but that does not diminish the fun factor at all. I am also glad that the 8AR-FTS is both direct and port fuel injected. I did not know this when I bought the car , but am really glad that it is when I found out about it two years into ownership when I started changing oil on my own. Till now, I still wax the car every month, feed it premium gas (turbo engine) and love how it looks and I plan on keeping it for the next five years at least or when the IS gets an actual model change or GS makes a grand return, lol....
Bottom line, there is more to like than not.. especially when I started working on the car myself.
Welp. I did it. I bought a 2018 IS 300 from CarMax. I really enjoy the turbo 4-cylinder, but happened to see a V6 IS 350 at my local CarMax so I figured I'd see what the fuss was about. CarMax has a 30-day return/exchange policy, so needless to say my search for a comparably priced 350 began immediately. And ended abruptly.
Within 5 minutes I'd found my match. Unfortunately it's shipping from TX to Atlanta so I won't have it until next week, but the more impatient I get, the more I dissect the photos, and the more I realize how much more I'm actually getting for $2000 more than what I paid for the 300 sitting in my driveway right now. A turbo 4 cylinder to a V6 might not be worth the extra cash for some, but I think I hit the jackpot with this one; + Mark Levinson stereo, + Heated Steering Wheel + Memory Seats + stock spoiler + Power Adjustable Steering Wheel. It's got 1500 more miles, but has a clean history whereas mine has one accident so I feel it evens out.
It wasn't until I drove the 350 V6 that I realized I'd made a mistake. And not everyone gets a 2nd chance with a car purchase so I'm extremely thankful I was in a position to make a change without costing costing myself a fortune. All said and done, my only regret is that I didn't do all the research before making a purchase, because right now I have zero IS 350 Regret, and can't wait to get my hands dirty with mods and upgrades.
Congrats. Now all you'll need to do is peel that ugly Carmax sticker off.
Dealer stickers are a nuisance. It will be removed immediately. Oddly enough the IS 300 I have right now doesn't have one, but I can't wait to not have the CarMax temp plate either.
Welp. I did it. I bought a 2018 IS 300 from CarMax. I really enjoy the turbo 4-cylinder, but happened to see a V6 IS 350 at my local CarMax so I figured I'd see what the fuss was about. CarMax has a 30-day return/exchange policy, so needless to say my search for a comparably priced 350 began immediately. And ended abruptly.
A bit confused... you purchased the 300, must now return it for a refund, and buying the 350? And, is it AWD or RWD?
A bit confused... you purchased the 300, must now return it for a refund, and buying the 350? And, is it AWD or RWD?
Judging from the photos above, the new IS 350 is RWD, and the outgoing 300 is also RWD.
Congrats, @zgadson1 , hope the new IS 350 brings many smiles and many trouble-free miles. The V-6 really is worth swinging for, right?!
My only regret right now is that I didn't wait for the 500 to come out. However, I am in talks with my better half to see if we can make it happen. I could pretty much trade in my 350 without losing more than about $1k, which seems worth eating that difference to get a brand-new 500. Don't get me wrong though... the 350 is a really great car to drive. I like that this IS 350 feels like it needs to be driven hard to be truly enjoyed - but just imagine the same personality, but with a V-8.
TINY Bit of Remorse Passes Fast
, but am really glad that it is when I found out about it two years into ownership when I started changing oil on my own. Till now, I still wax the car every month, feed it premium gas (turbo engine) and love how it looks and I plan on keeping it for the next five years at least or when the IS gets an actual model change or GS makes a grand return, lol....
However, I am in talks with my better half to see if we can make it happen. I could pretty much trade in my 350 without losing more than about $1k, which seems worth eating that difference to get a brand-new 500. Don't get me wrong though... the 350 is a really great car to drive. I like that this IS 350 feels like it needs to be driven hard to be truly enjoyed - but just imagine the same personality, but with a V-8.