Hi everyone... I'm new here. Quick question... I am looking into buying a second hand 2014 IS250 AWD. I have been reading a lot of reviews online trying to find out what problems or recalls or issues, mechanically, electrically or cosmetically the vehicle may have. I'm looking at 2014 models with mileage over 80,000. With this in consideration, can anyone tell me what issues I may be presented with buying a used is 250 all-wheel drive with mileage this high? I know Lexus is very reliable like Toyota, but are there any major concerns I should have or will there be any major expected maintenance expenses at this mileage for 2014? I live in NYC so we have bad roads. I read reviews from owners saying, they think the ground clearance is very low and they scrape the bottom alot. And that bent rims and flat tires are an issue because of the low profile tires. I guess my main concern is, for a 2014 that has been well kept and well maintained, at over 80k miles, would there be any big maintenance issues I should keep an eye out off or take into consideration?

One last thing... I also hear the entertainment system has issues where it freezes and reboots randomly. Did lexus fix this in the 2015 models?

Thank you so much.

 

Not sure why you’re looking for an IS 250, I test drove one and it was very under-powered, so I went with the IS 350 (also 2014).

 

I usually drive less than 5 miles a day of that and some days I don't use the car. I live in the city. I don't know if the extra cost for a 350 awd makes sense...?... is it a big price jump from the 250 awd to 350 awd?

 

You have valid points, you know what you need from a car. Not having been in the market for awhile, I checked Kelley Blue Book, to see what typical prices are, and the 350 runs about $2600 more than the 250.

 

Mgroux - It is hard to identify a list of all possible issues that the IS250 could have, but it is well know that they wear break pads and tires a bit faster than most other cars. Keep in mind that 2014 was the first MY of the generation so it is likely to have a few more issues as the first year always have a few extra glitches. That being said, despite this situation, Lexus is still one of the best car company for reliability so if you are going to buy a reliable used car, you are looking at the right brand. Keep in mind that a reliable car that is poorly maintained is still going to give you problems so make sure you have the vehicle inspected.

As for the 350 vs 250, if you don't drive a lot, then i guess it makes sense to stick with the 250 but it is slower than the 350 by a noticeable difference so if you want to be 100% sure, try and test drive one of each if you can....You may not miss the power but it is nice to have for the times you do need it.

Best of luck and keep us posted

 

I am the 2nd owner, about 3 years now, of a 2014 IS250 AWD, now at about 60K miles.
The power is adequate for my rural driving and gas mileage is good on pump regular. No need for premium at 7000'.
Lexus has replaced the Nav screen on a reIcall.
The radio is a pain, on the Nav screen.
The stock suspension eats tires on the inside edge.
No rear camber adjustment! Replaced with adjustable rear control arm set at zero deg.
Front, subframe not centered on chassis, so can not adjust for equal camber L&R at zero to -0.5deg. -0.8deg is OK.
I have not yet replaced the front LCA bushings with the RCF bushings. Much info on this, search.

 

Lexus did fix the Nav issues on the 2015. If I was shopping again I would shop 2015 and not black! The clear coat on these cars is way too soft. However, I have not had any issues on my 14 with the nav infotainment system but others have.

I wouldn't worry about the wheels, oem wheels are very strong on this car and I have come across maybe 1 or 2 bent rims and it was due to due to circumstances that would of bent most any rim.

I bought mine at 70k miles, 350. I have not had to do anything. In the next 20k miles I would somewhat expect...watpump, door lock actuators, battery, and maybe an alternator.
Only because it's been my experience with lexus in the past around that mileage and from what others reported. However, there are 2IS models that have not had to do any of those things past 200k miles....

 

I bought a 2015 350 even though I found 3x more 2014’s for sale. I did this because they’re are quite a few issues with 2014’s that I don’t see a lot of people reporting with the 2015’s.

Infotainment unit going bad is one of the most common, some could fix theirs others ended up paying $2000 for a new unit.
Door lock actuators, water pumps, cracked headlights allowing in moisture and ruining lights, HVAC issues.... I’ve also heard of leaking differentials, squeeking brake components, interior rattles & leaking struts.

Now it doesn’t mean that 1 or some of those things can’t happen on a 2015, but I’ve been active on this forum for a year daily and I feel like 90% of the time someone has a problem with their car it’s a 2014 model.

I have a 2015 and have had only 2 problems: exhaust gasket failed (easy and relatively cheap fix that was covered under warranty) and I had my hvac blower motor replaced, that was around $600 with parts and labor but again I was under warranty still.


Personally I would not advise to buy a 2014 IS...But that’s just me.

 

2015 is250 AWD here, buy with confidence. Anecdotal evidence only, no science or statistics to back me up. Follow Lexus maintenance schedule at a shop or DIY and all should be good, just routine wearable items have been replaced on mine, tires, brake pads, rotors etc... runs smooth and sweet, solid ride. I agree with no black though. I have black and hard to keep her shiny!

 

Not sure why the person above stated IS250 is underpowered.. within about 5-6 seconds you're breaking speeding laws, don't know how much faster you'd want to go then that. As above stated, nav system is the big one (about $5K when that goes out) which was fixed in 2015. Definitely go for an F sport, I should've shopped around more, F sport makes a difference IMO. Do not go for the turbo model cars (IS 200T), some people have complained about reliability issues on those.

 

From what I gather you're potentially facing carbon build up in any car that has any variation of direct injection. IS250/350 no exception. IS turbo just accelerates that a bit. See my thread here https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-concerns.html

 

If you've got 5-6 seconds to wait. When merging into high speed busy traffic, I need the car to 'go' when I punch it, not just make a lot of engine noise and not move. That was my experience when test driving an IS 250. I was going to scratch the IS off my hunt list, until I drove an IS 350. That's the way a car should perform. I've found that if you always go for the largest engine option available, you won't be disappointed.
So far (knock on wood), I've had no issues with the nav system in my 2014.
Personal preference I guess. The 2014 F sport models didn't come with the options I wanted (in the US), and I wasn't crazy about the 'bee hive' nose on the F sport. Sure the gauges would have been cool, but I don't find myself looking at the dash when I'm driving.
I have to heartily agree with you on that, but for another reason. I found the 200T engine to be just as under powered as the 250 (although that was test driving a NX 200T, as there were no IS 200Ts around at the time).

 

I'm only at 22k miles, but the 4 banger turbo has been perfectly fine for me so far and I came from an Infiniti G37S which has 330 HP from the factory at the crank. I have full confidence I will hit 150-200k miles with no issues.