Lexus IS300 vs IS300 premium VS IS350 Which one is worth the increase in dollars?
 

I turned in my lease MB C300 and now I am in the process of purchasing a Lexus IS
The IS350 of course looks better based on the grill and the few features inside.
My question is cost effectively is it a waist to get the IS300 standard compared to the IS300 premium or IS350?
I also wanted the Lexus because its reliable and it holds its value well.

Please reply on your views on each car.

The out the door price for the IS300 standard 44k
The our the door price for the IS300 premium 49k
I didn't get the IS 350 price but I am sure its in the 50s

Premium IS300

• Heated Leather Trim Steering Wheel Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror w/HomeLink System Heated & Ventilated Front Seats Rain-Sensing Intermittent Windshield Wipers Power Tilt & Telescoping Steering Wheel Wheels: 19" Alloy Lexus Memory System for Driver's Seat Power Rear Sunshade Wood Trim Power Tilt & Slide Moon Roof Rear Armrest w/Cupholders Auto-Dimming Outside Mirrors w/Tilt-Down Reverse Tires: 235/40R19 Front Door Scuff Plates

If you want the most fun-to-drive IS, I would say the IS 350 F Sport is the way to go. But, you can get many of the comfort features of it on lower trims. The IS 300 RWD also gets nice fuel economy in comparison and may be a little more comfy as a daily driver.

So I think the question is what do you actually want to do with the car?

I got my IS 350, 2021 model year, with Mark Levinson audio system for a little over $49k.

I'm seeing a lot of 2022 350 F sports without Mark Levinson go for $62k OTD after taxes and fees. If that's your case, I would get the IS500 premium which is $69k OTD. $7k extra for a V8 and ML sound is a no brainer. If you can find one.

Yeah my OTD amount was only about $52k if you want to use that. MSRP was $49k and change.
I would say it's not a good time to buy an IS 350 if it's going to be $60k+ OTD.

I think the DHP puts most 350s around 56k before tax, so 62k after all fees isn’t farfetched.

This is why I skipped the DHP. :D

In all seriousness, that is a good point if we're talking value. If you don't want to push the car hard on street or track, you probably don't want to spend the extra cash on that option. Even though I drive spiritedly in the mountains sometimes, I still don't feel it's necessary to have for me.

I got quoted 51K OTD tax and everything for a AWD 350Fsport with the parking assist/sensors. IMO I would get the 350; but that is because my back is broken and I like the Fsport seats. I don't know if it was a premium or not, but when I had a IS300 loaner car the seats lacked adjustable lumbar support and killed my back after a 45 min drive. I was rather surprised, it had the ML sound system, the nav, heated/vent seats and heated steering wheel, but no adjustable lumbar support.

I don’t need the DHP because i dont know what it means LOL.

i like the 350 because it has a nicer grill and bumper.

i believe it has the memory seats and a few other things… I planned on putting 10k down. The most I ever put down on a car in all my 45 years but this time I want to buy a car and keep versus lease during this crazy tIme.

so 44k-10k= 33k or 44k-5k=39k looks really good

50k-10k =40k or 50k - 5k = 45k

I would personally get the 350. If during your ownership time, you plan to swap bumpers like other 300 owners to make it look like a 350, then I think even more of a reason to go for a 350. The price of the conversion, if even possible, would outweigh the upfront cost of just getting a 350 from the start.
Idk what dealers you've been interacting with but that is absurd. I have a 2022 350 with every package/options available and my OTD was $59,400.
- Memory Package
- Power Rear Sunshade
- Triple Beams
- Moonroof
- Dynamic Handling Package
- Navigation / Mark Levinson Package
- Panoramic View Monitor
- All Weather Floor Mats / Trunk Tray
- Illuminated Door Sills
So I'm not sure how a car with less feature manages to go for more.

Does the 350 holds its value more than the 300?
 

In the process of making a decision on a IS and I don’t plan on selling it but you you never know.

Does the 350 significantly hold more value when it’s used than the 300?

The "DHP" is the Dynamic handling package for the 350 Fsport. You get special BBS rim, Adjustable variable dampening shocks, and ebony wood trim on the doors/steering wheel.

Seemingly so, look up used prices on AutoTempest. If your talking about the RWD IS the 350 has a V6 while the 300 is a turbo 4.