I am curious, as well. I have seen a couple F Sport Design models pop up on dealership postings on Instagram, but never on ClubLexus.

I really don't like F Sport Design... I guess it's a cheaper way for someone to get the exterior styling of an F Sport, which is nice. However, overall, I don't like the idea of the car resembling the F Sport but without even the interior upgrades. The seats and gauge cluster alone really give the car a different vibe.

 

Regular F-Sports have the sliding gauges and sport seats. F-Sport Design does not. Having the dynamic handling package does not change that. What I have seen in person matches what Lexus is saying in their website.
Personally, the small rear tires on the F-Sport Design looks silly. That was an immediate deal breaker.

 

We don't seem to have that the F Sport Design and F Sport debacle here in Canada however, Lexus Canada has really oddly been packaging these cars, always seem to have but this year is really weird. The top 2 trims in the IS 350 F Sport comes WITHOUT a rear deck spoiler at all!! That is seriously F'd up! I mean you get the 350 F Sport Series 2 with a deck lid spoiler, the nice wheels and chrome finish around the windows. Go to the F Sport Series 3, you get the BBS wheels, no decklid spoiler and still have the chrome finish around the windows! Then get the 350 Special Appearance Package and then you get the dark Enkei wheels, no deck lid spoiler but you do get the darker chrome window trims. Why they opted to remove the decklid spoiler is beyond me, especially as you go up, and then with the 2 dark wheels combo, you would think they would have placed the dark chrome around the windows with the BBS wheels too.

That is the problem when you have people that don't seem to understand cars and treat it as a job and just look at numbers are placed in position of car configuration/combination - It makes 0 sense to me!!

 

Spoiler is installed at port, so maybe they're trying to free up their time for something else. Or they're short on staff. Just my $0.02.

 

^^ That could be an explanation however, you would think they would strip the lower trim, not the two most expensive ones.

 

Quoting my own post here... does anyone know or can comment on the above?

 

There's been no chatter. But if you want a V8 IS get the IS500. Next gen IS will likely be a hybrid, turbo V6, maybe turbo V8, but definitely not a NA V8.

 

^^ My speculation but I don't see the next gen IS getting a V6, even the RX doesn't have the V6 anymore. It will be a turbo 4 with a more potent variant available with electric motors and eventually, maybe a plug in hybrid or even full electric version. I could see them keeping the V6 turbo if they have a 2nd Generation of the IS 500. I just don't see the naturally aspirated V6 and V8 staying....I just can't

 

The only rumors I can recall that haven't been mentioned yet relate to Mazda. Mazda recently came out with an inline-6 turbo engine, which is offered in the new CX-90. Rumors have been made regarding a partnership with Toyota where some Toyota or Lexus models could use the same engine/drivetrain.

However, this was a couple of years ago, so who knows if it is still relevant?

I think it would make total sense. You could have an IS 350 that uses the turbo 2.5-liter Mazda 4-cylinder, IS 450h with the turbo I-4 and a hybrid setup, and an IS 500 F Sport Performance with the turbo I-6. There are also two power output levels for the I-6 in the CX-90, and perhaps that could carry over to other models, as well.

Anyway, I think it's partly fan theorizing because the return of an I-6 to the IS would make a lot of purists happy.

 

OK, but think RWD is very rare wrt Mazda.

 

The CX-90 has it. It's on a brand-new architecture. OK, it's all-wheel-drive... but the engine is longitudinally mounted in the engine bay, just like in an IS.

 

Hello guys, new member here. Been reading up a lot on this forum about the IS 500 and IS 350. I never had a Lexus, but have been a Toyota guy forever. Had a 92 Camry in high school and bought a new 06 Scion TC for college, which I have still been pushing, even with a toddler. My wife has a 15 Camry, but the 2-door is getting kinda hard for me when I am with the kid, so need another vehicle. I sacrificed a lot earlier on with those cars, but now at a financial point where I feel comfortable getting what I really want. Would like the IS 500 V8 right out the gate, but after thinking it through I am considering getting the IS 350 F Sport and then trading up in about 2-3 years to get the 500, hopefully still with a V8. Just curious what your thoughts are as far as getting a good trade in value for the 350 when the time comes, as I don't drive that much. Just don't want to kill myself just yet from the IS 500 price tag.

 

Welcome! You’re considering a great car tbh. I’ll keep it short and to the point, if you know your end game is in an IS500 then get the IS500 now or wait a bit longer until you are comfortable affording the IS500. I considered trading in my 2022 IS350 that stickered for $56295 and the highest offer I’ve gotten after 1 year 4 months, and 13,000 miles is $42,000. You will take the L in two-three years if you trade in the 350 for a 500. Just my two cents.

 

It is good that you are being patient. As for the resale/trade value on the IS 350, it is solid. If you don't have any accidents or other shenanigans, it'll hold its value well. Right now, 2021 IS 350s with average mileage are selling for low $40,000s.
I've just gone from a 2021 IS 350 to a 2023 IS 500. A lot of what makes the 350 so great carries over into the IS 500. The main difference is in the engine and transmission. It just depends on how important the V-8 is to you. I certainly wouldn't recommend stretching the budget for it, since you'll also pay more in insurance and fuel.
I wish you the best of luck with your Lexus journey.

 

Appreciate the responses guys. I would say the V-8 is important to me as more of a reward and accomplishment. I was frugal in the past in order to meet my goals, which I have (college, decent job, house, kids). So now I feel I can live a little. The V-8 would be kind of the "you made it" reward, especially driving only 4 - cylinders my whole life, especially since they are doing away with them. I loved the GS model and was sad to see it go. It would have been the ideal in-between for me with kids. Would be nice if they brought it back with the V-8. But getting into the IS 350 at the 50K range would lessen the stress in a couple years when trying to scoop up a 500. Any of you have any tips or advice on best time to buy and when to get best deal. I am in no rush, but would like to get into one at least by year end. Thank again.