I wasn't going to post because I'd be on the fence too.. I was on the fence when I chose to buy my F over an M. I am very happy with my choice. I get a good amount of compliments from random people, lots of "wow thats a lexus?? I've never seen one of those". However, everyone has heard of an M3.. which is good and bad. I personally barely turn my head to look at M3's now because they are everywhere. It seems like the only time I really admiringly stare at e92 m3s is when they are heavily modded. M3s and BMWs also can carry a negative stigma. On the other hand, random hotties' ears perk up to "BMW M3".. girls that are a fun time.. not the marrying type

Being in HI with a convertible would be awesome though.

 

If you can't make up your mind after driving both of them, you will be happy with either Whatever you do, just enjoy it and don't regret it later.

Btw, 50k sounds very high for an 08 M3... you can get a mint 08 M6 for that much.

 

I've had my IS 250 since '06 and I still love it. I just got my ISF last month and I am even more in love with that baby. I'm keeping the 250 as my daily driver now and I haven't had any problem at all. Our Lexus dealership is amazing over here, so I completely understand what you mean about staying loyal to the service. What did you really like about the M3 though? I've driven it before (along with a few other BMW's) and I still think Lexus is way more comfortable. I do miss manual at times though

 

Welcome to car shopping in Hawaii.

 

Your dilemma reminds me of mine. One of my partners has an 08 M3 sedan with manual trans and, having driven autos since I sold my SC300 5spd, I was really ready to go back. Granted, wouldn't be as quick as the F's autobox or the maligned SMG, but anyone driving either of these cars cares about driver involvement with the car. Plus I've got 2 sons. (Everyone should be able to drive a manual trans.......but that's another issue entirely.)

Fwiw, also looked at Audi S5 since available with 3 pedals. In the end, my dealer experience of 2 decades, the nicer interior of the F compared to the M and the S5, and the addition of Torsen plus more suspension compliance for 2011, outweighed my desire for a return to "heel and toe". If there had been a 3rd pedal to begin with, no debate to begin with.

I tend to keep cars for a while, so I can't deny that the German's rep for outlandish repair costs after warranty didn't figure in to my decision but, having said that, Lexus is also pretty proud of their stuff. At the same time, I'd have to say that the long term reliability of Lexus tends to minimize that aspect. (I know, everybody's got horror stories but anecdotes aren't statistics. Ymmv.)

I agree with CaptAswm, tho; a 'vert M3 in HI would be very sweet!

Good luck!

 

I think most here looked at both these car when making the choice. I ended up going with the F because I've owned Toyota's most of my life, and 1 BMW, and the BMW was in the the shop 3 times the first year i owned it. But with that said it drove awesome and was a fun car, but my F makes me giggle to this day.

I've had mine for 2 years. If your never going to track it (not 1/4th mile track) then you'll never really notice the differance the cars are so close performance wise. I really liked both cars, but I went with the F and have never been disappointed

 

Pitt; welcome to Club Lexus! There are dozens of posts about this topic; instant answers and no waiting if you search. I put 'm3' in the search keyword, selected search in topic title and pointed at the ISF forum .

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

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