Theres way too many variables to the question you're asking. Something tells me you already know that, or at least you should. Someone who really likes cars knows theres a little more to it than 0-60, or 1320, or any of the other options you listed that no enthusiast ever really brings up.

Besides after 2007'ish, who really ever stopped and went out of their way to ask about a non F 2IS ? They just became your everyday A4, 3 series, or C class alternative.

 

I actually own an is350 as a daily and a full bolt on ISF. The IS350 is maxed out power wise stock for the most part. The power gains are negligible. Mine is in great shape, and ran a 13.7x on a summer day in Indiana. My ISF runs 12.30s. Of course, the ISF is modded and the 350 isn’t... but there is no point in modding a car that can’t gain power. So ultimately, there is more like a 1.5 second difference to a modifier.

Driving the two, they are extremely different. I honestly felt like you before owning an ISF. The difference looked negligible on paper. I realize now that the ISF in manual mode makes the IS350 feel more like a Camry. It’s pretty basic and boring in comparison. The transmission is very good, the engine even better, and it is just an all around special and rare car.

My ISF gets attention at almost every light. My IS350 doesn’t even get looked at. I also realize now how badly my is350 needs an LSD. The gearing in the IS350 is very aggressive, and makes the car feel quick in town. It runs out of steam quickly though. My ISF feels like it pulls fourth just as hard as 1-3... it just doesn’t let up. Then factor in suspension, brakes, handling, and the car comes out leagues ahead of an IS350.

I truly love both of my cars for different reasons. But they simply aren’t the same car.

Also, my ISF gets to 60 in 3.7 seconds, as tested at the drag strip. I coveted my 350 until I got an ISF. Now the 350 is just my really nice paid off winter car.

Finally, my IS350 has depreciated by 4K in three years, and my ISF has APPRECIATED by 4K in two years, which speaks volumes.

 

Thanks for your reply. I have heard that the 8 speed is a gem. I think then that's what it boils down to, just 2 different cars. Why not Daily your ISF though? It seems that would make sense since it's somewhat of a sleeper, but can haul when needed AND doesn't have any of the restrictions/issues a more track oriented car would have.

Also have you had any of the typical issues on the ISF? Any issues on the 350? Stock, anything you wished the ISF did better?

 

It works conversely too. Just because the numbers are close or the feeling is so different, doesn't make one car automatically better than the other. So for instance, a 15 year old E46 M3 is still a benchmark over a much faster newer M3 and is constantly being compared to. Just because the new M3 is faster, or has more options, etc doesn't mean most people would pick it (if they had a choice over a 0 mile E46 for instance, most people would still want THAT one).

That said, I don't drive based on what other people like, but what I feel about it and that includes slower cars that are better balanced or serve their purpose well.

 

Not a good example. Studies have shown that most people wouldn't be able to discern between two similar wines or realize that there's a difference between two exactly same wines in a blind taste test. For me, I'd just want the one that tastes nice, I've never looked at label, or cost and based it on that. Try it next time you have a party, pour the same wine a little colder than the other and ask everyone to describe the wine. Or swap labels... they'll hate you afterward, but you will all get a good laugh.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebe.../#6aaaedc03ae2

Can't do that with a car though. Even if you could blindfold someone and have them test drive it, I'm sure they will be able to tell that there's a difference, the question is, what's that difference and what do they like about it? Remember faster doesn't equal better all the time. Some might say on a track that a 350 is better balanced (or something crazy like that). Or they'd prefer the compliance of the stock 350 suspension, etc. Or the Roar of the V8, the better seats of the ISF, etc. All discernible, quantitative differences. Wine.. not as much because so much of it is based on bias and expectation.

 

Great questions. My water pump on my is350 was just replaced at 56k. It had the dash and door panel recall. Otherwise, it has aged better than any other 12 year old car I have seen.

My ISF had the valley plate leak fixed under warranty by the first owner (I am the second). It has had zero issues except a wiring issue that the first owner caused and took me a while to find (with the help of this forum), but also doesn’t see a bunch of mileage. I live in the Midwest, and we salt our roads even when it isn’t snowing here. After years of working on rusted cars, I decided my fun car is staying rust free. I also am slowly building it into a track weapon, and with each mod it becomes less enjoyable at 5 am on the way to work. I like climbing into a completely silent and smooth car when I wake up. I like racing a car that handles very well, and has little cushion.

Honestly, the biggest concerns are salt, and the fact that every winter I am almost slid into at least 2-3 times. It’s just a matter of time before I get hit in my daily by somebody playing on their phone on top of black ice. My is350 can be replaced within a week or two (I’d prob buy a GS - LS anyway for a bigger car). If I want another ISF, it could take me two years to find a clean 13, and I’d still prob pay more for it than I did my current 13.

I let my depreciating car take all the winter risk. After all, it’s worth 12 grand max and really isn’t special. I’ll let my appreciating rare car sit safely in the garage during rough Indiana winters.

I am also a rare breed in the car community. I’m actually pretty frugal and want to be debt free by 40. So I’d rather buy and build one expensive car and keep it for the duration of my adult life. I love the ISF so much it meets my long term wants. I’d rather buy cheaper daily cars that will get run into the ground. This means zero offense to anyone, but I value early retirement and can’t imagine spending big money on cars on a rolling basis, when a 15k Lexus can be bought and driven for 15 years. So oddly, I have two cars because I’m cheap lol.

 

I thing we are paying for the roar, exclusivity, the big F on the back and sides. There is something about the ISF that is magic. Lexus is working on developing a Feel, like BMW and Mercedes have. An expert can get into a BMW or Mercedes, and if he could drive with his eyes close, could immediately tell which manufacturer he was in, based on the feel of the Car. Same for the 911. Lexus is developing their own feel, and they absolutely NAILED it with the ISF the LFA and now the LC. You won't know that until you experience it. Its hard to describe the joy of driving an ISF. our family has 3 IS cars. That feeling is in the IS family but not quite at the same level as in the ISF.

In Beauty pageants the best WOMAN is not always the prettiest. That's the ISF, its the best Woman in every Pageant she enters. I went from 911's to the F family and won't go back.

 

whoa, whoa...pull it back a bit now...you're sounding loco...lol j/k.

 

OH, yes, all you had to say is salted roads and that makes sense. I wouldn't daily drive it either! I also feel like special cars deserve their special moments, but everyone designates what's special differently. For me, in SoCal I probably would daily drive an ISF. :-)

Also, I can't criticize you having more than one car (I have 5 myself) and funnily, it's actually cheaper for me to put fewer miles on each car, rather than piling miles on one of them.

I'm happy to hear the ISF (and 350) have been doing well, that's good to know and makes me think even more that I'll keep the ISC for a bit (owning german cars always results in them needing some downtime for repairs, lol, so this is a nice change).

 

Not really, since you implied the 350 and F were so similar THEN in this post you completely jumped class of car. You move into BMW and this is a different discussion. When I brought the other regular models, it was a comparison to the dull, everyday, lease throw away cars. You just made an unequal comparison and referenced it to 350 to F, wherein, stock for stock, there is no comparison. BMW is superior, they just break, and these less often. This thread is really pointless, best saved for folks in person so they know you're not just trolling.

 

The point I was making is that very similar cars, in which one of them might post better numbers, do not make them automatically better cars and in some cases, the one that performs "less" might actually be more enjoyable or desirable in the right environment. Not saying the 350 is going to be more desirable, but indeed many lower performing cars may be better drivers. (Ie Cayman vs 911 or older m3 vs newer or some prefer an isf over an rcf).

That said, I invite you to not participate, you're free to do that.

 

Suspension is an easy fix, most have coilovers by now.. The IS350 diff was aggressive, but doesn’t offer an LSD option and every refresh of the IS350 it gets slower. This is like saying the WRX and STI have a similar 0-60(for the 11-14) years, why not just get the WRX? I thought the same and did, but the WRX is worse in every way, from the transmission, the awd system, handling of power mods, resale value, etc. The ISF is a great car for the sum of its parts. It’s not great at anything specific. Yes it has common issues, but they are less catastrophic than common issues with AMG/M3. With a few mods it still competes with brand new sport sedans today. For a 400-500hp sedan, there is really not anything under $30k that can run 11’s with 150k+ on the clock, get 29mpg highway, and is built in as little numbers. IS350 was also a great car for the time. It put down similar numbers as the Mustang GT. But to only buy an ISF to daily drive in LA, it’s not what the car was built for. I put 60k on my last ISF in 2 years, only 10k or so in the 3rd year. Great daily driver with lots of fun for backroads or drag strip events. The V8 noise alone is worth it.

 

My IS350 is hands down more desirable for my morning commute to work, especially during winter. Roads are rough and I’m sleepy. Indiana notoriously neglects roads. I’d rather have a smooth, quiet ride while I sip my coffee. I do not want to be in My ISF on those occasions. During the summer, I do drive the ISF to work. Before it warms up, it resonates and I’m not a fan of it while still groggy.

If I had to chose one car, I’d keep the ISF... but there are plenty of situations an IS350 is my preferred car.

 

The original question was brilliant. It highlights where society is today and how we prioritize wants over needs. It would be a good study for Psych student working on his/her PhD trying to understand the different between rational and irrational. All us ISF owners rationalize driving an irrational daily driver.

not Including those who race or track theirs.

 

If you want an enthusiast car, the ISF may be the most rational one. Does everything well, but nothing excellent. Super reliable, affordable to maintain.

I agree with you on the society part, but reasonableness must be used. Technically, we could all drive 5k cars, use less fuel, reduce our carbon impact, save/give more money, and have much less stress. I’d argue that people who do that are overall happier because they have learned to be content. However, the people making six figures will just be sitting on a pile of money when they die. Expenditures should always be much lower than income... but there is much more to life than frugality. Extremes in any direction are unhealthy. Balance is key. For car guys, the ISF is very balanced.