Firstly, let me start off by wishing you an uneventful purchase. It would be nice to know the car's history before you commit to a purchase. I got my 06 IS350 about a couple months ago and while it is certainly a better drive than my previous WRX, it is not exactly problem free. I wish I could have paid attention to the signs of a less-than-meticulous owner. The vehicle I bought was sold by a used car dealer who knows nothing about the previous owner. From the things left behind, I have a pretty good idea of who he is, the music he likes, the church he goes to, his favorite football team and the kind of vehicle owner he is. I had more mechanical, electrical and aesthetic problems with this car in the past month than an entire decade of WRX ownership. The Lexus IS350 may be resilient and reliable, but it will still go south real quick without decent maintenance.

If I were to do this all over again, I would have brought a lexus owner friend, or better yet, bring along a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. You can arrange to get one such mechanic from your neighborhood through an app like "yourmechanic.com" or something. That's what I should have done. But I didn't, because I was stupid. I was really excited about owning a lexus, lust and fear and all that crazy emotions, I know what you mean, but it got in my way of exercising good judgement.

 

Well I was lucky enough to drive two IS350s. I went to the first guy who thought he had ML sound. The CD changer doesn't work and while the nav screen shows a location I am not sure that it is working either. He did have some records from the previous owner. Each person said that they owned it less than two years. I played with the first one more than the second. Most of their service indicators didn't seem to be set. Both of them said that it has a sealed transmission, so why change the fluid. I though it was funny that while it is a sealed trans, there is a wear service indicator in the info screen.

The 07 didn't have the luxury package, but I didn't mind. I liked the F-type sway bars, and k&n filter in the air box, it means I don't have to do it. I didn't love the non-working cd changer and possibly non-working nav. The car has 116,800 on the odometer. This one seemed to be pretty aggressive on throttle. I spun the tires a few times. I didn't even have it on pwr on transmission settings. I barely used the row your own setting. I checked the title on this one, it was good. I still have 4 title checks left. I went with a 3rd party, which should know if the car has a salvaged title or an accident. The guy wants 10,500 I told him I would rather make an offer when the CD player was fixed.

The 06 had everything and it was working. The AC seemed to blow colder but I didn't turn it off and he drove up with it running. The dash had a bunch of rash on it, the sunroof squealed on opening. The paint could have been better. It seemed to have a delay after I came to a stop. I felt a shutter when testing 2nd to first. The car has 125 on the odometer.. The car delayed a bunch on upshifts, was a lot faster on downshifts, neither was that quick. I had the feeling to stay away from this one, didn't even suggest an offer. He wants 10,500 as well.

I almost think that the 06 has a potential transmission problem.

I wish I could have seen the one that I drove 75 miles for. I saw a Black IS350 in the neighborhood and it looked sick.

Both had cracked rubber by the a pillars, I guess it is common, I wonder how much it is to replace.

 

Both sound like a bad deal to me...have you checked "Car Gurus" for IS350 they have a lot of selection and also tells you if its a good, fair, or if it's overpriced for that specific model, mileage, and year.
Check it out they may have an IS near you thats convenient to look at.

 

Agree with this. It seems a tad sketchy, especially considering you couldn't get much in terms of maintenance. Plus just by the description of the condition it doesn't sound like they were taken good care of...

Side note: Seeing cars with that high a mileage and not that much attention from the previous owners and people selling them for over 10k again really goes to show how good this car really is.

 

Well we will see if this guy fixes the radio. I will keep looking. I love the thought of the ML sound, but after having a dvd on, it is more of a novelty to me. The sound on the std system is quite good. It does worry me that they would have so many issues on their radios. I guess they are replacing the dashes. After getting out of them, I got back into my car and the dash is made of stronger stuff and it is one of the things I can't complain about. I hate going so far to see these cars. It seems like almost everything I want is far away. I get the feeling that I should have gotten to that dealership as soon as I found that onyx one and that I will have an opportunity to get a good one soon.

My car is in a poor state of tune and it felt like a slug when I got back in. I would have to get used to the throttle, I don't want to be spinning the tires most of the time. The guy with the 06 had painted calipers which was nice. The f-sport sway bars made it feel much more lively. The rears can be had for about 175. I have a mechanic who would probably install them for $50. I have had sways put in a car that didn't have them, but never as an upgrade. It is cool and something I would recommend on my short drive.

I think with a few changes the 2007 I drove would be even nicer. I would like to do a full detail and perhaps get rid of the old rubber bits. The interior was nice and it was hard to walk away. I didn't like the thought of leaving my car there, til I could pick it up. I didn't like the thought of writing that check either. It is easier buying at a dealer.

A co-worker bought a 2010 Civic and traded his old 1994 V8 Merc, they gave him $700 for it. I am kicking myself for not getting their earlier. The one they sold before I got there's paint looked in good condition and it had clean Chromed wheels. It took a nice pic.

 

So on Friday, the guy with the 2007 IS350 texted me and asked if I was still interested. It was the one with the F-Sport Sway Bars. He told me that he had someone coming to look at it on Saturday. I told him I was okay with it and he gave me this, "I knew you weren't interested." I would have been more interested if he hadn't said it had ML when it didn't and it the car was clean when I saw it, and it would have been nice if the CD changer had worked when I looked at it. I feel bad that it is gone. I probably would have gotten it for 9500, but w/e. I really would rather have a new one, preferably a 2011.

I found one that is in another state that is a 2011 IS F-Type. It has 80k and I might be able to get it for 15k. It will still cost me 700 or more to get it to my place. I thought it was sold, but it is still on their website. Then there is a car that supposedly is a 2011, but it looks more like a 2010. It has 123k and hail...yes hail damage. Most of it is on the hood and windshield. It has a f-sport intake (don't know where the filter is.) It is tempting, it is 8,750, I figure at $7k, replace the hood and windshield and have it delivered for $8750.

Here is a little car love.

I was sad to say no to that 2007, but I get the feeling I will get the right one with a little more patience. I know where a fully equipped 07 is, but it has 180k, if the engine is like the paint, then it can go another 120k.

Looks like a 2010 with Hail Damage 123k
2011 Gen ISF, wish it was local.80k
2007 with 180k, Looks fresh from the showroom.

 

The 2011 ISF is not an ISF but just an F-Sport, still at 15K not such a bad deal...looking at the front fender and hood and you can tell.

 

I meant IS350 FSport. I knew it wasn't a ISF. The IS 350 was quick off the line, fought for traction. Could have been the cold, slightly moist day. I can't even imagine how well a ISF can grab.




2008, with upgraded lights and brembo brakes.22k

I really like the 2011 Black Onyx, the other one def looks like a 2010. How can it be a 2011 without the led lights?

 

That 2011 IS350 looks stunning. I'd go for that no matter how far it is as long as seller isn't asking for an insane amount of money.

 

The 2011 is 15,995, but it will cost me at least 700 to bring it to Cali. Am I the only one who would rather have the all leather interior rather than the Type-F interior. I almost would rather get a standard 2011 with some Type-F bits, say springs, shocks, and sways. Everything I am looking at has at least 80k, so it will need struts anyway. I am curious how easy is it to match the coil-overs. I would think it would prove difficult, esp from front to rear. Can they be adjusted on the car with a jack and stuff? That ISF is sick, it is tempting, I don't need that much car, but it has 2011 lights and brembo brakes.

 

You mean the F-Sport package, I have an 2011 IS350 F-Sport model and love the seats because the seats are more bolstered on the sides and the leather trimmed seat keeps you in the seat on cornering aggressively, you won't slide around, which is a big deal for me.. You also get the front lip spoiler, F-Sport grille, fog lights, and rear spoiler, 18" wheels instead of the 17" wheels,..plus the F-Sport I believe is bit lower than the regular IS.
Look at you tube when they compare the 2 models on the track between IS350 F-Sport factory package and regular IS350 rwd.


The IS350 doesn't track as well as the F-Sport factory package.
If you want the leather seats, you would have to give up those other goodies, then buy the extras for the aggressive look...a front and rear spoiler,fogs,badges, grill, bigger wheels, suspension.
You end up spending more to add the accessories back in, for me and its just my preference of course, but I like the microfiber seats cause they are easy to clean and won't crack over time like leather. leather is nice and will last but only if you condition them regularly and it can get slippery because of the oils needed to keep the leather supple and soft.
I like leather seats too and they are nice, but they are not bolstered as much as the F-Sport ones.
If you're a big guy you may not like the bolstered seats though.
The F-Sport seats cradles your butt and holding your *** like a glove..
all depends what "you" want in the end of course,..... pun intended.....ha ha

 

Oh man that car looks gooood^

 

Hey Laovo...........if you're talking to me........... Thanks!

 

I am already kicking myself for not getting the 2007 I looked at, but I really want a 11. There are two cars with the same stuff. One is "local" and has a salvage title. Looks like it doesn't have tinted windows. I don't think I would pay more than 10k. The guy told me that he has been driving it for a few years and from the license, it has been registered for a few years. The other is across the country and will be at least 15,700 to get to me. If shouldn't be difficult to smog since they are 50 state smog legal. I am not totally in love with the f-sport wheels or the seats, perhaps they look better in real life. Forgive me, but I might look at a Infiniti G37. It is at a dealer for a little above 11k, and is a 2010. I like that I can keep a square setup. They aren't as quick off the line, but have a lot of punch and some good aftermarket support one neat thing is that it has the backup sensors and the camera. They are also more roomy. They remind me of the newer ones with the extra space, the extra gear and 3.1 gear ratio I figure I should at least look at it, if not just to take it off my list. There was a cleaner one, but it is a salvage one and too close to one with a clean title.. My ex had a G35 coupe. It was fun, back then it only had 285 hp and a 5spd auto.

Salvaged hit in back. In California
Salvaged hit in back. In California
Clean but in Indiana
Clean but in Indiana

 

If I were you I'd pay the $15700 for the one in Indiana. I'd try to avoid a salvage title car even if I'd have to spend a bit more on it. The clean title 350 won't depreciate much even if you put a ton of miles on it. If you're going to go for the Infiniti, that deal actually isn't that bad because it seemed to already take its depreciation hit. (For whatever reason, the G37 depreciates as fast as a 3 Series or C-Class, no idea why..) I drove both cars and the Infiniti handles better stock but the IS is more comfortable. Lucky you found a 2010 model year one though if you do go for it, they made a lot of revisions (7 Speed Automatic, revised suspension and brakes if I remember correctly, new gauges).