The Lexus IS F Is Officially a Bargain
What can 20k buy you these days? Oh, just one of the coolest luxury performance sedans ever made!
1. Grade 'A' Bargain
We've been waiting a long time for this. It's been a full ten years since Lexus built the first IS F, and now you can find them for bargain basement prices. We're talking less than $20,000 in many cases. That's less than the sticker price of most new compact cars, and with a snarling V8 power to boot. Since Lexus stopped producing the IS F back in 2014, there are still plenty of good examples out there, too.
2. But What Do You Get?
Well, for starters, that aforementioned V8 power. In the form of a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter engine producing 416 hp and 371 lb-ft of torque. By today's standards, that's still pretty darn good. It'll rev up to 6,800 rpms, and it's also got an 8-speed automatic transmission. All of that was good enough for a 4.4-second 0-60 sprint and a top speed (limited) of 170 mph.
3. Last of the Breed
Plus, that 5.0 is pretty similar to the ones used in the current RC F and GS F. They're essentially the last hurrah of naturally aspirated, V8-powered luxury performance cars in a world where most have gone to turbo V6 power. But with the IS F, you also get a suspension tuned at Japan's Fuji Speedway, an attractive bulging hood, big air vents, and a lowered stance.
4. How Did We Get Here?
Obviously, a used IS F represents great value for the money. But why have values slipped so far? Well, for starters, the Lexus has always played the underappreciated role when compared to cars like the BMW M3. Couple that with the fact that Lexus quit building them a few years back, and you've got the makings of a bargain. Plus, most Lexus IS F owners have enjoyed a trouble-free experience, as these cars are very reliable. Which you can't say about much of the competition.
5. The Fine Print
Finding a suitable used Lexus IS F for under twenty grand isn't that easy, of course. For starters, you'll probably be limited to early 2008 and 2009 models, not the later (upgraded) cars. And many of them have over 100,000 miles. But if you don't care about goodies like USB connectivity and Bluetooth streaming, standard XM Radio, and the Torsen limited-slip differential, you can easily find examples under the $20k mark. And you'll have a hard time finding anything that provides more bang for your buck than that.
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