What options are great and which are a waste?

9774 Views 34 Replies 9 Participants Last post by lowrider, Oct 12, 2009

blacksmoke

Discussion Starter · Jun 19, 2009

Looking to purchase an 09 IS-F soon and usually want the best factory options from the start because many aftermarket options are either lower quality,don't intergrate well or will cost MUCH more if factory options are added later.

Sometimes if options are not opted for at the time of purchase they cannot be added to function as they would later.

Adding ALL the options would solve most of these issues but is there some which are a must and others which are just poor choices because the aftermarket replacement is exceptionally better?

Factory stereo upgrade is a good question,99% of factory stereos even upgraded ones will just never compare to a professional high end install but there is something to say about a factory installed system...clean and warranteed.

As long as the price pays for the increase in quality and has enough value to justify it.

Any insight would be very helpful,much appreciated.

BS

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blacksmoke

Discussion Starter · #21 · Jun 22, 2009

Now that i am going with the factory Nav/system,i read some ppl like more/better bass and get it.

How are they doing this with the same HU,just replacing the subs?

Or can an Amp be added too?

Can other Amps be added with this HU later or is this just not possible?

Going to the dealer now,i will wait a few before i go to read any responses.

Flipside909

· #22 · Jun 22, 2009

blacksmoke said:
Again excellent info!!

So i want both,so i should avoid both factory options then add this to gain both later?

These are accessory options that are not installed at the factory and yes can be installed later...i'm guessing you're talking about the Lexus accessory Ipod interface and XM/Sirius interface.

Will there be any cons to this VaisTech in reguards to how it makes both work within the whole audio system?

Nope.

And,what are the prices of both factory installed units and the VaisTech non-group and group prices?

I'm assuming both factory units are more money than this other one?

There is no factory installed unit just to clarify. The prices are on their respective websites.

Is this one of the things which will/could effect the warranty as it pertains to something which goes out and may be (even if only in their eyes)effected by this aftermarket item?

If either factory or aftermarket part is installed incorrectly or causes damage to your factory HU, it can affect the warranty of your radio.

How is Lexus in general about warranty issues and covering them?

That last question is proly more of a dealership related thing right?

Very good and yes.

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RiotGrip

· #23 · Jun 22, 2009

If you are going to special order, I'd seriously consider the radar cruise, I have it on my IS-F and I love it, it has three distance settings, you will most likely only use the closest one. Also, The alpine interior is awesome, I have it and love it--but it takes some effort to keep clean. All in all the IS-F with every available option is a much more reasonable MSRP than the M3, C63, or CTS-v similarly equiped.

blacksmoke

Discussion Starter · #24 · Jun 23, 2009

Thanx guys!!

What exterior color did you get which went so well with the Alpine interior?

Well yesterday i did go into the dealer and they only had one used "09" and said the 2010's would be in next month but would be identical.

It had 1800 miles on it and said it was traded in after only a month because the guy switched jobs and he could not afford the $1200 a month payment so they helpped him and sold him an IS-250.

They said it had been there for three weeks and one guy offered $51,000 and they told him to walk.

The sales guy said at this time they would "most likely" take $52,000(he suggested that amt.) and since it was Fathers day and just before closing he suggested coming back Mon.

I called him in the AM to remind him about our "deal" and to "make sure we could still do it" which he stated "oh yea we proly can but just come in and we will do it".

I showed up,test drove the car,corrected him on several things about the car and headed into the office to make 'this' deal.

After taking my info,no employment,debt ratio or FICA scores as i said i would paying cash(or check that is)he goes off to do the "dirty deed".

He comes back to show/tell me they have $56,750.00 into this car and would need that for it.

So he also joked the day before about how the unlucky chump who traded in the car (and BTW paid for another within a month)had paid "full price" for it.

So they made a fine profit on the 1st and the 2nd i am sure then tell me $52,000 and come back to tell me they actually paid $56,750.00 on a trade in>

Starting to know why i hate and never did trust car salespeople,just must have forgot that's all.

After a few comments about "is there anything we can do" we walked out and i just told him if he would have not told me something he was not so sure about(his deception about this was no mistake) i have come back to get the 2010 next month but now that cannot happen.

While we filled out the paperwork he talked about how the sales guys are really more for the buyers not the dealership cause if he don't sell he don't make his commission,what a bull line.

They must know some are juts stupid and the rest they can just make up for by purely using deception cause lets face it,most are in there to buy the car and haggling is a part of it.

Was a sad day for sales people in that i now have a the same old found disrespect for them today which i found many years ago.

The drive was great,wish i would have pushed it more now though,i think he only shit his pants one time.

No miles,a 2010,color i want inside and out and the options with better rates on financing,hell they may even have some incentives for 2010 but i wont hold my breath.

Think he will call me back?

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Nightspore68

· #25 · Jun 23, 2009

Take your business elsewhere!

blacksmoke said:
Thanx guys!!

What exterior color did you get which went so well with the Alpine interior?

Well yesterday i did go into the dealer and they only had one used "09" and said the 2010's would be in next month but would be identical.

It had 1800 miles on it and said it was traded in after only a month because the guy switched jobs and he could not afford the $1200 a month payment so they helpped him and sold him an IS-250.

They said it had been there for three weeks and one guy offered $51,000 and they told him to walk.

The sales guy said at this time they would "most likely" take $52,000(he suggested that amt.) and since it was Fathers day and just before closing he suggested coming back Mon.

I called him in the AM to remind him about our "deal" and to "make sure we could still do it" which he stated "oh yea we proly can but just come in and we will do it".

I showed up,test drove the car,corrected him on several things about the car and headed into the office to make 'this' deal.

After taking my info,no employment,debt ratio or FICA scores as i said i would paying cash(or check that is)he goes off to do the "dirty deed".

He comes back to show/tell me they have $56,750.00 into this car and would need that for it.

So he also joked the day before about how the unlucky chump who traded in the car (and BTW paid for another within a month)had paid "full price" for it.

So they made a fine profit on the 1st and the 2nd i am sure then tell me $52,000 and come back to tell me they actually paid $56,750.00 on a trade in>

Starting to know why i hate and never did trust car salespeople,just must have forgot that's all.

After a few comments about "is there anything we can do" we walked out and i just told him if he would have not told me something he was not so sure about(his deception about this was no mistake) i have come back to get the 2010 next month but now that cannot happen.

While we filled out the paperwork he talked about how the sales guys are really more for the buyers not the dealership cause if he don't sell he don't make his commission,what a bull line.

They must know some are juts stupid and the rest they can just make up for by purely using deception cause lets face it,most are in there to buy the car and haggling is a part of it.

Was a sad day for sales people in that i now have a the same old found disrespect for them today which i found many years ago.

The drive was great,wish i would have pushed it more now though,i think he only shit his pants one time.

No miles,a 2010,color i want inside and out and the options with better rates on financing,hell they may even have some incentives for 2010 but i wont hold my breath.

Think he will call me back?

That's terrible. Screw those guys. Do what I did (after a similarly distasteful
experience at the first dealer): try another dealer. The 2d one I tried was great. I even let the sales manager at the first place know his lousy saleswoman cost him an IS F sale. The first dealer wouldn't let me test drive an IS F ("store policy" -- odd because I have a policy of not buying cars I can't drive first) and I don't think would have negotiated on price, although I can't be sure because we walked out of there in a hurry. The second dealer let us drive one and gave us a below MSRP deal (this was when they were still new in spring 2008).

At the price of cars we're talking about you should get exactly what you want anyway.

Good luck!

blacksmoke

Discussion Starter · #26 · Jun 23, 2009

Some questions:

Does anyone have the Alpine white anywhere local here in So. Cal. that i can actually see before i order it? Or any way other than pix?

When is the 2010 ordering going to start?

Is there "any" planned changes to the 2010 to speak of?

Does a special order mean retail for sure?

Does it really take a month to get a SO?

I am thinking of the black with Alpine,i know its not called black but it is to me.

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Flipside909

· #27 · Jun 25, 2009

blacksmoke said:
Some questions:

Does anyone have the Alpine white anywhere local here in So. Cal. that i can actually see before i order it? Or any way other than pix?

Are you talking about the interior? If so, you will need to call around to find that particular interior. It's like finding a needle in the haystack at thsi point. There are a few of our own members here in SoCal that have the white interior.

When is the 2010 ordering going to start?

It usually starts from July on...but don't expect to get a good deal as they will be more scarce as the year goes on. There is rumor that future IS F's will be special order only meaning you will most likely pay MSRP for one.

Is there "any" planned changes to the 2010 to speak of?

The 2010 will most likely get the updated Gen 6 nav as in the current 2010 IS Convertible. No other changes have been reported yet.

Does a special order mean retail for sure?

Does it really take a month to get a SO?[/qu

For majority of the dealers yes. Because they are more likely to give you a better deal from their current inventory, it will take some time to order a special order car. Minimum is 3 months unless Toyota Motor Corp. decides to halt production like they did earlier this year with the 09 IS F.

I am thinking of the black with Alpine,i know its not called black but it is to me.

Obsidian is the official "black" color of the IS F.

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blacksmoke

Discussion Starter · #28 · Jun 29, 2009

I will be looking for the white/alpine loaded with every option except the light wipers.

I was told no dealers order the alpine interior,is this true?

When next month will I be able to find the 2010 and will I find this combo or should I be trying to order it soon?

What's the gen 6 have that the 09 does not?

RiotGrip

· #29 · Jun 29, 2009

blacksmoke said:
I will be looking for the white/alpine loaded with every option except the light wipers.

I was told no dealers order the alpine interior,is this true?

When next month will I be able to find the 2010 and will I find this combo or should I be trying to order it soon?

What's the gen 6 have that the 09 does not?

When I looked into getting the Alpine interior in October of 2008, the dealer told me that there was not any available with that interior on the entire East Coast! At that time there were still a fair amount of 2008s on dealer lots. I was told then that I would have to special order if wanted Alpine interior. I ended up getting a used IS-F with the alpine interior off E-bay from Missouri, and that car was originally sold in California.

The alpine interior is definitely a rare find, I'm not sure how rare, but I'd say 10% or less of the IS-Fs produced have it. If anyone knew the true percentage I'd be very interested to hear. My advice is either special order, or do a lot of searching throughout the country to find what you are looking for.

blacksmoke

Discussion Starter · #30 · Jun 30, 2009

Thanx for that info.

Im finding the ML system will not be available in 2010.

Is there any way if this is true it will in any way facilitate in some way the addition of a better system in the top factory Nav location?

Im under the impression that location with or without the ML is so filled with other switches and such that an aftermarket high end receiver would need to be installed in the lowest portion of the front console.

I would like nothing less than to have a high end system in that upper area with out butchering the car.

So now if they only offer the standard system will everything be the same except the price of the Nav will obviously lowered and the upper console will just look the same(with the nav) without the surround sound,amp/amps and all the speakers?

Adding high end amps and speakers is easy,adding a top Alpine head unit in that top spot seems impossible since it is not a standard double din opening.

What is the size of that screen?

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blacksmoke

Discussion Starter · #31 · Oct 12, 2009

Thanx for all the info guys!!

I drove an 09 ISF preowned and was told i could get it for like $52,000.00 but after we went into the "office" he did his thing and $57,700.00 was his offer and after a few choice words our negotiations were over and as i left he followed me out playing his games to get me to meet him half way i guess.

Long story short,i don't play games and i told him that from the start.

The next day i drove a Z06 and was never to look back,it's not as quiet but it's one impressive ride.

I still love the ISF but it's a street car which is driven on a track while the Z is a track car which is driven on the street and the street is my track....at the speed limit that is.

p.whitelock

· #32 · Oct 12, 2009

Im surprised at how much kit is optional extras in the US. In the UK everything is standard spec and the only optional thing is the sunroof. We dont have the option of satallite radio though, and i miss digital radio from my last car.

http://www.lexus.co.uk/range/is/specifications/equipment/index.aspx?model=IS&submodel=ISF

Currently trying to find out if i can get a HDD for the car.

lowrider

· #33 · Oct 12, 2009

p.whitelock said:
Im surprised at how much kit is optional extras in the US. In the UK everything is standard spec and the only optional thing is the sunroof. We dont have the option of satallite radio though, and i miss digital radio from my last car.

http://www.lexus.co.uk/range/is/specifications/equipment/index.aspx?model=IS&submodel=ISF

Currently trying to find out if i can get a HDD for the car.

Looks like you folks also have folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signals. You also retain the 10 spoke wheels.

Lou

p.whitelock

· #34 · Oct 12, 2009

lowrider said:
Looks like you folks also have folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signals. You also retain the 10 spoke wheels.

Lou

Yeh we do get folding mirrors with integrated turn signals. I thought the wheels we get were standard for the ISF though?

lowrider

· #35 · Oct 12, 2009

p.whitelock said:
Yeh we do get folding mirrors with integrated turn signals. I thought the wheels we get were standard for the ISF though?

New wheel for the 10 model in the US:

Lou

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