[sulfur]

Hi all I'm still on the sideline FTM. I don't have a silver spoon and am finding it a bit hard to justify forking out the dough for the F over the other IS models, especially in current economic conditions. So I'm just curious why you chose the F. I know the joy of owning the Beast, having a car nobody else in the state has, having the best ultra high performance Lexus sports series money can buy are valid reasons but unfortunately money is an object in my case and these reasons aren't practical enough for me to pull the trigger.

I normally drive 80-90% city these days, so honestly in terms of practicality, even the IS250 will be adequate in mostly 30-50mph traffic. I test drove the IS350 w/ sports pkg last weekend, and thought that was pretty sweet, and although coming from a softer ride, I found the IS350 a tiny bit hard on the stomach, I'm sure I can adjust to that in time.

The F will be at the top end of my budget, but a new/used/demo IS350 will leave me spare change for rainy days I suppose...oh if it makes any difference, I will probably keep it stock & won't be modding anything at all.

Cheers.

 

[alexzxlex]

Hi Sulfur, welcome to the site. Here is what i can tell you. I was a proud IS 350 owner & was happy with that. As you state u do 80 90% city commuting. Tuff to justify an F for that. But I can atest that I bought the F not becouse I could justify it, rather I wanted it. Certainly did not NEED it. But once I drove it I was hooked.. You sound very resonable & prudent. So my best advice is, drive one if you are on the sideline. You will know if you want one. As for me, no silver spoons at my house, sold em for money to get an F. Cheers & happy deciding.

 

[A03]

Honestly, as indicated you if you got the dough, go for it but if not get whatever makes you happy..I mean yeah, people who knows about the F glamorizes it but in the end it just that..People aren't paying for your F correct?
Your paying it..So do what works for you and let us know..Despite the fact that this is a F forum but we welcome everyone in the forum..

 

[doublexl]

unfortunately for me they never had an isf demo at the time i bought my is350 sport last year. but a few months later they did and i test drove it then. and i've been kicking myself ever since. its hard to describe why its more favorable but if i had to choose between the 2 i would definately get the F. i am currently haggling myself a deal to trade my less then year old is350 for an 09 isf with the same dealer. i WANT the ISF. but i'm satisfied with the is350 so i'm leaving it up to the price to decide if i go with it.

in light of your comment ......"especially in current economic conditions." i believe it is this thinking that is snowballing the effect, if i could be so bold.

jeremy clarkson has a nice quote for your situation i think tho....
"you dont buy cars like this with your head, you buy them with your heart"

test drive it, u dont be disappointed.

 

[sulfur]

jeremy clarkson has a nice quote for your situation i think tho....
"you dont buy cars like this with your head, you buy them with your heart"

That's actually a very fitting quote ! The head vs heart tug-o-war has been brewing inside me for some time now & neither has won yet. But if the head wins completely I might have to settle for a Toyota Prius and invest the rest of my budget on money losing stocks again. !

 

[doublexl]

stocks are fun. say no to a prius. what are u an "environmentally conscious" celebrity?

its sad that the head controls the heart...

 

[Dean]

I was a IS 350 owner but once I heard about the IS-F >

I knew that was the car for me. BUT everyone has different tastes and needs and you have to go with your logic(tastes & needs) verus your ego and pocket book.

I get a lot from my cars. They are NOT just how I get from here to there. They are more then a means of transportation. A car must bring me enjoyment or service a purpose, ie: a tow vechile for my race car or jet ski,etc.

Nothing wrong with the IS 350 for most. 306 HP, nice luxury ride or a bit of a sporty ride turned correctly, good performance for the buck, etc. Really can't say enough about the IS 350 or 250 for that matter. BUT BUT BUT if you are that kind of special person who wants and or NEEDS more, then the IS-F is it. IT willl only be a logical decission to those who know they need more and can afford it. While my IS 350 was fun, I needed more, more HP, more braking, more performance. Not that the IS 350 couldn't or wouldn't give me all it had, it would, It just didn't have enough for me and my driving taste and style.

IMHO the IS 350 and the IS-F are two completly different cars that share the same external body and some interior. The underpinings, engine, brakes, etc all make the IS-F another car all together. It is not to be confussed with the IS 350, even one dressed up to look like or that has a few performance enhancements on it. It would NEVER be an IS-F IMHO.... So this is an apple verus oranges decission, not a red apple verus a green apple decission.

If you NEED more, more HP, more brakes, more everything, even if it's only for that 20% of your drive time when you just need the performance the IS-F offers, then you NEED the IS-F. You you don't require that, then buy the IS 350 and take your girl on a nice weekend away and enjoy the ride and the scenary. I'll be the blurr wavying as I pass you by but we'll both be driving with big smiles on our faces and that's really what this is all about! smiles per mile! And for the max smiles per mile for me the IS-F delivers BIG time!

 

[lowrider]

^^^^Couldn't have said it better myself. Well Done

Lou

 

[Flipside909]

I traded my 07 GS350 for the IS F for obvious reasons. I loved my GS350 and all but it wasn't as fun to drive. It's definitely a big car and it definitely shows when you push it. I picked the GS350 over an IS350 because i've had an IS300 prior. I didn't think I would end up back in an IS again, but there are plenty of good reasons why.

 

[Jeff Taylor]

I never considered the IS350 because it wasn't enough of a performance upgrade over my Acura TL. Yes it is faster and likely handles a bit better due to the fact it is rwd, but the TL was a lot more practical (fwd for snow, more interior space, etc.)

I had always wanted to own a M3 and/or a V-8 sports sedan, so the F pretty much satisfied both of those desires. The way CAFE/CO2 legislation is going, I imagine the V-8 is going to become a lot less common than it currently is. I hope I'm wrong

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F

 

[isflojo]

I traded my 07 GS350 for the IS F for obvious reasons. I loved my GS350 and all but it wasn't as fun to drive. It's definitely a big car and it definitely shows when you push it. I picked the GS350 over an IS350 because i've had an IS300 prior. I didn't think I would end up back in an IS again, but there are plenty of good reasons why.

Flip, I thought you kept your GS (the white one right?). My wife loves that car..

As for Sulfur's dilema, I could honestly say that I experienced the same. Although I can afford the car, I'm not rich like the other guys in this forum. So I had to think hard, and even contemplated on getting a IS350 instead. But my heart was really yearning for the F. Then my wife said "if you're not going to get it, I will", and that did it! LOL! "What the heck, you only live once," I said to myself. So I took the plunge and never regretted it one bit!

 

[Flipside909]

Yeah the white one. If you didn't notice, it went back to stock...

 

[micaISF]

...but unfortunately money is an object in my case and these reasons aren't practical enough for me to pull the trigger.

... I test drove the IS350 w/ sports pkg last weekend, and thought that was pretty sweet, and although coming from a softer ride, I found the IS350 a tiny bit hard on the stomach, I'm sure I can adjust to that in time.

The F will be at the top end of my budget, but a new/used/demo IS350 will leave me spare change for rainy days I suppose...oh if it makes any difference, I will probably keep it stock & won't be modding anything at all.

Cheers.

you really said it all! buying an F would be at the top end of your budget and will not leave you with spare change for raining days. i believe saving for rainy days is much more important than driving a car to impress others.

you mentioned IS350 with sports package is too harsh for you, then the F is NOT the right car for you. most of my friends who test drove the F hated it because the steering is firm and the ride is harsh. that how a real sports car should be, but that does not suit most people's taste.

if i were you, i would not get the F. get the IS350 and save some money for other important things.

 

[BigMikeISF]

I knew that was the car for me. BUT everyone has different tastes and needs and you have to go with your logic(tastes & needs) verus your ego and pocket book.

I get a lot from my cars. They are NOT just how I get from here to there. They are more then a means of transportation. A car must bring me enjoyment or service a purpose, ie: a tow vechile for my race car or jet ski,etc.

Nothing wrong with the IS 350 for most. 306 HP, nice luxury ride or a bit of a sporty ride turned correctly, good performance for the buck, etc. Really can't say enough about the IS 350 or 250 for that matter. BUT BUT BUT if you are that kind of special person who wants and or NEEDS more, then the IS-F is it. IT willl only be a logical decission to those who know they need more and can afford it. While my IS 350 was fun, I needed more, more HP, more braking, more performance. Not that the IS 350 couldn't or wouldn't give me all it had, it would, It just didn't have enough for me and my driving taste and style.

IMHO the IS 350 and the IS-F are two completly different cars that share the same external body and some interior. The underpinings, engine, brakes, etc all make the IS-F another car all together. It is not to be confussed with the IS 350, even one dressed up to look like or that has a few performance enhancements on it. It would NEVER be an IS-F IMHO.... So this is an apple verus oranges decission, not a red apple verus a green apple decission.

If you NEED more, more HP, more brakes, more everything, even if it's only for that 20% of your drive time when you just need the performance the IS-F offers, then you NEED the IS-F. You you don't require that, then buy the IS 350 and take your girl on a nice weekend away and enjoy the ride and the scenary. I'll be the blurr wavying as I pass you by but we'll both be driving with big smiles on our faces and that's really what this is all about! smiles per mile! And for the max smiles per mile for me the IS-F delivers BIG time!

Good way to put it.

To the OP, it sounds like you really like the F but your having a hard time justifying the price. Have you been out to test drive one yet? Look at them in person? I would definitely do this as it might make your decision easier.

The F suspension is more stiff then the IS350, after all, it is more of a race inspired car. If you think the 350 is tough, your not going to like the way the F rides. If I were you, I'd look at both, see what kind of deals you can get right now and then work from there. You might be able to get an F for less then you think if it's the car you decide you like/fits your needs the best in the end.

I'd go test drive one

 

[YellowJacketISF]

Hi all I'm still on the sideline FTM. I don't have a silver spoon and am finding it a bit hard to justify forking out the dough for the F over the other IS models, especially in current economic conditions. So I'm just curious why you chose the F. I know the joy of owning the Beast, having a car nobody else in the state has, having the best ultra high performance Lexus sports series money can buy are valid reasons but unfortunately money is an object in my case and these reasons aren't practical enough for me to pull the trigger.

I normally drive 80-90% city these days, so honestly in terms of practicality, even the IS250 will be adequate in mostly 30-50mph traffic. I test drove the IS350 w/ sports pkg last weekend, and thought that was pretty sweet, and although coming from a softer ride, I found the IS350 a tiny bit hard on the stomach, I'm sure I can adjust to that in time.

The F will be at the top end of my budget, but a new/used/demo IS350 will leave me spare change for rainy days I suppose...oh if it makes any difference, I will probably keep it stock & won't be modding anything at all.

Cheers.

I was in a very similiar boat as you. I was honestly trying to stay in the range of a used IS350, new Audi A4, or new Merc C350 type of car. Honestly I really liked the C350 and was almost sure that's what I would get, but ultimately I was scared of the high maintenance.

Then on a whim (consequently my downfall as well ), I test drove the ISF and it blew me away and I fell for it hard. I was like "wow, this thing is the total package." I started justifying buying it anyway I could, "well it drives like a normal car when I want to just get around town and gets decent MPG, but that 20% of time when I want to haul a$$, I'll have the power" and "oh it's a Lexus and I know how reliable those are" or "well the first year depreciation is already built in" or "I've had the same car forever and I guess I can spurgle once" etc etc.

It made me start looking at a complete different class of cars such as the S4s,S5s, ISFs and M3s. This was at the top of my budget as well since before I was never the "car" guy out of the group. All my other friends are way more into cars than I am having all modded and tuned their acuras and infinitis. I'm not that interested in spending a lot for a means of getting around (or so I thought), especially since I travel for work 75% of the time and drive 80% city. I was the last person in the group that they thought would buy an aggressive sports car since I was coming from a nice cushy ride ('94 LS400) and I never talked "car".

Conventional wisdom tells you to spend less and save for a rainy day in this economic climate, but the flipside of that argument is that deals can be made in this economy as well. I don't think I would have seriously been interested if the economy was doing great and I was to pay MSRP+. But once all was said and done with all the good deals (50k) and low interest rates (2.9, 60 months), I was sold.

I was coming from a nice cushy ride ('94 LS400).I've had the LS400 since I could drive (15) and I've had it for 10 years now and that thing rides like a cloud. Needless to say, the ISF is the complete opposite. It's day and night compared to the LS400 suspension so I thought it would take me forever to get use to it. It's been only a month into owning the car and even as harsh as a lot of people say it is, the suspension doesn't bother me one bit. If anything I felt like it almost softened on me (or just me getting use to of it). This also has nothing to do with where I am as Atlanta has horrible roads.

After I bought it, I felt a bit of buyer's remorse like maybe I should have saved that extra money away for something else, but ultimately like many others have said on this forum, when you hear that car above 3500 RPMs, it's like falling in love again and reminds you everytime how awesome your car is and all the nice things that have been reiterated throughout these forums.

Hope that helps and good luck with your decision!

 

[sulfur]

Thanks everyone for your responses! Very insightful indeed. All helpful tips & no snobby answers at all. What an awesome forum!

I think I already know I can't go wrong with either car. It would be all smiles either way like somebody said. If I opt for the 350 it would prob be a low mileage used 07 or 08, so the price diff would be close to $20g taxed in vs the 08 F. Heck $20g is $20g. I could always give the 350 to my wife & get a used F a couple years down the road. Our cars are 91 & 93 so both are reaching end of life soon. BTW the price diff between a new 350 sports & a fully loaded F is <$10g locally, so if I were considering new cars only, it would have been an easy win for the F.

As for test driving the F, I went to my local dealership last weekend by myself with full intention of trying it out, but it was such a nice & dry day, the owner actually took the demo out! Which is why I only had the 350 sports pkg to play with. I did sit inside an 09 F in the showroom and I liked it A LOT! Gave me the same goosebumps as sitting inside an M3. Instantly you know you're inside a sports car in a completely different league, know that feeling?

Next time I will make sure the F is available and will bring my wife & see if she likes either or both. Like you guys already said, money aside, at this point I'm not sure if we'll like the harsh ride yet. But thanks guys for the needs vs wants sharing tho. The "F Passion" is hard to resist isn't it?

BTW, isflojo you're one lucky dude. My wife is pretty cool but somehow I don't think she will be THAT understanding.

Oh regarding the Prius comments a few posts up, that is one env friendly car but is NOT on my short list. I just figured if the head wins completely, logically I would be shopping for a commuter car with the best MPG, right?

 

[isflojo]

BTW, isflojo you're one lucky dude. My wife is pretty cool but somehow I don't think she will be THAT understanding.

True that, bro! I am blessed! Good luck on your decision!

 

[sulfur]

So I took my wife to the dealership on Sat (prob not the best thing to do on Valentine's). She tried the IS350 sports pkg for a few blocks & likes it quite a bit. I took over and decided to floor the thing to show her what the 350 is designed to do. She got scared. I had to behave for the rest of the drive.

The F was next. She didn't want to get into the beast so I had to test solo. Doh. I must say I was pretty impressed with the F overall. I stayed in dummy mode though, and didn't corner & push that bad boy as much as I should. But then I didn't wanna crash & buy the scrap metal either. It was very light traffic but wasn't open road, and at one point some yahoo merged his minivan off ramp into my direction blocking both lanes while I was roaring close...

Long story short, I guess I'll be an F fan instead of an owner for a while. I think weekend trips are when I can push the limits of this bad boy but I'll have to crank up the ML audio to drown out my wife's screams...

 

[isflojo]

That's funny, my wife's scared to drive my F too, although she wants to own one. That would be years down the line though, when things get better. We'll see... So, did you get the 350?

 

[Magic61983]

I know how you guys feel. My fiancee is terrified of driving my car cause she knows what it means to me. She dropped me off at the airport a few months back and didn't have any choice but to drive it back. I got a call 5 min after she dropped me off. It was her telling me the car wasn't acting right, come to find out she had put it in manual mode by accident after I told her before I left exactly what not to do. Anyway after she got all that figured out when I got back home she couldn't stop telling me how well the car handled and she knows exactly why I love driving it. Some day I may have to get her an F.