Hi folks. Divorce is almost final, and I want a car. My 05 Tundra is my ride, and has been since Oct 04. The soon to be ex has been thru a Sequoia and 3 Lexuses in the same time period. Last summer I bought my 16 yr old son a silver IS250---he wanted a 350, no way---and I love that little car. But I want a V8. Call it my 60 year old mid life crisis. What I initially had my heart set on is an IS F. Those cars are not so easy to find. I would prefer a 4 door, but the RC is a looker. The GS F is great looking, too. I am not spending the big money on an LC just yet.
My question is, before I drive all over the southeast looking, is this---are these upscaled models easier to get in and out of than the kid's 250? That thing kicks my old butt if there is limited room to get the door open. I am betting the 2 door RC is as bad or worse, and probably the GS the easiest, but wanted feedback from owners that know. I want a hot rod luxury car, and the GS is certainly that, but if I saw the right IS F relatively close, I'd go look at it. There is no way I am buying anything sight unseen and having it delivered, like carvana. Also, it definitely looks like carguru, carvana, etc. are getting a decent markup over privately sold cars.
Any and all feedback welcomed and appreciated!

 

I love the ISF, it’s a great looking car and to me is special since it is a true F by Lexus. A good friend of mine just picked up a GSF and is now selling his ‘08 ISF with 46k miles. It’s a great sporty car.

 

Hi Pat, what do you mean by a true F by Lexus?

 

True F as in not an F-Sport or the new F-Sport Performance line by Lexus. Not only just the V8 but also the upgraded braking and suspension tuning as well as some interior differences like carbon fiber trim.

 

Ok. I am really looking for no later than 2016 so that kind of rules those out I guess, maybe?

 

You can always get a GSF up through 2020.

 

this guy ready to sell his IS-F. just here to help.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...e-the-isf.html

oh and sorry to hear about the divorce. hope it wasn't too rough.

 

I'll be married 25 years this coming September, I've been married so long that my wife can almost read my mind. She notices micro-expressions that nobody else would notice. If I were to ever cheat on her, she would probably know, or at least suspect. Honestly if I ever divorced, I would probably never remarry. Anyway, I'm blessed with a very caring, empathetic, not a selfish bone in her body women. She's not into material stuff and is happy driving a 9 year old minivan. I had to practically force her to get the 2020 Ionic EV by convincing her that we would save money on her daily commute.

Anyway ISF. If you decide on getting on ISF, make sure you buy 2010 through 2012, as they made some improvements such as LSD. As far as the size of an ISF, it's the same room as a 2nd Gen IS25/350 as it's built on the same platform with some tweaks to fit the V8 and suspension differences. Another good pick would be a 4th Gen GSF, 2016 though 2018, but they are going run you $50K plus (probably the ISF will as well)

 

the ISF has the same doors and interior sized cabin as your son's 250 so the ISF will not be any easier to get in and out of. better look for a GSF if you want more room.

sidenote: we am borrowing an old is250 since the wife's car is at the shop. trying to fit a child's seat in the backseat is only possible with the front passenger seat pulled up very close to the dash! i feel very cramped driving it though i'm 5' 11" 180lb. the IS is just too small!!! get the GS!

 

I think the GSF is a great choice as it is very comfortable for four adults, ample trunk space and the ability to use as a daily driver and rev up the V8 whenever needed. I may also be biased.

 

GSF would be best choice out of Lexus F cars.

Other suggestions for used V8 sedans:
- BMW M5
- MB E63
- Dodge Charger Hellcat / ScatPack
- Chevy SS
- Cadillac CTS-V

 

If you can't find a GS F within price range, try a GS 350 or GS 450h F-Sport with 4WS.

 

Used GS F prices have appreciated considerably since the pandemic. I was in the market for a used one to possibly replace my IS F because I was going to need something with bigger backseats. At this point, you might also consider the IS 500 if you can get one near MSRP. Not as big as a GS F, but slightly bigger than the IS F. Not a true F though...

 

The GS450F sport is a great choice, I actually drove the gs450h a local Porsche dealer had; we couldnt agree on numbers but it drove very nice. I was little surprised actually as it felt quick and handled well also was very luxurious inside. That ride stuck with me for a whole which led my to test drive a GSF and bought one few months later as once showed up about 2 hrs away from me at a dealer. As a previous ISF owner I can tell you the are very special cars, fun to drive which almost rock solid reliability

 

Probably an unpopular opinion....As a fellow old guy, I hate getting in an out of my wife's 2016 GS350 and how uncomfortable it is on long trips. Disclaimer, I am use to my berkline like seating in my old LS