Jumpman86

Hi All,

I am not yet an ISF owner but I have been shopping for an used for a little while and am deciding between a 2006 GS 430 and an IS F. I know they are two different cars but wanted to hear your opinions.

The main use of this new to me car will mostly be used for a short commute to the park and ride.

I have two other vehicles that I can use (2010 stage 2 STI (wife driving now) and a 2005 4runner for family trips and winter driving). I am currently driving a 2004 mazda 3 and wanted to upgrade to something nicer.

I am somewhat a car enthusiast and started with owning a 2003 WRX, 2001 S2000, BMW 330i, 2010 STI, and 2008 M3 (traded it in for the 4runner since the family is getting bigger).

I know that the GS maybe more practical for me and probably a better financial decision but parts of me really want the IS F and I know that the GS will be just as good for my purpose.

The GS I am looking at has 100k miles and listed at $15k so a ISF will similar miles goes for low to mid $20s.

I am trying to decide which path to go and by the way, I am moving into a new home in a month but the payments should not be a problem for me.

Thanks for reading this and hope to hear your inputs.

Ed

uberEJ

iTrader: (2)

ISF.

you already got a family car, your wife drives the STI, now you should have a fun car for yourself.

dont get me wrong the gs is a great car but it would take a lot of effort and expenses to get it to drive like the ISF would. ontop of that the GS is more of the cruising type of vehicle and may not feel as fun to you as the IS would. the GS is definitely nicer and more comfortable with how spacious it is.

as far as for your purpose to drive to the park and ride you can get whatever car you like lol anything will do that. but why are your choices limited to the GS and the ISF? what other cars have you considered before deciding on the GS or ISF?

Jumpman86

Mainly due to the v8 engines in these two cars. My 4Runner has a v8 and it's really smooth.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

I feel as though an IS-F in the low 20s will be somewhat ragged out. Would rather spend that money on a GS460, honestly.

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

Totally agree.

uberEJ

iTrader: (2)

agreed !

for my use of daily driving i would get a 460 but none in my area so i had to settle with a 350 lol

TRD_Power

I drove a couple ISFs, and I wasn't comfortable due to my height/shoulder width, so I got a GS460 and couldn't be happier. Love the room in the 460 (even though my hair hits the headliner a little), and the speed is more than enough. Wait for a 460, it's a noticeable difference from the 430 (to me) and the perfect middle man of the 430 and ISF.

Jumpman86

Thanks all for your input. I think I cannot go wrong with either car.

worker

Look like you have not test drove both. The test should help make your decision.

TRD_Power

The second he punches it in the ISF, there's no going back. Took every inch of my soul to not buy the SGM ISF I test drove that had an exhaust (forget which kind). In the end, shoulder room was most important

rominl

iTrader: (4)

if space is not a problem pick the isf

jbuffett

I had an '08 IS350, loved the performance but it was a little cramped in the back seat.

Switched to an '11 GS460 -- of which there are less than ~100 '10+'s -- and I can't praise this car enough. Want to drive it smooth? Leave the suspension on comfort. Hard driving? Flip the transmission to Power and the suspension to Sport. Cruising? 30 MPG on the highway.

I wish it had the IS-F's extra horsepower for spirited driving, but the V8 in this car is no slouch.

Good luck finding one, you want the '10+ because that's when they added bluetooth audio streaming and took out the tape deck (lol). I watched the market for 7 months before flying to Georgia to pick mine up, there were never more than 4-5 for sale at any one time. Right now there's zero.

Worth the wait, the 70-80K mile ones typically go for $25K or so.

uberEJ

iTrader: (2)

i searched 6 months to find mine. and since nothing showed up i just settled with the 350. i needed to get out of this 91 miata since it didnt have AC. but at least i got the color combo i want. lol

TRD_Power

Spot-on. I love leaving mine in power mode with the sport suspension on when going through the curvy mountain roads out east here in WA. When the motor kicks up to around 3,000 RPM, it sounds nice and aggressive, even with the stock exhaust. The car surprised my best friend when I took him for a ride and punched it for the first time. Definitely a car I'll be able to enjoy for the next 10-12 yr

wickedtaco

Make sure timing kit has been done since there's 100k on the clock. If not, offer less.