Want to buy an IS350... Can you help with a few questions?
09-12-13, 06:23 PM
#1
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Want to buy an IS350... Can you help with a few questions?
Hi ClubLexus,
I am hoping to buy my dream car soon: an IS350.
My budget, 13k, is only enough to buy me a 2006 with about 120k miles from a dealer. The cars Im looking at have had the necessary tune ups at the right intervals.
I currently drive a 1998 ES300 with 70k miles on it, and it has been very reliable for the most part.
Furthermore, I have a relative who is a mechanic and will keep my costs down if any maintenance is required
Can I expect the same ES300 reliability from the higher mileage IS350? If not, how much worse (or better) can it be?
My alternatives are:
IS300
e46 BMW
both of which I find too slow to be honest
Much appreciated,
David
I am hoping to buy my dream car soon: an IS350.
My budget, 13k, is only enough to buy me a 2006 with about 120k miles from a dealer. The cars Im looking at have had the necessary tune ups at the right intervals.
I currently drive a 1998 ES300 with 70k miles on it, and it has been very reliable for the most part.
Furthermore, I have a relative who is a mechanic and will keep my costs down if any maintenance is required
Can I expect the same ES300 reliability from the higher mileage IS350? If not, how much worse (or better) can it be?
My alternatives are:
IS300
e46 BMW
both of which I find too slow to be honest
Much appreciated,
David
09-12-13, 10:54 PM
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Personally, I have 1 word for you....
2jz.
BUT. the is350 is reliable. You shouldn't have any problems if the car was kept with all maintenance done on time etc.
2jz.
BUT. the is350 is reliable. You shouldn't have any problems if the car was kept with all maintenance done on time etc.
Last edited by krUnALv99; 09-13-13 at 12:17 PM.
09-13-13, 05:21 AM
#3
Hi ClubLexus,
I am hoping to buy my dream car soon: an IS350.
My budget, 13k, is only enough to buy me a 2006 with about 120k miles from a dealer. The cars Im looking at have had the necessary tune ups at the right intervals.
I currently drive a 1998 ES300 with 70k miles on it, and it has been very reliable for the most part.
Furthermore, I have a relative who is a mechanic and will keep my costs down if any maintenance is required
Can I expect the same ES300 reliability from the higher mileage IS350? If not, how much worse (or better) can it be?
My alternatives are:
IS300
e46 BMW
both of which I find too slow to be honest
Much appreciated,
David
I am hoping to buy my dream car soon: an IS350.
My budget, 13k, is only enough to buy me a 2006 with about 120k miles from a dealer. The cars Im looking at have had the necessary tune ups at the right intervals.
I currently drive a 1998 ES300 with 70k miles on it, and it has been very reliable for the most part.
Furthermore, I have a relative who is a mechanic and will keep my costs down if any maintenance is required
Can I expect the same ES300 reliability from the higher mileage IS350? If not, how much worse (or better) can it be?
My alternatives are:
IS300
e46 BMW
both of which I find too slow to be honest
Much appreciated,
David
09-13-13, 08:43 AM
#4
the IS350 is very reliable. Will it be as reliable as your ES300? I would say very close if the IS350 has been maintained properly.
I have both cars and neither car has ever given me problems, but the IS350 has cost more in routine maintenance everytime: oil changes, sparkplugs, tires, and brakes. However, I am extremely **** about my is350 maintenance while the es300 barely has matching tires. I'm not quite sure the IS350 would fare as well if i were to neglect it as i do my es300.
I would take a higher mileage IS350 over the IS300 and the e46 is just a death pit of money right now.
I have both cars and neither car has ever given me problems, but the IS350 has cost more in routine maintenance everytime: oil changes, sparkplugs, tires, and brakes. However, I am extremely **** about my is350 maintenance while the es300 barely has matching tires. I'm not quite sure the IS350 would fare as well if i were to neglect it as i do my es300.
I would take a higher mileage IS350 over the IS300 and the e46 is just a death pit of money right now.
09-13-13, 11:29 AM
#5
You cannot go wrong with the IS350! Loved mine since day 1. Just ensure the maintenance has been taken care of and all of the recalls/TSIBs performed.
If you find one you're deadset on purchasing, you can sign up for an account on Lexus.com. Use the car's VIN as "My vehicle" on your account, and then you can see all of the previous Lexus dealership service history.
if you find one and have questions about it, we will be more than glad to assist you with anything that's on your mind about it.
GL!
If you find one you're deadset on purchasing, you can sign up for an account on Lexus.com. Use the car's VIN as "My vehicle" on your account, and then you can see all of the previous Lexus dealership service history.
if you find one and have questions about it, we will be more than glad to assist you with anything that's on your mind about it.
GL!
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09-13-13, 01:16 PM
#9
Stretch your budget a little more to 15K and try to get one under 100K, or selll your ES and put that money towards it. IS350 is a very reliable car, i don't think i know anyone with problems. E46 BMWs are piece of trash that'll die shortly after 100K, dont' even touch that. I owned a few, i know. Also owned an E39 which has same engine, piece of **** too. IS300 will last a long time but they are pretty boring now IMO, nothing compare to the 350 in looks and performance
09-13-13, 01:54 PM
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damn that's crazy cause KBB is like 30K CPO with those miles, 26k private party.
and you paid 25 OTD? so that's like 23k+TAX , so you saved 7k .. now that's hard to believe.
Knowing the Owner helped let me tell you.
09-13-13, 04:09 PM
#11
I paid 22500 for my 08 fully loaded with 28K miles. Private owner though, dream car, not a scratch on it. Sometimes u get lucky with these deals from people who don't know what their car is worth. I don't need CPO, car still had warranty on it and Lexus are built like tanks so i can skip the CPO and save some money. Got 1.7% APR from my Credit Union too
09-13-13, 05:32 PM
#12
I paid 22500 for my 08 fully loaded with 28K miles. Private owner though, dream car, not a scratch on it. Sometimes u get lucky with these deals from people who don't know what their car is worth. I don't need CPO, car still had warranty on it and Lexus are built like tanks so i can skip the CPO and save some money. Got 1.7% APR from my Credit Union too
09-13-13, 05:41 PM
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For major things (engine, electrical components, etc.) the IS350 is extremely reliable.
However, the IS350 (and IS250) does suffer from creaks and rattles, particularly when it gets too cold. The good news is that creaks and rattles aren't that big of a deal. The bad news is that they can be a big deal for some people, I suppose. I know people who are just driven nuts by creaks/rattles. The kind of good news is that there are probably ways you can add extra padding to your dash materials to eliminate the creaks/rattles but there isn't really a standard protocol.
Personally I go through phases where I'll hear creaks/rattles in my car, but it usually goes away or it's usually drowned out by my music so it doesn't bother me (and I have a 2009 IS350 by the way). I actually haven't heard any creaks/rattles for about a year (and going) so that's good. I'm in the optimal temperature range now I suppose. When it cools down for winter, I'm sure I'll start hearing them again.
Other than that I've never experienced a single problem 80,000 miles in. It's just been basic maintenance and changing the battery.
The IS250 suffers from carbon build up issues, but the IS350 does not thanks to port injection. I'm coming from a 335i and overall I've been extremely pleased with my IS350. My overall rating for the car 4 years into ownership is 9/10. I enjoy the headache-free experience that comes with Lexus reliability.
However, the IS350 (and IS250) does suffer from creaks and rattles, particularly when it gets too cold. The good news is that creaks and rattles aren't that big of a deal. The bad news is that they can be a big deal for some people, I suppose. I know people who are just driven nuts by creaks/rattles. The kind of good news is that there are probably ways you can add extra padding to your dash materials to eliminate the creaks/rattles but there isn't really a standard protocol.
Personally I go through phases where I'll hear creaks/rattles in my car, but it usually goes away or it's usually drowned out by my music so it doesn't bother me (and I have a 2009 IS350 by the way). I actually haven't heard any creaks/rattles for about a year (and going) so that's good. I'm in the optimal temperature range now I suppose. When it cools down for winter, I'm sure I'll start hearing them again.
Other than that I've never experienced a single problem 80,000 miles in. It's just been basic maintenance and changing the battery.
The IS250 suffers from carbon build up issues, but the IS350 does not thanks to port injection. I'm coming from a 335i and overall I've been extremely pleased with my IS350. My overall rating for the car 4 years into ownership is 9/10. I enjoy the headache-free experience that comes with Lexus reliability.
09-13-13, 06:00 PM
#15
For major things (engine, electrical components, etc.) the IS350 is extremely reliable.
However, the IS350 (and IS250) does suffer from creaks and rattles, particularly when it gets too cold. The good news is that creaks and rattles aren't that big of a deal. The bad news is that they can be a big deal for some people, I suppose. I know people who are just driven nuts by creaks/rattles. The kind of good news is that there are probably ways you can add extra padding to your dash materials to eliminate the creaks/rattles but there isn't really a standard protocol.
Personally I go through phases where I'll hear creaks/rattles in my car, but it usually goes away or it's usually drowned out by my music so it doesn't bother me (and I have a 2009 IS350 by the way). I actually haven't heard any creaks/rattles for about a year (and going) so that's good. I'm in the optimal temperature range now I suppose. When it cools down for winter, I'm sure I'll start hearing them again.
Other than that I've never experienced a single problem 80,000 miles in. It's just been basic maintenance and changing the battery.
The IS250 suffers from carbon build up issues, but the IS350 does not thanks to port injection. I'm coming from a 335i and ov years into ownership is 9/10. I enjoy the headache-free experience that comes werall I've been extremely pleased with my IS350. My overall rating for the car 4ith Lexus reliability.
However, the IS350 (and IS250) does suffer from creaks and rattles, particularly when it gets too cold. The good news is that creaks and rattles aren't that big of a deal. The bad news is that they can be a big deal for some people, I suppose. I know people who are just driven nuts by creaks/rattles. The kind of good news is that there are probably ways you can add extra padding to your dash materials to eliminate the creaks/rattles but there isn't really a standard protocol.
Personally I go through phases where I'll hear creaks/rattles in my car, but it usually goes away or it's usually drowned out by my music so it doesn't bother me (and I have a 2009 IS350 by the way). I actually haven't heard any creaks/rattles for about a year (and going) so that's good. I'm in the optimal temperature range now I suppose. When it cools down for winter, I'm sure I'll start hearing them again.
Other than that I've never experienced a single problem 80,000 miles in. It's just been basic maintenance and changing the battery.
The IS250 suffers from carbon build up issues, but the IS350 does not thanks to port injection. I'm coming from a 335i and ov years into ownership is 9/10. I enjoy the headache-free experience that comes werall I've been extremely pleased with my IS350. My overall rating for the car 4ith Lexus reliability.