So the time is slowly nearing for me to finally get a Lexus. So now as time gets closer it's getting harder and harder to decide. Originally I wanted a 250 but decided I woukd go for a 350 for around 20k. I would be financing with around 5k for down payment. But now an idea jumped into my head, should I just get an 02-05 is300 and just buy it for cash 5-8k and save myself around $500 a month for the monthly payment plus insurance? I know it's ultimately up to me and I sure would love to get a 2007-2008 low mileage is350. I can afford the 500 a month and still have some money left over to have for other bills and have some fun with. But I am no where near being rich or anything like that and 500 a month I can put away for a down-payment for a house or condo further down the line... Decisions decisions, can anyone put some input on this on what u might do, I'm almost 24 and still live with parent so I help out with rent once in a while but mostly I pay for my own bills like phone, gas, food etc.. So again I can pretty easily afford it as I work alot and don't go out and party and spend money on stupid crap like that.. Once in a while I'll go out to eat or go outta state to cabin in Wisconsin.. What u guys think. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would go with a clean IS300 and save the $500 a month for future plans. I would save it towards a house or something, since cars aren't a good place to throw money at.
My bro has a 2003 IS300 and he bought it for $7000. We were car shopping for about three months when we came across a super clean interior/exterior black on black sportcross IS300. It is now at 150k miles and it still runs strong, never having any problems with it.

 

Too be honest only you can decide. You got love what your gonna spend your money on. If your really wanna save just buy a cheap Honda haha. If a house is your priority. Don't just buy thing cause there cheap buy cause that what you want.

 

house > car

 

IS300 has SIGNIFICANTLY MORE modding options than the IS350. The 350 has more power out the box but the 300 has more potential for less than half the price.

 

Is300 I regret paying 500 a month !

 

ill 2nd the above 2 post all day

 

I miss my 2002 is300 every day. My 2006 is350 seems cheaper in quality. Save the cash and grab a clean 300

 

If say get a clean IS300 and start saving for a condo/house. You'll be 27-30 by the time you're done paying and by then you'll want a house. Cars come and go, but a house is an investment.

 

Thanks alot everyone really appreciate the input, yea i am leaning towards a clean 300 now, I already have a cheap Honda but I just got a new job and Yea i can just keep driving that and save but I want to reward myself a little and at least get a 300 just so I can enjoy what I drive, instead of 350 since I have about 3k already. I'll try finding a really clean one and pretty much keep it stock just get minor things like weather tec floor mats and winter tires.

 

Honestly, I came from a Honda background where every other weekend I just finding myself out in the garage working on something on them (yes, two Civics). I came to a point in my life where I didn't care to do that any longer, so I purchased a CLEAN '06 IS350 for $21k OTD w/ 31k miles on it (April '11). I now enjoy the peace of mind knowing that my car will get me from A to B without issues.

Maybe you're not at that point in life yet, and still like to mess around in the garage on your cars; but those IS300s aren't getting any younger and it's VERY hard to find one with <100k miles now. The likelihood of having to fix components on the IS300 is alot higher than that of an IS350, just due to age.

In your shoes @ 24yrs of age, I'd also go with the IS300 though.

 

Get yourself the IS300 (if you intend to get a Lexus) and save yourself the extra monthly payment At this point, try to save money and pay off any current debt you have. Get yourself a house/condo, you'll appriciate it better in the long run.

 

The smart mature me is saying get the 300 and just save, the young fun me is saying Ahhh what the hell you only live once go for the 350 lol. Especially yesturday I was driving to work in my Honda and seen a super sexy 250 f sport, man was it sexy. It'll be a close one, most likely will come down to a quick decision based on how I feel when im ready to buy.

 

^Don't test drive an IS350 because that'll seal the deal right then and there. LOL!

 

I don't understand the house vs car debate. Why not both? If you go over your finances and set a budget you may be able to afford both. IMO don't go buy a car with well over 100k. At this point you're going to be hard pressed to find a 300 with less than that.

And it's not $500 a month. I picked up an '08 in November with 23k on the odo. I pay just about 390.