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Would appreciate some advice here. I've been looking at a 2014 is350 f sport for a while now. I'd been planning on buying one towards the end of the year. I saw a couple deals for about $30K with 30K miles.
Now my dilemma. I've been offered a 2010 ls460 with 13K miles for $25K. It's a family member and they'd finance it to me with no interest.
I was drawn to the is350 because of the driving dynamics, and the redesigned interior/exterior.
Is the LS deal too good to pass up? Or is it worth it to spend an extra $5K on what's supposed to be a lesser car but more in line with what I was looking for?
I realize that the answer will be subjective, but curious to what you guys think.
For that insanely attractive price and low mileage - I would take LS 460. I would also make this choice for one simple reason - in the LS I would be sitting on real leather seats, can't stand this NuLuxe stuff. You wanted subjective answer - you got it.
It couldn't be a more preposterous dilemma but I understand you didn't create it yourself
I would say you drive whichever car you want but the IS is a sporty non-luxury car for the 20-30 crowd while the LS is a pure luxury non-sporty car for the 40-70 group.
They're on the opposite spectrum of each other so if you could afford it pick the car you enjoy driving, not because you are presented with such a great deal like the LS.
My dad bought a 1995 ls400 and i have a 2015 is350. I drive both now.
The LS is a lot more for your money. Its lexus's top of the line model meaning you get all the luxury features you can dream of and probably wont get to appreciate till you drive the car for a while. You also get a V8 engine that is no slouch in power.
They msrp at like 70k up towards 90k+ nowadays for LS models. You would be crazy not to pick this car.
But it was 2005 and i was 18 driving my dads ls400 i didnt care for it. It just didnt feel right to me at the time driving such a nice car. 10 years old, it was nicer than almost all the cars at my school but i didnt care lol. A lot of people just straight up dont car about luxury at this age (18-25) with its effortless steering and super smooth and quiet ride. Boring and super easy, but i wouldnt call the handling like a boat. I would save that term for SUV where you worry about tipping over. This car handles like any other normal daily driver except 10 times more smooth.
Fast forward another 10 years and the ls400 is still nicer than most cars in my apartment complex with its clear coat paint good as day 1. People say its a boat, i say its practical. The difference in full size vs compact size vehicles are very noticeable. Ls400 you can fit 3 full grown adults in the back and have substantial leg room. In the IS you can fit 2 and a half and leg room is almost hitting the back of the chair. The LS can fit a 55 inch tv no problem in it, the IS has clearance problems becuz of it low slung chassis.
How about the is350? The IS brings out more emotion in me. It looks different than any other car out there right now and going into the interior the first time made me say wow and was one of the selling points. Its small cockpit style interior makes it less pratical but also at the same time a plus if your not in need of a lot of space. It has great and balanced power to fill the niche between daily driver and straight up race car. Its really a true hybrid crossover of luxury/sport.
It handles better than any car ive owned and is super planted to the ground making you want to drive it harder and push the limits of it. At the same time it transfer its weight and shifts gears nice and smooth that you can drive around town in it and feel like in a luxury car. Everything else though the LS does better.
Therefore, the winner of this head 2 head is the LS.
But really, its up to personal preference. I work at a Lexus, and I played and drove the new LS460s (2014+ models). IMO, the LS has way too much features I would never even think of nor would use. However, for that price and mileage. Its a bang for your buck.
If you still insist in buying the IS. I suggest looking at a similar optioned GS350 fro around the same 30k. I own a 2016 IS350 Fsport. If I were to do it again, I would want the GS.
I worked at Lexus and drove brand new LS460s as well as a few used older 460s. Having said that, the older 460s with some miles ~40k did drive like a boat. Squat under acceleration and heavy nose dive under braking. For me personally, i disliked them from the get go. That was my biggest grip about a used 460. The newer ones have revised suspension and are a bit tighter. On the other hand a 3IS handles very well. If its handling you're after definitely choose the IS. If you can live with a floaty ride, take the LS. Personally, id take an IS as a daily. Its a lot sharper, more nimble, easier to park and maneuver and not to mention gets better gas mileage. LS is well, obviously more spacious, more comfy its like riding in a sofa and of course better build quality and far superior interior materials. IS is a bit on the cheap side as far as door panel plastics and what not..
That's a great deal on the LS especially with the zero interest! I'd have a hard time deciding too. Drive both, compare what you like more and can live with every day. Also have a family member that owns a 2011 LS and is truly a lux-lex. Love my IS (3rd one), but given that opportunity??? Not being much help, so whatever floats you boat (so to speak).
So....after much deliberation, I've decided that I'll be the owner of a newish (to me at least) LS460!! Super stoked to be joining the Lexus family. Definitely not the way I thought it would happen, but excited nonetheless. I appreciate everyone's thoughts, as you gave me some all around points to consider.
07-28-16, 08:09 PM
IS350 vs LS460 Advice
