Remember, the new IS300 has the turbo 4 cylinder, which to this point, has proven tough to make good cheap gains with. I would expect that to change as the engine ages and more parts become available, but it is what it is for now.

The previous IS300 (14-16) had the same 3.5L V6 as the IS350, albeit detuned. Those could be retuned to match the output for $600.

 

Right, but in Canada at least there is the 300AWD, which is the 3.5. 300RWD is the 2.0t, so maybe that was probably what the OP was referring to. For whatever reason, up here there's a much bigger price gap between the 300AWD and 350AWD than the 300RWD/turbo to 300AWD/V6.

 

I understand, I guess I didn't consider the AWD as he never mentioned it.

So....rear wheel drive or all wheel drive?

 

Base pricing:

$41,050 - RWD300 (4cl)
$43,550 - AWD300 (6cyl)
$53,100 - AWD350 (6cyl)

I wanted an AWD so it's all I looked at. Most of the ISs are AWD here anyway. If buying new, I'd have a hard time forking over $10K more for the 350, no matter how many more options it may have.

 

Well if that wasn't enough... apparently that engine EJ257 has ringland failures.

"While detonation is what damages the pistons, it's important to know that the EJ20 (EJ207 / EJ205), EJ25 (EJ255 / EJ257), and FA20 all have brittle pistons due to Subaru's material and design choices. The pistons are cast hypereutectic aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) alloy; a very common material choice for modern engines. Well proven engines like the 2JZGTE, 4G63, SR20DET, RB26DETT, LSX, K-Series, and others all use Al-Si alloys."

Just saying a lot of these tuner cars you have to babysit. may be worth it to some. i'm just too old to be babysitting my cars anymore. been there done that for nearly 15 years or more. i've done my car guy time lol!

 

 

My wife doesn't particularly use my car often, so I don't want memory seats, really.

I really hope they fix that for next generation ISs. F Sport or not, memory seats would be nice. It's almost like they are trying to make the car seem more sporty by having fewer luxury features, which is silly when the car already weighs a lot. /rant

 

I agree. kind of tired of the cramped cockpit design. i hope for a more open air and lighter feeling design. Sort of like the new ES vs the old. I think we'll see that. seems to be the trend with new Lexus cars. More open feeling and larger. The IS is a lot of car (physically) and a little room.

 

Remember that the F Sport can now be had with memory seats. Starting in 2018 if I recall, or was it 2017?

 

I wonder how involved a retro would be. if it's a matter of plugging the new trim piece with the buttons in and if the ability is hard baked into the car/seats? would need to see the wiring behind it

 

 

To sum it up, go with the 350 F sport. The styling is so much better and the power is unmatched. If youre not concerned about space and cargo, go with an RC, their styling is very very pretty. The benefits of the fsport outweigh the benefits of the base/luxury imo.

 

My 2018 IS350 F-Sport AWD has memory seats (and memory steering wheel position + side mirror position), power steeling wheel (6-way), rain sensing wipers, and heated/ventilated seats.

 

Looks like the Premium Package includes those features. My car has the "Premium Package" too, but I guess back in 2016 it didn't come with memory seats. Must have been a 2018 or 2017 update.

 

To the OP.

​​​​​​Based in what you've said it sounds most important that you like where you sit. As in, the functions, options and feel of the driver seat.
You get the same car with a Non-FS. I have it and my seats are very comfortable. It's a nice place to be Which was important for me as I spend a good amount of time in my car.

I had a dilemma of styling over function. I needed something quick-ish and was intent on IS350 only. Specifically, an 2012 IS350 F-Sport. I gave up the faster 2IS (low mileage) for the more plush interior and modern styling of a 3IS and w/out F-Sport.