HELP can’t decide 07 IS350 or 14 IS350?
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I’m currently in a predicament, im 20 years old. I’m currently driving a 2004 Toyota I’ve had since 16.
So I think it’s time for an upgrade, with whatever car I get i would want to take it for autocross or time attack as a hobby.
My 1st option is to save up for a 2007 is 350 but I also wouldn’t mind to take out a car loan for a 2014 is350, I think it may be the base model but I’m not sure 100% sure, I can always go check. But I need the community’s opinion? For numbers on the loan I would be paying 300 each month for 60 months, the 14’ is350 is atomic silver. The price my credit union is asking is $25,00 & has 43k miles plus I have 4% interest rate. So I think it’s a good deal. It fits my budget so price isn’t an issue, but again I’m not a Lexus guru so I want to know from y’all if I should just stick to the older version or newer 350? Especially for what I want to do take it to the track and do laps not drag race.
So I think it’s time for an upgrade, with whatever car I get i would want to take it for autocross or time attack as a hobby.
My 1st option is to save up for a 2007 is 350 but I also wouldn’t mind to take out a car loan for a 2014 is350, I think it may be the base model but I’m not sure 100% sure, I can always go check. But I need the community’s opinion? For numbers on the loan I would be paying 300 each month for 60 months, the 14’ is350 is atomic silver. The price my credit union is asking is $25,00 & has 43k miles plus I have 4% interest rate. So I think it’s a good deal. It fits my budget so price isn’t an issue, but again I’m not a Lexus guru so I want to know from y’all if I should just stick to the older version or newer 350? Especially for what I want to do take it to the track and do laps not drag race.
Last edited by Carloscrod; 05-28-19 at 09:50 PM.
#2
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Originally Posted by Carloscrod
I’m currently in a predicament, im 20 years old. I’m currently driving a 2004 Toyota I’ve had since 16.
So I think it’s time for an upgrade, with whatever car I get i would want to take it for autocross or time attack as a hobby.
My 1st option is to save up for a 2007 is 350 but I also wouldn’t mind to take out a car loan for a 2014 is350, I think it may be the base model but I’m not sure 100% sure, I can always go check. But I need the community’s opinion? For numbers on the loan I would be paying 300 each month for 60 months, the 14’ is350 is atomic silver. The price my credit union is asking is $25,00 & has 43k miles plus I have 4% interest rate. So I think it’s a good deal. It fits my budget so price isn’t an issue, but again I’m not a Lexus guru so I want to know from y’all if I should just stick to the older version or newer 350? Especially for what I want to do take it to the track and do laps not drag race.
So I think it’s time for an upgrade, with whatever car I get i would want to take it for autocross or time attack as a hobby.
My 1st option is to save up for a 2007 is 350 but I also wouldn’t mind to take out a car loan for a 2014 is350, I think it may be the base model but I’m not sure 100% sure, I can always go check. But I need the community’s opinion? For numbers on the loan I would be paying 300 each month for 60 months, the 14’ is350 is atomic silver. The price my credit union is asking is $25,00 & has 43k miles plus I have 4% interest rate. So I think it’s a good deal. It fits my budget so price isn’t an issue, but again I’m not a Lexus guru so I want to know from y’all if I should just stick to the older version or newer 350? Especially for what I want to do take it to the track and do laps not drag race.
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True but I am only deciding on those two cars, I want it to be my daily as well. Maybe not using as a time attack or track car but mainly daily driver. So scratch the race track or time attack part.
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Yeah a Lexus is not the car for autocross or time-attack lol. The 86/FRS/BRZ is a much better option as EZZ stated.
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If it’s going to be your daily then the 14’ makes sense. If you do track/timeattack then you’ll be pretty disappointed with the car lol.
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Yeah if I were to go with the 14’ I wound modify it lol just simply keep it stock and just daily it. If I were to buy a 07’ I’d only add coil overs, new tires/wheels tune and intake.
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Based on your primary focus on performance and possibly making your daily driver into a time attack or autocross competitive car, your best bet is to go with the 07 IS350 and to do the mods that you mentioned above.
Performance-wise, the 07 IS350 has better attributes as a platform for competitive track events compared to the 14 IS350. The 07 IS350 has a lower curb weight (70 lbs less), better weight distribution (52/48 vs 53/47), shorter wheelbase for improved agility (107.5 inch vs 110.3 inch), tighter turn radius (33 ft vs 34 ft), and significantly quicker acceleration from 0-110 mph (07 IS350 is nearly a full second faster than the 14 IS350 due to gearing).
![](https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clublexus.com-vbulletin/1345x1653/2is350_vs_3is350_708f841fc5b62af300d82219a076e7b8fb3f5393.jpg)
Regarding suspension tuning from the factory, the 14 IS350 has a better stock suspension tuning setup compared to the 07 IS350 but you can easily alleviate that issue with the aftermarket mods that you planned on doing.
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#12
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I get it your a fan, I am too. I bought a Lexus at 18 or 19 yrs. old and had been shopping for twin turbo V6 or V8 coupes. It limped 0-60 in over 7 secs but I drove the wheels off it...and it kept going. Turned more heads too at the meets so at least you'll be the only guy there tracking they car! Lol.
I was originally shopping for 2nd gen partly due to about a .5-.7 sec faster 0-60 time. I didn't want to settle for anything over 5.2 but I too HAD to have a IS350.
That being said here is a pro and con I think you're interested in.
0-60 time difference is mainly due to 8 spd trans in the '14 350, over the 6 spd in the '07 (2nd gen hits 60mph in 2nd gear, instead of 3rd). Traditionally speaking more gears = better and/or more fun to drive, regardless of being slower off the line. It's also a more sleek design on the '14 and the interior helped sell me...as a daily it's a more comfortable place to be.
Aftermarket parts are more affordable for the 2nd gen. and with the cost savings you'll have more $ to put into it. For myself I don't scare easily on an older model...unlike some that talk about their car getting old after 5 years. I've seen these modded and they look great.
I think suspension upgrade 1st. Even just my springs with a 1" drop have helped the car drive like a real sports car. Looking forward to tires so it handles right.
I was originally shopping for 2nd gen partly due to about a .5-.7 sec faster 0-60 time. I didn't want to settle for anything over 5.2 but I too HAD to have a IS350.
That being said here is a pro and con I think you're interested in.
0-60 time difference is mainly due to 8 spd trans in the '14 350, over the 6 spd in the '07 (2nd gen hits 60mph in 2nd gear, instead of 3rd). Traditionally speaking more gears = better and/or more fun to drive, regardless of being slower off the line. It's also a more sleek design on the '14 and the interior helped sell me...as a daily it's a more comfortable place to be.
Aftermarket parts are more affordable for the 2nd gen. and with the cost savings you'll have more $ to put into it. For myself I don't scare easily on an older model...unlike some that talk about their car getting old after 5 years. I've seen these modded and they look great.
I think suspension upgrade 1st. Even just my springs with a 1" drop have helped the car drive like a real sports car. Looking forward to tires so it handles right.
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I get it your a fan, I am too. I bought a Lexus at 18 or 19 yrs. old and had been shopping for twin turbo V6 or V8 coupes. It limped 0-60 in over 7 secs but I drove the wheels off it...and it kept going. Turned more heads too at the meets so at least you'll be the only guy there tracking they car! Lol.
I was originally shopping for 2nd gen partly due to about a .5-.7 sec faster 0-60 time. I didn't want to settle for anything over 5.2 but I too HAD to have a IS350.
That being said here is a pro and con I think you're interested in.
0-60 time difference is mainly due to 8 spd trans in the '14 350, over the 6 spd in the '07 (2nd gen hits 60mph in 2nd gear, instead of 3rd). Traditionally speaking more gears = better and/or more fun to drive, regardless of being slower off the line. It's also a more sleek design on the '14 and the interior helped sell me...as a daily it's a more comfortable place to be.
Aftermarket parts are more affordable for the 2nd gen. and with the cost savings you'll have more $ to put into it. For myself I don't scare easily on an older model...unlike some that talk about their car getting old after 5 years. I've seen these modded and they look great.
I think suspension upgrade 1st. Even just my springs with a 1" drop have helped the car drive like a real sports car. Looking forward to tires so it handles right.
I was originally shopping for 2nd gen partly due to about a .5-.7 sec faster 0-60 time. I didn't want to settle for anything over 5.2 but I too HAD to have a IS350.
That being said here is a pro and con I think you're interested in.
0-60 time difference is mainly due to 8 spd trans in the '14 350, over the 6 spd in the '07 (2nd gen hits 60mph in 2nd gear, instead of 3rd). Traditionally speaking more gears = better and/or more fun to drive, regardless of being slower off the line. It's also a more sleek design on the '14 and the interior helped sell me...as a daily it's a more comfortable place to be.
Aftermarket parts are more affordable for the 2nd gen. and with the cost savings you'll have more $ to put into it. For myself I don't scare easily on an older model...unlike some that talk about their car getting old after 5 years. I've seen these modded and they look great.
I think suspension upgrade 1st. Even just my springs with a 1" drop have helped the car drive like a real sports car. Looking forward to tires so it handles right.
#14
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So my union credit allows me to get a loan on 09 models or above, so in this case i would have to search for a 2009 is350, which isn't a problem. i just want to know if the same applies for the 09 is350 like the 07 is350? what i get from f-sport is that the trim looks a little more aggressive, suspension/damping is better. correct me if i'm wrong of course. i just want a reliable sedan that i can one day go to work or long distance road trip and on another day i can go have fun at my track (depending what model i end up choosing) or mod for extra HP. if i were to get the 14' is350 i wouldn't modify until i'm done paying it off.
#15
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For the 2nd Gen IS350, the F-Sport was available starting in the 2011 MY which has the features you mentioned. For the 3rd Gen IS350, the F-Sport trim was available at the beginning of the model's release in 2014 MY.