JS858

I'm considering buying an ISF. I'm currently overseas working and really want an ISF. I've seen some from 38-49k, trying to find one in the right price and color is hard. Also I've seen some on the Eastcoast and Midwest and their a lot cheaper than SoCal (I live in San Diego). I also work overseas in Saudi Arabia but some dealers are willing to work with me. I have the following questions:

1) Should I wait till Sept when I come home for vacation or Decemeber when I go back to San Diego to buy one hoping that it's cheaper because it's winter, end of the year and the 2012 ISF is out?

2) Should I spend around 45-47k (CA taxes included) for an ISF with under 35,000 miles or below or buy save 5-7k on a ISF with 50,000-60,000 miles?

3) Would you buy private or do get a ISF from a dealer for CPO cerified?

4) I also considered the M3 but the interior is just no up to par with a Lexus and for sure I wouldn't get an M3 with over 50,000 miles. Also love the Audi S5 but Audi quality doesn't compare to a Lexus.
My first car was a 2003 Lexus IS300 Sport Design and don't know if I should do a trade-in but want my payment and taxes lowered. Car has been in an accident to the front bumper, aftermarket Rims & CD player, has around 75k miles and can't find the original keys so using the dam spare key which can't open the truck (family lost while I was overseas). Any suggestions on buying an ISF would be helpful, also I hate paying taxes for a used car (The hell you have to pay a used tax for something that's already been paid).

Color I want:

White
Black
Silver


THANKS!

JS858

Can Anyone help?

rsheppick

iTrader: (1)

why don't you pick the best option for what you need/want. Why have people who don't know you try and help you.

I think you should just get a bus pass and save your money than buying an ISF or any car for that matter with 50+k miles on it.

rsheppick

iTrader: (1)

I also wanted to let you know that you have to pay california sales tax even as an out of state buyer on cars unless it is shipped to the state line. This is the same thing that also just happened to me in Arizona.

john09ISF

If you plan to buy a used anything, then it makes sense to wait. The prices will always go down. I don't think the time of year has a major impact on a car like the IS-F since there are so few on the market.

I like having some factory warranty on my car so I lean towards the lower mileage option.

When I started researching I was open to private party, independent dealer, or Lexus dealer. All the ones I saw at dealers had new tires and most had new brakes while the private & indy ones would need both within a year. Even though I didn't care about buying from a dealer the lenders sure did. B of A & Wells offered me low 3% if the car was a 2009 or 2010 (this was a year ago) and was purchased from a franchise dealership.

I ended up with a 2009 Silver + Black IS-F with under 10K miles on it at 3.2%. I paid the sales tax but they would have financed that if I wanted.

I had good luck going through the internet sales people at all the dealerships I talked to (except Newport Beach). They don't bent outa shape if you through out a low ball offer. I was able to feel them out for their lowest prices with a few e-mails and a follow up phone call.

JS858

@ john09ISF
How much did you pay for your 2009 ISF?

Is 43,000 good for an ISF with around 30,000 miles? I'm leaning towards getting this black on black ISF.

Bpower

S5 is really nice interior and sound system but only 350 hp and much slower than ISF, unless you modify it. Here www.goapr.com is where you can look what you can do to it to have an Idea.

ISF is alright especially the one after 2010. Interior is plastic and toyota like in many ways. Sound system isnt great. The best thing about it is reliability.

M3 does everything well and outperforms both above mentioned cars and is a better choice if you don't care fixing it when something goes wrong.

CaptAwsm

I say wait till you are home. Every month the cars lose value, if youre not using it, there is no point to keep losing value on a car that isnt taking on miles. The supply of used Fs isnt going to run out come Dec. Unless you find a STEAL, I say wait till you can use it.

I say no to S5, the only reason to get the S5 is AWD and winter.. not your problem in SD. M3s are obviously nice, I was debating 2 months ago and chose the F because I was able to get a CPO, I could find 1 M3 CPO out of like 50 in Chicago! A lot of other factors helped too; I see multiple e9X m3s everyday (Fs are rare), I liked the fit and finish of the lexus, not as stigmatizing driving a lexus vs a BMW.

VtotheJ

iTrader: (2)

No. This price is high IMO, also depends on the year. It could be a little lower even if it was a 09 or '10. I do believe that when the 2012 comes out the price of the 08's will dip in value, but not significantly... mainly because it is a rare car.

JS858

Thanks for the insight! Yea I'll wait till I come home. I love the Audi S-5's shape, interior, curves and headlights but have been hearing a lot about Audis reliability and if only the M3 interior was upgraded. I also see how it's a lot cheaper on the Eastcoast than West.

I always want to buy an Audi or BMW but after my first Lexus IS300, I duno what makes me go back to Lexus but I always think of them first before other. Thanks guys!

Luxotic

iTrader: (6)

I would wait til you come home ... don't need to waste money from a stealership or CPO .. come on its a lexus and if you need a warranty you can buy an extended one and come out cheaper