2008 IS F or 2011 IS 350 AWD
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2008 IS F or 2011 IS 350 AWD
I've been searching the forums for some insight on the IS F vs the IS 350. I've come across a lot of great information but none exactly what I'm looking for.. so, I'd appreciate your opinions
I'm debating between a 2008 IS F with around 70k miles and a 2011 IS 350 AWD with around 27k miles.
Both cars have all the options I want. I love everything about the IS F except the age and the mileage (but it's a Toyota, so does this really matter?). I really like the IS 350, but I don't love the look of it as much and would want to change some things out almost immediately to make it more appealing to me. The IS350 I could check out locally. The IS F would require a plane flight and 8 hour drive home. This will be a car I drive daily, all year, for many years.
About me: 25, no children, one soon to be 90lb German Shepherd, around 200 mile per week commute to work, spend a decent amount of time at the local quarter mile track (but this car would only make a trip or two down it just for kicks), familiar with/used to fast(ish) loud cars. I live in Cincinnati, OH where we only get a few days of snow per year (knock on wood). I currently drive a 2012 Audi TT quattro (no, I am not a male hairdresser).
Thanks in advance!
I'm debating between a 2008 IS F with around 70k miles and a 2011 IS 350 AWD with around 27k miles.
Both cars have all the options I want. I love everything about the IS F except the age and the mileage (but it's a Toyota, so does this really matter?). I really like the IS 350, but I don't love the look of it as much and would want to change some things out almost immediately to make it more appealing to me. The IS350 I could check out locally. The IS F would require a plane flight and 8 hour drive home. This will be a car I drive daily, all year, for many years.
About me: 25, no children, one soon to be 90lb German Shepherd, around 200 mile per week commute to work, spend a decent amount of time at the local quarter mile track (but this car would only make a trip or two down it just for kicks), familiar with/used to fast(ish) loud cars. I live in Cincinnati, OH where we only get a few days of snow per year (knock on wood). I currently drive a 2012 Audi TT quattro (no, I am not a male hairdresser).
Thanks in advance!
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This might be true! I also thought maybe the 350 owners would check here as well as the 350 forums since I have read of many people upgrading from a 350 to the F.
#4
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i know a guy that has 130k on his ISF with no problems. It doesnt seem there are many, if any, common issues with the ISF. Theres not much really with the regular IS, just the water pump and the navigation screen (both cars) which is an easy fix.
Last edited by 4TehNguyen; 09-26-13 at 11:24 AM.
#5
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the devil is in the details.
best parts about the F are the 5.0-liter V8 and the 8-speed automatic transmission w/ true paddle shifting. it's also stinkin' fast in a straight line (car mags have timed the F in the high 12's in the 1/4 mile).
on the other hand, with the F you'll get a marginal decrease in fuel economy (give or take 2 mpg) along with a marginal increase in maintenance costs (typically mitigated if you know where to look for replacement parts). not sure if you can/can't manage winter driving in OH w/ a powerful RWD car, though if you're native to OH, you should be well versed in winter driving (we have no such worries here in CA).
aside from all that, you're not missing much between a 2008 F and 2011 IS350.
best parts about the F are the 5.0-liter V8 and the 8-speed automatic transmission w/ true paddle shifting. it's also stinkin' fast in a straight line (car mags have timed the F in the high 12's in the 1/4 mile).
on the other hand, with the F you'll get a marginal decrease in fuel economy (give or take 2 mpg) along with a marginal increase in maintenance costs (typically mitigated if you know where to look for replacement parts). not sure if you can/can't manage winter driving in OH w/ a powerful RWD car, though if you're native to OH, you should be well versed in winter driving (we have no such worries here in CA).
aside from all that, you're not missing much between a 2008 F and 2011 IS350.
#6
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Agreed, you'll get biased opinions here. But if you insist, I'll give you my opinion.
I would personally look for an ISF with lower mileage but as we all know it's a Lexus and that doesn't really matter. Just my preference though. If your ISF will never see snow, it will be a great & comfortable DD. I regret going with all-season tires as they don't grip as well as summer performance, and my car does not see snow, ever (rarely rain). The ISF is a great daily driver for some people but I personally need my fix of rowing through gears so I have my DD for that. I'd get tired of the F if it was my DD, TBH.
There is definitely a significant difference between the 350 and F, as I did a review last month: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...pressions.html
I would personally look for an ISF with lower mileage but as we all know it's a Lexus and that doesn't really matter. Just my preference though. If your ISF will never see snow, it will be a great & comfortable DD. I regret going with all-season tires as they don't grip as well as summer performance, and my car does not see snow, ever (rarely rain). The ISF is a great daily driver for some people but I personally need my fix of rowing through gears so I have my DD for that. I'd get tired of the F if it was my DD, TBH.
There is definitely a significant difference between the 350 and F, as I did a review last month: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...pressions.html
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the devil is in the details.
best parts about the F are the 5.0-liter V8 and the 8-speed automatic transmission w/ true paddle shifting. it's also stinkin' fast in a straight line (car mags have timed the F in the high 12's in the 1/4 mile).on the other hand, with the F you'll get a marginal decrease in fuel economy (give or take 2 mpg) along with a marginal increase in maintenance costs (typically mitigated if you know where to look for replacement parts). not sure if you can/can't manage winter driving in OH w/ a powerful RWD car, though if you're native to OH, you should be well versed in winter driving (we have no such worries here in CA).
aside from all that, you're not missing much between a 2008 F and 2011 IS350.
best parts about the F are the 5.0-liter V8 and the 8-speed automatic transmission w/ true paddle shifting. it's also stinkin' fast in a straight line (car mags have timed the F in the high 12's in the 1/4 mile).on the other hand, with the F you'll get a marginal decrease in fuel economy (give or take 2 mpg) along with a marginal increase in maintenance costs (typically mitigated if you know where to look for replacement parts). not sure if you can/can't manage winter driving in OH w/ a powerful RWD car, though if you're native to OH, you should be well versed in winter driving (we have no such worries here in CA).
aside from all that, you're not missing much between a 2008 F and 2011 IS350.
Thanks for your reply! More to think about
Agreed, you'll get biased opinions here. But if you insist, I'll give you my opinion.
I would personally look for an ISF with lower mileage but as we all know it's a Lexus and that doesn't really matter. Just my preference though. If your ISF will never see snow, it will be a great & comfortable DD. I regret going with all-season tires as they don't grip as well as summer performance, and my car does not see snow, ever (rarely rain). The ISF is a great daily driver for some people but I personally need my fix of rowing through gears so I have my DD for that. I'd get tired of the F if it was my DD, TBH.
There is definitely a significant difference between the 350 and F, as I did a review last month: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...pressions.html
I would personally look for an ISF with lower mileage but as we all know it's a Lexus and that doesn't really matter. Just my preference though. If your ISF will never see snow, it will be a great & comfortable DD. I regret going with all-season tires as they don't grip as well as summer performance, and my car does not see snow, ever (rarely rain). The ISF is a great daily driver for some people but I personally need my fix of rowing through gears so I have my DD for that. I'd get tired of the F if it was my DD, TBH.
There is definitely a significant difference between the 350 and F, as I did a review last month: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...pressions.html
This is my fear. I don't want to dislike it and then want to buy another car in a couple years. I'd like something that I am going to enjoy and is practical for many years... this could also describe the 350 though.
#10
[QUOTE=Axle1;8158883
This is my fear. I don't want to dislike it and then want to buy another car in a couple years. I'd like something that I am going to enjoy and is practical for many years... this could also describe the 350 though.[/QUOTE]
I'm sure you'll love the 350 as well...I just don't think 70k is significant enough to justify passing up the F with 30k on the 350. They're both sick...I just feel like I look forward to driving anywhere and everywhere now that I have an IS-F. It's a game-changer just hearing the rumble...
This is my fear. I don't want to dislike it and then want to buy another car in a couple years. I'd like something that I am going to enjoy and is practical for many years... this could also describe the 350 though.[/QUOTE]
I'm sure you'll love the 350 as well...I just don't think 70k is significant enough to justify passing up the F with 30k on the 350. They're both sick...I just feel like I look forward to driving anywhere and everywhere now that I have an IS-F. It's a game-changer just hearing the rumble...
#11
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Another thing, half the people out there don't even know what the F is. Driving thru NYC I get the most ridiculous questions ("what is that", "how fast is it", "is this the F-sport").....that type of stuff is awesome
#12
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Easy, get the ISF. Treat it right with routine maintenance and you can put another 70k miles on it easily. Cost of parts will be a bit higher, but in the end you'll appreciate it way more. It's a much more fun car. You won't ever think man, I should have bought that IS350 instead.
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I have owned both and I just recently purchased my ISF with 90k miles for $27k. It runs just as good as the isF's I test drove with a lot less miles. We did 3 0-60 runs and I got 4.4 and two 4.5s. I'm a lot happier with the F. We will see what she does in the snow.