Going to look at both these cars this weekend. I drove a 2015 RC-F but found the seats a little too narrow and uncomfortable as I spend about 2 hours a day in the car. Coming from a 1998 GS400. I am worried I am going to miss the V8 with the IS 350 but it has 20K miles and lots of warranty left where it would seem on a 2008 IS-F I at a bare minimum are going to need to worry about the Valley leak... brittle plastics, etc. I was just dealing with that on my 98 with 205K miles... and now my 98 has a tranny fluid leak coming from parts unknown and I am just ready to move on.

So 2017 IS 350 with new tech, New ML, shinny new Atomic Silver Paint, and sweet red leather seats... Or 2008 ISF (70K or 98K miles) with old tech, old ML, Well kept nice but old paint, and black seats? I am in Tampa so not tons of opportunity to go fast but I do like the performance of a V8... have to imagine I am going to be disappointed by the IS 350.

 

Ok, I am a noob. Reading sticky now... LOL

 

Ok, I think this is a relevant thread as the others are pretty old. Lets say 2011 ISF at $34K (50K-70K miles vs 2017 IS 350 F-Sport at $31K and 20K miles. What would you do?

 

I started last year looking at a 350. Test drove a 2015 I think, didn’t care for the interior. Did some digging and with the videos of the F and without driving one I was set on getting it. I don’t regret it at all. She does get thirsty though, so if you are prepared for spending the money it is a hell of a good ride. (Sounds like your use to gas prices)

do the research on cost of ownership for an F. Regular maintenance has a hefty price. Tires, brakes, gas. I never did a comparison to the v6s but I’m sure it’s quite a difference.

 

It is just me, but I would take the 2017 IS 350 F-Sport all-day long. While it is nowhere near a V8, it has a lot of scoot and the newer amenities are nice - very nice. An ISF will start to suck you dry with the things you mentioned and not sure how much time you have spent driving one, but the seats are pretty tight.

I am by no means slamming the ISF because I had one for 5 yrs. and loved it; but the newer F-Sports are pretty sweet if you do not need the V8 and do not mind seeing them all over the place.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I definitely wouldn’t go older than an 11. With the test drive 350 I really remember it being snug for me. Mostly in the knees. I’m a big guy 5’10” and 280 lbs and can say I’ve felt completely comfortable in the F. If that’s a big factor I would say try and get inside them both.

 

We have a '11 ISF, I'd say go for the 2017 IS350 especially you'll be doing plenty of driving. The MY11 has the "comfort" suspension and it's still pretty bumpy compared to my GS350. The IS350 will be quicker than the GS4 and better gas mileage

 

Answer this question how do you intend to use ISF? in other words are you looking for sporty aggressive car that you might bring it to the racetrack or perhaps enjoy spirited driving down soom nice back roads. Perhaps do some modding and get real performance gains not just some noise and bigger set of rims. Do you want to own rare car? Lexus built roughly 11k worldwide with 5100k coming to USA with probably less then 4500 left on road. The first F car Lexus ever made, its special car.
or
​​​​​​ On the other hand if your primary focus will be to use it as a commuter to go back and forth to work pick up your friends hang out with not really concerned with any sort of performance driving in any capacity not really interested in doing any sort of major modifications just want a comfortable smooth ride in a nice looking car then get IS350 F Sport. If new tech is important to you, and it sound likeit is then considered that. But here's the thing with tech stuff everyone plays with it for the first six too eight months then after that most people just set and forget it.

Figure out what's important to you what are your expectations are pertaining too these vehicles.Do you have any goals in mind. One last thing the main difference between maintaining ISF vs IS350 will be the general maintenance oil will be more in the ISF since it's 10 quarts brake pads and rotors will be more since they're higher quality high performance brake pads and bigger rotors as well larger brembo 6 piston calipers and 14"brembo rotors. There tons of aftermarket options to choose from. Tires will be more expensive typically because you will be going from an 18 to a 19 inch high performance summer Tire since you live in Florida. These items will be more expensive than a is350 but then again most of these items except for the oil changes will only have to happen every two to three years.

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

I work on my own cars, so i am not too worried about maintenance costs. I think my biggest concern is aging suspension and seals in the ISF vs the newer IS350, and the dated interior of the ISF. Honestly I have been very happy with the performance of my GS400, if the IS350 feels about the same or better that will probably be enough for me... I already can't push my GS and not risk tickets... LOL

I know the ISF is special, but I am going to put ALOT of miles on this car... which ever one I buy is not going to be worth much when I am done :P

 

I have had an 08 and currently a 12 ISF. For what it's worth, depending on your commute the ISF can be relatively frugal. With my commute I avg 20-21 and if I baby it at 60-75 I can get 28-29mpg. I drove my first one 60k miles in 2 years, zero issues. I had the valley plate leak(affects all years) shortly after that but Lexus covered majority of it. Brake rotors/pads were $500 and just tires and oil changes every 5-6k (some do 8-10k). There are lots of examples with over 140k, even at least 15 I've seen over 200k miles, I think max is 350k miles. That being said, you're right that over time seals, leaks, worn bushings, failures will occur. If you are patient you can find a sub $30k 11-13 example but you have to jump on them quick. On the FB pages in the past 2 weeks there were two 2012's with ~70k miles that sold within 2 days at $24-25k. One case a dealer didn't know what they had, and the other a guy needed a quick sale for his wife's car. Generally though a 2011+ with 50k miles or more are $27k+. One other big factor is depreciation. ISF falls slow in price. I purchased my 08 in 2016 with 29k for $30k and sold it in 2019 with 100k for $23k. Even 2008 with 150k miles are still selling for $15k+, so I can't imagine an 11+ with 150k going for cheaper than that in 2-3 years.

As far as driving. I've had fun slow cars and I've had fun fast cars. I would not consider the IS350 a fun slow or fast car. It's an entry level smaller than mid-size luxury sedan with some nice tech and style. Tech like eco/normal/sport, blind spot monitoring, and LFA gauges is about all it has over the ISF as far as tech in my eyes. Even my 08 F had headlight washers, backup cam/nav, parking sensors front and rear, keyless, moving headlights, push start, etc etc. In my 08 I felt only a little older since bluetooth music needed an accessory(11+ or maybe even 10+ bluetooth isn't an issue) and no LSD. The motor and 8 speed are pretty much the exact same as far as performance and sound as you will get on a 2020 RCF. Even today, with a few bolt ons and a tune, the car runs low 12's high 11's, as good as most performance sedans under $70k new. An IS350 however isn't very competitive against the Q50RS, S4, 340i, nor even a G70/Stinger IMO. Still a very nice car and a great daily driver that looks great and is cheap to own.

So if you want an enthusiast car, that's rare, and is fun to drive and reasonable to own, ISF for the win. One competes with the M3/C63, the other with Acura TLX and Q50 3.7.

 

How do you put Bluetooth in an 08? Sorry To threadjack.

I have an 08 IS350 and 13 ISF. I’d never pick a 350 over an ISF. They aren’t similar at all IMO.

 

AUX Bluetooth Adapter... I have this one...

 

In my GS I have a BT audio adapter that plugs into the aux, they're 10-20 bucks on Amazon. That's what I did to add BT.

The 17 IS350 has a much more modern interior tho, with the silly analog clock and stupid touchpad (horrible UX imo) but other than that the newer Lexus is much better looking. It's up to you, but I think you'll be happier with a newer car for your purpose. If someone is set on an F car they'll get an F car no questions asked. But since you asked I don't think all the exclusivity is that important to you and you'll DD the heck out of it. A 2017 with 20k will go much longer way then a 2008 with 90k. Regardless tho they're both great choices!

 

Unpopular opinion:
I had a 99 LS for 7 years from 2011 to 2018. You’ll be disappointed with both the ISF and the is350 in terms of long term up keep.

the 350 will have a warranty but depreciate much more.

others have posted things about the UX on the 350 and dated navigation on the ISF.

The 350 will be much more fun to drive than a GS400.

if your down for some basic maintenance I think the ISF is probably more reliable than a new 350 because It was a flagship.

this isn’t what you asked, but $500 and you have a better ux than both the 350 and the ISF. The GS is probably more reliable than both.

im fairly jaded with so-called progress , as you may notice. So I chose the ISF Over the prettier 3IS350.

still just choosing between two good options.

 

What does this mean?