orys

So after going with the wife to test drive both a 12 and a 13, we decided to go with a 13 CPO. We are not in a rush (her lease is up in 2 months). I am a performance car enthusiast (currently X5M but previously M3, M5, M6, Jag XFR, Lexus IS-F etc...). Although the car is for her, I will drive it as well from time to time. I love the smoothness of the non f sport 13 LS but haven't compared it with the F sport yet. Do you guys think the F sport package is relevant for this type of car? Is the feel of the car significantly different than the non f sport? I love the wood steering wheel on the regular LS but prefer the more supportive seats of the F sport... Also, which will keep it's value more or is that a tossup?
Thank you - any input will be appreciated!

v8mac

You sound as bad as me: I often buy gadgets for myself and present them as gifts to the family!

The answer you seek is this: Let the lady decide.

We are all lovers of the LS cars, but if we are perfectly honest with ourselves, we'd admit they are not M-series, nor are they meant to be. However, the F-sport is a step in that direction and may be enough of a compromise for you to enjoy on those few occasions that the wife would allow. She would fall in love with either LS version.

My vote would be for the F-sport.

orys

She already did... I had her test drive the 13 first, before the 12. She loved the 13 and my wife is NOT a car person at all

roadfrog

My concern with the F Sport is the brakes. Lots of owners complaining about brake noise from the Brembos.

v8mac

Roma locuta; causa finita est!

Dr. Jekyll

iTrader: (1)

Most definitely the F Sport is no M class. With that being said no one has ever bought an LS thinking "Sport", I think if you're buying it for your wife she will appreciate the more luxurious wood trimmed model.

Duck05

My wife drove both and in the end the standard model won out and she selected a CPO '14 SWB. She thought the F Sport rode too stiff and in the end I preferred the interior over the F Sport (not that my opinion was a factor).

I really do like the "egg crate" grill on the F Sport over the standard model but the other differences (ride and interior) drove her decision.

Both are nice cars..... Here is a pic:

hhss

iTrader: (1)

Congrats on the new addition to the family shes a beauty.

v8mac

Nice!
You now have a significant number of "wife credits"
Use them wisely.

R Z

My vote would be for the non sport, but that's just me. Agree with the others, it's your wife's car (wink wink, nod nod), so let her choose. it's a win win for sure.

orys

I tend to agree. Plus the wood interior is more luxurious. Hope the seats are supportive enough.

XF40FSPORT

I haven't had any noise issues w/ my brakes, albeit, I've only had car for less than 1 week, but I don't foresee any issues in the near future.

My TL had noise issues, but that's because I'm using hawk racing pads.

orys

Finally got a chance to test drive the F sport... I personally liked it as it feels more sporty (duh) and certainly mapped to feel more 'alive', however, the particular car I drove was in a poor shape.

I then went back to the Lexus dealership and test drove the non F sport. The immediate impression was that the seats were the softest I have ever experienced, the leather was softer and the wood interior was warm and luxurious. The rims, after the F sport with it's 20' (or 19') wheels, looked too small on such a large car. The car drove much softer and not as eagerly. The steering wheel was much, much nicer on the non f sport. All in all, I liked both but think the F sport is more exciting to drive dynamically. I would be happy with both but the non f sport surely needs bigger rims (no suspension drop for me).

dlbuckls10

F sport is slightly sportier and taut. Non sport is smoother and that's what I prefer. Not a drastic difference between the two.

SW17LS

You should drive a non F Sport on the 19 inch wheels and see if that bridges the gap for you a little bit.

The 18s do look small, but I wanted the car to ride as well as possible so I specifically wanted the 18s.

IMHO the F Sport doesn't fit the character of the car, it tries to be something its not.