Is the Lexus IS350 a good buy?

**jut703** · January 17th, 2022 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by babkalakal

question lang sa 2gr-fse. iba pa ba yung tune niya kumpara sa alphard at camry v6 dito sa atin? ala 1gd ng fortuner vs 1gd ng hi-ace?

Camry V6 is 2GR-FE only (270 hp), same with the 2nd gen and first releases of the 3rd gen Alphard. No direct injection hence the lower output.

Only the 2018 refresh of the Alphard has an updated engine, but it skips the 2GR-FSE and goes straight to the newer 2GR-FKS, like the latest IS350.

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**jut703** · January 17th, 2022 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by hardwang

An amazing all rounder of a premium sedan for sure. It's kind of overlooked and underrated to be honest.

Yeah, WRX/STI, ND Miata, 320d, 86/BRZ are all more common at the same price point.

But I noticed that there are far fewer 2014-2016 IS350s for sale now than 2 years ago. So a lot of the first owners have probably disposed their units, and the second owners aren’t reselling.

Drawback lang - there aren’t any FB/Viber groups for Lexus owners. Too few owners and most are probably not the car-tinkering demographic.

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**jut703** · January 17th, 2022 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by yapoy86

i need one.. hehehe.. nice review. RWD car for keeps

There are still quite a few F-Sports in FB Marketplace today bro. There’s also a non-F Sport selling quite cheap - although I really think the F-Sport is the better buy.

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**Walter** · January 19th, 2022 02:48 PM

How's the ride comfort between the F-sport and non-F-sport? ... prefer a comfortable ride that's why looking at non-F-sport models (NX or RX) ... have also been searching for Lexus repair shops and parts supply ... much easier to find BMW and Mercedes Benz specialists ...

**jut703** · January 19th, 2022 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Walter

How's the ride comfort between the F-sport and non-F-sport? ... prefer a comfortable ride that's why looking at non-F-sport models (NX or RX) ... have also been searching for Lexus repair shops and parts supply ... much easier to find BMW and Mercedes Benz specialists ...

F-Sport isn’t less comfortable than non-F Sport. Dampers are adjustable naman. My IS F-Sport is still more comfortable than any sedan I’ve owned.

Have also driven the RX350 F-Sport and ride is comfy AF. Price diff in the secondhand market of F-Sport vs non F-Sport is minimal so it makes sense to get the F-Sport when available. That said, unlike the IS which has a really big difference between F and non-F, I think the difference is less pronounced for the NX and RX.

For the RX, I prefer the non-F Sport’s rims and black interior. You don’t really need paddle shifters in a sedate cruiser like the RX. HID is ok in lieu of the triple-projector LEDs. But of course in the secondhand market, if you can get an F-Sport for the price of the non-F, then get the F.

For the NX, the more aggressive grill of the F also doesn’t seem necessary, though it does have better rims. Again, if the price is similar, go for the F-Sport.

Lexus maintenance is cheap even in Lexus Manila. But you can always order parts from them and have them installed in your trusted shop if you like. I’ve seen quite a few getting serviced at Speedyfix where I usually bring our old cars. A friend of mine also suggested a shop in Cubao that services Lexus.

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**Walter** · January 20th, 2022 02:45 PM

Dream car would be a Lexus LS460 with air suspension ... yeah, the maintenance of the air suspension will be a pain ... but still ... air suspension ...

Anyway, thank you for the observations *jut ... do give updates if ever you find a good shop and parts source for Lexus ...

**jut703** · January 20th, 2022 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Walter

Dream car would be a Lexus LS460 with air suspension ... yeah, the maintenance of the air suspension will be a pain ... but still ... air suspension ...

Anyway, thank you for the observations *jut ... do give updates if ever you find a good shop and parts source for Lexus ...

The difficulty with flagship sedans, whether LS or 7-series or S-Class, is that while the resale value of the car is extremely depreciated, parts are still anchored on the price point of these cars brand new.

An ES350 will be much easier to live with, some consumables shared with the Camry, with great space and the signature Lexus luxury.

The RX and NX you mentioned previously are great choices too, though I feel the RX’s 3.5 engine isn’t well matched to the heavy body.

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**babkalakal** · January 20th, 2022 07:57 PM

i have never driven or even had the chance to ride in a lexus much less an is f-sport. what would you say is the biggest difference drive wise from a european counterpart say a bmw 335i or a similar benz?

**jut703** · January 20th, 2022 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by babkalakal

i have never driven or even had the chance to ride in a lexus much less an is f-sport. what would you say is the biggest difference drive wise from a european counterpart say a bmw 335i or a similar benz?

Availability. It’s difficult to find a 335i or a C300 in the Philippines. Puro 318d and 320d, or C180/C200/C220 CDI.

For example, the F30 was sold with a 328i at launch, but was discontinued for a pure diesel lineup with the 318i or 320d.

I considered getting a 328i, but the one unit I saw a year back is no longer available. Have been searching for quite a while, to no luck.

Obviously, the power difference of the IS350 vs 320d is immense. Perhaps not too pronounced for city driving since the 320d is torquey, but on an open road it’s not even a close fight.

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**shadow** · January 20th, 2022 08:15 PM

Bilib talaga ako sayo Jut ang galing mo maghanap ng second hand na sasakyan. Saan ka nagtitingjn? That's one thing I can't do dahil lagi ako meron doubt sa nagbebenta saka sa kotse mismo.

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