Hey guys. I need your opinions. It's time to get the wife a new car as she just turned in her IS350 (she loved it). I was looking at a new E92 M3 or C63 for her and was not even considering another Lexus.

As I started to search for the new ride I came across some new loaded 2008 ISFs for $49,000.00 ($62,000 window sticker). I hate to say it, but undercutting the BMW and AMG by $10-20k is really making me consider one of these.......... despite the worlds worst appearing exhaust.

What do ya think?

Top Gear didn't think too much of this ISF. They thought have 8 gears (I think) was way over the top and it just wasn't a good enough high end performance car, though not a bad first go by the house of Lexus.

If money is the biggest issue then go for it, it is substantially cheaper......for a reason. Cut the exhaust off and get something from TRD.

Just curious, what does she want? I hear I statements in there

If she does not care so much, why drop the extra $$ on a higher performance car? Perhaps even an IS250 to save some $, assuming she was most happy with the looks (inside and out) and ride characteristics.

I think those things are *****e rock. 8-speed box only confuses itself.

I wish I could tell you......actually, I never asked her. I usually just bring a car home that I like and say: "Here honey, I got you a present... I hope you like it."

I guess I'm "old school." Some decisions are just better made by men.

CH: Have you driven the car? I drove one yesterday and was impressed by the overall package. Yeah the gearbox is no SMG but I know she will drive it in auto 100% of the time.

13000 grand off. I would take it.

are you kidding???!!! 50k, take it now!!! i would've bought an ISF over M3/C63 if it was 50k lol.

The IS / ISF has such a freaking small windshield ><" it pissed me off when i was driving my friends

How often do you drive her car?

What about the new IS convertible

^
That's not old school, that's dinosaur school

I don't think they even had schools back then.

1% or less of the time.

I'll tell you that my wife's name is Wilma and we named our daughter Betty.

I'd say go for it, Rock.

The IS-F is a pretty cool car for the wife to be driving.

By the way, why Betty and not Pebbles?

Get the IS-F. My wife loves hers and it keeps her disinterested in my car (less wife wear and tear- nail scratches, stains, crumbs, foot prints, misplaced everything etc). Honestly, both are a very nice complements. I enjoy the nimble feel (compared to my PP and lightened C63) of her ISF and appreciate all the technological details, great service, and bullet proof reliability. The Merc’s steering wheel, seats, torque, name, and look are what really strike a cord with me though. Also, both cars produce amazing sounds in their own way. The C63 sounds great at all RPMS while the IS-F has a really mean/nasty growl when the 2nd intake kicks in at above 3600 rpms.

The best part of our day caravanning to work. I kid you not, it is usually a drivers race between the two cars (I have 3500ish miles and she has 18,000). I have no idea how the IS-F keeps up because the C63 feels like a monster in comparison.

If I could do it all again I might get an M3 instead of the IS-F, but everyone has one and I am sick of BMW’s crappy “you need me” service attitude. So it is up to you. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of your choices. I hope that helps.


B

P.S. I wouldn’t get a black IS-F because you can’t appreciate the muscular lines. Black tends to look very similar to the base IS models. I personally love the Smokey Granite color (especially if you nickel pearl the emblems).

Good post. I also love driving off to work in the morning with my wife and the kids also heading off to school in the S4. It's like a mini-car meet.

As for the colour of the IS-F, I think that electric blue (not sure what the actual name is) is pretty nice...shows the lines of the car rather well.

The IS F for a woman is too much power! Lol... for $49k that's a steal IMO. I would definitely buy an IS F over a Merc or a BMW anyday for that price. The reliability, luxury, technology and power is a great bargain not to mention that it's a very fun car to drive. Obviously money plays a part in your decision on which car to pick so if you ask yourself; All things considered could I get a Merc, BMW or Audi for that price with all the bells and whistles? If your answer is no then get the IS F

I drove an IS-F and honestly loved it. The thing that put me off was the interior trim was faux carbon fiber, and under the engine cover all the wires were exposed.

When is Bam Bam coming?

To be honest, I don't think women (in general) care about going fast. IS-F is the same as IS to them so it doesn't matter if you get the 250 or what. Now IS convertible is a different story. You might hear a complain when you come back with the car with her saying "why you buy me the same car again?" haha

My mom doesn't care for a S65 or S63 so she got the S550...while my dad drives CL65. But not everyone are the same so I'm speaking generally speaking of course.

Get it. It's a fun car.

You know where I stand on this car but Ill tell you this, invoice is around 55k on that car and there is 6k trunk money so if the dealer shares it your only getting the car for 1k under their number AND its a 2008. You might have more wiggle room there.

The residuals on 2008 with 10k miles are 53, 46, and 37 (24, 36, and 48 months) so you can figure out your lease payment if you get the MF. Im not sure how long these residuals are good for though. Lets say your MF is .00300-- a lease payment at 36 months with a 48k net cap would be circa 800 dollars with just drive offs and no bank fee.

I borrowed one for a weekend- nice exhaust note, reasonable down low power and great handling for a sedan. It was a bit slow into the triple digits but I didnt expect too much comparing it to what I have. I drove the crap out of it and made it leak oil in just 2 days though As mentioned, the 8 speeds is just ludicrous and I found my self in gear limbo land a few times when in manual mode. Overall for the wifey, its a good car. It wont hold a candle to your E55 in a straight line but it will out handle it.

I've driven the IS-F a few times, and honestly I liked the drive a lot. I know it's not on the same level as the C63 or M3, but it is still a very fun car to drive. You'll be saving a lot of money yet still getting great performance. I'm sure you can even low-ball that price a little mroe.

the whole wife, girlfriend car thing is a funny one.
I bought my GF a C230 and then I decided I wanted an S5 so I had no real reason to get it so I said - heres your new car and gave the 230 to a friend.
LOL - 6 mos later she sees the old 230 and says Ohhhh my old car you think he would let me borrow it for a few days and he can drive the S???
I can't win.
Which brings me to the IS-F - Someone in my building just got one and parks next to the S.
I have stared at those tailpipes for what seemed like hours and I mean STARED - like what the hell? Is that aftermarket? They couldnt have possibly.....

Actually, I've seen quite a few of those IS-Fs driven by women. I toyed with the idea of getting one to replace my S4 with, and part of that reasoning was that it would be a car mainly driven by my wife. But I guess the AWD-factor (safety, mainly) of the Audi makes it a tough decision.

Dr. Jones, I did the same thing when I took the car for a test drive last night. After my drive, I got out, walked around the car absorbing every crease and bulge and then BANG.....WTF is that? I'll be honest, that exhaust disaster is almost a deal breaker. Does anyone know the solution? I looked on ClubLexus but did not find anything yet.