New Member Planning To Get A New 3Is

[HNG]

Hi everyone, a new member from Melbourne here and also new to the brand.

I am planning to trade in my car soon this year and interested in the new 3IS. I am looking for something that is sporty and comfortable when needed.

I am also planning to keep the car for at least 4-5 years so it needs to be reliable.

I am particularly interested in the F Sport models and leaning towards the IS350 F Sport if I am able to get a good deal.

Just wondering roughly how much discount can I expect to get on the brand new IS350 F Sport?

Based on your personal experiences, is Lexus (especially the new 3IS) really reliable as indicated by the reliability surveys everywhere?

Do they also have great customer/after sales service as well?

Do they have high maintenance costs like other prestige brands (BMW, Merc or Audi)?

Appreciate your input. Cheers.

[Lexus Nerd]

Welcome, HNG.

The 3IS has only been on the market since July 2013, and I bought mine in August. After 8 months on the market, the price that you'll pay is likely to be different to what I paid. I've been told that May is a quiet month for dealers, so now might be a good time to buy.

In my personal experience, the reliability I've had with the 2IS an 3IS over 4 years is consistent with that reflected in reliability surveys. Since getting Enform installed at the dealer around Christmas (it's now factory installed), I haven't had a single problem.

Yes, the service is great. In one recent survey, Audi in USA scored just as well, but this had more to do with the sales *experience* - dealers walking around with tablet computers - than *service*.

In my experience, service costs over your 4-5 year/<75,000 km timeframe would be comparable with the cost of servicing a non-luxury car, but factor in the cost of the "free" loan car or pick-up service. They are likely to be cheaper to service than the Germans, with no expensive turbocharger servicing costs and no expensive dual-clutch transmission to repair or overhaul. Not to mention, the 12 month/15,000 km service is free.

Edited April 25, 2014 by Lexus Nerd

[Gunnar]

Welcome

Your queries have been well answered in the above responses

[Spec]

They are likely to be cheaper to service than the Germans, with no expensive turbocharger servicing costs and no expensive dual-clutch transmission to repair or overhaul. Not to mention, the 12 month/15,000 km service is free.

Yes, Lexus is generally cheaper to service than a German. I've owned both - German usually around 1200 to 1500 (It's the dealership's labour charges - it's significantly higher), Lexus is around 800 and that's for an IS-F. 250/350 should be slightly cheaper than the F.

[wrxhoon]

I replaced my 335I with a 350 sport luxury, very happy with the choice.

Service from Lexus is outstanding even well after you part with your money they even give me a free car wash once a month for as long as I own the car.

I would assume they are much more reliable than the Germans, much more features for a lot less money.

I have to say I prefer to drive the BM, she was quicker and better handling car but the IS is not far behind.

As for discounts, I don't know about VIC but you can get good discount in Sydney, I bought mine when they first came out and still got a hefty discount off the normal retail price.

Don't trade your current car, sell it on carsales.

[HNG]

Thanks guys. Appreciate all the feedback.

I am now even more tempted to get a Lexus.

However, I am actually still considering several other cars from different price brackets at the moment and the IS is at the top end of my budget.

I am driving a 2008 Civic Type R at the moment and I actually prefer to get something that has performance and refinement in the 40k to 60k bracket, the only options in that bracket are the Golf GTI, Golf R and the S3. But generally I am not too sure with the reliability/after sales service of the German cars, especially with the VW.

There is the new WRX STI, although it looks more refined than the previous model, it is still more on the performance side.

In order to get the IS I will have to push my budget even further.

[Gunnar]

I was in a similar boat when I got my car. I was looking at a Golf R, 370Z, 335i

Having come from a WRX and Skyline (the latter I still own) the R was just plain boring a nice car but just so dam dull for what it was. This was before you get into VW seervicing costs and their current patchy reliability. I decided to keep my Nissan for shots and giggles so that ruled out the 370. The 335 was just too expensive and whilst I am a BMW fan at heart none of their current line up excites me. A BMW needs to be an NA straight six that screams off its head or nothing.

Coming from a type R honda you'll find the Lexus wanting on turn in, it really is a back half of a corner type car. As for the STI take one for a drive. The interior, including the much improved MY15 (the new one just released) one still isn't a patch on the lexus. I wouldn't get the new STI. The current wrx has gone the FA20 motor however the sti still has the old EJ257 motor so when Subaru changes it over the resale on the new sti will be horrid. The new STI is finally priced very well though

[HNG]

Speaking of new engines, isn't the IS model going to get the new turbocharged 2 litre engine soon as well?

Will that also affect the resale of the IS250?

This is another reason I am leaning towards the IS350 because I think Lexus is going to replace the IS250 with the new engine and keep the IS350.

But I am not sure if the new engine is going to sound as good as the current IS250 though.

[Spec]

I am driving a 2008 Civic Type R at the moment and I actually prefer to get something that has performance and refinement in the 40k to 60k bracket, the only options in that bracket are the Golf GTI, Golf R and the S3.

With your budget in mind, a new IS 350 seems unlikely. You can probably get a very low mileage (under 15k) at the price.

Also the cars that you're comparing this to seem more in the 'Hot hatch' category.

IMHO, R32 and S3 are the best in that category / price and I know of 2 specialist service workshops who can deal with these cars at almost 2/3rd the price of the dealership.

With Lexus, it's more luxury than engine refinement, even the IS 350 has a slight engine whine which is audible inside the cabin.

Engine refinement is more IS-F territory or the mad dream car LFA.

[BJ84]

I moved from an Audi s4 to a 350 fsport. Love the car and also love the people at lexus, definitely a convert and would recommend it