ISF-350

The new technology used in super sealants such as Opti Coat and Final Inspection Full Metal Jacket most certainly do beat "good quality" waxes. Pure/synthetic waxes offer limited protection that do not last anywhere near as long or perform anywhere near as well as high quality sealants. The detailing industry has evolved a lot since the original "paint protections" that were offered years ago that were in fact just a glorified polish. Furthermore, paint protection (a super sealant) will protect against some micro marring (scratching often induced while washing etc) to a degree but nothing will help against heavy mechanical damage such as keying unless it is in the form of a clear bra type wrap...

Picked my January 2014 built IS350 F Sport + EP2 in White Nova / Dark Rose Trim on 28th Feb.... Absolutely love it and is the perfect replacement for my 2011 built IS350 F Sport that was also white. Getting window tint done on Wednesday, then thinking of adding the F Sport Intake.... Still undecided.

Very nice Vaku! Looks great.

Well I stuck to my original plan in post number 2 of this thread..... My new 2014 IS350 F Sport should arrive this time next month - very excited to say the least!

Top Gear Australia magazine has a 350 F Sport on a long term test (finally) that they will be reviewing each month over the next few months. Should be good as they were mightily impressed with the GS350 F Sport they had recently too.

Agree 110% Joshua Dowling is a complete tosser! I usually cannot stand to read anything he writes, but I've gotta read his attempt of a review on the new IS....

I'm wondering if the delayed release of Enform has anything to do with the trouble a lot of US people are experiencing with their navigation/radio units? There's lots of talk on clublexus in the 3IS forums of navigation and menu-accessing related lagging. The fixes for them have been software updates, which in a few cases have ended up crashing the systems altogether and destroyed the firmware/hardware. The fix at the moment is having their entire radio/navigation units replaced that have the original software installed, which still feature the sporadic crashing. I also wonder if our units come with the same software and are experiencing similar issues? Maybe Lexus is waiting until they get on top of all that? Maybe it's not related? I don't know, just seems strange that Enform is constantly being pushed back and there is known problems overseas with the infotainment systems.... Has anyone here had any issues?

I bought Lexus for a heap of reasons. For a start, I love Japanese precision. Lexus standards and tolerances throughout the manufacturing process are a lot better than their rivals to me. I love Japanese reliability. I've never had any major issues with any vehicle I've had that was made in Japan. Yet, I've got family members who love to tell others they drive a Benz or a BMW, but fail to tell them it's a knock-off, made in South Africa or Mexico, and that half the stuff in them doesn't work as it should. My Aunt for example - Mercedes ML, just out of warranty, in outback Australia. Battery failed, leaked battery acid and killed ECU (all located under the driver seat). MB couldn't if cared less and she was swamped with a bill for thousands and thousands if dollars to replace everything, plus have the car towed 800kms to a dealer. I love Lexus after sales care and support. The dealer I've dealt with for my 2 purchases couldn't do enough to help me and made sure that every dealing with them was nothing short of first class - be it purchasing, questioning, servicing, warranty claims etc. The local BMW dealer wouldn't even ring my mother a taxi when she dropped her 3 series in for a service, let alone lend her a car or drop her to work. Very poor form. You can't beat the value for your money, the tech you get for your money and the bang you get for you buck when you compare any Lexus model to their nearest European rivals. Another aunt of mine with a C180 Benz paid thousands of dollars for individual extras to bring an entry level C Class up to the same price as my 2011 IS350 F Sport, yet still never got leather (MB vinyl FTL), heated or cooled seats, electric seats, electric steering column, navigation etc.... Massively overpriced IMO. I'm also a car detailer and there is no better car to work on from a detailers perspective than a Lexus. It's a pleasure to correct the paintwork on a Lexus, vacuum in the quality carpet and woollen mats, clean the hydrophobic coated glass, treat the semi-analine leather etc. Its the small details that usually go unnoticed (not to me though) and their relentless pursuit of perfection. I'm a fan of Lexus, always have been - I just hope they never change their ways...

Anyway, enough of mine - I wanna hear what others have managed to to get theirs for. Would also be interesting to see what they end up paying for them in the long run if they're financed etc...

Thanks dis-lex-sic. :) I work in the industry (10 or so years - not sales though) so have a pretty good idea how it all works. I know when to beg for a bargain and I knew the dealer in this case wasn't going to budge and rightly so. It's also funny how people reckon they do great by getting a few grand off, then sign up for finance without knowing that the commission on the finance is bumped up, fees are added and the interest rate is risen a percent or two to favour the dealer (not the finance co).... next minute, the dealer is back in front again ;) They never lose out, trust me. Dealers like to trade-in too, they make money on trade-ins. They also like you to finance, they make money on finance by way of fat commissions and inflated interest rates. I don't have a trade-in, and I'm not financing - so makes it harder to haggle. Also, Enhancement Pack 2 on a 350 F Sport is $7,000 - that easily bumps it up to high $80's for those getting an F Sport for low $80's without EP2 ;)

I haven't seen any sort of special deals (free on roads, attractive finance offers etc) on any of the new (MY14) yet. I don't see why there'd be any offers on them yet either being such a newly released model. Deals such as those are usually only done on model run outs, dealer specials to clear old stock, end of year clearances and so on. The new IS hasn't been on sale long enough to have any need for such offers. Would definitely like to know what others have paid for a 350 F Sport with EP2 though, particularly if it was factory ordered. I couldn't get one in my configuration back in august without having to factory order and wasn't going pay full retail only to take delivery late November, then have it depreciate a full year only a month later, hence waiting for one of the first 2014 built ones. I know I could of got a lot better deal on the mainland, but it would had to of been on a vehicle in stock, not in the configuration I wanted or an ex-demo. You have competing dealers over there and have the option of going to another dealer to drive prices down. We don't have that here unfortunately and this time round, I just couldn't be bothered cross-shopping dealers all across the country and then having to take time off work to go and pick it up. I did all that 8 months ago for a Land Cruiser Sahara for my parents which was worthwhile - managed to get that for just over $25k off retail price - and a new BT50 for myself this time last year ($8k off retail). I suspect that now there will be some attractive offers coming about as 2013 draws to a close and dealers start to try and desperately move 2013 stock. I'm just not interested in any of them because they aren't here and they're not in the configuration I want. FWIW, I paid full retail for my last IS too, factory ordered. Was expecting the new model to jump significantly in price and was expecting over $90k anyway.... By that logic, I'm a little in front.

I guess you could call the spare set of mats and cargo liner that are being thrown in for free a discount of sorts. That's the trouble with the Apple Isle - we don't have much (if any) choice - we're a bit limited down here. If I were to be getting an in-stock model or a vehicle made late 2013 - I'd be sure as hell hitting them up for a discount being so late in the year.. There's no way I'd take delivery of a 2013 built vehicle in early 2014 without significant discounts either. Didn't want to travel to the mainland for a few reasons - my last IS was damaged on the Spirit of Tas when I took it over because they jam pack the ship so tight and I didn't want to risk that happening again - also if I have any warranty concerns or anything, I want the convenience of dealing directly with the people I bought it from - not turn up with a vehicle I bought elsewhere and then expect them to then bend over backwards to help me. Meh, I'm happy anyway. Just can't wait to take delivery of it!

Correct.

Sorry, yes, F Sport with Enhancement Pack 2 (Moonroof, Radar Active Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Safety System, Lane Keep Assist and Automatic High Beam) plus Cargo Liner (no charge) and spare set of Carpet Mats (no charge). Going to try get them to chuck in Window Tint too prior to delivery - but not fussed if they don't come at it. I also purchased with no trade (sold my 2011 350 F Sport privately) As Lexus Nerd said, I'm waiting for 2014 build and compliance because the dealer wasn't real flexible on negotiating and it would cost me as much as I'd save by buying on the mainland to get it back home to TAS anyway - plus risk damage from other careless drivers on Spirit of Tasmania. I also didn't want to take delivery of a 2013 built car in the first month of 2014 - you'd instantly lose a years depreciation before taking delivery.

Looks sensational, congratulations. Great choice on the colour combination - I have the same colours on my 350 F Sport that is on order :D

I have ordered a 2014 IS350 in White Nova with Dark Rose interior and Enhancement Pack 2 = $88,784 on road Expect build to be January 2014 with delivery to be mid-late February 2014

That had 20% on the rear screen and rear side windows! with the front done at the usual legal 35% It looked a lot darker (in photos and real life) because Lexus glass is already factory tinted (the glass itself, it's not a film) to (I think) 70% Unsure of what brand tint went on now, all that info went with the car when I sold it. I'll be getting the same (or with 20% on the front windows too if I can talk my way around it) again when my new IS arrives...

Unsure. I paid my deposit in late July and have been told in order to get one with January build date that I would need to give the go ahead to the dealer around mid-December. Going by that it should be built early January and then arrive early February. I was told back in July that I could of had a white 350 F Sport with the red interior within 3-4 weeks but I'm not sure if that had the Enhancement Pack 2 or not. I don't know what stock is floating around (or on the water) that dealers can grab - but I've been assured its approximately 10-12 weeks to order one from factory.... I just hope that there's no tsunami this time round - my wait blew out to almost 8 months with the last one because of it!

Car looks sensational Franky! They look smashingly hot in Black! I took a 350 F Sport for another spin on Saturday morning (have put down a deposit for one but am waiting for 2014 build) and I can't wait now! Very, very impressed with the new generation. Everything that I thought could've been improved upon in my 2IS 350 F Sport has been improved or enhanced. FINALLY get ventilated seats and the 3 flash lane change indicators! They were 2 things that I really wished my last one had... I also love the remote touch. Have liked it in every other Lexus model I've driven and have found it very easy, comfortable and straight forward to use. I also like that the screen now won't be covered in unsightly fingerprints :) (I'm massively OCD with my cars, which goes without saying being a car detailer by trade). There are, however, some little things that I don't like in the new 3IS compared to the last.... The engine bay doesn't look half as neat without all the plastic coverings. I loved the way the 2IS engine bay was finished off and it was extremely easy to keep clean. The door seals around the kick panels/scuff plates also don't appear (visually) to be finished off as well either. I liked the way the rubber seals in the last model looked - very, very neat! Although, I'm more than happy to forego those of the last model if it means no more door chattering! The other thing was the lower door panels that no longer have the flip out pocket and the soft touch rubbery covering - it's just scratchy plastic that feels like it may mark easily if scuffed with shoes etc. but is neither here nor there really. Apart from those 3 small things, I thought EVERYTHING was MASSIVELY improved. The interior makes that of the 2IS look very old and dated by comparison. The seats are awesome in the F Sport and still impressive in the other variants. I'm in love with the LFA inspired speedometer and the Mark Levinson sound system sounds marginally improved too :) I loved the Eco/Normal/Sport/Sport S+ settings and the car rides so much nicer than the last - I thought it almost felt more saloon/large car in terms of ride comfort, yet very planted and nimble. I love it - perfect in my opinion! I've ordered a 350 F Sport in White (Nova) again with the Dark Rose interior - I love the contrast of different coloured seats against the otherwise all grey interior. I've also opted for Enhancement Pack 2 - no use spending that much on a car and not ticking all the boxes is the only reason for getting that :D I'm looking forward to seeing one on the road - haven't seen any about down here in Tassy yet apart from dealer cars and the ones I've taken for a test drive....

Well, I just took a 350 F Sport for a drive and have ordered a White Nova 350 F Sport with Dark Rose trim and enhancement pack 2. Paid my deposit and stipulated that I want 2014 production and am happy to wait 12 months for my order to be filled... Gives me time to save the rest (and an incentive to save too). It was also no where near $93k on road here in Tasmania - more like mid to high $80k's I was so suprised how different it looked in real life - everything works, everything flows. LFA speedo looked a lot smaller in real life than the images I've seen online, but the interior is leaps and bounds and more leaps again above the 2IS interior... Love it! And FINALLY - the euro-inspired 3 flash lane change function for the indicators is here!!

I'll just save a little longer and have the burger with the lot if that's the case.. While I don't care too much for Lane Departure Warning or Pre-Collison Safety System - Automatic High Beam would be useful (provided it works well) and I definitely want Radar Active Cruise Control this time round.. It annoys me when you can't split options like that and it surprises me that Lexus are going down that path of offering such options... That's what I always liked about Lexus - they didn't have options apart from a Moonroof option which was a simple yes/no stand alone add on.. Here's another raving positive review I just read: http://m.carshowroom.com.au/articleView.aspx?id=3912

Therefore: IS350 F Sport = $73,000 ($66,363.63 excl. GST) + EP2 = $7,000 ($6,363.63 excl. GST) = $80,000 ($72,727.27 excl GST) Therefore LCT is payable on the amount OVER $59,133.00 of the GST excl. amount... Which equals $13,594.27 subject to 33% LCT. LCT = $4,486.11 Stamp Duty (TAS - 4%) = $2,909.09 Registration fees = $650 (approx) Dealer Delivery = $2500 (approx) Looking at a total of roughly $90,550 on road for a fully loaded IS350 F Sport - about $5k more than I hoped! Oh well, that's not gonna stop me :D

Thanks anyway Franky, buy I have a great contact that I will be doing the deal here with.. I'm in Tasmania and don't really want to go interstate for a vehicle again, for the sake of what's likely to only a couple/few thousand - it's just more convenient to do it all locally..

Thanks Franky. I may reconsider EP2.. $7,000 is a bit more than I anticipated.. Depends how well I can negotiate :)

High $70k is a great price IMO for a brand new release. I remember paying just over $81k on road for my 2IS so was expecting around $85k for the 3IS equivalent. Once I know what EP2 is worth I can work out exactly when I can get in to one (don't want to finance any of it this time round).