CTS Coupe vs. ISF

[KentState]

What is your price range? Wonder if an older 2009 CTS-V would be in the same price range.

 

[ballmode]

ISF for sure, that engine is smooth and Toyota said they made it to go at least 200k without a tear down.

 

[Fenixgoon]

What is your price range? Wonder if an older 2009 CTS-V would be in the same price range.

good call. that would blow the ISF out the doors, no question.

 

[KentState]

good call. that would blow the ISF out the doors, no question.

I'm really biased towards the V

 

[Sidekicknichola]

What is your price range? Wonder if an older 2009 CTS-V would be in the same price range.

My OP stated this was all hinging off of a amazing trade-in deal... the other cars mentioned are not on the dealer's lot (e.i 90 CTS-V) and because of that are not an option. Sure I could sell the car, taket he money and go get something else; but didn't ever plan on that because of the hassle... this trade-in offer was good enough to get me thinking because of 1. prices being thrown around, 2. ease of it all

I'm getting some more IS350 service done this week and the dealer said I can take the ISF for a night as a loaner to see if I really like it... hopefully there will be some tire left if I end up buying it.

 

[brainhulk]

cayman R!!!!!

 

[SpatiallyAware]

My OP stated this was all hinging off of a amazing trade-in deal... the other cars mentioned are not on the dealer's lot (e.i 90 CTS-V) and because of that are not an option. Sure I could sell the car, taket he money and go get something else; but didn't ever plan on that because of the hassle... this trade-in offer was good enough to get me thinking because of 1. prices being thrown around, 2. ease of it all

I'm getting some more IS350 service done this week and the dealer said I can take the ISF for a night as a loaner to see if I really like it... hopefully there will be some tire left if I end up buying it.

In that case just keep your IS350. No trade-in deal, no matter how excellent, is worth what is essentially a sidegrade.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

In that case just keep your IS350. No trade-in deal, no matter how excellent, is worth what is essentially a sidegrade.

How is an ISF anywhere close to a side grade from a IS 350?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

How is an ISF anywhere close to a side grade from a IS 350?

It's the same interior, essentially the same car with more power and stiff suspension. Personally, I think the IS350 is classier without the fake brake vents and plastic dual exhaust covers.

 

[Fenixgoon]

My OP stated this was all hinging off of a amazing trade-in deal... the other cars mentioned are not on the dealer's lot (e.i 90 CTS-V) and because of that are not an option. Sure I could sell the car, taket he money and go get something else; but didn't ever plan on that because of the hassle... this trade-in offer was good enough to get me thinking because of 1. prices being thrown around, 2. ease of it all

I'm getting some more IS350 service done this week and the dealer said I can take the ISF for a night as a loaner to see if I really like it... hopefully there will be some tire left if I end up buying it.

he's letting you take the car because he's betting you take the deal.

and if he's giving you such a great deal, you know he's still making out like a bandit. car salesman aren't your friends.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

he's letting you take the car because he's betting you take the deal.

and if he's giving you such a great deal, you know he's still making out like a bandit. car salesman aren't your friends.

+1


No way you are getting THAT great of a trade-in deal. We're talking 2-5k savings, and you're looking at $60k cars. Trust me, the dealer will gladly lose $2k on trade to sell you a $50k car, it doesn't automatically mean you aren't getting screwed.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

No way you are getting THAT great of a trade-in deal. We're talking 2-5k savings, and you're looking at $60k cars.

We're talking 8k savings on a ~40k car.... thats why I am actually thinking about it, had it not been so great I would just stick with my car, I really like it.

Basically would take my current car worth/trade-in ~22k (paid for) add $10k to my total car investment (which I would just pay - wouldn't finance unless it was <1% which I don't see happening).
10k gets me either
1 year newer, 30k less miles, and a lot more power (ISF)
or
3 years newer, 70k less miles, but similar power (CTS)

 

[A5]

Basically, he knows he'll probably never sell that IS-F, but he can sell the IS350. He's giving up a big chunk of the profit on the IS350 to get the (likely larger) profit on the IS-F or CTS.

I personally wouldn't do it ($10K is $10K...), but I can't really tell you what to do.

 

[exdeath]

What is your price range? Wonder if an older 2009 CTS-V would be in the same price range.

This x sideways 8

Who is the one earning the money to buy this vehicle and who is going to be driving it most? That is the only person who has any say in it.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

I often wonder if people read before they post....

 

[KentState]

I often wonder if people read before they post....

You left details out of your OP like getting a great deal from the same dealer. Also, it seems silly to wall yourself off to what a particular dealer has on the lot simply because of a perceived deal. If I want to get a car, I look for exactly what I want and then find someone to do the deal, otherwise it's not meant to be. Simply, if you want an ISF, then get it, otherwise move on.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I often wonder if people read before they post....

I put as much thought into replies as an OP puts in their first post.

 

[JulesMaximus]

As an enthusiast I view the ISF as a joke. Lexus needs to stick with luxobarges.

Take the ISF v8, put it in a smaller chassis with a toyota badge and I might be interested.

Take it and put it in a hot rod.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Thought it was pretty simple:

I'm going to compare two cars - PLEASE NO OTHER SUGGESTIONS - If I could get input on them, that would be great.

...

2011 CTS Coupe - V6 - "loaded" - 15k miles
vs.
2009 Lexus ISF - loaded - 50k miles
....

Figured keep it simple, compare the two - pros/cons to get some views outside of my own head but I guess that was even too much to ask. I figured exact details would allow drum up exactly what has happened....chaos.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

You left details out of your OP like getting a great deal from the same dealer. Also, it seems silly to wall yourself off to what a particular dealer has on the lot simply because of a perceived deal. If I want to get a car, I look for exactly what I want and then find someone to do the deal, otherwise it's not meant to be. Simply, if you want an ISF, then get it, otherwise move on.

As above, I just wanted to try and keep it simple, no cluttering deatils (money/specific dealers/needs/wants/etc)... just this car vs. that car.

As far as walling myself it, it isn't an issue since I really like both cars, the dealer did throw out other options (GS350 - stated before) but I am not interested in those at all.


What I'm really looking for is actual owner opinions of either of the two cars if anyone happens to have either of these two cars.

 

[Hellotalkie]

If they really want to make a deal with you, wouldn't they be willing to find that car you want? From auction or other dealerships in the area? Why are they only giving you 3 options when they most likely have many many connections to find a car you want...

I already know the answer, but just putting it out there. I wouldn't settle for a car based on a limited choice set by the dealer.

Selling private party isn't that much of a hassle, especially when your car isn't below 10k. If someone see's your car, inquires about it, they are most likely very serious about it. Rather than it being a used 5k older car that will most likely have many more people responding to your listing.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

As above, I just wanted to try and keep it simple, no cluttering deatils (money/specific dealers/needs/wants/etc)... just this car vs. that car.

As far as walling myself it, it isn't an issue since I really like both cars, the dealer did throw out other options (GS350 - stated before) but I am not interested in those at all.


What I'm really looking for is actual owner opinions of either of the two cars if anyone happens to have either of these two cars.

Then you should've made a thread stating that so we could bash the ISF without you getting your panties in a wad :awe:

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Then you should've made a thread stating that so we could bash the ISF

Bash away if there is some evidence to the bashing... I am hoping to hear the good/bad/ugly of these cars to help sway me. Right now I am fine with driving either one of them every day, need to tip the scale somehow... and usually that comes in the form of a horror story

I already know the answer, but just putting it out there. I wouldn't settle for a car based on a limited choice set by the dealer.

These just happen to be 2 of the 3 on my "next car hit list"
...the other would be a c63 benz ... and there is a 4th, but not realistic at this time, that would be a GTR

 

[justfrank]

I am hoping to hear the good/bad/ugly of these cars to help sway me

OK, I work at a Lexus dealer and can say that we've never seen any problems to date with the ISF although there aren't many of them as they're not very popular compared to the other models. Not too many people opt for a $65K, 415HP RWD Lexus as their daily driver.
If you're in an area where there's snow, it might not be ideal in winter if it's going to be your daily driver.
Brakes and tires are VERY expensive (plus worse fuel mileage, 18mpg combined cty/hwy) for the ISF so if those things are an issue, you might want to think twice about it.

As for the CTS, I have no real experience with them but I'd highly advise going to Cadillac forums and reading what people are saying about them.
The only Cadillac I'd consider is the CTS-V but I know that's not an option here.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

If you're in an area where there's snow, it might not be ideal in winter if it's going to be your daily driver.

It would be a daily driver, but I also have a truck for the bad days