Worthless post but: Save me from the IS-F!

[Hans Delbruck]

I was "in the neighborhood" tonight so couldn't help it... dropped in the Lexus dealer to see what was up.

Sat in an IS-F..... whoa, verryyy nice (getting out of my Evo 8, I'm not too hard to impress)

It got me thinking -- the IS-F could be a one-stop shop for me. I'm deposit down and waiting for an E90 M3 DKG Sedan, and my '05 Evo has 75K miles and I'm starting to think about replacing it. With the IS-F, I could get what I'm looking for in the M3 (solid V8 cruiser with that dialed-in feel) and also replace my Evo 8 (completely reliable, hop-in-and-drive Japanese performance car I can beat on daily)

I'm either going to get the M3 + a new Evo X in the next year or..... jeez, I could just buy the IS-F and call it good!

I'm drinking beer and wasting everyone's time so what do you guys think?
Damn, I could go pick up the IS-F TOMORROW... because, it's here and waiting! The DKG Sedan M3 is still at least 3 months away, and costs about $9K more! Plus with the M3, I'd have to eventually pick up a new daily driver, cuz I don't think I'd want to do my 100 mile commute in the M3. OTOH, a Lesux is made for high mileage and beating. So it could be a daily driver that is also a V8 cruiser with an edge.

rambling......

Help!

[tlin8]

Wait...so you are gonna have either an M3 and EVO X or an IS-F and EVO X??
You are baller man haha

[ideliver]

Why can't the M3 be a DD? My E46 was and I have to swap out tires in the winter...unlike you Cali boys

I plan on my E90 also being a DD...now if I could find that $60K I had lying around...I would be all set

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by tlin8

Wait...so you are gonna have either an M3 and EVO X or an IS-F and EVO X??
You are baller man haha

Nah, not tooo baller. I'm trying to justify a wild hair to buy an IS-F right now instead of wait for my M3 and then replace my DD Evo 8 later on...(that's 2 car purchases this year) thinking the IS-F could take care of both of my "Wants"

I guess I should really drive the IS-F.... anyone who has, is it really good and what are you driving now?

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by ideliver

Why can't the M3 be a DD? My E46 was and I have to swap out tires in the winter...unlike you Cali boys

I plan on my E90 also being a DD...now if I could find that $60K I had lying around...I would be all set

Yeah, you have a valid point. For some reason, my gut tells me that running an M3 on my long commute daily is not a good idea. For both operating costs and reliability.... I'm used to driving Japanese daily, because it just works, and I never worry about it mechanically, or where I park it, etc... Japanese cars, to me, are just "hop in and go" .. the convenience factor adds to the enjoyment of owning it.

Maybe I'm just lazy and not really an enthusiast after all

[ChaneRZ]

+1 on hop in and go.

[gbb357]

If both cars appeal to you equally, I would drive them both first and make your decision base on that. Reliability wise, BMW has been stellar according to Consumers Report. Either way you can't go wrong with either one, good luck with your decision.

[ase2dais]

u shud hav drven it



I thought like you just weeks ago and guess what I've decided

[WCH]

I've tested driven both and it's not clear that you would really be happy with an ISF alone vs. an M3/Evo combination. I'd predict that if you would keep the Evo with the M3 that you will likely be looking for another car to augment the ISF eventually. Your stable of cars is enviable however.

I suspect that either car will work as a DD and reliability is likely to be close.

[PocketRocket]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

... Damn, I could go pick up the IS-F TOMORROW... because, it's here and waiting!

maybe you answered your question on why the ISF is there, Sitting and Waiting..... nobody wants it.

[SHADY1]

Originally Posted by PocketRocket

maybe you answered your question on why the ISF is there, Sitting and Waiting..... nobody wants it.

[

[e92OMG]

Personally i think you should get the is f. Its right there waiting for you and it isnt to far away from what your use to. I love the is f there is nothing wrong with that car and everything is great about it! Both are great cars you cant go wrong with either

Get what your gut feeling is telling you to get!

Youll see an is f on the road and be like i wish i had gotten an is f!

[swamp2]

Hans, what can I say, I am so disappointed...

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Hans, what can I say, I am so disappointed...

I know.... I know... I think the IS-F is a phase. I just want a new car REALLY BADly, and I'm horrible at waiting!!



I just gotta hold on until the end of the month and maybe my dealer will have news on an allocation for me.... in the meantime, I'm going to be a PITA and my spouse is ready to kick me outta the house!

ahh but it was so nice sitting in the IS-F..... I suppose driving it would be a different story. It usually is...

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by e92OMG

Get what your gut feeling is telling you to get!

Gut feeling says M3! I need to figure out how to hibernate for about 3-4 months.... when the C63 hits dealer lots and I am going to go thru this again!

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by WCH

I've tested driven both and it's not clear that you would really be happy with an ISF alone vs. an M3/Evo combination. I'd predict that if you would keep the Evo with the M3 that you will likely be looking for another car to augment the ISF eventually. Your stable of cars is enviable however.

I suspect that either car will work as a DD and reliability is likely to be close.

I think you're right on the money... if I only had the IS-F, I'd be looking for something "fun" to go with it....

What did you think of the IS-F? Reviewers say it has touchy brakes... did you notice that?

ps congrats ase2dais on your choice!

[Big Windy]

were me, i think i'd go with the is-f. i'm not an e90 m3 sedan fan. also, did you know you can multi-quote instead of posting three times in a row? good luck deciding...

[par4bmw]

Hans - how long do you plan on keeping it before swapping for your next car? If it is under 5 years, you will probably see a higher operating cost for the IS-F vs M3. I cringe at the bill every time (5K miles) that I have to take my GS in. It might be nice that a guy in a tux gets me a coffee and breakfast sandwich , but they rape you on the service. .

If you plan on keeping for a long time, than Lexus are great. I work with a guy that has 245K on his GS300.

[sayemthree]

just get the M3 for that dialed in feel. and get a Honda Civic/Fit, GTI, Toyota Prius, etc to beat on in your 100 mi commute ....and save some money and gas.

[ironjw]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

just get the M3 for that dialed in feel. and get a Honda Civic/Fit, GTI, Toyota Prius, etc to beat on in your 100 mi commute ....and save some money and gas.

+1 thats what i would do! but OTOH i have not test driven a IS-F so i can't say much about lex!! good luck

[BlackJetE90]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

Yeah, you have a valid point. For some reason, my gut tells me that running an M3 on my long commute daily is not a good idea. For both operating costs and reliability....

Your gut must not realize the M3 has free maintenance, while the IS-F doesn't.

Have fun paying for a full IS-F brake job.

[OBI_agent]

I like Lexus but I don't like IS-F. Too overdone

And to the OP,if you get the chance, do test drive the M3.