I have a 2009 TL SH-AWD (non-tech) with 58,000 kms on it. I still owe 24,000 on the car and am looking at trading for an 2008 Lexus IS-F with 50,000 kms on it for $450 - $500/month. The IS-F is listed for $39,995 Would it be worth it?
I'm not saying this is going to happen, just curious on opinions.

 

Its hard to really give an opinion without seeing the car first hand and knowing the shape its in. The mileage is low which is a good thing but these cars tend to be run quite aggressively and myself, I'd be hesitant to buy a used sports car. The design is nice and will turn some head but you are going to be paying alot still and for me, I'd doubt you will enjoy it that much.

I lived in Thunder Bay too and very few roads you can really enjoy this car for what its intended. Ultimately, its a personal decision but for me, I wouldn't do it. Mind you, you are only 34

BTW...did you guys get seriously flooded about 1 weeks ago with those torrential downpours

 

We sure did get a lot of rain a couple of weeks ago. They are still cleaning up after it as many people homes were flooded. I think there is also going to be a lawsuit against the city for inpropper upkeep of the pump stations or whatever they are. I guess they knew they weren't up to snuff basically.
As for the car, I do have a few pics of it but can't remember how to post them on here. I don't think I"m going to do it because I don't really want to get into another 5 year payment plan.

 

Good choice in my opinion!

My inlaws live in Thunder Bay and they told me about the damage....pretty crazy!

 

I work at the water testing facility that deals with the city's water samples. We've been swamped ever since the floods. Its been crazy

The IS-F would be sweet. I also want something with a bit more power.... i was thinking along the lines of a 335i though.

 

always loved the is-f. but I really do not know much about trading in cars that you still owe money on. I am curious to see what others have to say.

 

I would sell it private and not worry about a trade with a lien.

I went to trade in mine last novemeber they said it was worth 25,000. Im sure you could get more privately.

 

Customer never ends up ahead on a trade. You lose thousands but people do it because of "convenience". But to me it's not worth the thousands you lose out on.

 

I seen the IS-F at UCS on Central which is the one I"m talking about. I won't be in town 'til tomorrow night so I wanna go and check it out

Did you have any luck? I seen you had it on Kijiji

 

lol nope. I have something like 1100 hits and only 1 reply that wasnt even too serious. Its been horrible.

I dont know if I have it listed too high or what?

The dealer has them listed for 4 grand higher. Id go 2-3 thosand lower than what I have it listed for but people always haggle.

 

I looked at the ISF tonight... pretty sweet. I dont really like that dealership, but there was also a nice cls 55 beside it.

 

That's why people opt for trading. It's a bit of work to sell it yourself but you have to decide if it's worth it (Depending on what the dealer is offering you).

When I was in the market for a used one. I looked all over locally so I could buy from private party. The very specific car I had in the mind was near impossible to find from private party. 09-10 TL tech White on black with under 30K miles. Eventually I found a Certified pre-owned Tech with white on black with 26K miles at a decent price at a dealer.

 

Keep the TL. IS is too small

 

Tire arguments aside, the IS-F being RWD is going to be horrible in the winter (assuming you get snow).

Unless you have a beater winter car, I say stick with the TL. If you don't mind the payments and have another car for the winter, go for it. It's a sweet car.

That being said, I don't think most people who can afford these types of cars are going to ride it hard regularly. You never know, but lower mileage is safer.

 

yea good point, never even thought about the winter issue.

 

I can attest that Thunder Bay does get snow! Trust me It is a very different type of snow that on the East Coast though....the weather tends to be very cold and the liquid content in the snow tends to be light. So you get this very powdery snow that is very fluffy. I remember once after a Night shift and having received 30+ cm of snow, I thought, I'll never make it home with my all season tires in these unplowed roads....The snow was just flying all over the place and it was like a warm knife though butter

Bottom line, snow is still snow Stick with the TL....and you'll stick better on the roads

 

Making a trade when you own the car for three year and still owe $24000 more than half the price of your tl is a bad financial move .

 

says the guy whose user name is "weather"... haa

youre right tho

 

I don't see a problem with trading in the TL. As long as your smart and don't end up with negative equity. Car guys like me know that cars are a money pit. You'll always loose money. So i've accepted that. The key is not getting into any negative equity. You owe $24,000 for your car, so as long as you can trade it in for atleast $24000, so you come out clean and clear than no problem. It's whne you start to tack on Negative equity into the price of the new car that you get into toruble. IS-F is an amazing car. It does have lowe mileage, but what would put me off is the fact that it's a 2008. I would find it hard to trade in my 2009 vehicle, and spending $40,000 for a car that's 1 year older. It could be a little more justified if it were atleast a 2009....just my opinion.

 

Have you driven an IS-F? I have - they're ............FAST! And that's about it. Could be a lot of fun for a weekend/track car, but as a daily driver I think you'd be quite dissatisfied in a short amount of time. If all you're looking for is speed you can get it in a much cheaper package than Lexus

 

The IS-F isn't going to happen, it's too much money for an '08 model. I'm pretty sure I never would've pulled the trigger, I was just curious as to what others thought of the situation.
There's nothing wrong with my TL so there's really isn't a need to trade it in. I think when I pay off more of the vehicle I may consider trading it it but who knows as it's not a must do kinda thing. I do appreciate all of the feedback though

 

Just mod your TL a little and you will enjoy it so much more.