2013 Lexus IS-350

The 2013 Lexus IS-350 at the sticker price of $41,215 is a beautiful luxury sports car that I would be proud to own. There’s many other luxury sports cars made in 2013 that I would prefer over the Lexus IS-350, like the Lexus IS-F, or the Nissan GTR, but they are out of the price range that any normal working class consumer could afford. At $41,215 the IS-350 is still a stretch for the majority of people, but with a decent down payment it can be made affordable. Knowing that the IS-350 is barely beyond what is affordable, makes it that much more desirable. One could however settle for the IS-250 for $35,000, because the IS-250 offers something the IS-350 doesn’t, a 6-speed manual transmission. The manual transmission alone might be enough reason for most to go with the IS-250 instead.

The IS-350 has a 3.5 L V6 engine, and pushes 306 horsepower. The car launches from 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds. Again the only thing it doesn’t have going for it, is the fact that it only comes with an automatic transmission. To partially make up for the IS-350 not having a manual transmission, Lexus has included paddle shifters for that sporty racer feeling. The base model IS-350 comes in rear-wheel drive, which wouldn’t be desirable for anyone that lives outside of California. So there is an optional upgrade to all-wheel-drive. The IS-250 has a much smaller engine, and only pushes 209 horsepower, but knowing that it offers a manual transmission and all-wheel-drive might be enough for most people to settle for less power and go with the IS-250.

The interior of the IS-350 is very luxurious, and includes all the bells and whistles that most luxury sports cars offer. The interior is two-tone leather that has been designed to be more comfortable than sporty. The buttons are very basic, and were probably designed to be simple for the elderly. With the elderly being main age group that can even afford to drive an IS-350, it makes sense that they would cater to them. Still, the IS-350 is very nice inside and out. The smooth and beautiful body style has hardly changed since they were first introduced in 2005, and it still seems new and exciting

I have always wanted an IS-350, and every time I saw one on the road or in a parking lot I pointed it out to whoever was with me like it was an exotic car. After doing more research and finding out that they do not come with a manual transmission, and the IS-250 doesn’t have enough power, I have decided that the IS-350 and IS-250 are simply beautiful cars, and not much more than that. My desire to own either one of them has faded. There are numerous cheaper vehicles out there that are equally as nice, and offer much more. I will still enjoy the beauty of the IS-350, but I probably wont ever buy one.