CTS Coupe vs. ISF

[Sidekicknichola]

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

I've owned an IS250 and now have a IS350 - the next logical step is to go to a ISF, but found a local CTS coupe for a similar price but it only has the V6 (can't convince the Mrs. to allow for a CTS-V).

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


What to do, what to do

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Um, if you have already had both an IS250 AND 350 I would say the next logical step is try some other car.


WTF can't convince the Mrs..? You guys baffle me sometimes. Buy yourself a nice car, if she doesn't like it get her a ford focus beater. Why is your wife determining what car you drive?

 

[NutBucket]

WTF. I guess if those are your only two choices then get the IS-F. The "base" CTS wouldn't be terribly better/different than your current ride IMHO.

 

[JackBurton]

Um, if you have already had both an IS250 AND 350 I would say the next logical step is try some other car.


WTF can't convince the Mrs..? You guys baffle me sometimes. Buy yourself a nice car, if she doesn't like it get her a ford focus beater. Why is your wife determining what car you drive?

I don't get it either, but I'm sure it has to do with dual incomes and money management decisions. I think if the CTS-V was the same price (although older model), he wouldn't have a problem getting sign-off.

Out of those two though, I'd take the CTS. Otherwise, just keep your IS350.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

No offense but if you're not open to other choices, you alone need to choose which car you prefer. I don't particularly like either car and would buy neither. I don't really see how the fact that an ISF might be a "logical step" is enough reason to go for it, particularly when there are so many compelling competitors (particularly from BMW).

 

[PhoKingGuy]

The only reason to buy an Is-F is because you're a lexus fanboy and won't consider the incredible myriad of superior cars available in the market today (C63, M3, CTS-V, S4, etc)

 

[manimal]

Have you driven both?

 

[A5]

Given only those two choices, I'd guess I would have to say IS-F. But other than that, I agree with DVC.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Have you driven both?

Yes, and honestly from a driver's stand point (comforts) don't see a huge difference.
Obviously the ISF had more giddy-up

The reason I'm between the those two specifically is an insane trade-in offer I got from the dealership... stupid good, the number I got was good as long as I put it towards the ISF, CTS Coupe (was a traded in to the Lexus dealer), or a new GS350 (which I don't want)....

All of those who are saying

WTF can't convince the Mrs..? You guys baffle me sometimes. Buy yourself a nice car, if she doesn't like it get her a ford focus beater. Why is your wife determining what car you drive?

.... I ask, have you ever been married?! Trying to convince her that I need a 600 horsepower car is like her trying to convince me she needs $1000 shoes. I'll never understand her logic on girls things just like she won't understand why the roar of the CTS-v is awesome.

The only reason to buy an Is-F is because you're a lexus fanboy and won't consider the incredible myriad of superior cars available in the market today (C63, M3, CTS-V, S4, etc)

I would say I'm a bit of a fanboy only because I've had amazing Lexus cars in the past. Everyone has made be happy I bought it, they've been great to me....

the same cannot be said for BMW -Hated and will not go back due to the amount of troubles I had with two different ones, and Audi - would try again only if the stars alligned (have not owned a benz or cadillac).... on top of the fact (as I mentioned above) the trade in offer is just stupid good (more than I would have expected to get selling the car private party).


My biggest hang up is this - I love the look of the CTS Coupe, but having 4-doors so sooooo nice.... and if it happened to be the CTS-V I think I would jump on it in a second but CTS V6 </= IS350, but the performance bump to the ISF is awesome, except on the outside I'm basically keeping the same car.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

I don't get it either, but I'm sure it has to do with dual incomes and money management decisions. I think if the CTS-V was the same price (although older model), he wouldn't have a problem getting sign-off.

Pretty much exactly this....there is a ~20k difference between the one I am looking at and the average CTS-V... which to her eye there is no difference.
Basically her exact words, "Why do you needs to spend 20k more on the same looking car that will get you to the speed limit a little bit faster?"..... which she has a point since I don't live near the autobahn.

 

[stag3]

IS-F

 

[JackBurton]

Pretty much exactly this....there is a ~20k difference between the one I am looking at and the average CTS-V... which to her eye there is no difference.
Basically her exact words, "Why do you needs to spend 20k more on the same looking car that will get you to the speed limit a little bit faster?"..... which she has a point since I don't live near the autobahn.

Fair enough. But when she brings home her 40th pair of shoes, you get to question her about it. "Why do you need so many shoes?"

 

[overst33r]

IS-F. Better performance, better resale value, better looks, better sound. Easy peasy.

If the CTS-V was an option, I'd choose that.

 

[Fenixgoon]

IS-F. Better performance, better resale value, better looks, better sound. Easy peasy.

If the CTS-V was an option, I'd choose that.

the CTS Coupe looks amazing in person.

 

[overst33r]

the CTS Coupe looks amazing in person.

Not my thing. And I'm an ass man! ^_^

 

[JulesMaximus]

IS-F. Better performance, better resale value, better looks, better sound. Easy peasy.

If the CTS-V was an option, I'd choose that.

That's debatable. IS? Definitely. IS-F? Fugly...

 

[overst33r]

That's debatable. IS? Definitely. IS-F? Fugly...

They don't look THAT much different...

 

[JulesMaximus]

They don't look THAT much different...

I disagree. My wife and I own an IS250 so I've spent no small amount of time with this car and looking at the IS-F is like looking at a completely different car. That beluga whale nose, those ridiculous vents behind the front wheels, the hideous quad-tip exhaust, the extended nose on the front bumper. It just looks like Lexus took a clean attactive design and applied a clown filter to it.

 

[overst33r]

I disagree. My wife and I own an IS250 so I've spent no small amount of time with this car and looking at the IS-F is like looking at a completely different car. That beluga whale nose, those ridiculous vents behind the front wheels, the hideous quad-tip exhaust, the extended nose on the front bumper. It just looks like Lexus took a clean attactive design and applied a clown filter to it.

That's fine. Plenty of other reasons why one would buy a IS-F over a V6 CTS. The main one being under the hood. :twisted:

 

[Sidekicknichola]

That beluga whale nose, those ridiculous vents behind the front wheels, the hideous quad-tip exhaust, the extended nose on the front bumper. It just looks like Lexus took a clean attactive design and applied a clown filter to it.

While I agree the look isn't for everyone those things all serve a purpose
Hood - needed space for the V8
Front bumper - front end altered to fit the V8 as well
Vents behind wheels - cool the big ol' brakes on the car
Quad exhaust tips -..... well, that I cannot explain.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

While I agree the look isn't for everyone those things all serve a purpose
Hood - needed space for the V8
Front bumper - front end altered to fit the V8 as well
Vents behind wheels - cool the big ol' brakes on the car
Quad exhaust tips -..... well, that I cannot explain.

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.

 

[Kadarin]

I wouldn't be able to get past the fake (and disconnected) ISF exhaust tips.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I wouldn't be able to get past the fake (and disconnected) ISF exhaust tips.

to be fair, other high end cars have a similar setup, including the Audi R8.

my problem with the exhaust setup is that Lexus specifically pointed those "exhaust resonators" out as a feature, if i'm not mistaken.

 

[uclabachelor]

If I had to choose, I'd get the CTS because it has lower miles and is newer.

Both are pretty hideous.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

to be fair, other high end cars have a similar setup, including the Audi R8.

my problem with the exhaust setup is that Lexus specifically pointed those "exhaust resonators" out as a feature, if i'm not mistaken.

I find this a sad development for real performance cars like the LP640 and R8, but at least they don't look as horribly over-styled as the fake tips on the ISF. I really have a problem with that kind of artifice - I would never drive a car with wheel covers either, because I just hate the phoniness. I'm even kind of ambivalent about the quad exhaust tips on my M3, because they're all connected to one giant muffler, but at least they are real exhaust tips.