Is the 2015 Lexus IS350 F Sport Still Worth Buying Today? A Complete Review

When I first slid behind the wheel of a 2015 Lexus IS350 F Sport, I remember being struck by its aggressive spindle grille and sharp lines. It felt like a statement. Nearly a decade later, the question isn't about its initial impact, but its staying power in a rapidly evolving used car market. As someone who has test-driven countless vehicles from this era, I have to say, the IS350 F Sport holds a unique and surprisingly compelling position. It exists in a sweet spot between raw German sportiness and plush Japanese comfort, and that's a balance few cars get right. Let's be honest, you're probably considering this against a BMW 335i or an Audi A4, and while those are fantastic drivers' cars, the Lexus promises something they often don't: legendary Toyota-built reliability.

Digging into the financials, this is where the car truly starts to shine. Using a framework similar to evaluating a long-term asset, like the salary structures you'd see in a professional sports draft—think of the 2025 PVL DRAFT with its base or minimum salary tiers—the 2015 IS350 F Sport represents a high-value, depreciated asset. A new one would have set you back around $48,000. Today, you can find well-maintained examples with reasonable mileage for between $22,000 and $28,000. That's a depreciation hit someone else has already taken, and you're the beneficiary. It’s like picking up a veteran player on a minimum salary contract who still delivers all-star performance. The total cost of ownership is where it demolishes its European rivals. I've owned a German performance sedan from the same period, and the maintenance bills were a constant, nagging anxiety. With the Lexus, you're looking at primarily routine oil changes, tire rotations, and brake pads. A major service at 60,000 miles might run you $800, but that's a fraction of what a comparable BMW would demand for similar care. Over five years of ownership, I'd estimate you could save upwards of $4,000 in maintenance and repair costs compared to a German counterpart, and that's a conservative figure.

Now, let's talk about the drive. The heart of the F Sport is the glorious 3.5-liter V6 engine. It produces 306 horsepower and pushes the car from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.3 seconds. That number still feels brisk today. The power delivery is linear and smooth, not as explosively turbocharged as some modern four-cylinders, but it has a refined, muscular character I personally prefer. The F Sport package adds crucial components like adaptive variable suspension and a Torsen limited-slip differential. On a winding back road, the car feels planted and responsive. It's not as razor-sharp or communicative as a BMW, I'll admit that freely. The steering is a tad numb, but the overall competence and predictability are superb. It's a car you can drive hard without feeling like it's on a knife's edge. Inside, the cabin is a testament to Lexus's build quality. The materials—soft-touch plastics, authentic aluminum trim, and comfortable leather-upholstered seats—have aged remarkably well. Yes, the infotainment system is the generation's biggest weakness. The remote-touch interface is a frustrating mouse-like controller that feels archaic compared to today's touchscreens. It's a genuine flaw, but one I found I could live with, especially when the alternative is dealing with aging German electronics that are far more prone to costly failures.

So, is the 2015 Lexus IS350 F Sport still worth buying today? From my perspective, absolutely. It's not the perfect car. It won't have the latest tech, and it won't provide the ultimate track-day thrill. But what it offers is a brilliant, balanced package of performance, luxury, and most importantly, sanity. In a financial sense, it's a high-performance asset on a budget-friendly operating cost, a savvy purchase for anyone who wants the feel of a premium sport sedan without the premium headaches. It’s for the driver who appreciates a naturally aspirated engine's song, who values knowing their car will start every morning, and who understands that sometimes, the smartest play is the reliable one. For me, that makes it more than just worth it; it makes it a bit of a hidden gem.