RWD V8 Roulette

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
12/14/2019 at 20:33 • Filed to: extremely unncessary car shopping with the guy with the paseo wagon

My current fantasy car shopping has taken me to the realm of the F-line of Lexus. I’ve been looking at used post-2010 IS-Fs, GS-Fs, and LC500s.

The GS-Fs are getting cheaper and cheaper because no one wants them, but they’re a little big.

An updated IS-F is tough to find, let alone in great condition. I think it’s the best size, certainly the stealthiest of the bunch. But also the oldest.

The LC500 is my favorite-looking and newest of the bunch, but by far the most expensive... and least useful. It’s also about as subtle as a that lady from Seinfeld that wore no bra, then later wore * just* a bra and blazer... What were we talking about again?

Then I got to thinking... There is something else out there. Something even more inconspicuous, useful, that has something none of the above Lexuses have.

Yes, the Chevy SS. Obvious hurdles apply: insane resale value, very few units sold (two on CarGurus with a manual right now) this making finding one impossible. Even worse: blue is the best color so what are the odds of finding a local, affordable, blue, manual SS? Eh, it’s above 0% but also below 1%

The good/bad news is that I could never justify purchasing — nor could I actually afford — any of these.

Thank you for your time.

DISCUSSION (44)

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 20:47

I go through the same process like every week, but my best case budget is $8,000 so way different.

bob and john > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 20:55

Honest question...if you dont actually plan on getting one. either done want to, cant afford, wrong time, etc etc etc.

Why look and dangle the apple? It does nothing but remind you that you aren’t where you want to be. I’ve never looked up cars or bikes that I had no hope in hell buying.

E90M3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 20:56

Other than the infotainment, the IS-F is a fantastic car.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > bob and john
12/14/2019 at 20:58

This level of cynicism is beyond even me.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > E90M3
12/14/2019 at 20:59

Seems like something that could be (somewhat) easily changed via the aftermarket.

On the other hand, you ARE replying to a guy with a broken tape deck.

bob and john > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:00

fair. I’ve trained myself to always expect the worst. that way, i’m happy to be disappointed .

cmill189 - sans Volvo > bob and john
12/14/2019 at 21:01

Weren't you just posting about a dream truck while being out of work?

cmill189 - sans Volvo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:02

What tape deck isn't broken by now?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > cmill189 - sans Volvo
12/14/2019 at 21:03

The unit in my old pickup (an ill-fitting SANYO) still works almost most of the time!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > bob and john
12/14/2019 at 21:03

Seems contradictory to your handle

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:08

You know what you can afford (until it breaks)? E39 540i.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/14/2019 at 21:11

Dude, even my primitive IS300 hasn’t been cheap to keep buttoned up.

bob and john > cmill189 - sans Volvo
12/14/2019 at 21:16

I start new job in 1 week. that truck will happen within 6 months.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > bob and john
12/14/2019 at 21:16

While I understand you point, it’s nice to dream within reach....if this article we re about Pagani cars I suppose I could sorta get on board but thats not the case, it’s about fairly attainable, albeit possibly difficult to locate Lexus models.

Reel in your judgement, while ‘hon est’ it's misguided.

bob and john > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:17

MOST OF THE TIME THE WORST HAPPENS TO ME OKAY.

my triumph carries Jake luck

bob and john > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
12/14/2019 at 21:18

I mean, i also know Zoidberg.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:20

How about a GS400 or 430?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > interstate366, now In The Industry
12/14/2019 at 21:24

Kinja'd!!!

I think I’d prefer the GS460 (less than 1,200 sold in the states, or something obscure like that). I’d like something a bit newer than what I got now. Or way, way, way older.

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
12/14/2019 at 21:26

To be fair, he’s correctly deduced I would never purchase a vehicle of this ilk. Maybe there is some masochism in there on my part.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:26

I wouldn’t say primitive. The IS is a generation newer so they’re probably on the same level tech-wise.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:27

You forgot the SC430.

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/14/2019 at 21:27

I’ve got heated mirrors, and... cruise control... hummm... air conditioning... all of which I appreciate but yeah. OH! And a compass in my auto-dimming mirror oooooh ahhhh eeeeee

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
12/14/2019 at 21:29

No one ever forgets the SC430

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/im-ready-to-give-up-and-just-driving-something-that-let-1837546685

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:30

See? I don’t even have a compass. My auto-d imming mirror just has a dumb motion d etector on it as part of the security system.

Discerning > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:34

I like the GSF very much. I wish it was a little quicker, but they look and sound so nice as far as I’m concerned.

On a somewhat related note, I would love to see a tuned version of the V35A turbo V6 end up in a GS. That would be pretty wild.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Discerning
12/14/2019 at 21:36

They’re allegedly about the kill off the GS for 2020, to be “replaced” with the AWD Camralon-based ES350 AWD.

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:37

bUt YoU cOuLd bUy A cRoWn ViC

cmill189 - sans Volvo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:39

Lol. One of those brands that used to be everywhere and is now nowhere.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:39

Yeah. In general I like the GS. It’s kind of overlooked.

Discerning > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:42

Y eah, I recall reading that. Such a shame. The GS is a very handsome sedan but the ES can’t quite match it aesthetically. I get they sell many more of them, but it’s still disappointing.

At least the AWD system should be decent since it is related to the one in the Rav4. Atleast, the Rav4 used to have a decent AWD system. No idea if it's still decent though

boredalways > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:46

Would this work?

https://www.foreignautoconnect.com/vdp/13553006/Used-2012-Lexus-IS-F-4dr-Sdn-for-sale-in-Bloomington-IN-47401

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > boredalways
12/14/2019 at 21:48

Looks great, but I’m a big weirdo who would never own black-on-black. The swirls... THE SWIRLS!!!

SmugAardvark > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 21:57

Along the same line, the current roster of Jaguars has really started appealing to me. I can’t afford one, but an F-type R with the 5.0 V8 looks and sounds incredible. And for some sedan flair, the XJR is also quite easy on the eyes.

Kinja'd!!!

I’ve started adding the XE R-Sport to my current considerations for a daily driver replacement, although that is a supercharged V6.

Kinja'd!!!

fintail > bob and john
12/14/2019 at 22:02

He could do it, he is just frugal/un-American. All he needs is a HELOC and a nice long term loan.

fintail > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 22:05

Mark II wagon? File under “incredibly rare”.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > fintail
12/14/2019 at 22:09

I saw a Mark II Saloon — FLAWLESS — at this totally meh fleet maintenance shop in Everett last week . Vanished by Friday night. Have seen one saloon and one coupe in person, ever. Never seen a wagon.

WilliamsSW > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 22:14

I’ve driven the RCF and LC500, but by all accounts I’ve read, the GSF is actually the best of the recent Lexii ( can’t say about the ISF, it’s older).

The SS IS * really* a great drivers car, with a better engine, but $$$.

fintail > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 22:15

Probably came out of an estate. I don’t recall seeing a Mark II in this century. They were becoming obscure even when I was a kid in the 80s (you can’t imagine the stuff that was still on the road in the PNW then). The odd one I do see now and then is a late run Corona, I think there are a few still on the road in the area.

On the rare wagon subject, until a few years ago I would now and then see a Datsun 810 wagon with wood trim, driven by an older couple, in Bellevue. Haven’t seen it for awhile though.

avalonian > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 22:28

When GS-F come down a little more, I'll trade my 15 GS350 fsport for it.

boredalways > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/14/2019 at 23:10

Ceramic coat???

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > boredalways
12/15/2019 at 00:03

[looks in closet]

I’ve got this pea coat

E90M3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/15/2019 at 08:00

Not sure, I believe it’s got integrated climate controls in it, so it might be a bit more difficult than that.

Michael Cohen > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/15/2019 at 12:33

I drove a Jaguar XJ yesterday. Sadly a V6 but I’ll check out the V8s next month. They’re super nice and cheap. They won’t be Toyota reliable, duh, but the cheap entry price might make that ok? Maybe? A guy can dream.

Michael Cohen > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/15/2019 at 12:33

I feel blessed not to care about paint. It’s like liberation.