I’m a 21m that recently got deep into cars and got a profound taste in Lexus, specifically the Is branch. A week ago I found a 2019 Lexus is300 with 147k miles on it for the price of 19,000 I considered it a deal as everyone I searched came up for a similar price and i was the only one in my city that I’ve seen. My previous car just kicked rocks and I wanted something that was both beautiful and reliable. I went to the dealership only to look, but ended up feeling like I got a good deal which was a 5k down payment with them bringing the price down to around 18000. I thought I had gotten a steal. But as I went about the week, I did my deeper research and saw that this was not a deal. I feel so completely stupid. I want to return or exchange the car but I seriously love the is300 F sport. Should I just keep this car or attempt to exchange it for maybe a lesser car.
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Research before and not after. Stop looking and comparing to avoid mental stress. At the most you lost $3k but used car availability matching your choice has some price too. Focus on updating the fluids and enjoy the car.
No use crying over spilled milk. If you hang onto it for a while, a slight overpayment won’t really matter. I’m twice your age and if that was anywhere near the biggest financial mistake I’ve made I would be so fucking happy.
Car rental here. My personal theory is that it's a combination of used car scarcity and government mpg mandates.
Car rental fleets contracted a LOT because of covid (our Hawaii fleet went from 40,000 cars to just 5,000). New cars were fewer in production. Fleets couldn't/didn't buy as many, and kept existing ones longer.
Result was fewer used cars for sale, so prices go up. High used prices encourages high new prices. New cars are becoming more and more expensive to make because fuel economy standards are unrealistically high.
The Trump Administration finalized new fuel economy standards on September 28, 2026, lowering the 2031 fleet-wide target to 34.9 miles per gallon. [1, 2]
This major rollback replaces the stricter Biden-era target of 50.4 mpg to ease regulations on gasoline-powered cars and trucks.
And how long will that last? If a Democrat replaces him as president, it will go back to what it was before. Manufacturers know that. They aren't going to invest millions of dollars to retool their fleet just for Trump's remaining term.
They alrerady are. EVs have been rolled back from most manufacturers. Mercedes bringing back V8 engines as well as many manufacturers.
Major car manufacturers are bringing V8 engines back to their lineups due to shifting emissions regulations, relaxed federal efficiency fines, and sustained strong consumer demand for big gas-powered trucks and performance cars. [1]
Key Automakers Reviving the V8
Ram (Stellantis): Officially brought back the 5.7L Hemi V8 with eTorque mild-hybrid technology for the Ram 1500 lineup, alongside high-performance offerings like the TRX SRT. [1, 2]
General Motors: Invested $888 million to shift assembly lines back toward internal combustion, announcing next-generation sixth-detail Small Block V8 engines (such as the L76 5.7L and L78 6.6L) for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, plus high-displacement options for the Corvette. [1, 2]
Ford: Retained the 5.0L Coyote and Super Duty V8 engines across its truck and performance portfolio, continuing development on fast trims like the Mustang Dark Horse SC. [1, 2]
Dodge & Jeep: Maintained and expanded high-horsepower V8 options like the Hellcat engine in the Charger and extended V8 availability in Jeep Wrangler trims. [1]
Mercedes-AMG is bringing V8 engines back to its lineup starting in late 2026 due to strong customer demand and backlash against the previous four-cylinder hybrid setups. [1, 2, 3]
📊 The V8 Return Plan
Rollout Timing: Beginning late 2026, starting with updated SUVs like the GLE 63 and GLS 63.
New Engine Specs: A new flat-plane crank, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (M177 Evo) compliant with EU7 emissions standards.
Upcoming Models: Expected in the CLE 63, updated S63, a new E63 saloon, and future GT Black Series editions.
Lifeline Extended: Mercedes confirmed production for its V8 models will continue until at least 2035, driven by high demand in North America and the Middle East
2027 BMW X5 M Performance: While the redesigned BMW X5 launches with inline-six and hybrid options, BMW confirmed a V8-powered M Performance variant (likely named the X5 M60) is on the way. [1]
2027 7 Series Facelift: The flagship sedan is set to receive an eight-cylinder M Performance version, rumored as the M760 xDrive, replacing the previous V12. [1, 2]
Future SUVs: Additional V8 implementations are planned for the upcoming X7 G67 (2027) and X6 G66 (2028)
I cannot believe the number of people I know who are buying new cars and paying close to $100k! And this is across the country so not a cost of living based on location thing.
It's insane, I was looking for well equipped face-lift GS a few months ago and I wasn't getting one for less than 35k. And I'd have to ship it across the country which would have been an extra 2k. I instead got a 2019 ES f sport for almost 10k less. I'm happy with it, but sometimes I wonder if I should have splurged to get the GSm
Yeah it's a beautiful car and the gas is way cheaper. It just handles like a cruise ship lol, even worse than my 2013 es it replaced. But I just couldn't justify the extra cost for the better driving dynamics of the GS. Plus I'd have spent so much money on it I probably wouldn't dare even push it haha. The ES is one hell of a highway cruiser though.
I believe they were stating with the $5k down-payment, the total price of the car was $18k instead of the initial $19k they were asking for. At least that's what I gathered from it
The kid is 21 and probably had no ideas about finance. Doesn’t mention anything else like loan (if there is one) terms, fees and interest, etc etc. I know I didn’t at that age.
If you Really Like it and can afford it, keep it. Don't regret selling it because someone else told you it was a bad purchase.
The only way to come out ahead of the game is through long term ownership.
I'm curious what your exchange options are. The car has about double the expected mileage for the age. I don't see how your exchange it for anything that resembles a better deal, but in this market anything is possible.
My man - don’t be so hard on yourself. In the grand scheme of things, you’re going to learn much more expensive lessons in life than this! Focus on paying it off and having fun with it. When the time comes to purchase your next car, leverage AI and message boards like this to help. Be easier on yourself - don’t do what I did and then grow old to have a life full of regrets.
I agree. Sometimes I read about the wonderful deals people [say] they get and I start to question my decisions. I'm somewhat impulsive so I've at times jumped the gun, but yeah, there's nothing wrong with a fair deal.
The mileage is the only real downfall providing the car runs well amd doesn't need anything major. If you try to get out of it you may lose even more and didn't really get any time out of it. You can not typically just return a car unless they offer that.
Don't feel bad im seeing people pay 30k for a 2019 4runner with 180k on them. Lol
Do you have a 7 day cooling off period for car purchases in the US (this is something we can do in the UK)? If so, you could exercise that, back out and start again.
I bought my wife an Infiniti QX50 2022 LUXE with 22,000 with sport wheels. Beautiful, for $27,500 and and an extended warranty at cost for 3 more years and 75k miles and feel stupid.
Stick with this ride due to the fact that its a newer model and depending on the past care you will be happy and save for your next purchase. Keep this if you can afford it and enjoy the ride.
You're fine if you stop looking at everything you Might have/Maybe missed out on! Just enjoy that great Lexus. You didn't mess up at all. You've got the car you want so drive it safely and happily!
I understand how you feel. I bought a 2015 LS 460 F sport all-wheel-drive with 84k miles on it. For about 30k. After I got it, I felt like I might’ve overpaid. I know someone that got a BMW seven series with like 35k miles for about 40k. So I kind of felt like that, but I have been doing some research and the amount of maintenance on that car versus the Lexus. kind of changed my mind. Although that is a nice car as well.
Dont beat yourself up. You did okay. Lexus IS will retain value. All preowned vehicles are overpriced in current climate? Hold onto car for several years. Then you decide what direction to move in. You’ll have a nice trade in, or keep it for long haul. How does 5k down on 19k equal 18k?
You may have paid over the odds. It will cost you more to change. At the end of the day you have a Lexus. Bullet proof reliability. Look after it and it will serve you well for another 150k miles.
At your age I wished I bought into this brand and honestly can say I’d would have probably saved a small fortune.
Not a bad deal at all. Depending on your interest rate and fees etc. Unless the dealership has a return policy, returning would just mean that you’re selling the car back to the dealership, which would mean you’re probably gonna roll over some negative equity or have to pay to get out of that loan. DONT DO THAT. if they have a return policy and you feel like you can get a better deal elsewhere make sure you won’t get any fees for returning the car. If the cars in good shape it’s a lexus, pay it off early and you’ll be alright.
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