Is the 2016 Lexus IS350 F Sport Still Worth Buying Today?

Let me tell you about the time I almost bought a 2016 Lexus IS350 F Sport. I was at this used car dealership last month, staring at this beautiful graphite-colored sedan that looked like it just rolled off the showroom floor. The salesperson was giving me all the usual pitches - low mileage, single owner, full service history. But the real question lingering in my mind was whether this seven-year-old luxury sports sedan could still hold its own in 2023. It reminded me of that incredible basketball game I watched last week where Barangay Ginebra made a late rally after being down 94-76 during the third quarter. They even led 101-100 after beginning the fourth quarter with a 14-2 run, but NorthPort showed composure and responded with big shots of their own. That's exactly what evaluating an older luxury car feels like - you're looking at something that had its glory days, made an impressive comeback, but ultimately needs to prove it can still compete against newer models.

When you slide into the driver's seat of the 2016 IS350 F Sport, there's this immediate sense of quality that Lexus is famous for. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels just right in your hands, and those bolstered sport seats hug you in all the right places. I've driven probably two dozen cars in this segment over the years, from German rivals to newer Korean offerings, and I've got to say - the build quality here is something special. The dashboard materials, the stitching, the way everything fits together - it's like that moment when Barangay Ginebra started their incredible 14-2 run. There's this precision and coordination that you don't always find in newer cars that sometimes prioritize flash over substance. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 306 horsepower, which honestly still feels plenty powerful even by today's standards. I took it on the highway and merged with confidence, the engine note building to this satisfying growl that modern turbocharged four-cylinders just can't replicate.

But here's where we hit the third quarter slump, much like when Barangay Ginebra found themselves down 94-76. The technology in the 2016 IS350 F Sport shows its age in ways that might bother daily drivers. That infotainment system with the remote touch interface? It feels ancient compared to what you get in even basic economy cars today. I spent about fifteen minutes trying to connect my phone and navigate through menus that seemed designed to frustrate. There's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which has become almost essential for modern driving. The safety features, while decent for their time, lack the comprehensive suite of driver assists that have become commonplace. You're looking at about $2,500 to $4,000 in potential upgrades if you want to bring the technology up to modern standards, and even then, it's never quite perfect.

The real test came when I compared it to newer competitors. This is where NorthPort showed composure and responded with big shots of their own, just like in that basketball game. Modern cars like the 2023 Genesis G70 or even the current Lexus IS have made significant leaps in technology and refinement. The 2016 model's fuel economy of around 20 city/28 highway doesn't stack up well against newer turbocharged alternatives that deliver similar performance with better efficiency. Maintenance costs are another consideration - while Lexus has a reputation for reliability, any out-of-warranty luxury car can present expensive surprises. I called up a mechanic friend who specializes in Japanese luxury brands, and he mentioned that common issues for this model year include potential suspension bushing wear and electronic glitches that can cost $1,200 to $2,000 to address properly.

So what's the solution here? Well, after driving the car for nearly two hours and negotiating with the dealer, I realized the answer depends entirely on what you value. If you're someone who appreciates analog driving experiences, build quality that stands the test of time, and that sweet V6 soundtrack, the 2016 IS350 F Sport represents tremendous value at around $25,000 to $30,000 for a well-maintained example. It's like appreciating classic basketball plays versus modern analytics-driven games - both have their merits. But if you rely heavily on technology, want the latest safety features, and prioritize fuel efficiency, you might be better served by something newer. Personally, I decided to pass on this particular car, but not because it wasn't capable. It's more that my daily commute involves enough traffic that the outdated infotainment would frustrate me more than the excellent driving dynamics would delight me.

The experience taught me that evaluating whether the 2016 Lexus IS350 F Sport is still worth buying today isn't about finding objective right or wrong answers. It's about understanding where your priorities lie. Just like in that basketball game where both teams had their moments of brilliance and struggle, this car has incredible strengths mixed with noticeable weaknesses. For the right buyer - someone who values driving engagement over technology, reliability over novelty - this could be an absolutely brilliant purchase. The car has already taken the majority of its depreciation hit, and with proper maintenance, it should deliver many more years of satisfying driving. Sometimes the best value isn't in having the newest thing, but in finding something that was truly excellent in its time and still delivers where it matters most. In a world increasingly dominated by screens and automation, there's something genuinely special about a car that remembers how to speak directly to the driver's soul.