Goodbye Tahoe, Hello Lexus

[jdandy]

Day before yesterday I traded my 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ for a 2017 Lexus IS350 F Sport. The Lexus had been on lease to an engineer in Ocala who was transferred to Boston, so he wanted an all wheel drive vehicle instead of the rear wheel drive one. He sold the Lexus to CARMAX in Gainesville, Florida. I saw it on the CARMAX website the day it went up, drove to Gainesville last Thursday to look at and test drive it. Slept on it, then went back Friday and made the deal. The Lexus had 10,700 miles on it and looks brand new inside and out. I took the IS350 F Sport to the Lexus dealer in Jacksonville yesterday to pick up a set of all-weather mats for the front and rear, and while there I had the service manager pull up the vehicle's VIN to see if it had been properly serviced by Lexus. It had been serviced at 5021 miles and 10,268 miles by Lexus of Orlando, so I know it is in perfect order.

CARMAX gave me a surprisingly decent trade value for my Tahoe LTZ, which of course was still in mint condition with only 28,081 miles on it. The entire deal went smooth as silk. This was my first time buying a pre-owned vehicle in over 40 years, and my first time dealing with CARMAX. I am pleased with the entire event. With the Lexus having such low miles and in like new condition it feels and drives like a brand new one.

The IS350 F Sport is very well equipped. It has a naturally aspirated 3.5 liter V6 engine that turns out 304 hp. It has three driving modes, Eco, Normal, and Sport+. The different modes remap the transmission shifting characteristics and the vehicle's suspension. The transmission is an eight speed automatic with manual mode and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Included are lots of other optional features, the Mark Levinson sound system, navigation on a wide 10.25 inch display screen, heated and cooled seats, radar cruise control, collision avoidance system, cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring, Home link that lets me open my electric gate with a push of a button on the rear view mirror, and other unique features. The cabin is cozy, comfortable, and quiet. I got 29.2 miles per gallon on my round trip to Jacksonville yesterday. It is a joy to drive. I am quite happy with my new Lexus IS350 F Sport.