It may be a stretch now, but there’s no doubting the performance credentials of the Lexus IS F. This was the first car Lexus created after patenting its ‘F’ badge in 2006, with the Japanese sports sedan built to take on the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMGs of the time. It did so with aplomb. If nothing else, it came with one of Lexus’ premium V8s, the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter 2UR-GSE, which immediately earned respect and high praise for its highly satisfying soundtrack and thumping 416 hp and 371 lb-ft of torque.
That power is sent to the asphalt via an eight-speed automatic transmission, which upshifts in 0.1 second. Summer tires wrapped around 19-inch BBS wheels also handle power transfer. Together they enable the Lexus IS F to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, with owners potentially reaching a top speed of 270 km/h. That came at a hefty price. The Lexus IS F cost $60,865 new, but depreciation means few machines can remain out of reach forever, and the IS F is no exception.
Figures from the KBB show that the 2008 Lexus IS F has a trade-in value of $17,100. If you factor in the $60,865 it originally cost, you’ll see that after 18 years of ownership, the 2008 Lexus IS F has lost 72% of its original price, while it’s still only worth 28%. Here’s how the Lexus IS F’s depreciation compares to the competition.
2008 Lexus IS F Depreciation vs Major Rivals
Due to their reputation, German luxury cars with names other than Porsche are rapidly depreciating due to a combination of questionable reliability, expensive parts and high maintenance costs. But data shows that some of the IS F’s rivals haven’t fared too badly, to the point where some have better resale values than the Lexus itself. That’s impressive, considering Lexus models are known to hold their value well. Those kudos go to the 2008 BMW M3 Sedan, which currently retails for $19,050.
Taking into account the starting price of $62,620, this would translate into a depreciation of approximately 70% over 18 years, which is 2% better than the ISF managed to achieve. That’s mainly due to the fact that M3 values have risen 47% since 2025, with the car seeing a $5,753 increase in value in 2026 alone. This is vastly different from the 2008 Mercedes C63 AMG, which has seen a much more modest valuation of $944 so far in 2026. Overall, the C63 AMG has fallen in value to $10,600 in the 18 years since its launch. Leaving you with approximately 19% of retained value or 81% depreciation given the starting price of $54,675 new.
That’s still significantly better than the 2008 Audi RS 4, however, as the Quattro Sedan’s value has fallen 87% to $9,975 after originally selling for $73,785. For those of you who may have your heart set on a convertible, KBB does not provide depreciation data for the 2008 Audi RS 4 Cabriolet. But AutoGurus has two models for sale, with the cheapest starting from around $25,000. Considering these cost at least around $85,000 new, you’re looking at potential savings of up to $60,000.
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