How's the IS RWD in snow?
The manual in the 250 really is kinda crap... it's a repurposed toyota truck transmission.
That said, I wouldn't recommend the AWD...it's slower, heavier, and gets significantly worse mileage than the automatic RWD 250.... and the AWD due to the weight offers _worse_ handling.
it offers better _traction_ which isn't the same thing...and unless you're going rally racing in the mud you won't need with good tires.
(Personally if you're coming from a supra I'd tell you to get an IS350, it's about dead-even speed wise with a stock TT Mk4 supra, and mileage is better too, and no problems in the winter with good snow tires)
That said, I wouldn't recommend the AWD...it's slower, heavier, and gets significantly worse mileage than the automatic RWD 250.... and the AWD due to the weight offers _worse_ handling.
it offers better _traction_ which isn't the same thing...and unless you're going rally racing in the mud you won't need with good tires.
(Personally if you're coming from a supra I'd tell you to get an IS350, it's about dead-even speed wise with a stock TT Mk4 supra, and mileage is better too, and no problems in the winter with good snow tires)
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 28
From: Utah
Don't even think of moving the car with summer tires, even with a light dusting. With quality all-seasons you will be fine in light snow, if you take it easy and NEVER disable the nannies. The traction and VSC work great! I'm in NJ also and the all-seasons are all you need unless we get hit with a storm. With winter tires the IS is as good as any RWD (which is pretty good), as long as you do not disable the nannies.
Koz
Koz
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 0
From: TX
i drove this past winter from Seattle to Cali with my 350 and from my experience, it is really dependable. i was using the stock tires with no chains. i know...that was really stupid, I got stuck a couple of times but overall i got through the worst winter ever. the snow setting really helped me a lot.
Over on many forums (including CL), the Bridgestones Blizzak series seems to be very popular. I'd take a look into them if you're serious about considering winter tires. It sure beats having chains on your car if snow is only 2" or so.
Get Some Blizzaks, call it a day
I live in MN and own a RWD IS250 6spd Manual. get a set of Blizzaks and youll rape a hummer.
Also a good excuse to get a nice set of summer rims and tires.
I use my stock 17's with some Blizzaks off Tirerack i think for about 700 dollars. Went out and got a set of 18's for the summer.
MN has some horrible snow, and i used to live in michigan, so im pretty familiar. Throw some blizzaks on and youll have alot of fun driving, not to mention control and confidence.
if you're not willing to throw down on some quality winter tires, then theres nothing you can do...besides get some triple a coverage...and have alot of patience
Also a good excuse to get a nice set of summer rims and tires.
I use my stock 17's with some Blizzaks off Tirerack i think for about 700 dollars. Went out and got a set of 18's for the summer.
MN has some horrible snow, and i used to live in michigan, so im pretty familiar. Throw some blizzaks on and youll have alot of fun driving, not to mention control and confidence.
if you're not willing to throw down on some quality winter tires, then theres nothing you can do...besides get some triple a coverage...and have alot of patience
What's considered a 'decent' price to you?
Over on many forums (including CL), the Bridgestones Blizzak series seems to be very popular. I'd take a look into them if you're serious about considering winter tires. It sure beats having chains on your car if snow is only 2" or so.
Over on many forums (including CL), the Bridgestones Blizzak series seems to be very popular. I'd take a look into them if you're serious about considering winter tires. It sure beats having chains on your car if snow is only 2" or so.
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Dont forget you should really buy some rims to go along with your winter tires. Mounting and unmounting on one set of rims is a waste of money if done every season. i got some stock is350 18in rims off a guy for 700 for the summer, and now use the 17's for the winter, i know they sell ASA's for pretty cheap and look nice for a winter set. ive got a friend with a is250 manual like myself, and 2 friends with RWD bimmers and they all have some ASA's and blizzaks.
you're lookin at at least 1500 to grab a winter set(rims and tires), and dont forget you need tpms sensors when you buy the rims, and as of right now you can only get them programmed at the dealership for 40 dollars, free if youre lucky. ive heard rumors that discount tire does it, but it depends if they have the new programming tool in their shop as it is now a standard item every shop has.
you're lookin at at least 1500 to grab a winter set(rims and tires), and dont forget you need tpms sensors when you buy the rims, and as of right now you can only get them programmed at the dealership for 40 dollars, free if youre lucky. ive heard rumors that discount tire does it, but it depends if they have the new programming tool in their shop as it is now a standard item every shop has.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 19
From: OH
I went with AWD. I had an RX-8 with all-seasons and had a few white-knuckle experiences that I didn't want to re-live. I was willing to give up the power of the 350 and the manual for my own piece of mind. I grew up in New England with RWD cars and learned to drive in snow, but had gotten used to the better control of FWD (for 20 years prior to the RX-8). The mileage is not as good, but I'm OK with that. Handling in snow has been great. Overall, I'm happy.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: NY
i have 6 mt with summer performance tires and i was driving in close to a foot of snow and it was not very pleasant... i got from point a to point b took me a while but it worked... just gotta take it slow and watch the rpm but also i would not recommend driving too much... my brakes actually did not stop at one point.... and i swerved outta the way and stopped about 2 seconds later in a foot of snow.. as long as your not going uphill the drive is not too bad... but i may change to all season tires soon for safety purposes..
i have 6 mt with summer performance tires and i was driving in close to a foot of snow and it was not very pleasant... i got from point a to point b took me a while but it worked... just gotta take it slow and watch the rpm but also i would not recommend driving too much... my brakes actually did not stop at one point.... and i swerved outta the way and stopped about 2 seconds later in a foot of snow.. as long as your not going uphill the drive is not too bad... but i may change to all season tires soon for safety purposes..
All seasons are a compromise that suck at everything.
