isdsms

Recently I put a $1000 deposit down on the IS250 AWD, and now I'm having some concerns about the engine. I've been reading the horsepower is expect to be 201, and at a weight of 3600 lbs, its not going to be too light either. I love everything about the IS, and would gladly go for the 350, except for the RWD, which would be a horror in the weather where I live. If only they made a AWD 350.....

Anyone else having my concerns? And is there a possibility in an increase in power for 2007?

isdsms

LexFather

1. There won't be an increase in power anytime soon since its an all new engine.
2. Its just hard to come to any conclusion without anyone driving it yet. 201hp could be fine since it will have 6 speeds, dual VVTi and direct injection. Fine as in adequate. I don't expect ANY 200hp car to be fast unless its the 1800lbs Lotus Elise. 0-60mph in the low 7s (my estimate) is no slouch, just not super quick like it was 10 years ago.

On the other hand, members have stated with the VDIM in the cars, RWD is fine in the snow.

xioix

anyone know why the 250 is being detuned from what the mark x has

biggiejimz

are you sure about this? i was hoping that lexus would re-introduce the IS300 with maybe the engine from the gs300. like a delayed intro to keep the brand fresh (same with the 6mt is350...we ALL know there is going to be one but we just dont know when ). A 245hp Is300 would fit quite nice between the 202hp 250 and the 310hp 350... unless the is250 makes 220hp like some articles state then it dont make much sense. i dont know but i dont think lexus would let the IS300 name just disappear. too much to lose with the name. like BMW and theyre worries with the m3/4 series name.

LexFather

I have speculated that as well but that is another engine . He asked would the 250 get a bump in power.
So I do agree that it maybe possible the IS 300 comes back with the 245hp engine.

CoreDump

You are probably right, but I am not so sure about this, yet... The GS300 is said to be replaced by GS350 in 2006 as a 2007 model. The ES300 was upgraded to ES330 only after one (or was it two?) model year. I don't think it will be too difficult to drop in the 3.0 liter from the GS. The 2.5 could be used in other part of the world, and the 3.0 is for NA only (just like the first gen IS300).

I agree with you completely. To add to your point, I think a car shouldn't be judged by the max HP alone. WIth VVT-i, direct injection and 6 speed, I think the 2.5 liter should provide pretty good power through out the rev range. Sometimes people are too obsessed with 0-60 numbers (I am guilty of this also). How often does one really attempt the 0-60 time quoted by the manufactuer or automotive magazines? The best time usually involves high rpm clutch drop or applying brake and gas at the same time for auto trans. The 0-60 time is not very realistic for everyday driving. I think 5-60 time reflects daily usable performance more. Beside, Lexus is usually a bit consvervative. All in all, I think we shouldn't worry about the performance of the IS250 too much at this point. Just my 0.02...

spwolf

there is no real reason for 250 to be changed soon, so I doubt it. As long as there is no huge difference in pricing between IS250 and IS350, there most likely wont be IS300. If Lexus wanted to include IS300 in the offer, then they would have done so from starts.

As if IS250 will feel powerful enough - sure. In fact, I am sure for most of the people, it will be just fine.
But, as you might now, we are never happy... First people moan why is there GS300 (and not 350), then other people complain why isnt there IS300... you can simply never make everyone happy!

Gojirra99

The IS250 may only have 201 hp, but max. torque is at 184 lb.ft, which is just one lb.ft. less than the 3.0 litre 325i. Torque is more relevent for acceleration in vast majority of driving, so I'm sure the IS250 will perform very adequately.

Xanadu350

I must be from the old school. I would never put a deposit down on a car that I have not even driven yet. That goes for any make or model, to me that is just telling the dealer I want this car & it doesn't matter what it's like to drive, I want it no matter the cost.

Just my thoughts. I realize some must have it first that's important for some but to me it's more important to drive it & then make a decision. Sometimes I will even drive it more than once or twice to be sure. I want to make the right decision the first time.

That said, I'm sure this car won't be underpowered. Would Lexus really put something like that out? They have to keep up with the competition in this segment. You can't always go by numbers.

Gojirra99

I think the advantage of putting down a deposit is that they are fully refundable. When test drives become available, if after you' ve driven it & don't like it or can't agree on the price, you can get your deposit back, if you want the car, you won't have to wait & will be one of the first to get it.

Brett_McS

Exactly. Power = top end speed, Torque = how quick you get there.

Unless driving around at over 160 mph is a priority, torque is all that matters, and how flat the torque band is is more important than peak values.

From what I have seen, the IS250 engine has a really flat torque curve with good values from low revs. This makes for a great, responsive car. Forget the peak horsepower numbers. They are irrelevent for (mostly) law abiding citizens.

biker

A lot of this might depend on sales. There will almost certainly be an IS300, it's just a matter of when. Lexus said they will use the BMW method of trickling out refreshes throughout the model run. And there's the rub - knowing that major changes will be coming every 2-3 years (while the platform and most of the body stay the same) - when do you jump in? Even the idea of buying the second MY might lose some of its appeal when so many changes are coming so soon.

Considering the timing of the intro of the IS250, I don't see the IS300 coming out in 06 as an 07 MY but certainly the year after.

meagle

are we sure that the 250 is only going to have 201 hp??

it seems as though there were some articles suggesting that it may be closer to 220 hp?????

jrock65

Well, I may be in the minority, but I do think the IS250 AWD may feel too sluggish for you. The fact that you're concerned enough to post about it suggests to me that you like some power in your cars. People who really don't care about such things won't let it even enter in their head.

I don't think the 3651 lb. IS250 AWD w/ 201 hp will do 0 to 60 in the low 7's. More like low 8's is my estimate. Fine for most, but definitely will feel sluggish to those who're used to some power.

For reference, the 3759 lb. GS300 AWD w/ 245 hp went 0 to 60 in 7.2s in Motortrend's test.

Gabe M

I have a celica alltrac that shares the same drive line as my turbo MR2. The alltrac is heavier and has more drive line loss being AWD. They are both fun cars but the alltrac is noticably slower that the MR2.
Arent most HP ratings that are released by the mfg the ratings at the flywheel and not the rear wheels?
-Gabe