Minarets

most car dealers hate me. i test drive cars all the time. most of my friends think i should work for Motor Trend or somthing....anyway, after driving a Blue Onyx 350 and a Black 250...i was pleasently surprised.

i have read many of the "im not happy with the 204hp" gripes. by no means is it a world beater, but i have driven the Z06 Vette, the CTS V, the SRT-8 300, the GTO and E55 AMG--none of these cars are shabby in the "get up and go" dept.

i am 24 and unfortunately not in the market for many of those yet. but am looking for a car that combines sporty features plus a little lux to dab behind the ears. as i assume many of you did--for looking in this segment--also considered the 330i, G35, TL (maybe not cause of FWD, but i have cause its a great value jampacked with features)and A4.

coming into this i knew the IS was smaller then most--i was a little dissapointed because i am in this segment bc/ i want it all---a hauler that can haul.


i drove the 250 first. it had everything you need and more. looks: check. interior: check. room? Buhler?.......Buhler? ....................................Buhler?

well, anyway, the leg room was a plenty in the front seat. i am 6'0 and 250lbs...big dude. i felt my seat could go back for days. i had ample room on the sides. i have heard complaints of both. i have also heard head room complaints? i did not have this issue. your seat is adjustable up and down, so i am unfamiliar with this as an issue. if your 7'0 avoid this car, i guess?

the guages looked cool, yadda, yadda we have all heard that. but i really think it drove great! the 250 that is. no, it isnt a world beater, we have already established that, but the speed was plentiful and it handles better then i had seen given credit for. i took the on ramp at 70mph and it felt fabulous. my point being...i personally dont want speed and only speed. again, im on somewhat of a budget. i am looking to spend in the $35,000 range, not the $45,000. i want both lux and speed. a base 350 would be nice, but then i lack the exceptional stereo, great NAV features all for a price i can swallow. i think for a lot of you who are tired of worrying like me, what do i want more? all speed and sacrifice features? or enjoy all the luxuries and still enjoy jetting around most people when needed....the 250 is better then you think.


now for you others, i aint crazy! if i had 45G's to drop, you bet jo bippy i would be sportin' a 350.
just some food for thought.

sorry for the ramble

XeroK00L

Excellent point, and exactly the reason why Lexus projected the bulk of the sales of the New IS to be of the IS250's. Most people prefer "good performance with great luxury" to "awesome performance with barebone luxury". The IS250 is thus a more balanced choice for most people.However, be prepared to sacrifice some of the above if you're looking at the $35,000 range. The IS250 RWD automatic, starting at $31,750, can easily go over $35,000 with just the $3,495 Luxury Package, not to mention the Nav/ML Package that'll add another $3,990.

Minarets

yeah, i maye forget the lux pkg and go with the ML/NAV....i want that more then illuminated door sil and rear sunshade....

XeroK00L

Yeah that's what I would do too. Kinda sucks that without the Luxury Package you don't even get to have the HID headlamps though. That's almost a prerequisite for luxury cars these days.

wthai

exactly the reason why I'm not special ordering a 250 RWD right now. There is only one item in the lux pack I want, the HIDs.

kingkong5

that's great information! I haven't read all of the other threads on the 250 v 350 comparison, but do you know off hand if there is a giant gas mileage difference between the two as well? I think sacrificing some of the top end speed and torque (which you won't use 90% of the time!) for $10k is a good value call, plus if you are getting better gas mileage, what a bonus

1Violinist

IS350 = 21/28 MPG

IS250 = 24/32 MPG (auto RWD)
20/29 MPG (M/T RWD)
22/28 MPG (auto AWD)

Minarets

yeah, really makes me kinda mad. i am holding out for another year prolly....hopefully by then they will have made those standard equipment by then. actually i expect them to make that change for next years models....

paeko73

Concur! I'm on the same boat as yours. I'm wondering if those non-HID bulbs can be replaced with aftermarket "white" bulbs ($45/each) to make them look like HID's.