koseiko

What are your views about this? I like both but coming from a Mitsubishi Evolution and wondering how these cars would fair in michigan conditions. I know they can't compare to the evo's power and handling but which one would be good in michigan winters?

ReLexin

if you are only looking at the IS250 and you live in Michigan, its a no brainer get the AWD.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

AWD is better.

AWD and snow tires is best.

lexboi250

iTrader: (10)

yeah, i would go AWD, i'm in Toronto, so it's a no brainer for me, but Michigan gets a lot of snow too. If you're down south, then get the rwd.

sonyman

AWD + dedicated snow tires for the winter.

IronPhoenX

AWD. I've had only FWD in the past and even FWD with winter tires never handled as good as my AWD IS250 with all season tires. I can't imagine how a RWD would do in the snow.

Memout

Didn't most of you guys in CL say RWD + SnowTires + SnowMode = fine for winter?

tex2670

I know that some people in the DC/VA/MD area have asked that question--they don't get harsh winters there, so you can get by with that set up. If you live in MI, especially upper MI, I don't think you want a set up that is merely "fine".

canadaIS

I live in Ottawa and we had a foot of snow yesterday. My IS250 RWD had no problems at all. In the past I have owned a GS300, GS430 and ES (all RWD), and would say that the IS is not quite as good in the snow--there seems to be less feeling of what the rear end is doing. But, again, I never got stuck yesterday.
Sure, AWD would be even better but I didn't feel like shelling out thousands more, plus get poorer gas mileage.