Looking at the IS
11-18-10, 10:21 PM
#1
Looking at the IS
Hey guys just coming over here from the GS and ES forum, wanting some advice. Im looking for a car for a family member and i hadnt thought about the IS until now. I havent even test driven one yet but i think i will do it tomorrow. I had no idea the 350 was 306 hp, that is pretty impressive. Anyways im looking at getting a preowned one probably no more than $27k. What are some differences between the IS250/IS250AWD and the IS350 besides the obvious ones. Thanks very much CL.
11-18-10, 10:37 PM
#4
If your budget is $27K, you can easily afford a used IS350.
For your convenience, here is the acceleration profile for the IS350 -
By comparison, here is the acceleration profile for the IS250 -
You're coming from a '97 Mustang GT. You're definitely going to enjoy and appreciate the power of the IS350 compared to the IS250. Rest assured, the IS350 is no race car and it's not mod-friendly as far as performance modifications go. What you see is what you get.
If you are satisfied with the stock performance figures of the IS350 depicted above and don't mind the lack of performance options (something I'm sure your Mustang GT had to increase it's power relative to stock), then the IS350 will be a terrific choice.
Not only that, but there is another added benefit to the IS350. It's been suggested that due to its use of both direct and port injection, the IS350 is immune from the carbon build up issues you'll see with the IS250.
Those two things are the chief benefits of the IS350 over the IS250 -
1) Power (obviously)
2) Immunity from carbon build up
Other than that, the two cars are the same.
Better fuel efficiency is negligible for the IS250, by the way. That should not be a selling point.
For your convenience, here is the acceleration profile for the IS350 -
By comparison, here is the acceleration profile for the IS250 -
You're coming from a '97 Mustang GT. You're definitely going to enjoy and appreciate the power of the IS350 compared to the IS250. Rest assured, the IS350 is no race car and it's not mod-friendly as far as performance modifications go. What you see is what you get.
If you are satisfied with the stock performance figures of the IS350 depicted above and don't mind the lack of performance options (something I'm sure your Mustang GT had to increase it's power relative to stock), then the IS350 will be a terrific choice.
Not only that, but there is another added benefit to the IS350. It's been suggested that due to its use of both direct and port injection, the IS350 is immune from the carbon build up issues you'll see with the IS250.
Those two things are the chief benefits of the IS350 over the IS250 -
1) Power (obviously)
2) Immunity from carbon build up
Other than that, the two cars are the same.
Better fuel efficiency is negligible for the IS250, by the way. That should not be a selling point.
11-18-10, 10:39 PM
#5
Slap on dedicated snow tires on a RWD IS350 and with traction control + snow mode engaged you'll have no problem getting around during winter time. I'll let northern IS350 owners chime in with their experience. I know Kurtz likes to drive this point home a lot.
11-18-10, 10:57 PM
#7
True, i have scheduled a test drive for tomorrow for the 350 and 250, so we will see. The 250 is AWD and the 350 RWD. Im really digging the fact that the 350 has nice power behind it. I kind of regret getting a GS300 because of the grounds that a 400 or 430 would be so much more fun to drive, so i do not want to make the same mistake if/when buying an IS. Another vehicle i have fell in love with is the 2009^ Audi 2.0T and that only has 211hp but i loved test driving it as it did put me back in my seat. We will see tomorrow.
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11-19-10, 05:05 AM
#10
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I test drove both the 250 and 350 and if you care about power or speed AT ALL go with the 350. The $$ difference is negligible (especially in the used market) plus whats another K when your already spending 27....
11-19-10, 03:02 PM
#13
I test drove a 2006 IS350 with 22k on the clock and a 2011 AWD IS250 with 37 miles on it. The 350 was a freakin blast to drive with the traction off and power button on. Blast blast blast. The 250 was nothing to brag about... 350 it is, just going to be hard to locate one.
11-19-10, 03:07 PM
#14
I test drove a 2006 IS350 with 22k on the clock and a 2011 AWD IS250 with 37 miles on it. The 350 was a freakin blast to drive with the traction off and power button on. Blast blast blast. The 250 was nothing to brag about... 350 it is, just going to be hard to locate one.
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the 350 you tested didn't have F-sport sway bars.
With F-sport sway bars, the IS350 will pull a slick .90g's around a track. Increased traction + stiffer chassis + decreased body roll = fun on twisty roads.
Good luck with your search.
11-19-10, 03:13 PM
#15
^^It was so much fun to drive, and i have driven the audi A4, mercedes c class, bmw 328 but the lexus just felt right, plus ive owned 4 lexus cars and i just feel comfortable knowing that i wont be stranded on the side of the road, i havent for the past 6 years since ive been driving one. At the dealer last night there was a 2011 IS350 black but it was an F car. It looked exactly like an ISF with the wheels, body kit, suspension, seats. This was one bad bad bad machine i tell you that, and now that i know how it drives i feel in love completely.