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Just purchased 09 Lexus IS250 with regrets - HELP
08-13-12, 07:45 PM
#1
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Just purchased 09 Lexus IS250 with regrets - HELP
I'm less than a month into my purchase and totally regretting my purchase...what have I done!
To begin, I was driving a 2001 BMW 330i, old but in great condition. I thought I'd upgrade to something more comfortable and what I got feels like a rough roller coaster. Granted I gave up power but my BMW rides better than this. I just want a comfortable ride.
Prior owner put new tires on before trading it in. I have 18" Bridgestone Turanzas and I can feel every bump in the road...3 hour drive from Austin to Houston was painful (i should probably get my spine checked)....HELP...should I go with a different brand of tires (if so what?), get 17" rims, or a new car?
To begin, I was driving a 2001 BMW 330i, old but in great condition. I thought I'd upgrade to something more comfortable and what I got feels like a rough roller coaster. Granted I gave up power but my BMW rides better than this. I just want a comfortable ride.
Prior owner put new tires on before trading it in. I have 18" Bridgestone Turanzas and I can feel every bump in the road...3 hour drive from Austin to Houston was painful (i should probably get my spine checked)....HELP...should I go with a different brand of tires (if so what?), get 17" rims, or a new car?
08-13-12, 07:55 PM
#2
Didnt you test drive it? The suspension on the 2IS is rough to some people's standards...sounds like you really want it to drive like an ES. Make sure that they are not run flat tires. Is your car AWD or RWD? New tires will help for instance on the RWD stock it comes with 225/40/18 tires up front you can move up to a 235/40/18 which adds a tiny bit more meat...yes i know the 235 is the width but if you plug it into a tire calculator it does show an increase in sidewall as well.
You can get the 17" wheels off the AWD and all around thicker tires...that will give you the best possible soft ride on that car. Depending on the wheels you have they should be pretty easy to sell on here and maybe even trade with someone with an AWD and 17s. Another thing is have Lexus check your struts, I had one go at 15k or so and it made the car ride very rough even though it was only one back rear strut. Your still udner warranty assuming your miles are not high so it would be covered under warranty. The least expensive option would be 17" rims/tires since you will probably lose money unless you can take it back to the same dealer and get your money back.
You can get the 17" wheels off the AWD and all around thicker tires...that will give you the best possible soft ride on that car. Depending on the wheels you have they should be pretty easy to sell on here and maybe even trade with someone with an AWD and 17s. Another thing is have Lexus check your struts, I had one go at 15k or so and it made the car ride very rough even though it was only one back rear strut. Your still udner warranty assuming your miles are not high so it would be covered under warranty. The least expensive option would be 17" rims/tires since you will probably lose money unless you can take it back to the same dealer and get your money back.
08-13-12, 08:03 PM
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Yes, I did test drive it but I didn't notice it until my long road trips as highways are usually more smoother. It's RWD. Lexus dealership did a full inspection of the suspension. No issues...or so they say. Maybe they are waiting for my warranty to run out...4K left.
How do I tell if they are run flat tires?
How do I tell if they are run flat tires?
08-13-12, 08:03 PM
#4
Are you saying the same drive wasn't bad in your 01 BMW? I find that hard to believe unless that suspension was super soft. It sounds like the roads are rough.
The IS is the "sporty" Lexus line so it is possibly firmer than you would like. I dunno what size tires you have but as the above poster mentions, going with a smaller rim and larger sidewall will soften your ride.
The IS is the "sporty" Lexus line so it is possibly firmer than you would like. I dunno what size tires you have but as the above poster mentions, going with a smaller rim and larger sidewall will soften your ride.
08-13-12, 08:25 PM
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anything more information on the vehicle your purchased?
like mileage, was the car bought stock or did it have mods on it?
you can start off simple and get all 4 wheels balanced...or go all out and get the road forced balanced
and see if that helps...
like mileage, was the car bought stock or did it have mods on it?
you can start off simple and get all 4 wheels balanced...or go all out and get the road forced balanced
and see if that helps...
08-13-12, 08:35 PM
#7
I opened this thread expecting some mechanical issues or cosmetic damage. I'm assuming you bought the first IS you test drove. I would definitely get ur wheels rebalanced and maybe a better set of tires. I thought the IS was one of the most comfortable cars I've driven.
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08-13-12, 09:05 PM
#11
^yea its killing the insurance rates...no the dealership is not waiting for your warranty to run out. They get paid either way if they do warranty work. How do you know yours not on Fsport springs? Those made my ride rougher, anyhow if you liked the BMW on 17s then the obvious choice is buy the 17 inch 2IS wheels and some tires with more sidewall...higher quality like Contis or Mich Pilot and thats as good as your going to get. The IS is quiet/smooth if your coming from a non lux. car but compared to the 5 series BMW, RX, ES, LS, GX, and even a V6 Camry the ride is rough since the other cars are all very soft. I am only comparing to cars ive owned/driven.
08-13-12, 09:07 PM
#12
Drive a stock IS at a dealer and compare. I don't think tires will help you much, but I've never had issues/complaints.
Just curious, what age range are you (sorry, I'd have to imagine the IS is a bit rough for a stereotypical person above 40 if I had to guess) or car background do you have? Just curious if you've modded/lowered cars before if you have some sort of other comparison to what you're experiencing. Your BMW was stock and better ride quality?
Just curious, what age range are you (sorry, I'd have to imagine the IS is a bit rough for a stereotypical person above 40 if I had to guess) or car background do you have? Just curious if you've modded/lowered cars before if you have some sort of other comparison to what you're experiencing. Your BMW was stock and better ride quality?
08-13-12, 09:12 PM
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yes, off course i'm not going to crash the car...insurance rates are already high as they are...Farmers wanted to charge me 4x what Travelers quoted for the same coverage...crazy!!
Just torn on new tires or new rims...if i get new tires like the Conti DWS and it's still rough, then that's money down the drain but if it's good, it's cheaper than getting new rims and tires...
Just torn on new tires or new rims...if i get new tires like the Conti DWS and it's still rough, then that's money down the drain but if it's good, it's cheaper than getting new rims and tires...
08-13-12, 09:16 PM
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i'm 35 but look 18 
last 3 cars, 01 BMW 330i, 00 BMW 323, 99 Acura Integra. When i had my car at the dealership, I got a 2012 IS250 as a loaner with 4200 miles. It was definitely smoother but could still feel the bumps...no Camry ride or anything. Noise was tolerable. Handling was nice and tight.
last 3 cars, 01 BMW 330i, 00 BMW 323, 99 Acura Integra. When i had my car at the dealership, I got a 2012 IS250 as a loaner with 4200 miles. It was definitely smoother but could still feel the bumps...no Camry ride or anything. Noise was tolerable. Handling was nice and tight.