F350

iTrader: (1)

+1 on this

The acceleration is amazing and the adjustable suspension is just icing on the cake.

jagged

Sorry for the OT but I'm curious, how much cheaper is the IS350 F-Sport compared to the BMW 328 with similar options in the US? In my country, The IS350 F-Sport goes for US$70,000 while the 328 (minus sunroof and navi) is about $100,000.

Going back, seems like thread starter is going for the IS350 which is a good choice! I've had mine for over a week now and it is fast but not super fast. Perfect usable power for daily driving and I cannot imagine I'll have the same feeling if I got the slower variant (not that it's available in my market anyway).

Glashub

To me -- available power is a safety feature. I can't tell you the number of times I've had to accelerate hard to avoid a potential mishap.

dojoman

iTrader: (5)

Similar specs for 328i with Nav and Msport is $51625 after adding other options since 328i doesn't even come with HID or alarm as standard. But memory seats and rain sensing wipers are standard. So you gain some you lose some with about $4000 more than IS.

greggy23

I think it depends on your individual needs. Some people find the IS250 to have more than enough power others think it's lacking. I owned an 07 IS250 and currently drive a CT200h. That's a big drop in horsepower and acceleration. When I drive my GF's 11 IS250 F-Sport it has more than enough power for me.

What is important to you? Having 300+ horsepower when you need it? If that's important then get the 350. If you've driven the 250 and it has enough power for you then get the 250 and save a little money and don't worry about what other people say.

If you care about what others think and say then get the 18" 5 spoke wheels on your 250 and put an IS350 badge on the back. No one will know the difference unless they lift up the hood or look closely at the brakes.

mayuj

Great idea... but forgot one thing. Shoot self after, preferably in head... for being pathetic.

Back to topic:

I test drove the IS 350 AWD F-Sport (Canadian Model) and coming from an 07 250 the difference is quite measureable.

FWIW - my 250 is a daily and I had an 08 G37S Coupe with 330 HP (just sold in anticipation of this new IS). I can say the 3IS 350 AWD with 306 HP is comparable to my G37S. I used to hear the 2nd gen 350s were faster than my old G37S (never drove one to really know) but the new 3rd gen felt on par. Could be the additional 200 (or so) pounds of extra weight and the AWD.

When I had both my cars i relished days when I could drive my G because I knew my driving style suited a bit more power. If your driving style does not need the power, and by "does not need" I mean you wait for an opening when changing lanes or passing in the left lane, etc., thats fine. I do not mean jump into the left lane and hold up traffic behind you because you feel passing at 1mph faster than the car you are trying to pass is acceptable style.

If you decide to spend a few thousand more for the 350 badge, read my first line.

Also, in the CAD model range, only the 350 AWD with F-Sport Executive ($53,200) has most of the bells and whistles. No rain sensing wipers, seat memory, VGRS or power tilt/telescoping steering wheel but does have pre collision, rear cross traffic and blind spot. Missing the VGRS option is disspointing but my main must have is the AVS - Toronto Roads - ugh.

Long essay short - look at the features and benefits. Pick what suits your lifestyle and what will keep the smile on your face the longest. As a commuter and driving enthusiast, the smile factor is the most important feature of the car to me.

I am currently looking to pick up the 350 AWD F-Sport Executive. It has most of what i want with only a few items missing which should not detract from enjoying the car.

macmaster

To give you more perspective, I currently drive a Prius and I feel like the 250 is not powerful enough for me. In fact, in terms of real world power (what one actually uses and feels), the Prius and 250 are about the same. Haha.

corradoMR2

Haha. As the CT has the same engine as the Prius, I can agree with you on this up to a certain point. The 250's responsiveness (from my experience with the '08 I owned) is comparable to the CT's in Sport mode which is "acceptably peppy". But after a moment's worth of heavier acceleration, the lack of hp in the CT is apparent where the thrust runs out of steam. Press it further and the difference is even more noticeable. 0-60 mph arrives in a leisurely 10 seconds for the CT.

The 250 is good for 7.7 secs, not too shabby...

grayson73

Really? The Prius 0-60 is 10.4 seconds and IS 250 is 7.7 seconds, right?

jmull3r

iTrader: (1)

350. don't bother with the 250, its slow and it can't even get out of its own way

iJDMTOY

iTrader: (5)

If you have the money buy the IS350! There's never a moment in your mind when you buy the 350 that you should've gotten the 250 but if you get the 250 you'll always think that you should've just gotten the 350.

Dark9t316

Only a few thousand $s more

davyjordi

the 250 gets way more hate than it deserves on this forum.

kup125

350 all the way

MWIS350

IS350 it's one of the most reliable engine, and extra 100 hp is worth every penny.