pinipig523

So I test drove the 3IS today for the first time, I think we have a preliminary car choice.

Just to preface, I'm doing this leg work for my wife so perhaps she can switch cars from her 2004 RX330 to either the newer RX or the 3IS.

First up was the 350 non F - I liked the ventilated seats, the 8 speed manual was smooth, pretty compact car and pretty tight in corners and over bumps. Maybe just a tad too sporty, but pretty good. I also liked the lighter headliner and I thought the overall feel was pretty positive.

Next up was the 250F sport - I did not like that it did not have ventilated seats, I thought the black headliner might be a bit too much for the wife and it might be a little too hot for the summers here in Dallas. The LFA gauges were pretty cool, but I'm not sure if the wife would really be into the sporty gauge cluster. The seats were a little TOO sporty, not sure if she'd like it either (plus like I said earlier, no ventilated option).

Regarding the power - the 250IS was decent without feeling anemic. The 350IS is pretty quick, but I didn't get the suck into the seat feeling that I get with my own car.

In the end, I think that she would like the 250IS or the 350IS (non F sports). I don't think she really needs the extra power of the 350IS so I think we'll be ok with the 250IS non F.

Looking at a lighter color and lighter interior for better heat resistance.

Just wanted to share my experience.

corradoMR2

Sounds like a good assessment and the underlying theme here "happy wife happy life"

yowps3

Yeah the IS350 never pushes you into seat. But it is fast, because when ever I look down I am doing high speeds with little effort and fuss.

My friend has a 2009 6.0L V8 Holden and the IS350 is faster than his. But when ever I drive his car, I get pushed into the seat..

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

when your car interior bakes at 130-140F in the TX heat, doesnt matter what color your interior is honestly, its gonna be hot. Tint and a sunshade help a lot

pinipig523

True... But a lighter interior helps. My wife's RX has a light interior and with the ceramic tints, it's very manageable. My dark Benz on the other hand is an oven.

Alius

Light colors reflect heat whereas darker colors absorb heat. Try wearing dark and light clothes during the summer and you'll notice the difference.

peteharvey

I test drove the 3IS range, and very similar opinion to you.
I originally wanted to purchase the 350 because the old 350 had ripping acceleration!
However, the new 3IS350 has higher gear ratios or heavier, or something, but rip snorting acceleration blunted somehow.

So I ended up buying my missus the 250 F Sport.
250 because our days of full throttle are over; been there done that - enough speeding tickets.
[Still would have been nice to accelerate like old 2IS350 though, and hardly any higher fuel consumption].
The 250's engine is also so much smoother and quieter, and better bottom end torque relative to its cubic capacity.
My wife didn't notice the black wheels, but she liked the F Sport grill more...