IS 350 F sport AWD or RWD? that is the question
#16
Lexus Champion
I opted for AWD specifically because of the rain. Frankly, I got tired of sitting at stop lights on hills, then spinning my tires when starting off. Same goes for a hard right turn I have to make every morning onto a busy road with a 50 mph speed limit. You don't have to go WOT, but you need to be pretty liberal with the gas and I was always spinning my tires there.
It all depends on your specific driving conditions. That's the great thing about choices.
It all depends on your specific driving conditions. That's the great thing about choices.
#17
A bit late to reading your thread, but I just wanted to let you know that yesterday (March 31st) I found out that the incentives will carry forward to April which I confirmed when I logged into Lexus.ca this morning.
Good luck with your choice.
Good luck with your choice.
#18
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thank you guys, great input. Those of you with AWD vehicles, what is your real life fuel consumption? Carderoni, do you know how RWD and AWD compare in terms of real fuel comsumption?
Thank you guys in advance.
Thank you guys in advance.
#19
Edit - Same commute with both cars, of course. Same break-in practice as well (baby it until 1,000 then install fresh oil, RS-R Ran Up, Joe Z intake).
Last edited by carderoni; 04-01-14 at 03:40 PM.
#20
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Thank you, Carderoni. For some reason, i thought it would be more difference between the AWD and RWD car in terms of fuel consumption. That is not bad at all, it is well within the stated difference based on the EPA numbers.
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Hi Carderoni - are you happier with the RWD than the AWD you had before? Did you regret the switch at any time?
#22
I'm generally happier with the RWD model - it feels better off the line, manual shifting is crisper and, to be honest, it's really the most "pure" expression of a sporty 3IS. There are some things about the AWD car that I miss, though, primarily the fact that in Sport/Sport+ mode the transmission will shift into top gear on its own, which the 8 speed doesn't do. It was also nice to be able to drive a shiny new Lexus on snowy days instead of a Hyundai Tucson, but a set of winter tires should mostly fix that (but I don't have to deal with Canadian winters).
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I'm generally happier with the RWD model - it feels better off the line, manual shifting is crisper and, to be honest, it's really the most "pure" expression of a sporty 3IS. There are some things about the AWD car that I miss, though, primarily the fact that in Sport/Sport+ mode the transmission will shift into top gear on its own, which the 8 speed doesn't do. It was also nice to be able to drive a shiny new Lexus on snowy days instead of a Hyundai Tucson, but a set of winter tires should mostly fix that (but I don't have to deal with Canadian winters).
#24
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Thank you for the info, i checked too Tuesday afternoon and saw that things stayed the same for this month.
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had the worst winter here in Winnipeg. awd is a must have especially on icy roads and snowy roads. current setup is with Michelin x ice tires. had the stock tires on until December but decide to put winter tires on after stock tires failed to grip on lightly covered snow and ice roads.
#26
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It all boils down to how quick your streets are cleared. In Montreal we just had our worst winters in years, literally. However streets and highways are cleared within hours. For someone who drives consistently in snow and ice, for example in rural regions, I would consider AWD. But in cities RWD + snow tires looks adequate.
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Hello everyone,
I have very much appreciated your advice on this topic. I had finally ordered yesterday an IS 350 F sport premium package in nebula grey pearl with the Rioja red interior RWD. The car is going to arrive in approx. 10-12 weeks. I should be ok with winter tires plus I live very close and usually walk to work, so I can avoid driving if I need to. Also, we have a Kia Rondo FWD as a family vehicle, so I can impose on my wife to use that if I need to.
Also, I am buying this car because of its handling and driving prowess and power (i.e. I am not an A to B type), so I figured go big or go home. I went with RWD. This is it
I have very much appreciated your advice on this topic. I had finally ordered yesterday an IS 350 F sport premium package in nebula grey pearl with the Rioja red interior RWD. The car is going to arrive in approx. 10-12 weeks. I should be ok with winter tires plus I live very close and usually walk to work, so I can avoid driving if I need to. Also, we have a Kia Rondo FWD as a family vehicle, so I can impose on my wife to use that if I need to.
Also, I am buying this car because of its handling and driving prowess and power (i.e. I am not an A to B type), so I figured go big or go home. I went with RWD. This is it
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