LexusNoob7

Hi everyone! New to these forums, but have been looking at threads a lot in the past couple of weeks.

I am looking to purchase a new car in the time frame of late August/early September of 2014. I have test driven the IS350 non F Sport twice for about ~30 total minutes and the IS250 F Sport once for about ~20 minutes.

I am torn between the two because I loved the way the IS250 F Sport looked (gauges and grill), but I did like the way the IS350 non F Sport drove. My biggest concern is whether the IS250 is adequately powered. I currently drive a 2007 Honda Civic Sedan and I get frustrated sometimes when trying to pass a car but am unable to at times. Looking at the 0-60 times of the 2007 Civic and the 2014 IS 250 F Sport, it looks about the same...Honestly though, I didn't notice it much when test driving the IS250 F Sport.

Also, the IS350 F Sport is not an option due to the price. I would say ~42K OTD would be where I am comfortable with.

Vairox

You're gonna buy a 250 and see people with 350's and wish you bought it, I doubt you will ever buy a 350 and wish you got a 250 F-sport. F-sport is an appearance package, no ventilated seats, some say crappier seats, nice speedometer with ugly grille and $4,000 more with no performance increase over the non f-sport to justify the cost. Adjustable suspension? if you think it makes a difference go for it. Given those 2 choices and the price being the same I'd go 350 all day long and not lose a wink of sleep over it, the performance over the 250 is going to be very noticeable and you will be glad you went with the 350.

doodlebug

By the time August rolls around you may have the option of buying a slightly used 2014 350 F Sport. There's one at a Carmax in GA for 42K right now. If you're willing to accept some miles you can have the best of both worlds. You might kick yourself if you bought the 250 and regretted not having the power.
.....just a thought

JDR76

Actually, neither of the versions being discussed here have AVS. The 250 F Sport does not have the adaptive suspension, only the 350 F Sport does.

Between the 250 F Sport and the 350 non F Sport, I'd go 350.

LexusNoob7

Yeah was leaning towards the 350...Its weird but there are not that many used 350s in the Atlanta to buy...

Mr_VFS1

So your decision is either more power and more options vs better looking car and nicer instrument cluster. Think about it and see where it really matters to you. If you prefer looks over power, go for it. If you don't mind the slower car and like the look of the f-sport, go with the 250. I have a 250 and it's enough for me. Obviously I wish I had gotten a 350 but it was too much money at the time so I didn't.

goshawk823

Carmax has had at least 4 available since I started looking about a month ago. Two F sports and two RWD non F sports. One red, one silver, one white, and now this black one.

corradoMR2

+1

However, to the OP, I would also add that since you are coming from a low torque 1.8L 4cyl Civic, relative to that car, the 250 is quicker and peppier at speed.

jennypenny

the 250 is more than adequate. the 350 guzzles more and 90% of the time, you wont be able to use that additional power.

unless you are a weekend road warrior, you'd fall into that 90% group.

a car doing around sub-8s to 100km/h is always adequate.

Mr_VFS1

I would also like to add this one statement. Look at the difference between the options and standard equipment between both the 250F and the reg 350. Also look at the price difference and see if all those extra things are worth the money you are spending extra. The people on here who say that it's stupid to get a 250 are wrong. Not everyone can afford a 350 and not everyone wants to spend that kind of money on a car. I don't blame you at all. It's all up to you, how much you want to spend and if it is worth the extra $$$. Take some time to think about it before you make a final decision. Just my $0.02.

jennypenny

CJW

iTrader: (1)

I almost regret the is350 alone for lack of power, so the 250 would not suit me at all.

Vairox

Exactly... no way I'd want to spend $40k on a car and cry every time I put my foot on the gas. I drive my car like I stole it, so gas and tires go quick but that's how I like to drive if I wanted an economy car to cruise in I'd buy a civic and save $20k

iRyan

iTrader: (7)

Great points here but it boils down to what your style of driving is and the type of roads you commute on as well as what is important to the driver.

Is the 350 fast heck yea if all you know is a 4cyl banger...to me personally at 27 years young the IS250 fsport was my perfect choice...I'm at the point where I'm in no rush to go anywhere lol, plus I've also owned a MKIV supra when I was 21 and also own a Kawasaki ZX9 so I'm not speed happy...

Are you willing to take basic options to get a 306hp (reminding you that don't try to race an M3 or even a 335 with any upgrade as little as intake will eat you alive) or get the top of the line 250 with 206hp...

If I was 17-21 I prob would get a 350 lmao so I can do burnouts if front of my buddies and the girls lol.

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

Buy the 350, then swap out the gauges and grill when you have the money.

Best of both worlds. You won't be doing an engine swap later so this is much more feasible.