thph27

How do you know the IS250 is slower then the following, Civic Si, the Camry V6, the Rav4 V6, the Avelon, the Accord V6, and TSX, and BMW325, and I bet even a Scion tC??? Are the numbers based on 0-60 times from a magazine? I talked to a bunch of Lexus mechanics and the 204hp is understated because of the new process of determining hp. From what they told me the hp is more like 220, 225. I own a IS300 and I drove a IS250 AWD and I couldn't tell much difference between the cars. The IS250 seemed quicker to me. I guess it comes down to what you want in your car if you want speed buy the IS350, if you want MT buy the IS250 and if you want safe driving in all conditions buy the IS250 AWD. Yes I can say I am a little disappointed with the power in the 250 but my wife has a G35 coupe that I can drive for speed. I love the total package of the IS250 that is why I have one ordered.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I will conceed that I personally have not nor have seen and head to head real world comparisons so I'm basing things on a few assumptions which could turn out to be false. First, I'm basing the performance numbers of the IS250 from the specs given by Lexus. I will agree that often the cars can perform better than advertised just as the IS350 has gotten slightly better numbers than Lexus claims. Given that though, the numbers for the IS250 are quite far off from some of those cars I mentioned. As for the V6 Rav4, and Camry V6, they will get the 268HP V6 that is in the Avelon right now so even if those cars are heavier, its a big HP jump from 204 to 268. We alread have the performance numbers for the Avelon so we can at least get a decent estimate on how powerful that 268HP engine really is. While I fully agree and expect the IS250 to out handle many of those cars (With the exception of the TSX, BMW, and Civic Si which are all very comparable in handling specs) I'm just talking about acceleration. Everyone has differnet priorities in a car and differnet wants and needs. For me, even my SC400 is underpowered (I have the 250HP version) For me performance wise, 0-60 in 6.5 is a magic number. That is fast enough for me. Anything faster is just a bonus. 7 seconds is adequate. Anything higher than 7.5 is slow. But that is just me. I drive a sports car for many years now so performance is high on my lists of wants and needs. For me, a sports sedan is not just about the handling but also the accelaration. If this whole conversation or debate was about eh ES330 I would have no argument. This is; however, about a supposed sports sedan. Remember one thing I did posts is that the IS350 is perfect. The power in that car is mor than engough and I wouldn't see a need to upgrade that car as the post I quoted about suggested. If given the choice, I think think the IS250 needs the engine upgrade much more so than the IS350. Back to the Civic si. The old Civic Si was an easy 7.2 second 0-60 car or faster depending on the driver. Honda listed it as 7.2. The new Civic Si is faster than that and shouold be an easy sub 7 second 0-60 car. Accord V6 is already getting high 6 low 7 seconds with 240 HP. So yes, wile I am basing everything off of manufacturer specs or magazine times, I really don't see those numbers changing dramatically.

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

Honestly, what those mechs are saying is NOT that the New IS250 is underated, but the old IS300 is overrated.

Honestly though, the new IS250 might be 215HP in the old system.... but its torque numbers are very low. And a 0-60 of 7.9-8.3 depending on trim is a lot slower than 7.2-7.5 of the old IS300. Its a lot slower than all cars in it s class. Its slower than many cars which are a class or two below.

The IS250 is a Luxury Sports Sedan... The 160HP 2.4L RAV has a 0-60 in 7.8, and thats AWD. The AWD IS250 has a 0-60 in 8.3

spwolf

honestly though, IS250 has plenty of torque and in real life is no slower than IS300.

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

185ft-lbs of tq @4800 is not a lot of TQ, esp considering its at 4800RPMs, and the car is 3500lbs.

The old IS has 218ft-lbs of TQ@ 3800RPMs.

TQ is what makes a car "Feel Fast". In real life most people drive below 3500RPMs. at 3500RPMs, the 250 has 20-25% less Tq than the 300, while weighing a hefty 200lbs more. The 250 will feel much slower in Real life situations... other than cruising

thph27

Have you driven a IS250 to prove this? I have a IS300 and drove the 250 and could barely tell the difference. I have been driving a IS300 since 2001. Not trying to be confrontational just wondering what you experienced. I have pushed the IS300 very hard however i have not had this opportunity with the 250.

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

yeah I have driven a 250. Which is why I have the 350. The old IS300 has similar specs as my NA 3000GT. And the new IS does feel slow compared to the 3000. the 3000 has a motor designed in 1989 or 1990.

I am sure under cruising the New IS probably feels similar to the old IS, but under passing conditions, you will know the difference between the two cars

thph27

Saying that in passing conditions you will notice the difference is weird because all the reviews I have read and my test driving stats the opposite. The car maybe slow accelerating but I drove the car on the expressway and had no issues passing vehicles. Yeah it does not have the power of the 350 but there is more in this car then just speed. I'm having a hard time deciding between the 350 and 250 because the weather here in the midwest. I have had a 300 for over 5 years now and i hate switching the tires out. Have you driven your 350 in the snow?

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I drove the 350 in the snow(with summer tires) IT SUCKS! There was less than 1 inch of snow, and the car was all over the place.

The AWD is cool, its what I had originally wanted, but the lack of power and the hump turned me away. SO I kept the 3000(FWD)

If I bought the AWD IS, I would have sold the 3K.

jlin101

Even a 911 4S sucks if you drive it in the snow with summer tires. That's why there are snow tires.

thph27

How is it with snow tires? My IS300 is pretty good with them but when we get over 2 inches of snow it slids a bit and struggles starting up after a stop. Also has trouble up hills with more snow.

knox_sport

So, was the "letter" that started this whole thread ever scanned & posted? If not, this whole thread is just some jokester's prank.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

It's a prank, or miscommunication...

Really unlikely to have a 250, 300, and 350.
More likely to be 250, 350, and 4XX...