QSVeilside

This thread reminds me of the 3 series and M3, 5 series and M5 threads on the bimmer forums. The differences are never enough to satisfy everyone!

Why not have the fenders flared out, a fancy front bumper, and a vented hotrod hood exlclusive to the 350? Why not have 500 hp? You will pay more for it of course... But also Lexus hasn't been one to step up their models within a design, ie. GS300, GS400, GS330, GS430. The rumored IS500 might be a change in trend, please correct me if I'm wrong.

For exclusivity, I'd consider rims and a spring kit as my only future modifications.

Bichon

If Lexus was looking to do something to differentiate the 350 from the 250, my choice would be some tasteful body cladding or subtle alteration of the sheetmetal to make it appear more muscular, much as Audi did when they added wider fender flares to the V8 version of the previous generation of the A6.

That said, it doesn't bother me a bit that the 250 and 350 look identical.

flyfl1pguy

iTrader: (2)

I think its fine with me. . .

jasoncd

iTrader: (2)

4, technically. Stock 17s are different than stock 18s.

dragontea

I see... so stock rims for all packages of AWD IS250 and RWD IS250 is 17 inch...only IS350 base has the same 17 inch rims? that's according to the canadian lexus site...


are these the stock 17 inch rims shown in the pics?

http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/experience...262T&year=2006

supaIS350

those are 18s in those pics..here is a pic of the 17s below...the dealerships here in the U.S. are putting 18s on all of their IS250 RWD and IS350 RWD

jasoncd

iTrader: (2)

I believe 17s are the same on both the 250 and 350. Those pictures on the Canada site are 18's (at least here, that style is 18).

17s:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=205590

phatboyc

I would of like to have different 18" wheels cause I think there to laid back. But definitely have 18" on the 250, just not the same model. I would also remove the dual pipe on the 250. I don't want to offend anyone but I'm on the side that since I paid 22000$ more for a car they should of had more distinction between the two models.

islandsnow

why stop at just the rim size. why not have exclusive colors just for the 350 so you can distinguish it even more? just get aftermarket rims if it offends you that much that the 250 has the same rims as the 350.

or hows about how to advertise that you got a luxury package vs just a base package? or that you spent $$$ for the nav and mark levinsons?

dragontea

Ok thanks for the info!... here they have the 17's for every IS250 (except IS250 RWD sport package) and BASE IS350... 18 inches are standard only on the IS350 WITH packages...which means if you are cheap to just pay for a base IS350 and not upgrade with a package.. then you get the same 17 inch wheels are IS250 ppl... (our standard stuff and options here in Canada are alot less than in the States, of course)

actually prefer the 17 inch rims haha... more of a conservative look but nice...

STIG

I was actually thinking about debadging my IS350 and chage it to IS250. It will be funny.

Pittdawg

I believe they should ship all 250's with dents and scratches to clearly demarcate a difference. How dare the 250 look as pretty is it's more expensive sister the 350! Haha.

Seriously though, you have some issues, who the f cares whether people think you have a 250 or 350, a true enthusiast knows about the different engines and will look for the badging, those that can't tell the difference don't know the difference! Nonetheless, they will still realize it's a Lexus and that should be props enough. The IS is a beautiful vehicle, I don't know why you would ugly up one model, or alternatively, modify another, thereby risking making it look worse. The whole point of having different models is to offer people who love the look of the IS a price range, those with tighter budgets can still drive a beautiful vehicle and those with larger budgets can get a beautiful vehicle with some serious horsepower. I really don't see your gripe, all my other vehicles were the top of the line model but I liked the smooth look and removed all badging demarcating them as such, who cares what other's think.

2SwiFt29

iTrader: (6)

at first i thought that the 250 came with 17s and 350 came with 18s, but i know that's not true.. i guess only the base models come in 17s? i have the package and 18s are on it so i'm happy

i did wish however that they should've made the 250 and 350 at least a little more different.. the only way to distinguish between the two is actually having to look at the emblem

deuce2

i agree..different models should come with different wheels...lexus did it with the gs300/430..i can easily tell them apart when i see one come down the street..they shoulda done the same with the 2IS.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Can you say Supra TT and Supra NA? Absolutely nothing to distinguish them visually unless you can see the brakes or they both have stock wheels and you can easily distinguish between 16" and 17" identicallly styled wheels.

As a TT owner I said, so what? It just means that many more non-enthusiasts will underestimate my ride. I love it.