Nvalenti20

I have a question, I am in the market for a new IS250 AWD or the IS 350. I am torn between these two cars and cannot decide which would be better for me. I live in upstate NY, we get a good amount of snow here so the AWD would be great.....but not enough power for me. I want to get the IS300 but then I wouldn't have the AWD but would have enough power. Also, I plan on towing a Sea Doo Jet boat, (about a 6 passenger)....would this be too much for the IS250 AWD or even the IS300? Not really worried about the price just extremely undecisive about these two cars.

So I guess my question is If I get the IS250 AWD would it be able to tow a Jet boat? Or, if I get the IS300 would that be able to tow a jet boat? Please help. TIA.

jezza

I'm not quite sure where you got the idea that the IS300 has gobs more power than the IS250... it doesn't. They're pretty much on par, and the IS250 gets way better gas mileage to boot. My point being, if the 250 doesn't have enough power for you, neither does the 300.

Regardless, I think you're pretty much SOL with regards to towing anything with the Lexus. It certainly wasn't on their list of things to accomodate when they designed the car, and there's a section in the manual that specifically says "Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with this vehicle".

Nvalenti20

I apologize, the last few times I mentioned the IS300 in my initial post I meant the IS350, the one with 306hp........reason I ask is because I have a friend who has a 2005 IS300 that tows his two jet skis with no problem whatsoever and has been doing it for 2yrs. So I figured with the IS350 or maybe the IS250 AWD it may not be a problem unless someone on this forum who has had experience or a lot of knowledge about this car told me otherwise. Thanks for your reply.

jezza

I think it would depend entirely on whether or not you can find anyone that makes a hitch setup for the new IS. The problem you're going to have is that the rear bumper cover is enormous, and drops quite far down the back of the car. To get a hitch setup installed will probably require either cutting or removing the bumper cover to do the install. Again, I could be wrong. I haven't heard of anyone towing anything as yet. Good luck...

ff_

The car can probably handle towing a jetski (assuming that they weigh less than 1000 pounds, including trailer...). Good luck finding a hitch made for the IS, though. I would doubt that one even exists.

Koz

It is recommended by Lexus that you do NOT tow with the IS. There is probably a good reason for this.

Koz

golfproatl

Have a look at this. This is from the GB website and has been posted before.
I have also seen a picture on here of a custom hitch set up. Do a search and you should find it.


http://www.lexus.co.uk/lexus_cars/is..._exterior1.asp

ecr527

If I had to tow something with my IS, it probably wouldn't be more than a 2 seater jet ski. I think towing a jet boat might be a little much for an IS, even a 350. Regardless, if I really wanted to tow something, I would probably invest in a truck.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

How much does the boat AND trailer weigh? I would expect it to weigh more than 2000 lbs, which is the limit for a class 1 hitch. If a hitch is ever available for the 2IS, I'm sure it won't exceed class 1. Regarding power, I'm sure either IS would be sufficient. I towed a comp ski boat with an S2000 for 2.5 years.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

BTW, the S2000 has a 0 lbs tow rating from Honda, but it did fine. It also had a similar bumper rail and bumper cover. I'm sure a similarly designed hitch could be implemented for the IS.

gsrthomas

iTrader: (1)

If an 2.0 I4 S2000 can tow that thing then an IS350 can tow a Yacht.

Ichigo

the s2000 picture towing the boat makes me laugh. I dont know why, but its funny.

sailing217

That s2000 is hilarious. Please tell me its a photoshop.

Towing with the IS is not recommended, but in general, almost all cars can handle towing up to 1000 lbs. So that's 1 jetski and trailer. 2 jet skis are too much and a jet boat, no way (the trailer for a jet boat is almost 1k lbs). The IS has enough power and good brakes, but how the suspension reacts to the tongue weight is unknown. Think of the people around you driving, not if you can do it.

Ramon

Power, especially on the 350 isn't a problem for towing... Not sure how the tranny would like it though.

ff_

You guys are forgetting the fact that these unibodies aren't designed to take the load of trailered weight. There's very little reinforced structure upon which to mount the hitch, not to mention supporting the tongue weight. Forget about whether the engine makes enough power. That's very much secondary when we're discussing passenger cars.