How's the IS RWD in snow? - Page 2

Kurtz · 08-12-09, 03:18 PM

The manual in the 250 really is kinda crap... it's a repurposed toyota truck transmission.

That said, I wouldn't recommend the AWD...it's slower, heavier, and gets significantly worse mileage than the automatic RWD 250.... and the AWD due to the weight offers _worse_ handling.

it offers better _traction_ which isn't the same thing...and unless you're going rally racing in the mud you won't need with good tires.

(Personally if you're coming from a supra I'd tell you to get an IS350, it's about dead-even speed wise with a stock TT Mk4 supra, and mileage is better too, and no problems in the winter with good snow tires)

bwesley · 08-12-09, 03:26 PM

Hey congrats on your PhD!
Technically, we're supposed to be enemies... as I'm a BFA grad from Indiana University!

Koz · 08-13-09, 05:38 AM

Don't even think of moving the car with summer tires, even with a light dusting. With quality all-seasons you will be fine in light snow, if you take it easy and NEVER disable the nannies. The traction and VSC work great! I'm in NJ also and the all-seasons are all you need unless we get hit with a storm. With winter tires the IS is as good as any RWD (which is pretty good), as long as you do not disable the nannies.

Koz

Lexasaurus · 08-13-09, 06:36 AM

I was wondering this same thing a while back. What are some quality winter tires for a decent price?

metalgear · 08-13-09, 07:35 AM

i drove this past winter from Seattle to Cali with my 350 and from my experience, it is really dependable. i was using the stock tires with no chains. i know...that was really stupid, I got stuck a couple of times but overall i got through the worst winter ever. the snow setting really helped me a lot.

GSteg · 08-13-09, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexasaurus

I was wondering this same thing a while back. What are some quality winter tires for a decent price?

What's considered a 'decent' price to you?

Over on many forums (including CL), the Bridgestones Blizzak series seems to be very popular. I'd take a look into them if you're serious about considering winter tires. It sure beats having chains on your car if snow is only 2" or so.

thechosun · 08-13-09, 09:06 AM

I live in MN and own a RWD IS250 6spd Manual. get a set of Blizzaks and youll rape a hummer.

Also a good excuse to get a nice set of summer rims and tires.

I use my stock 17's with some Blizzaks off Tirerack i think for about 700 dollars. Went out and got a set of 18's for the summer.

MN has some horrible snow, and i used to live in michigan, so im pretty familiar. Throw some blizzaks on and youll have alot of fun driving, not to mention control and confidence.

if you're not willing to throw down on some quality winter tires, then theres nothing you can do...besides get some triple a coverage...and have alot of patience

Lexasaurus · 08-13-09, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSteg

What's considered a 'decent' price to you?

Over on many forums (including CL), the Bridgestones Blizzak series seems to be very popular. I'd take a look into them if you're serious about considering winter tires. It sure beats having chains on your car if snow is only 2" or so.

Id say $600-700 is decent and something id pay for my safety in the winter, although Cleveland gets it bad in the winter, several times last winter I found myself unable to leave my home because its impossible to drive outside no matter what car you had haha.

thechosun · 08-13-09, 09:53 AM

Dont forget you should really buy some rims to go along with your winter tires. Mounting and unmounting on one set of rims is a waste of money if done every season. i got some stock is350 18in rims off a guy for 700 for the summer, and now use the 17's for the winter, i know they sell ASA's for pretty cheap and look nice for a winter set. ive got a friend with a is250 manual like myself, and 2 friends with RWD bimmers and they all have some ASA's and blizzaks.

you're lookin at at least 1500 to grab a winter set(rims and tires), and dont forget you need tpms sensors when you buy the rims, and as of right now you can only get them programmed at the dealership for 40 dollars, free if youre lucky. ive heard rumors that discount tire does it, but it depends if they have the new programming tool in their shop as it is now a standard item every shop has.

Lexasaurus · 08-13-09, 10:25 AM

I'll be using my stock wheels, going to purchase some narrow blizzaks, I have some 19's with nexen n3000 for the summer, nice to have two sets of wheels

w1ck3d64 · 08-13-09, 11:00 AM

i live in toronto and the winters here are pretty crazy...with that said..snow tires and a lighter foot is decent in the winter

fredw1 · 08-13-09, 11:49 AM

I went with AWD. I had an RX-8 with all-seasons and had a few white-knuckle experiences that I didn't want to re-live. I was willing to give up the power of the 350 and the manual for my own piece of mind. I grew up in New England with RWD cars and learned to drive in snow, but had gotten used to the better control of FWD (for 20 years prior to the RX-8). The mileage is not as good, but I'm OK with that. Handling in snow has been great. Overall, I'm happy.

chickenass · 09-02-09, 10:05 PM

i have 6 mt with summer performance tires and i was driving in close to a foot of snow and it was not very pleasant... i got from point a to point b took me a while but it worked... just gotta take it slow and watch the rpm but also i would not recommend driving too much... my brakes actually did not stop at one point.... and i swerved outta the way and stopped about 2 seconds later in a foot of snow.. as long as your not going uphill the drive is not too bad... but i may change to all season tires soon for safety purposes..

Kurtz · 09-03-09, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenass

i have 6 mt with summer performance tires and i was driving in close to a foot of snow and it was not very pleasant... i got from point a to point b took me a while but it worked... just gotta take it slow and watch the rpm but also i would not recommend driving too much... my brakes actually did not stop at one point.... and i swerved outta the way and stopped about 2 seconds later in a foot of snow.. as long as your not going uphill the drive is not too bad... but i may change to all season tires soon for safety purposes..

Change to SNOW tires and it'll drive perfectly fine in the snow. Hence the name.

All seasons are a compromise that suck at everything.

acefalcon2 · 09-03-09, 06:38 AM

oh i have a IS250 in INdiana... LOL... it handles good in the snow storms last year as long as you have winter tires... !!