gocubs08

Hey guys,

So I just moved to Chicago from Phoenix (new job) after purchasing a 350 about 3 months ago. I've been here about 3 weeks now and I have not seen ONE IS350!! There are IS250AWDs EVERYWHERE!! I am grew up in Chicago but its been Forever since Ive driven in ice and snow.. My question is this:

I really cannot afford a beater 2nd car, plus I live downtown and pay for my parking space so its kinda out of the question. How bad are they in snow?? I mean I will definitely buy snow tires, but I do outside sales and drive alot.

I really don't want to have to sell this car, I love it, but I'm really nervous about this Winter... and especially since there are almost no 350's around here. In Phoenix it was probably 1 in 4 was an IS350... here maybe 1 in 40.

Is there anyone on these boards that drives their IS350 in the winter as a daily driver who lives in Snowy climate? What do you do? What tires do you use? Is it even feasable??

Thanks a ton!

benzo555

iTrader: (11)

Yep definitely get some snow tires. Should help out quite a bit. Mine came with Dunlop Winter Sports when I bought the car but Im in TX really no point haha.

oblivionis

iTrader: (2)

Welcome to Chicagoland! I made it through two Chicago winters with my IS350 with no problems. The key is you must have winter tires. If you do, you'll be fine.
And you're right about there not being too many IS350s. In my two+ years of owning the car I've maybe seen 10 other 350s.
Don't forget to visit our Chicago Lexus Club forum.

JDub23

iTrader: (1)

You will be fine. I too drove mine the last two winters with Dunlop Winter Sport 3Ds. The only thing is the traction control sometimes seems to cut too much power when coming off a side street with lots of snow but other than that, it was ok.

Feb30th

Here in Toronto the IS250 AWD definitely dominates the IS line ups, the IS350 or even the IS250 RWD is less popular. I just got my IS350 a month ago so I'm looking forward to my first winter with my car... and snow tires are a must.

2IS 'R' US

Welcome to Chicago!! Snow tires will definitely help. Or we can trade IS's

Definitely not too many 350s, but they're out there. VikH also drives his all year round. Should introduce yourself in the Chicago subforum

VikH

iTrader: (5)

Welcome! Where are you downtown? I am downtown as well.

Yes, pickup some snows and you should be fine. I have LM-25s and they performed well last winter.

jkular

I drive my IS300 through 3 Canadian winter and as long as u have winter tires you'll be fine... jus be careful accelerating around corners !!! Cant wait to see how my IS350 handles the weather this year.

syzygy

I'll tell you what you sure as hell won't be going WOT for a long time. I don't have winter tires but I live in texas so I don't need them. However, I have some difficulty driving in heavy rain. In ECT normal or power mode, forget about it. Impossible.

In ECT Snow it was bearable.

Even under 1/10 throttle press in ECT normal I immediately started fishtailing.

With winter tires though I think you will be fine.

kyang91

iTrader: (5)

One of my friend just got a brand new IS350 it will be kind of interesting to see what it will be like for his first winter.

jns350

iTrader: (7)

There you are Vik... the Chicago guys on CL are the hardcore bunch...Didn't Mike drive his 350 all year around too?!?!?! But I think Vik and Mike used a spare winter tire/wheel combo for back up Am I right??

VikH

iTrader: (5)

Thanks! Yeah, I put on Blizzaks. I will probably raise the car up or else I will be plowing MAJOR snow. I plowed snow with my F-sport drop last year:

kloh7

iTrader: (6)

I got caught in light snow in NY with summers on.....terrible. You can do it but it was total concentration to drive the car, I didn't get above 20 mph on the highway as others were passing me. I think putting all seasons would be the minimum. GL

9relude8

def get winter tires...! it will be a great investment to get winter tires and never drive in summer tires in the snow. Not even a patch of snow lol....

YooNiBaLL

yeah, i live in st louis mo. got lots of snow. even my stock tires did fine in the snow as long as i wasnt going 30 on turns : D
using ect snow helps so you decrease torque and less possibility of hydroplaning. get snow tires. you'll be happy you did.