looking for a fun, reliable daily driver, is IS250 too slow?

[IS-SV]

If you have another car (like a sports car) in your garage then the IS250 is fine, otherwise go for the IS350. I've driven both.

[stonefan52]

I have a 250, it was my first car. Driving around town I get 25 mpg, highways I get 30 mpg.
Most mods I have done have been suspension and aesthetics so I'm pretty happy with it now. I'm a full time student at USC that pays for their own car payments, pays for part of tuition, and is on financial aid. Do I have $5000 lying around to spare for 100 more hp I can't really use in rush hour traffic around LA? Not really, and with the traffic here, a hybrid seems to be the way to go.
You can try driving both, but if you go with the 250, you'll always be yearning for the 350. haha
I have driven both, but I've accepted there will always be a faster car unless you're willing to drop the $$$$$$.

[smokyis350]

Actually it is only ~$3800 difference (invoice).

I find it hard to believe that you can get 25 MPG for city. I had a IS250 loaner before and the best I got was 22 MPG city. Even Lexus claims IS250 gets 20 MPG and the IS350 gets 18 MPG for city.

[stonefan52]

Originally Posted by smokyis350

Actually it is only ~$3800 difference (invoice).

I find it hard to believe that you can get 25 MPG for city. I had a IS250 loaner before and the best I got was 22 MPG city. Even Lexus claims IS250 gets 20 MPG and the IS350 gets 18 MPG for city.

I'll take pictures of my averages, but yes I do get 25 mpg avg, and then it spikes up to 30 on a fresh tank if all I do is just highway driving. I drive like a grandma when I am not in a hurry, just cruising in the far left lane. Canyoning and on twisties I get down to 10-15 mpg sometimes haha.

[smokyis350]

Originally Posted by stonefan52

I'll take pictures of my averages, but yes I do get 25 mpg avg, and then it spikes up to 30 on a fresh tank if all I do is just highway driving. I drive like a grandma when I am not in a hurry, just cruising in the far left lane. Canyoning and on twisties I get down to 10-15 mpg sometimes haha.

It all depends on condition. 250 only gets 2 MPG better than the 350 on city and 1 MPG better on highway. Not that much of a crucial impact in my opinion if you can afford a 35k car.

[stonefan52]

Originally Posted by smokyis350

It all depends on condition. 250 only gets 2 MPG better than the 350 on city and 1 MPG better on highway. Not that much of a crucial impact in my opinion if you can afford a 35k car.

Yeah, true, I get better mileage than most other 250 owners I know. At the time my family got this car, we got an amazing deal on it near fully loaded, and difference between this and getting into a base 350 was pretty big at the time and wasn't worth it, my mom really wanted this car to get NAV.

[TokerIS350]

350!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you will not regret it

250=snail

[smokyis350]

I also received a amazing deal on my car also. My car is fully loaded without ML and I got it below invoice if I include the free floor mats and rear spoiler.

Just want to let the OP know, do not let the gas mileage deter you from buying a 350.

[SeOuLiS250]

OP
test drive both cars and pick what you feel suits your the BEST

people with 350 will praise 350s
and
people with 250 will praise 250s
period

[albis350]

I come from an srt4 which is considered a fun car to drive for some people due to its amount of torque and hp and the way it moves when you get on it...i switched to and IS350 and I DO NOT miss the srt at all maybe slower in a roll but nothing like the IS350 out of the hole and I dont miss the manual tranny neither
So yup IS350=nice reliable sport sedan and FUN to drive....hope this helps you with the decision

[norcal_c]

It's worth it!!! GEt the IS350.

[Zeus69]

Fun? +/-
Reliable? YES
Too slow? YES

[llamaboiz]

just so everyone is clear thou... some of the finest 'show' isx50's in hawaii are 250's

[Enginerd]

^^^ all show n no go! Just kidding, they are both great cars. If you commute a lot and sit in traffic get the 250...I'm rockin a 17 mpg average right now cause I can't keep my foot out of the floor, though I try, but always fail I Love my 350!

[metalgear]

for the extra 100 horses, its worth the 5000