Considering 2011 IS250
#1
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Considering 2011 IS250
Hi. I'm considering a new 2011 IS, I'm leaning towards the 250 RWD, with six speed manual. Several questions:
1. I like to hear from those with the IS 250. Most state it's underpowered. How is it as a daily driver, fuel mileage? Currently driving a 2004 Mazda6, 4 cylinder.
2. AWD is great, but I think I'd prefer RWD. Pros and cons?
3. I'm a manual transmission guy. Everything I hear regarding the IS manual transmission is negative. Any positive comments?
Thanks!
1. I like to hear from those with the IS 250. Most state it's underpowered. How is it as a daily driver, fuel mileage? Currently driving a 2004 Mazda6, 4 cylinder.
2. AWD is great, but I think I'd prefer RWD. Pros and cons?
3. I'm a manual transmission guy. Everything I hear regarding the IS manual transmission is negative. Any positive comments?
Thanks!
#3
Racer
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Hi. I'm considering a new 2011 IS, I'm leaning towards the 250 RWD, with six speed manual. Several questions:
1. I like to hear from those with the IS 250. Most state it's underpowered. How is it as a daily driver, fuel mileage? Currently driving a 2004 Mazda6, 4 cylinder.
2. AWD is great, but I think I'd prefer RWD. Pros and cons?
3. I'm a manual transmission guy. Everything I hear regarding the IS manual transmission is negative. Any positive comments?
Thanks!
1. I like to hear from those with the IS 250. Most state it's underpowered. How is it as a daily driver, fuel mileage? Currently driving a 2004 Mazda6, 4 cylinder.
2. AWD is great, but I think I'd prefer RWD. Pros and cons?
3. I'm a manual transmission guy. Everything I hear regarding the IS manual transmission is negative. Any positive comments?
Thanks!
#4
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I test drove a 250 (auto) and it was quick enough for a normal driving but once you drive a 350 (what I ended up getting) you will think its slow. Unless you need the AWD I would stick with the RWD, I do a lot of stop and go so I never tested the manual so I can't comment on that.
#5
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Get the 350. I've ALWAYS only had stick cars but I must say the 250 is so ***** slow that I couldn't bear to drive that car daily, at least not for 20k+. Get yourself a used 08-09 is350 for the same price as the 2011 250.
At the absolute minimum, don't walk into a dealer and fall into a car on the spot. Test drive a 250 and a 350, then sleep on it at least one night, then test drive both again.
At the absolute minimum, don't walk into a dealer and fall into a car on the spot. Test drive a 250 and a 350, then sleep on it at least one night, then test drive both again.
#6
Racer
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Get the 350. I've ALWAYS only had stick cars but I must say the 250 is so ***** slow that I couldn't bear to drive that car daily, at least not for 20k+. Get yourself a used 08-09 is350 for the same price as the 2011 250.
At the absolute minimum, don't walk into a dealer and fall into a car on the spot. Test drive a 250 and a 350, then sleep on it at least one night, then test drive both again.
At the absolute minimum, don't walk into a dealer and fall into a car on the spot. Test drive a 250 and a 350, then sleep on it at least one night, then test drive both again.
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#9
I have an 08 IS 250 manual. I'm getting about 26 MPG using Chevron gas, oddly I was getting around 24 using arco. The stock clutch is ok, it grabs higher on the release than other manuals I've driven. Definitely get the quick shifter, maybe ask the dealer to include that in the deal, since stock it is way too far apart, and after installing it the grinding sound into 1st and 2nd gear I was experiencing went away for me.
#12
Racer
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A search for AWD vs RWD will return many results. AWD is a waste of gas mileage unless you're in a climate that gets a lot of snow a lot of the year, and even then simply putting good winter tires on a RWD car will get you almost the same benefit. The price premium on an AWD car over RWD could be better put to use by buying the RWD and then investing in a second set of wheels/winter tires (and pocketing the difference). And if you're in a climate that gets a lot of snow a lot of the year and you feel AWD's imperative, is a small low-to-the-ground luxury sedan the best bet anyway?
Manual vs automatic is purely a matter of personal taste. That said, I have never seen anyone on CL say they truly liked the IS250's manual transmission - the most glowing review I've seen says "it's not that bad".
Go drive a manual and then an automatic IS250 and decide which transmission you want. If what you indicate above is true and you're not at all interested in the IS350, then DO NOT drive an IS350, used or new, because from that point on you won't be satisfied with the IS250.