slimjimtel

Getting ready to buy a 2007 IS250

Is it worth it to buy the AWD? I live in NC where it doesn't snow all that much.
Can you run staggered tires on the AWD?

Things I want...
Don't need the NAV, but want Blutooth, so I have to get one with NAV.
Black or Smokey Granite
Black interior.

Questionable...
AWD or NOT?

rogzballz

iTrader: (9)

No if you dont see a need for it.

carlos3366

get is350!

d2fresh

There is a thread for ppl running staggered awd here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...thread-15.html

Personally as an awd owner, I dont think its worth it. For the few days that it does snow, its great but other than that its heavier, larger wheel spacing between the fender and less leg room in the driver's seat. I 'think' awd also consumes more gas from what I've read..

ddhleigh

Where is Kurtz?

Ultimate answer: No, get rwd

calvin2376

iTrader: (2)

For AWD:

1) Potentially better ability to get moving from a standstill in heavy snow

2) Potentially better ability to get up steep inclines in heavy snow

Against AWD:

1) Car is heavier, detrimentally affecting performance and increasing stopping distance

2) Car is heavier, hurting gas mileage

3) AWD car will cost more than an RWD car up front to purchase, all else equal

Notice that the pros for AWD only apply in the few days or weeks of the year (at most) where you get large amounts of snow. The cons however you suffer 100% of the time - even when there's no snow, you've got a heavier car so worse performance, worse gas mileage, and worse stopping distance. AND the AWD car will cost more than the RWD car all else equal.

I would get RWD and if you really want to, apply the money saved vs. AWD toward a set of winter tires, which make a bigger difference on snow performance than drivetrain.

slimjimtel

Thanks for the help guys!

What else besides added HP is the IS350?
Suspension?
Brakes?

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

The 350 has larger brakes (though that's irrelevant unless you're taking the car on a race track)

No significant suspension difference (if comparing RWD to RWD, both with the same option package on it)... though the 350 did have the sport package offered all years from 06-10, while the 250 only had it available for the first few years (06-07 or 06-08, can't recall which)

The 350 has an easier time changing spark plugs (the 250 you have to remove the intake manifold) though you'll only do this a few times in the life of the car anyway....

More importantly the 350 doesn't have the carbon buildup issue the 250 has, which can be annoying.

Basically the 350 is about 10% more initial cost, about 10% worse mileage, but about 50% more hp and lower maintenance.

Which is a pretty good deal in my book. Especially given there's very little you can reasonably do to add significant power beyond stock to either car.


As to AWD, no, you don't need it.

Very few people do unless they live in the mountains or someplace else that has a lot of very steep hills and gets significant snow.

Everywhere else (including non-hilly places it snows a lot) they're better off with RWD and proper tires. Especially since many AWD owners just leave crappy all-season tires on the car, meaning they're significantly less safe than RWD owners with snow tires when the white stuff falls. Tires>Drivetrain in most cases.

There's several threads with well sourced info and testing data to support this if you care to search for em. Or as Car and Driver summed up in their testing-

iRyan

iTrader: (7)

So you have ur options...lol....RWD lol now it depends on if you want to spend more and go 350 or if you want to go 250...I went 250 route...kinda want the speed but to me it wasn't worth the price difference

slimjimtel

Ok, i understand the carbon buildup. I have a 2010 JCW MINI Cooper Clubman and at 37,000 miles had to have what BMW calls a walnut blast done to the valves to remove the carbon buildup. MINI's are really prone to this. In the MINI community most install catch cans or do seafoam treatments.

Now,
I'm still looking.
2006-2007
Model- 350 (250's not out)
RWD-YES
NAV - nice to have, not have to have, but would like the Blutooth. (Lexus NAV sux, it's worthless in my 2010 RX, garmin works better)
Color- black or Smokey Granite
Interior-open
Miles - under 90k
Price- sub 18k max

Am I dreaming? Or is this price doable?

slimjimtel

Did it! Just purchased...
2006 IS350 RWD
79k miles
Black/Black
NAV
Satellite Kit
Mark Levinson Audio
Park Sensors
Headlamp Washers
18" Lexus G-Spider Wheels
Rear Lip Spoiler
3M Clear Bra
Brakes just replaced 15k miles ago


1 owner car
Bought and serviced by ONLY 1 dealership
All Recalls performed
All Services up to date.

I don't pick the car up until 4-27
My schedule is just too busy.

Noeh

iTrader: (3)

congrats!! now you need the f sport sway bars

starknight

iTrader: (21)

Post pictures when you get it! Congrats!

slimjimtel

Thanks Guys!

I'm pretty connected in the MINI community and have done pelnty of MODS in it. I bought the IS to let the MINI rest a while in the garage. A MINI as a daily driver can become a little tiresome with the rough ride. The IS will now be my daily driver and will get the mileage on it instead of my JCW Cooper.

First change...wheels. The original owner had several "run-ins" with curbs! Expensive Lexus G-Spiders.

thinking of LFA Style 18x8 front and rears 38 offset. With 225's on the front and 255's on the back.
Ceramic Window Tint

slimjimtel

Here are some PRE-DELIVERY pictures of the car.

I won't get it until April 27th