Smitslex

I been debating back and fourth on the F sport or the awd 250. I initially want the IS350 f sport for the speed and power but i was wondering if the awd was good also. I live on a big hill so i was wondering how well the awd worked. How happy are you guys with either one.


Thanks

quick123

iTrader: (2)

Just buy both...250 AWD as a daily, and the 350 Fsport for the weekends

jk...really depends on what you are looking for in a car and what you will be using it for, and also what you are willing to compromise. Both will give you the luxury and reliability, but the 250 AWD will lack in the performance and exterior aggressive styling. The 350 Fsport will not get the gas mileage of the 250 and will lack in winter weather capabilities. So you really have to make a pros and cons list and make the call.

If it were up to me, I would say go 350 all day...the smile you get when hitting the gas makes up for the couple of weeks a year you might need AWD

Smitslex

How good is the awd in snow compared to a RX?

quick123

iTrader: (2)

I guess that would depend on if the RX is AWD (I don't even know if they make them in AWD) and what winter tires are on each vehicle...

NYKnick101

I was in the same position. I wanted the power of a 350 but I also wanted AWD because when it snows in my area, it comes DOWN!!. I couldn't afford the 350AWD at the time because it was 2010 and up (25k+) so i really had to make a pros and cons list on which is the better car to get.

I ended up getting a 250 AWD because the benefits outweighed the 350 RWD. I being that I snowboard a lot kind of tipped the scales of getting the 250 AWD. Also 100hp is a significant amount of power over the 250 but i had to ask my self, DO I REALLY NEED IT? Am I racing, trying to be fast or just trying to stay classy. It all depends on how you want to use the car. Overall, I am happy with my purchase. Either way you go, it wont disappoint

JDR76

I have both an RX350 AWD and an IS350 AWD. If and when we get some snow, I will be happy to answer that...

vapid2323

I am waiting for snow out here too! I cant wait to play in a parking lot with my AWD350 Not to many of these cars around, I have only seen 3 or so.

To the OP, if you are concerned about snow, like you see it in your area for more than a few weeks then I would advise the AWD 250.

But if its only an issue for a week then get the 350, you CAN drive it in snow, but make sure you have dedicated snow tires. Plus the 350 wont have any carbon build up issues.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

To answer this, my question would be do you believe the RWD IS350 with 4 Blizzaks would be able to get around to where you need? What is the price difference between the two?

DeanIS

If you want the added power; then go with the 350 and have a dedicated set of winter tires and NEVER look back. My wife drove my 2009 M5 for two years with dedicated winter tires without issues. I am a firm believer in dedicated winter tires. Eitherway, GL with your search.

Smitslex

Thanks for your help It may be better to get a beater 4wd car and then the 350.


I also have a question are the headlight led's on the 2011's bright white or are the yellow. I read somewhere that the 2012's are bright white and 2011's are not bright white

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^Actually I believe the 2011s are the bright white...but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Noeh

iTrader: (3)

How bad is the hill you live on? RWD can be tricky on snowy steep hills, even with snow tires:


Also 2012 headlights are whiter:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...s-exposed.html

Wunko

I live on a hill but just bought the IS350 RWD because I liked the power of the IS350 and the aesthetics of the 2011 F-Sport package.

The 2011 headlights are more white-yellow and the 2012-2013 are more white-blue. The 2011 seems brighter but the 2012-2013 seems sharper.

If you have a 2011 IS and the LED headlights have the paint bubbling problem, you could get them replaced with the 2012-2013 LED headlights under warranty. There is a headlights TSB.

stronium

350 f sport!

stoked

iTrader: (1)

I live in Utah, where we get a lot of snow, have lots of hills, and swear by blizzaks on my stock staggered wheels. The difference is amazing. You have to drive cautiously in any car, but get the 350 ALL DAY. You must get snow tires, no questions asked.