ROTTEN42

So I currently have a 2008 IS350 that I use for late spring/summer/early fall. I also have a 2009 Rav4 Limited that I use for the bad weather months.

I'm starting to get tired of paying insurance and maintenance on two vehicles so I was thinking of selling both and getting a newer used IS350 AWD.

My question is....honestly, how well so these work in the winter with snow and ice? My IS350 rwd was horrible even with snow tires.

mmarshall

For the same money as a used IS350AWD, you can probably get a brand-new Subaru Outback. I had an Outback for 7 years. Nothing stopped it in the winter, and I MEAN nothing. If you want a little more power, you can get a Forester XT turbo or Outback 3.6R Limited.

ROTTEN42

Or I could keep the Rav4. The point is I love my IS other than in the winter. The Subaru's are solid vehicles but they look like someone barfed on the design table. No thanks.

355F1

I had my IS 250 AWD in Nebraska for 2 years (I live in AZ now) with no problem. I have only had Michellin PS A/S+ on it (I'm on my 3rd set at 112k miles).

flektone

iTrader: (1)

Hey no offense but as far as status, class, and luxury theres no comparison with a Subaru to a Lexus. AWD is great. Ive gotten caught a couple times in November in a snow storm with my summer tires on and I got around fine.

got556

I have an AWD IS250 and an AWD Suby Legacy :-P Traded an '06 AWD Limited 4Runner for the IS. AWD is a must where I live in NW Indiana with the lake effect. Haven't driven the IS in snow yet, but last year the Suby did great, even on Pirelli All Seasons that were probably a season or two past their life span. Then again I grew up in the country where they didn't plow roads....

JBLover

I went from 05 LS430 to a 12 IS350 AWD and it was awesome. Never had a single problem, tons of confidence and this was a really bad winter in Chicago.

tomiv9

I Have 250awd. we had a brutal winter here in NJ last year. Car was fine. Def Way better then any FWd or rwd car. My friend had a 350 rwd and returned after the first storm said it was horrible in snow. I've heard Lexus awd isn't the best awd system out there, but its definitely good enough for me and most people I think.

IS250TW

iTrader: (3)

Except the one time I got stuck in snow because of the car being low

Other than that the car will fishtail during snow days

valeoray

JBlover and tomiv9.... did any one of you lower your car or do you have stock suspension and wheels?

tex2670

Agreed. Bottom line is--it all depends on your tires. Check TireRack surveys for winter ratings. OEM Bridgestones were not good; I have Michellins now, which are much better. Certainly, if you put winter tires on, you will have no problems as all. I have all seasons, and I had no issue last winter.

To MMarshall's point--if you want deep snow traction, the IS is not going to get you where you need to go. But who are we kidding--no one is really on the fence between a Subaru and a Lexus. If I lived in Vermont or New Hampshire, I'd probably forego the Lexus and get a Subie. But otherwise, no.

NYKnick101

I have an AWD living in NY and last winter was BRUTAL!!! but there was a reason why I was always the only one at work during snowdays. Because I was the only one who was able to get in because I have the AWD.

With decent all season tires (which is what I have) you will be far better during the winter than 2wd lexus. An AWD with dedicated snow tires would be the best option making it just as good as any subaru.

jyeung12

i have an is250 awd and live in nj, and i got to test it this past winter and it was pretty good. there was one day where it snowed a lot and i was pulling into my complex to find a bmw 7 series and lexus isc (which is only rwd i think) both stuck and tires spinning with no traction trying to get up a 10 degree incline. ended up helping push their cars up, when it was my turn, i just drove right through no prob to the amazement of the other drivers LOL so yea awd is def good imo

OPTiK

This is my experience, in upstate NY (lake effect snow) as well. As long as you have decent all-seasons then you're good to go.

ROTTEN42

OK...good to know. Like I said I want to get down to one car so I think I'm going to sell both the Rav and the IS350rwd and get a IS350 awd. I will run proper winter tires. Other than last winter, Calgary doesn't get a lot of snow...more ice because we get Chinooks coming through melting the snow and then freezing again.