IS250 and IS350, too big of a gap!
03-11-15, 12:26 PM
#1
IS250 and IS350, too big of a gap!
Alright, having owned both cars for awhile now and driving both IS250 and IS350 on a daily basis. I can really a tell a significant difference in performance between the two. It is day and night difference! The torque in IS350 is just ridiculous. The throttle respond is so much quicker, you step a little in the gas, and the car just moves. That is on street.
On autocross and track, the difference magnifies. IS350 1st gear vs IS250 1st gear is like comparing a man vs a baby or a jet vs a bicycle. Loosely speaking, the torque I get from IS250 at red line (around 6400 RPM) feels only like 3000RPM from the IS350.
The IS250 feels so much slower like a turtle. A remedy now is to put on S mode, and upshift at red line, that would make the IS250 feel like the IS350 driving normally.
I let my family members (very conservative drivers) test drive both cars, I let them drive the IS250 first for few days and then the IS350. Guess what, when they first step into the IS350, they were shocked/scared of how much faster the RPM needle jumps on the IS350 to the point they think the IS350 is unsafe to drive. I then turn on the "snow" mode, and then they all respond, this is how the car should drive. This is more safe like the IS250. The IS350 is very unsafe son, you should sell that car!.
For you folks out there who think about getting the IS250, please also consider the IS350 especially when you appreciate performance. That few thousand dollars more is really worth it. In case you are looking for used car, for a similar price, you are a lot better off getting an older IS350 than a newer IS250.
In the long run, I'm not sure what to do with the IS250. Hopefully if budget is not tight, I'll part out the IS250, trade it in for the ISF or BMW M3
I really want to own the M3 one day but Bimmer reliability issue is a big draw back 
On autocross and track, the difference magnifies. IS350 1st gear vs IS250 1st gear is like comparing a man vs a baby or a jet vs a bicycle. Loosely speaking, the torque I get from IS250 at red line (around 6400 RPM) feels only like 3000RPM from the IS350.
The IS250 feels so much slower like a turtle. A remedy now is to put on S mode, and upshift at red line, that would make the IS250 feel like the IS350 driving normally.
I let my family members (very conservative drivers) test drive both cars, I let them drive the IS250 first for few days and then the IS350. Guess what, when they first step into the IS350, they were shocked/scared of how much faster the RPM needle jumps on the IS350 to the point they think the IS350 is unsafe to drive. I then turn on the "snow" mode, and then they all respond, this is how the car should drive. This is more safe like the IS250. The IS350 is very unsafe son, you should sell that car!.
For you folks out there who think about getting the IS250, please also consider the IS350 especially when you appreciate performance. That few thousand dollars more is really worth it. In case you are looking for used car, for a similar price, you are a lot better off getting an older IS350 than a newer IS250.
In the long run, I'm not sure what to do with the IS250. Hopefully if budget is not tight, I'll part out the IS250, trade it in for the ISF or BMW M3
I really want to own the M3 one day but Bimmer reliability issue is a big draw back
Last edited by FSportIS; 03-11-15 at 12:30 PM.
03-11-15, 01:07 PM
#3
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: FL
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My brother has an 08 is250 great car but felt was so underpowered (i had an 06 infiniti m35 at the time) I have now an 06 Is350 i was fortunate to buy cash in mint condition. car is powerful, more im on the highway alot and need the power to get around people. ISF will be next if i ever sell my
S2000. i wouldnt consider a is250 ever, or BMW, stick to Jap.
S2000. i wouldnt consider a is250 ever, or BMW, stick to Jap.
03-11-15, 01:29 PM
#4
The 2GR-FSE with the D4-S is capable of transmitting 90% of its total torque output from as little as 2,000 RPM.
Combine that powerband performance aspect with a very aggressive final drive ratio of 4.08 and you have yourself a 306HP rated car that behaves like it has another 30 horsepower under the hood.
This is also why the 2nd Gen IS350 is very capable of hitting 0-60 in the high 4's and a 1/4 mile time in the low-to-mid 13s on a regular basis.
Combine that powerband performance aspect with a very aggressive final drive ratio of 4.08 and you have yourself a 306HP rated car that behaves like it has another 30 horsepower under the hood.
This is also why the 2nd Gen IS350 is very capable of hitting 0-60 in the high 4's and a 1/4 mile time in the low-to-mid 13s on a regular basis.
03-12-15, 09:50 AM
#7
My brother has an 08 is250 great car but felt was so underpowered (i had an 06 infiniti m35 at the time) I have now an 06 Is350 i was fortunate to buy cash in mint condition. car is powerful, more im on the highway alot and need the power to get around people. ISF will be next if i ever sell my
S2000. i wouldnt consider a is250 ever, or BMW, stick to Jap.
S2000. i wouldnt consider a is250 ever, or BMW, stick to Jap.
Glad that you are moving to the F too. I know that car holds value very well.
Trending Topics
03-12-15, 09:52 AM
#8
The 2GR-FSE with the D4-S is capable of transmitting 90% of its total torque output from as little as 2,000 RPM.
Combine that powerband performance aspect with a very aggressive final drive ratio of 4.08 and you have yourself a 306HP rated car that behaves like it has another 30 horsepower under the hood.
This is also why the 2nd Gen IS350 is very capable of hitting 0-60 in the high 4's and a 1/4 mile time in the low-to-mid 13s on a regular basis.
Combine that powerband performance aspect with a very aggressive final drive ratio of 4.08 and you have yourself a 306HP rated car that behaves like it has another 30 horsepower under the hood.
This is also why the 2nd Gen IS350 is very capable of hitting 0-60 in the high 4's and a 1/4 mile time in the low-to-mid 13s on a regular basis.
Indeed. I feel like driving super car especially on 1st gear when I step in the IS350 lol. I can induce power oversteer easily with that crazy 1st gear. It goes from 1000 RPM to 6400 RPM so damn fast and hitting the limiter all the times lol.
03-12-15, 09:57 AM
#9
S2000 is a total killer and belong to a different category. That car is really a handling performance car. On both autocross and track, it can beat a tons of cars including the IS350. We can't really compare the S2k with the IS350. IS350 is too fat and heavy vs a lightweight small 2 seats S2k lol.
03-19-15, 09:22 AM
#11
Rookie
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: ca
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coming from an is300, which btw is an awesome car, i agree with spending the extra few grand for the 350. i don't drive hard at all, but i want the power to be there when i need it.
03-19-15, 10:38 AM
#12
03-19-15, 11:01 AM
#14
The S2000 is all about lateral G forces, not longitudinal ones Essentially, the S2K is quick around a track but isn't really going to slam you back in your seat like the IS350 or ISF. Now I can appreciate all kinds of g forces, but, on the street, having power (torque) available so early, like the IS350/F is more fun to me than something I have to bury into the redline to feel any kind of power.
Essentially, the S2K is quick around a track but isn't really going to slam you back in your seat like the IS350 or ISF. Now I can appreciate all kinds of g forces, but, on the street, having power (torque) available so early, like the IS350/F is more fun to me than something I have to bury into the redline to feel any kind of power.
