Vairox

250 is a chick car, like the Mustang GT vs Base 6... always a chick driving the 6

Vairox

There is, they call it the ISF

mrraider

I used to own an IS250. Now I drive a 300hp car (S60 T6). I ain't going back to slow ever again

TheShaddix

I know there is the ISF...But I was talking about the same exact car as the 3IS, but with a bigger engine. Not the previous gen ISF. I was just making a point about engine size.

smardav

It all depends on what you are looking in your car and how you drive it. If you do mostly hwy driving, getting IS350 might be worth it. I had the same thoughts when I was abt to purchase mine and decided to buy IS250. I work downtown and will do stop and go mostly. 250 gives much better mpgs. The biggest trade off is it doesn't come with ML, unless you special order it.

toyotatom

I drove both and had to go with the IS 350 due to the extra power (outdated or not). I had a clear bra put on at the dealer and had an IS 250 loaner for the day. Its not a bad car at all, drives great on the highway, feels rock solid also. The only drawback to me on the 250 is that the gas mileage is not much better than the IS 350 in my estimation. I would expect the 250 to get at least 5 to 6 more MPG better than the 350 but you don't get it. I fully expect Lexus will find another 50 HP for this car somehow and then it will be a much better car.

Glashub

Here is how I know CR has lost it's mind. It slams the IS250 for not being agile. Every other rag I've read has exalted the IS for being agile 250 or 350. This is a totally nuts take on the car --

"Lexus IS
For a sports sedan .....the handling isn’t agile, and the ride is neither plush nor steady. Plus, the controls are cumbersome. Its likely excellent reliability is not enough to justify buying it"

Yet they go about how the outdated system in the Q70 is a marvel of simplicity and so easy to use.

natnut

Agree with CR being out of touch with reality here.

When 2 major automotive enthusiast magazines ( C&D, R&T) with a major focus on car dynamics praise the 3IS for having a better chassis than the market leader 3 series, with one having the slalom numbers to prove the IS' superiority ( C&D) and then for CR to dismiss the IS' agility while praising the 3 series' handling is just evidence that CR really dropped the ball on this appraisal.

nabbun

More power for not that much more money. I loved my 07 IS250 AWD but, I only bought that because I needed a car quick and couldn't wait for the IS350 . . .

FforLife

Go big or stay home...enough said.
Btw, its not much in price differences..

343P005

You certainly cannot conclude anything by whether someone bought a 250 vs 350

I have a loaded is350 with the executive package, but traded in from a 2012 7 series BMW. Did I choose an IS over a GS because it was cheaper? No. I did because I wanted a fun to drive sports sedan, with AWD but with a RWD ride height, and that's what I got. Was the 7 nice? Hell ya! But the ride was not inspiring, car was huge and bigger than what I really needed.

So far I love the IS and have no regrets until I get bored

Cocojumbo

Hey guys new to the forum and new to Lexus altogether.

I was recently in the market for a new car and wanted a sporty sedan. I looked at the CLA 250, Cadillac ATS and the Acura TL. Lexus was not even on my list because their incentives were not as good in my opinion as the others.

Well.. March incentives were great so I went in earlier this week to speak with the salesman. Mind you, i was 100% set on the new Mercedes CLA but they couldn't get within my budget of $400 or less for the lease. I test drove the is250 F sport and fell in love. The power was kind of lacking but it was fully loaded, white with red interior. I did not drive the 350 that day. So this morning I decided to go in and drive the 350 F sport. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. The 350 is what a sports sedan should be. Great power, great handling, stiff suspension. Car felt great. I got an incredible deal on it and am happy that I changed my mind. I even had a deposit on the 250 F sport.

Im2bz2p345

Congrats on your purchase of the IS 350 F-Sport. Great decision. What ext color/int color combo did you go with? Please post some pictures of it when you have a chance (in a seperate topic of course).

Hope you got a great deal on it as well. I test drove the CLA as well, but it felt way too small/crammed for my taste (especially the rear). The legroom was lacking a lot. Definitely not designed for an average full size adult to sit in.

~ Im2bz2p345

oghowie

Had to get IS350. It already feels a little underpowered compared to my old G37.

oghowie

This is definitely not a normal situation. lol