You mentioned in your first post about snow problems. The IS350 will probably not the way to go if you want winter traction. The 300+ HP, rear-drive, and high-performance low-profile tires aren't going to cut it on a slippery surface...even with electronic traction aids.
I had an IS300 with 215 HP, 16" 55-series all-season tires, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and snow-mode transmission, and even IT was marginal, sometimes squirrely, on hard-packed snow and ice.

The Legacy GT would be a little better in snow because of its AWD but it also has low-profile, high-performance 45-series tires, low ground clearance, and also would not be the best for winter driving.

For your purposes, the Turbo Outback would probably be best. It has AWD, 250 HP, higher ground clearance, better-winter-traction 55-series tires, and promises a lot more winter sure-footedness than either the Legacy or the IS.

If you definitely want an IS for winter driving, I would either get the AWD IS250 and just live with less power or go ahead and get the IS350 and then try and find snow tires in the stock 45-series tire size so that they don't mess up the wheel sensors. I'm afraid that you are just not going to cut in on snow with a stock IS350.

 

Wait for the IS, its something you wont regret. Its not to much and has all the features you need. Its BMW like with Lexus dependability. Just wait.

 

It actually sounds like the VDIM is VERY good for snowy conditions, there's a review somewhere around here on the system in an 06 GS. I'd get a set of snow tires for it as well, I'm not horribly worried about it honestly.

 

If you're looking to get less "old man," I wouldn't immediately jump into a 2GS... Also, if you just got the new job and/or increased pay, and if you're intent on sticking with Lexus, I'd wait a year and get the second-year IS3. Gives you time to: a) look around, b) let Lexus work the kinks out, and c) save money/shore up the financial outlook.

That said, I'd get myself a yellow S2k and be done with it.

 

Funny you should mention that, I have another window open with Edmunds.com's info on a S2000

With that car I'd definitely ahve to get a winter car though... that thing's control is up there with rollerblades in the snow

 

how come no one has pointed out a A4?? great handling and sporty yet classy cars..

 

Reliability.

 

I bet it'd be fine on good snow tires.