Input please WRX vs IS350
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Input please WRX vs IS350
I am torn between these two. I want my next car to serve these purposes
-Luxury (Not too Noisy)
-Sedan 4 doors (to haul kids, 2-3)
-Sport Appearance
-AWD (Winter fighter)
-Reliable
-Cheap maintenances
-Mods friendly (if needed)
Please provide me some inputs. I am Bias-ed toward Lexus of course. The only thing I am thinking about now is
-Price wise
-AWD Lexus isn't as good as WRX
-WRX has Turbo and more Power
-Lexus has Adaptive Suspension = Better to Haul Family in it
-Luxury (Not too Noisy)
-Sedan 4 doors (to haul kids, 2-3)
-Sport Appearance
-AWD (Winter fighter)
-Reliable
-Cheap maintenances
-Mods friendly (if needed)
Please provide me some inputs. I am Bias-ed toward Lexus of course. The only thing I am thinking about now is
-Price wise
-AWD Lexus isn't as good as WRX
-WRX has Turbo and more Power
-Lexus has Adaptive Suspension = Better to Haul Family in it
Last edited by Whitigir; Jun 19, 2013 at 03:56 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
my .02...
-Luxury (Not too Noisy) LEXUS IS, easily
-Sedan 4 doors (to haul kids, 2-3) IS back seat is tight, not sure about WRX
-Sport Appearance WRX , easy
-AWD (Winter fighter) both have AWD, tie
-Reliable tie, IMO
-Cheap maintenances WRX way cheaper
-Mods friendly (if needed) WRX, easy
-Price wise WRX is cheaper
-AWD Lexus isn't as good as WRX IDK
-WRX has Turbo and more Power uhhh...WRX 265hp, IS 305hp
-Lexus has Adaptive Suspension = Better to Haul Family in it it does????
now if you're referring to the WRX STI.....equal HP but manual tranny only, waaay sportier, price still a little cheaper than a AWD 350.
-Luxury (Not too Noisy) LEXUS IS, easily
-Sedan 4 doors (to haul kids, 2-3) IS back seat is tight, not sure about WRX
-Sport Appearance WRX , easy
-AWD (Winter fighter) both have AWD, tie
-Reliable tie, IMO
-Cheap maintenances WRX way cheaper
-Mods friendly (if needed) WRX, easy
-Price wise WRX is cheaper
-AWD Lexus isn't as good as WRX IDK
-WRX has Turbo and more Power uhhh...WRX 265hp, IS 305hp
-Lexus has Adaptive Suspension = Better to Haul Family in it it does????
now if you're referring to the WRX STI.....equal HP but manual tranny only, waaay sportier, price still a little cheaper than a AWD 350.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 1
From: WA
I am torn between these two. I want my next car to serve these purposes
-Luxury (Not too Noisy)
-Sedan 4 doors (to haul kids, 2-3)
-Sport Appearance
-AWD (Winter fighter)
-Reliable
-Cheap maintenances
-Mods friendly (if needed)
Please provide me some inputs. I am Bias-ed toward Lexus of course. The only thing I am thinking about now is
-Price wise
-AWD Lexus isn't as good as WRX
-WRX has Turbo and more Power
-Lexus has Adaptive Suspension = Better to Haul Family in it
-Luxury (Not too Noisy)
-Sedan 4 doors (to haul kids, 2-3)
-Sport Appearance
-AWD (Winter fighter)
-Reliable
-Cheap maintenances
-Mods friendly (if needed)
Please provide me some inputs. I am Bias-ed toward Lexus of course. The only thing I am thinking about now is
-Price wise
-AWD Lexus isn't as good as WRX
-WRX has Turbo and more Power
-Lexus has Adaptive Suspension = Better to Haul Family in it
Luxury: IS by a landslide
4-door: both vehicles have limited backseats but the advantage may go to the WRX
Sport appearance: subjective
AWD: advantage WRX considering you will likely only find a 250 in AWD
Reliable: advantage Lexus
Cheap maintenance: toss up
Mod friendly: WRX by a mile
Price wise the Lexus will be higher but not by a whole lot and I feel you get more for your money with the Lexus based off the higher quality materials - the WRX feels cheap to me. While the WRX might have higher power numbers (assuming you're referring to the STI), they are neck-and-neck vehicles stock vs stock. The STI has a ton more options for upgrading performance vs the Lexus. I don't know where you are getting the adaptive suspension on an IS - it doesn't exist (maybe for the '14 model?). Either way, the Lexus will ride better than the WRX if you are talking about family hauling. The WRX will handle better in corners but feel stiffer on most roads. To me it came down to the IS being a more civilized car vs the college kid feel of the WRX. But to each their own.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
The adaptive suspension is on the 2014 IS.
Yeah i was referring to STI. My bad.
Thanks for your input so far. Keep it coming please, as i am sure some one else would be in the same boat.
Yeah i was referring to STI. My bad.
Thanks for your input so far. Keep it coming please, as i am sure some one else would be in the same boat.
Given the choice between these two, IS350 hands down. WRX is way too plebeian and or spartan for my taste. I need a little leather and luxury features in my life. As the IS350 AWD started in 2011+ you'll have access to better tech such as bluetooth audio ect.. as far as I'm concerned these are two different cars in two different classes
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,225
Likes: 266
new car? IS350 is just a lot more luxurious so it wins every time for family car. Still aggressive looking and pretty fast... just not brutal like STi.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 23
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From: Ca
This only my opinion :-/
WRX five door if you need the extra grip and stability.
The IS if u are looking for style (not that the WRX is not good lookin).
Both are good choices.
Maybe rent one for a week and rent the other and see which one fits your needs and wants.
WRX five door if you need the extra grip and stability.
The IS if u are looking for style (not that the WRX is not good lookin).
Both are good choices.
Maybe rent one for a week and rent the other and see which one fits your needs and wants.
Last edited by SB2013RX; Jun 19, 2013 at 07:38 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,285
Likes: 43
From: NV
Do check if the rear seat room will be sufficient. This is one of the most lacking areas of the IS. When I looked at the Evo X MR vs the IS F, the Evo had way more rear seat room.
Completely agree. I think going for AWD just because of snow is a waste. Much better off using the cost difference for a set of snow wheels+tires. You'll have to swap tires twice a year, but you'll also have a much more effective and rewarding ride in the snow than with AWD and all-season tires. This also allows for high-performance tires the rest of the year which will also make for a more rewarding drive. I haven't driven the IS350 AWD, but I have to assume the rwd 350 will give a better driving experience, and be lighter too.
I've mentioned many times that I daily drove my IS F year-round in a place with 70"+ of annual snowfall. With good snow tires, it's just no problem.
I've mentioned many times that I daily drove my IS F year-round in a place with 70"+ of annual snowfall. With good snow tires, it's just no problem.
Last edited by gengar; Jun 19, 2013 at 08:14 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 0
From: IL
gotta disagree here, i had blizzaks on my GS400 back in the day, but my impreza, even with worn tires, are more confidence-inspiring in the snow any day. no need to feather the gas pedal in an AWD vehicle, ever.