mmarshall

Yes, among other areas, I specifically mentioned areas near the Mexican border where snow does not often occur, and where AWD/4WD is not likely to be popular unless one has a classic off-roader and simply drives across the desert-floor itself.


AWD also helps lessen understeer by taking some of the percentage-load off the front wheels, which otherwise have to do all of both the steering and propulsion at the same time.

Toys4RJill

I never paid attention to the 3IS (my sister does have one in AWD form), but the LS and GS were offered in RWD until more recently whem they just went AWD only. Also, no 200t for the GS either. You can't get a 2WD Lexus SUV in Canada.

Outside of the GTA, AWD is very popular. But also, small cars dominate as gas is more money in Canada, green levies on SUVs can add substantial costs to a large V8 model in Ontario, and overall tax is 13%, the add all the fees.

I think the LX570 is $124k all in with a $104 MSRP.

mmarshall

Though the IS250AWD doesn't have the 350AWD's power (like some 2.5L AWD Subarus and Infinitis, it can barely get out of its own way), the 250AWD still sells like hotcakes here in the D.C. area. From what I can tell, it is quite popular with females.

I don't want to get too far off-topic, but do they at least use that 13% sales-tax in Ontario to keep the roads and infrastructure in decent shape? The frigid winters there probably take a toll on pavement...as they are (Increasingly) doing so in this area. They have made made at least some progress here in the D.C. area with re-paving and repairs....but this area is very affluent; other places without a big tax-base are suffering.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

How can it sell like hotcakes, when it is discontinued. Perhaps you meant 'did sell like'. You can only get an IS300 AWD or an IS350 AWD right now.

Toys4RJill

The roads in the GTA are like any other major metro city in the North. Some areas are good while some of course some improvement. I travel from Toronto to Rochester on a weekly basis, usually Mondays to Toronto and Friday night back to Rochester. I barely ever drive once I arrive to Toronto. One thing that I have noticed in the GTA vs other areas in new New York state or Ohio is that the highways in the GTA are almost exclusively divided by a barrier while it all depends in the New York State. Also, the lighted covered of the GTA.

Last time I was in D.C. they had the reversible rush hour lane if I remember. Do they still do that? Have you ever been to the GTA. The GTA area is one of the largest metro areas behind New York and Los Angeles. I think there are 10 million people within a 2 hour drive or something like that.

As for the IS250AWD selling like hot cakes, yes it does, but the price is lower than a 350 so that is probably the reason. My sister is selling her IS250awd, 2010 model for $15K with 60,000 miles.

Toys4RJill

I guess he didn't realize it has been discontinued. It was sold for 10 years if I am correct, even I forgot that it is no longer available.

SW17LS

I gotta agree on AWD. Even here Lexus does not even stock RWD or FWD vehicles where there is an AWD variant. Even BMW who does stock some RWD vehicles for enthusiasts, most of the vehicles on dealer lots here are X Drive. Same is true of MB, and I have never even seen a FWD Audi.

I know, I tried to get a RWD GS and a RWD LS. Impossible other than a factory order...they won't even swap for one.

mmarshall

Yeah......Thanks. I forgot the 2.0T was going to replace the 2.5L V6.

dseag2

Amen to that. And I would never drive one.

mmarshall

You may have not physically seen one yet, but American-market A3s are available with FWD.

dseag2

Yes, I'm aware of that. Doesn't mean I would own one.

mmarshall

I reviewed an A3 when the latest version came out. A nice small car, but the 1.8L turbo was somewhat unimpressive.......they should have used the 2.0T, especially with AWD.

LexBob2

I had an A3 2.0t loaner in Prestige trim. A very nice small car. Solid, good handling and quick with nice amenities. Kind of pricey though.

spwolf

it is easy to check AWD vs FWD... on cars.com, you can check dealer inventory and for MKC it is 2800 AWD, 1900 FWD.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

so we seem to have agreed/concluded that for luxury vehicles, awd is more popular than fwd overall which makes sense as the added cost is not significant and it's a nice to have even if someone doesn't need it, and it differentiates the buyer from the masses.