I'm trying to figure out if there are any differences between the two cars besides power but the lexus site is confusing me a bit.

So besides power, are you getting anything else upgraded on the 350 for the extra dough?
Is there anything standard in the 350 that is an option in the 250?
Is the 350 more bang for your buck?

Thanks!

 

From what I know, besides the 100 horses, the 350 comes with VDIM and bigger brakes. I personally think the 350 is more bang for your buck, if you care about performance and the extra safety provided by VDIM (I know others may dislike VDIM). Otherwise, the IS250 get pretty much the same thing with better fuel economy.

 

I test drove both and it just comes down to whether you like the extra power for the money. A 250 loaded with everything is about the same as a semi-base 350.

 

Insurance premiums on the 250 will definitely be lower than on the 350.

 

The IS 350 offers VDIM, the 250 offers VSC for traction control.

The IS 350 offers larger, more powerful brakes then the 250. I believe the 350 has front and rear ventilated disc brakes (13.14" diameter 1.2" width / 12.2" diameter .71" width front/rear) vs (11.65" diameter 1.1" width / 11.45" diameter .39" width ventilated front/ non-ventilated rear).

And of course the IS 350 offers 102 more HP, and 92 more ft-lbs of Torque.

 

Cool, thanks for clearing that up.

And for pointing out the insurance. That's something I would have totally forgotten about.

 

that may not be true, they may be in the same category for insurance purposes

 

anyone who has the IS can tell us if insurance is indeed higher?

 

I requested quotes for both cars from my current insurance company. The 350 quote I got was $55/month more than the 250 (being a 23 year old male might have something to do with the large difference).

 

That's $660 more a year. As I wrote earlier in another thread, most insurance companies are now basing their quotes on the cost of the car (since they don't have the actual data yet... can't recognize VIN's). Therefore, premiums should certainly be higher for the 350. Common sense: it would hurt the insurance wallet to replace a wrecked 350 MORE than to replace a wrecked 250.

 

Okay so the IS250 doesnt have VDIM but instead it has VSC.

So can you turn off VSC? Once you turn it off will it come on automatically like VDIM?

I know there is a off button on the right hand side of the steerling wheel for traction control.

 

I personally ordered the 250 MT,ML,DVD Navi. I gotta have the 6 speed manual.It worked out well, 6 speed manual plus its the cheapest.To bad for the HP though 205 to 306 ouch big difference.Did anyone else sacrafice HP for a 6 speed Manual?

 

i think the 350 also comes standard with power tilt/telescopic steering wheel and the 250 has manual tilt/telescopic

 

I have a 350 with Manual tilt. I dont think it telescopes

Also, if you consider a 13" 4 piston brake upgrade would probably cost $2500 alone. Then you consider, the 100+ HP.

 

the steering wheel telescopes, but not all 350's have power tilt/telescopic. I think you need the luxury package for that. I have the premium and it's just manual.