I see many posts about the 250 lacking power. Comments about it, like, being slow. The 250 has more then enough power for the average person. Back in 1997 I bought a XLS Avalon with the 3.0 V6 (Sludge engine). It had 200hp and it was very nice to drive. By today’s way of measuring HP it would have been approx 190hp. I was thrilled that a car that would run that good could get 30 mpg. The IS250 must be quicker then that car and even gets better gas mileage. I just had to throw that out there for the people who are considering the 250 and were having second thoughts about the power.

Koz

 

Thanks Koz, I need to just test dive it and get this issue out of my mind. It's probably faster than my current 04 auto TSX, right?

 

Yeah it's great for what it is but when you own a 350 and you take a 250 loaner it feels like the 250 got neutered.

 

During my initial test drive, I thought the car was slow. The gas peddle is light and couldn't really pick up speed, IMHO, I think the TSX is faster. Switch it to power etc or using the paddle shift and the car true potential is unleashed. I don't have a heavy foot so the gas you save is good. I live in CA, and becuase it's winter with the oxyenated gas, that doesnt' really help much. It's a head turner though, and all the knick knacks that came with the car make it's fun to drive.

Coming from a Honda Civic with 100 HP.. this is plenty fast. I wish the gas paddle was more firm though

 

The problem is the 2IS is deceptively heavy, I test drove the IS250 auto, WAY to slow for my liking. The manual, although not the best stick shift in terms of noise, smoothness and what not, certainly pairs to the smaller V6 much better than the auto, honestly the difference between the two is like two different engines, one with power one without it.

 

The 350 is NOT for everyone. Some people will NEVER need the power.

 

True, I have an IS250 and recently test drove the IS350. There was great difference in power, but it's just not worth it to upgrade tot he IS350 now when the ISF is just a year away.

 

The average person is not a member of his/her respective car forum, so the posts you're reading regarding power are not coming from your average people.

 

back in 1997 200hp from a v6 may have been more than enough. this is 2006... nearly a 10yr difference.

 

Cars increase in power and efficiency each year and 97 was a long time ago

I remember a when my 88 continental had a digital Speedometer that stopped at 85MPH.... and people thought that if you got to 88MPH you would go back in time.

Ah those were the days. Anyway, its 2007. The IS250 is about average as far as power/ weight is concerned. So if you just want a daily cruiser, its a nice car with average power.

 

I thought I was god driving ~ 150hps Toyota MarkII back in 1998.

Things had changed and now 306hp isnt even enough for me.

 

I love fast cars, in my situation I have a built dsm runing 24 pounds of boost, the IS 250 is basiclly just for work, it's not powerful as the 350 but it's not slow to me just cause of my purpose for the car.

 

I drive a G20 (2800 lb/140 hp) that is decently fun to drive on the backroads and just fine for a daily grocery getter. It's old slow, but dependable, and that's all it needs to be. I think it just depends on the person. I'm a speed freak, but the G is fine for commuting and long trips.. It's cheap to fix, handles unbelievable, easy to keep running, and it's so ugly cops don't look at you and follow you like they do with nice fast cars.. No worries.

I have a $3000 sound system in that car, but nobody would even guess, it's so ugly.

 

Yes, In comparing IS250 Auto to TSX; the TSX 6-Speed is very comparable to the IS250 Auto in 0-30 and 0-60 accelaration. The TSX Automatic blunts the acceleration vs. the IS250 Automatic, especially from 0-30. On 0-60, the TSX can rev fully into its power range, so the difference in 0-60 vs. the IS250 is not as huge. In fact, looking through Consumer Reports, the TSX Automatic is one of the slowest cars out there from 0-30. In tho 6-Speed version, the short first gear gets the TSX engine into its power range really quick.

Anyway, to respond to the thread topic. For me, it was between the IS350 and the IS250AWD. Had the IS350 been available with AWD, that would have been the choice, but it was not. So, for me it came down to all-season traction with decent (but certainly not overwhelming) power or kick *** power and scary winter drviing (also, to get into my garage, it is up hill and I have all of about 2 inches on either side). I test drove many times, probably drove the dealer nuts, but I ultimately decided to go with the all season traction of the IS250AWD. I took alot of time and test drives to make my decision, and I don't regret it. So, test drive it until you are satisfied and you don't have to be one of those people who bought the 250 and are trying to add power because they realize too late that they really should have bought the 350 from the start... My 2 cents.

 

to each his/her own. if im paying for a lexus i want it to move like one