Why offer IS250?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,030
Likes: 7
From: Windward, Oahu
I dunno why ppl keep dis'n the 250, 250's are for VIP cars. If i needed a daily commuter thru bumper to bumper traffic, I'd consider myself lucky as hell. There are alot of worse ways you could go traveling. Dropping in a couple hundred pounds of subs/amps isnt gonna hurt its performace, instead of go fast parts you go the VIP path. 
Last edited by llamaboiz; Jun 9, 2007 at 05:41 AM.
Why don't you find the statistics of IS250 sold with manual transmission, I bet you there's even a higher percentage of male buyers, which would then conclude that the IS250 with manual transmission is the manliest 2IS based on your logic.
And slower = safer? I think how safe it is lies within the driver.
In addition, I think another argument for females choosing the IS250 over IS350 could be simply due to price, they don't need the power, or softer ride. The Camry Solara is a "chic car" because of the design, exactly. It looks "cute" and feminine (not to say that guys can't own/drive Solara, I like the car), but to me, the IS250 looks um, THE SAME, as the IS350.
*EDIT* The list is out, according to this, IS250 is more of a man's car than IS350
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ghlight=gayest
And slower = safer? I think how safe it is lies within the driver.
In addition, I think another argument for females choosing the IS250 over IS350 could be simply due to price, they don't need the power, or softer ride. The Camry Solara is a "chic car" because of the design, exactly. It looks "cute" and feminine (not to say that guys can't own/drive Solara, I like the car), but to me, the IS250 looks um, THE SAME, as the IS350.
*EDIT* The list is out, according to this, IS250 is more of a man's car than IS350
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ghlight=gayest
Last edited by Yang1815; Jun 9, 2007 at 07:01 AM.
My point is based on the statistics which show that of all the IS 250's and IS 350 sold, a larger # of women own the IS 250's then the IS 350's. Your ignorant if you think Lexus didn't know that female buyers would lean towards the slower safer IS 250... its all marketing. And if you don't think the Lexus marketing reps consider the driving concerns of females when it comes to designing a car, your in denial. Take a look at the Camry Salara a solid chic car..from its inception. There is nothing wrong with targeting a specific group of the population when it comes to designing cars. And for the guys that own a IS 250, i said in my 2nd post there are always exceptions to the rule!!! most guys who chose an IS 250 over an IS 350 usually claim lack of cash being the deciding factor, but you can find exceptions to that claim also..
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: CT
Interesting that one perceives the 250 to be safer just because it accelerates slower. I thought the cars are identical in every way except for the extra 100 HP in the 350 which doesn't mean it's any less safe.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: CT
Actually I haven't because I don't own an IS just yet. I've never had an AWD car and make it OK through New England winters that last six months per year. The problem with AWD is that it gives people a false sense of invincibility in slippery driving conditions. People think they can suddenly drive faster and/or more carelessly just because they have that AWD badge on the back of their vehicle.
It creates a wider appeal to the market, many people dont see value in 300Hp, especially if you spend the majority of time in traffic on surface streets. It also creates a lower price point for those looking to buy the quality and luxury known for without having to purchase all the extras.
its simple economics, wider range of models = more appeal in the market.
Same thing with the SL65, why offer a SL500? Or E5000, E55?
list is endless
its simple economics, wider range of models = more appeal in the market.
Same thing with the SL65, why offer a SL500? Or E5000, E55?
list is endless
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,030
Likes: 7
From: Windward, Oahu
Solara is cute... sorry i dont see it... Chick 'sport' cars are rx-8/miata. As for % of male vs female 250 owners, when you see a girl driving a IS comming from the opposite direction, how can you tell if its a 250/350 when it passes you? I dont have fighter jock eyes... When i drive i pretend all cars i see are 350's and were ruling the streets 
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 7
From: FL
Lexus had sold 22,494 ISX50s since January 1 of this year. The only car in the lineup that sells more is the ES350. Clearly, there are many more IS250s on the road than IS350s (check out your dealer lot's inventory if you want to figure out what's selling). So label them however you need to, but Lexus sells a hell of a lot more of the "lesser" of the two. It probably wouldn't be very good business practice for them to change the plan at this point and dump one of their top selling vehicles in favor of giving everyone 300+ hp.
Other obvious reasons for keeping the IS250 in the lineup:
1. Insurance rates. Check the demographics on this forum.
2. Fuel economy.
3. Providing a more reasonable choice for parents with money AND sense (rather than a deficit of one and an abundance of the other) to purchase for their 16 year olds.
As discussed previously, many cars have lower horsepower options that sell better. The Mustang is a great example of this...the GT is available and sells well, but the 6-cyl Mustang is the staple of Ford's car lineup.
YMMV.
Other obvious reasons for keeping the IS250 in the lineup:
1. Insurance rates. Check the demographics on this forum.
2. Fuel economy.
3. Providing a more reasonable choice for parents with money AND sense (rather than a deficit of one and an abundance of the other) to purchase for their 16 year olds.
As discussed previously, many cars have lower horsepower options that sell better. The Mustang is a great example of this...the GT is available and sells well, but the 6-cyl Mustang is the staple of Ford's car lineup.
YMMV.
Last edited by 15951; Jun 9, 2007 at 01:44 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
LOL. I did the same thing, but I saved almost $8K by buying a 250 instead of 350. I had some more money laying around, so I combined it all and bought a $20K yellow gold Rolex President.
Now that I save money every month in lower fuel and insurance costs, I put some away for my next vehicle purchase, or whatever else I feel like buying.
The passers by notice my car first, but the Rolex really catches their eye.
Now that I save money every month in lower fuel and insurance costs, I put some away for my next vehicle purchase, or whatever else I feel like buying.
The passers by notice my car first, but the Rolex really catches their eye.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
I got 32+ mpg yesterday on my 285 mile drive from Houston to Baton Rouge with the air conditioner on the entire time, and having the cruise set between 75-80 mpg most of the time. The car is barely broken in with 2800 miles.
You can't beat it when the stuff costs over $3.30 per gallon.
Add that my insurance costs less than it did for my Toyota Corolla (yes, the car I drove before I got this IS) with the same level of coverage.
We are a very high income family, so we have greater coverage with 250/500 liability, and full comprehensive, collision, plus uninsured motorists (a must if you drive around in Texas/Louisiana).
2007 Lexus IS 250 Insurance (State Farm): $600/6 months for coverage stated above. Purchase price = $32,800 + TTL.
1999 Toyota Corolla LE (State Farm): $727/6 months for exact same coverage as my IS 250. Purchase price = $15,000 + TTL.
Figure that one out insurance gurus.I guess the rules always favor those that choose to splurge. I'm not sure that State Farm can even give me a good explanation for the rate differences above.