Debating between IS 250 and IS 350
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: MI
Sounds like the 250 would be fine for you. Save yourself some money. Cause whats the point of getting the 350 if ur not into racing and putting some of these other cars to shame every now and then. I mean the 350 def isnt a racer/sports car but it def HOLDS its own.
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: IL
First off, not looking for a race car. Just a nice commuting vehicle to replace my 2000 VW Passat with a 2.8L V6 (190 HP, tons of torque).
Will an IS 250 leave me feeling that I've traded down in the powe department? Frannkly I have past tickets and I don't need anything that tempts me to get more.
Thoughts?
Will an IS 250 leave me feeling that I've traded down in the powe department? Frannkly I have past tickets and I don't need anything that tempts me to get more.
Thoughts?
For me, it came down to AWD vs. 306HP and RWD, NOT about the price or the gas mileage. I went with the 250AWD, BUT I knew what I was doing at the time and I am still very happy 18 months later... The power in the 250 is fully adequate, though far from excessive, for daily driving.
The 350 is well more than adequate... if you often feel the need for quick acceleration, you'll want the 350.
Another option, if you want BOTH traction and power and you don't mind a slightly bigger car, consider the GS350 AWD.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento, CA
I have driven both and after coming to the realization that in my everyday average never over 40 mph on the freeway commute downtown to work I will never get to take advantage of the 350s speed or power, I have not regretted my gas saving 250 one bit since.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Do you care if you are first in line at at traffic light?
Yes - IS350
No - IS250
Do you feel a mild euphoric pleasure when you see traffic getting smaller in the rear view mirror?
Yes - IS350
No - IS250
Is fuel economy important to you?
Yes - IS250
No - IS350
Does the thought of buying tires every year make you cringe?
Yes - IS250
No - IS350
and so on. This is really a personal decision, not something a community of adrenalin junkies can't comment on with any sensibility.
Yes - IS350
No - IS250
Do you feel a mild euphoric pleasure when you see traffic getting smaller in the rear view mirror?
Yes - IS350
No - IS250
Is fuel economy important to you?
Yes - IS250
No - IS350
Does the thought of buying tires every year make you cringe?
Yes - IS250
No - IS350
and so on. This is really a personal decision, not something a community of adrenalin junkies can't comment on with any sensibility.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,030
Likes: 7
From: Windward, Oahu
*my first comment on this interesting thead and its to flame a flamer...*
Huh? your point? are you one of those who laugh at the 250 guys cuz they go slower? err... theres alot of faster cars for cheeper than our 350's... you dont goto a lexus dealership in the first place if you want a sports car... wtf are you talking about?
*my first comment on this interesting thead and its to flame a flamer...*
*my first comment on this interesting thead and its to flame a flamer...*
Right. My IS350 isn't my fastest car by a long shot. I've got 31 mpg with my 350. It doesn't happen every day, and if you drive your 350 so your all time average fuel economy is 26+ mpg, you really should have bought the 250 because horsepower comes from your gas tank. It's an irrefutable truth. At 26 mpg, you aren't using your hp at all.