chikoo

There is a reason why 250 sells more. It is the best pkg.

TOPSECRTIS

iTrader: (4)

^^^ And it's cheaper...

MashinA

iTrader: (20)

i bought my 06 is250 from a private owner but it was CPO. had it for 4 months and so far im satisfied....i probably do wish i had gotten the 350 but since you dont care about the power you will be fine. mine was just over 50k so i didnt get the extended warranty but i have a personal mechanic who does all my maintenance and i can trust him to not overcharge me so i stay as far away from the stealership as possible.

intellis

There is very little difference in gas mileage between the 250 and 350. I have a 350 and I drive a lil hard at times and I still get a good 22 mpg with a mixture of highway and city. Get the 350 you want regret it. You should be able to find one for about $21k or $22k and with some negotiating you should be able to get under $20k. I'm from SC and I'm seeing used 07s priced for $18k

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

fixed your post for ya!

Raralith

If you are looking for a car under $20k, I'd probably suggest the private market (not dealership) for an IS 250 with a good amount of features. Yes, you can get a IS 350 for under $20k too but you may find that 1) it could have a few more years on it, 2) it could have more miles on it, and/or 3) it could have less features and packages on it when compared to an IS 250. For your budget, get the 250 unless you need the speed, otherwise get a 350 but maybe expect to pay a bit more.

allst4r

iTrader: (7)

test drive both. and see which one you like better.
so many different options. also check out the tread where pplz talk about the various discounts and how much people on this forum actually paid.

my car sticker was 44k i paid 39 for my is350 in 2007. Keep in mind they only had 4 is350 on the lot at that time. not sure how popular the is350 is now. I see so many is250. so exclusivity and more horse power is a bonus.

salvi

hmmmm... now you guys have me thinking of the 350 lol. I used to have an STI, so that power is about the same as the 350. Power is nice, but the STI didn't get good gas mileage.

I want it under 20k, good on gas, and not be crazy high on insurance.

MashinA

iTrader: (20)

As people have said the gas mileage isnt that much different...as for insurance it shouldnt be that much different as well between a 250 and a 350...i was 24 with a g35 and only paid like $70 a month for basic liability and theft protection.

salvi

Ok, so the 350 is looking like the better option. Does the 250 and 350 have the same engine? Is the 350 just tuned better?

What are the options that are available for these cars that I should be looking at?

iboon

iTrader: (2)

350 is 3.5 liter 306 hp 277 tq 250 is 2.5 liter 205 hp or something

salvi

Ahhh, so more displacement. Got it.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

350 has a larger engine, larger brakes, different gearing, and a different transmission (though both autos are 6 speeds they're not the same transmission)

Option-wise there's 4 basic packages on 07-09 cars (3 on 06s, and I leave out '10s since they won't be 20k or less)

Premium Package:
This is just woodgrain interior and the upgraded seats (heated/vented)

X package: (07-09 only)
Sport suspension, sport pedals, illuminated door sills, front lip spoiler, unique 5-spoke wheels.

(you can supposedly get the two above together... neither is possible with one of the two packages below though)

Luxury Package:
Upgraded seats, memory seats, rain sensing wipers, auto-dim side mirrors, power tilt/tele steering wheel, HIDs with AFS, 18" wheels, (woodgrain, illuminated scuff plates, power rear sunshade)

Sport Package:
Everything in Lux package other than the stuff in brackets plus sport suspension, sport pedals, and aluminum scuff plates

One other note- it's technically possible to get the Lux package without 18s, but I've never actually seen one. It's not possible to get the sport package without them.

Anyway, those are the "packages"

There's also some options available by themselves-

18" wheels

HIDs (only available by themselves on 07+ cars- in 06 they only came with the sport or lux package)

Rear spoiler

Navigation

Mark Levinson

Nav+ML (this is the only way to get a DVD changer instead of a CD changer)

XM radio

Park Assist

Headlight washers

PCS- radar cruise with precollision system... probably the rarest 2IS option.

chikoo

Rofl.....good one there!

lamar411

dont know if you saw what he said or im just reading it wrong, but his max is $20k, and theres no way your going to get IS350 for that, a IS250 will be pretty hard to find to.