It's been right about a year since I bought my 2010 IS250 and joined these forums, so I thought it would be a good idea to post an update on how things are going.

Before I begin, how much someone actually drives is important in a sort of 1 year ownership review, so I will cover that first. In the first 6 months or so of ownership, I was putting probably 1700 miles per month on the car, but in the last 6 months it dropped subtantially, I'm putting maybe 800 a month on it now, so I am at about 14,000 miles total.

1. No rattles -- thrilled about this, it is as quiet as it was when I drove it off the lot. In my mind a premium brand like this should be absolutely certain they never have rattles, ever, but I've seen so many folks say theirs did (not just the IS but pretty much every other car out there). I'm happy to say I have none, but I will add that I've read the prime culprit for interior rattles is the hot/cold cycling that comes from leaving a car parked outside in the sun, and I've been lucky because I installed Huper Optik tint upon purchase, and also my current job allows me to park in a parking garage (my prior job was outside parking but the tint worked -- the car never got very hot on even the hottest of southeastern US days).

2. I just waxed it this weekend and I could not be happier about the quality of the paint. My prior car, a Nissan Maxima, had difficult-to-remove bugs and debris embedded in the paint after one year, chips and rock dings, etc. Nothing like that on the IS250 - the paint on the front end of this car looks showroom perfect, even though it was driving in the same (geographical / calendar) conditions as my prior car. I do have one barely visible (thin but deep) scratch on one rear quarter panel, but its a very low priority for me since you have to go hunting to find it, I may get some touch up paint for that particular issue.

3. About MPG which is even more on everyone's mind now than when I purchased a year ago -- my typical driving is to work and back, grocery store, etc. (around town driving). Average seems to be about 25-26 for this, but much more on the higway (low 30's). I've only had a couple of really long (multi-hour one way) highway trips since I bought, but the gas mileage on those trips impressed me to say the least. I was on the fence about IS250 versus 350 when I was getting ready to buy, and I knew I would be facing a HP downgrade from my old Maxima if I went 250, but NO REGRETS. Less power means less fun to drive, but when fun driving costs as much as it does these days, it was one of the best car-purchase choices I've ever made -- I basically get a 20% discount every time I fill up, in exchange for never attempting to drag race fast cars that I know will beat me. Sounds quite fair and happy with my choice!

4. If I had to highlight one feature of the car I cannot live without in my next car, it would be SiriusXM and bluetooth audio. There is no good excuse for these to not be standard in all cars going foward.

5. Tires -- starting to get some very slightly visible wear on the corners of the front tires. Not complaining, tread on all tires still looks deep and adequate, rear tires do not look worn at all. Don't anticipate any replacement need or some time (nice change from the Maxima where I ran through an entire set about every 12 months or so).

Would be great to hear from others who are right at the 1-year mark.

 

Anyone else hate the fact that the window visor can't be pulled towards you when turned to the side?

 

doesn't affect me.. because i have tints!