Hey guys, so I have a little problem deciding on which car I want and I hope someone can help me choose. I was originally set on a 2002-2003 is300 but decided not to get it because of two major drawback. The horrible mpg and horrible in snow. I live in Chicago and 99 percent of my driving is in the city. Also we do get some pretty bad winters here sometimes so i figured I would look for sometjing similar but without those two drawback. So I'm now set on the Lexus is250 AWD. I figure I'm still getting the Lexus reliability, along with a lot better mpg and obviously no problems in snow or ice, also its newer and more luxurious. I was looking at like a 2006-2007 with around 80k or less miles for around 15k, so obviously the price is more expensive but that isn't my concern. My concern is that from reading some forums, supposedly it's not as reliable as the is300, also all the problems it has like the carbon build up, brake dust on front wheels, and a lot of people are complaining about the rattling coming from almost every direction inside the car. I know it's a little slower then the bmws and g35 but km not looking to be a racer, keep in mind im upgrading from a 1995 civic dx and I just want something nice and reliable as well. So can someone tell me a little more about the reliability of the AWD is250 and a little about maintained costs as compared to the is300. Also I don't want any other Toyota like corrola or camry nor bmws or Audi, thanks guys... Also no is350, i want AWD and don't care for the extra hp, I'm really set on the is250 now and just wanna hear your opinions..

 

Sounds like you've made up your mind, but for your needs I would rather go with a newer WRX to avoid any issues with the carbon build up, since you're not looking at the IS350s.

 

Brake dust issue: Get oem low dust brake pads

Interior rattling: I personally dont have any of it but I heard there is a TSB for it

They make the IS350 with AWD drive now btw, which would avoid any carbon build up issues.

So that pretty much solves the issues that you addressed. Other than that, our cars are prettt cheap to maintain compared to others

 

Maintenance is very simple, just your typical wear items like brake pads and oil changes, which can be done at any Toyota dealer if you want to save money. The carbon build-up may be an issue, but there is a TSB out for it, so you should be covered for 9 years from the manufacture date of the car IF you run into it. (I haven't, yet).

My oil change at the Toyota dealer cost me $60 for full synthetic. My sister's oil change at the BMW dealer cost her $130.

 

Thanks guys, I spoke to my mechanic yesturday and he pretty much confirmed what you guys are saying. He ssid parts and maintained shouldn't be much more than my 95 civic that I have now lol. Also about the TSB for the carbon build up. So if i buy a 2007 and have the 9 year coverage for it, i just take it to Lexus dealer and they fix it for free? Also what would be the symptoms of the carbon build up? Also I agree the brakes aren't much of an issue and hopefully I don't get any rattling. Again thanks for the replies

 

I live in Chicago and drive a 2006 IS250AWD. I selected this car over a G37 X. At the time, I wanted a 300HP and AWD. The Inifiniti was $45K + new, this car was $25K used with 100 less HP. I felt it was an easy trade off. The IS350 AWD was not available at the time of my purchase, though I wish it was. I picked AWD due to Chicago winters. Also with a 350 RWD I don’t know if that would have handled the snow very well with the power and wheels. Staggered wheels are cool but impractical because you can’t rotate the tires.
The MPG is advertised at 26, however I feel that number is very conservative as I can get 34 MPG doing 55pmh and scrap 30-32 doing 65 MPG with the cruise on. That is highway driving of course. If you want city driving number to go up get a hybrid, electric, or moped. The IS350 I think is also rated at 26MPG with 100 more HP. This makes me completely jealous. The carbon build up is covered and a warranty is not required for the repairs. My car has had the repairs and runs perfectly. The McGrath Lexus in Westmont and Woodfield in Schaumburg are excellent dealers I can tell you from experience. You will be treated like a king and respected. The brake dust issue is covered under 50K miles. They also sell the low dust brake pads at Sewell Parts which I just bought to address my dust issue as I am over 90K and just found out. That dash rattle or pop is also covered under warranty is you have a CPO vehicle. I got quoted at $943 to fix it from Lexus not under warranty. Every issue you have listed concerns over Lexus has addressed.
Approximate Low-End DYI Maintenance Costs
Continential DWS 50,000 Mile Tires $170 each (Discount Tire)
Air Filter cost is $15.99 (Autozone)
Oil Filter $6.49 (Autozone)
Cabin Air Filter $48 (Dealer)
Oil Filter Housing Wrench $30 (Amazon)
Engine Oil Autozone Brand $3.99 Per Quart
Sewell OEM Part Cost with Club Lexus discount
Brakes: Front Brake Pads-(Low Dust) Front Brake Pads
0446553030
$54.50 1 $54.50
Brakes: Front Shim Kit-Lexus Front Brake Shim Kit
0494553050
$39.95 1 $39.95
Brakes: Rear Brake Pads-Lexus Rear Brake Pads
0446653010
$47.23 1 $47.23
Brakes: Rear Brake Shim Kit-Lexus Rear Brake Shim Kit
0494630110
$27.90 1 $27.90

 

I forgot OEM spark plugs cost me nearly $120 for the set of 6 (every 60K miles)

 

I have a is250 and my interior rattles, something coming from the back is really driving me crazy, going to have it looked at. But I just hit 60k, I did my own brake job on all 4 corners for $150. But I did let Toyota do my 60k service and a front end alignment for $715. Now if I had it over again I would have supplied my own plugs, those jerks charged me $16 each!!! For plugs?!?! Other than that my oil changes at the dealer run $56 with tax.

 

My Honda Accord Hybrid OEM spark plugs cost $18.99 each and my IMA battery pack failed which costs $2,700 (covered by extended warranty). My point being things can go both ways.

 

It is almost not worth changing your own oil these days. I spend $23.99 per 5 QTs of cheap Quaker State times 2, plus a filter. I am at $54.47 for the oil and filters and still have to climb under the car.

 

brake pads are silly easy on the IS. On the 350 you dont even have to take off the calipers. Easily doable by anyone with basic mechanical experience.

 

I haven't looked, but is there a DIY for it on the forum somewhere? Any special tools required? I don't have much, just a socket set, a few wrenches, and a bunch of screwdrivers lol

 

Use the search, but he is right I am in the same position as you are (not many tools) after I saw the DIY I felt VERY confident that I would be able to change them myself. The pads just slide out after you release a clip of some kind. Slide the new ones in and you're done!