Lexusloud

I want to get the IS350C for my wife, but she will be putting about 15,000 miles a year on the car. With the different size tires and no rotation ( and expense) how long can I expect a set to last? She drives hard, on the brakes, on the gas. I can't see replacing tires every year. Do you get 35k to 40k miles from a set? Are the alignments expensive? The alternative is a es350, but I know she would like the convertible.

Lexusloud

Also How do you tell from sales pictures if it had the Mark Levinson Sound package?

wickedik

you will see the mark levinson logo on the cd player

XSV

iTrader: (1)

for me (IS250), the rears only last about 30k. the fronts will last maybe 40k? All depends on the tires, driving style, if you keep up with the proper PSI, ect. Yes, you'll have to replace all four tires within 12 months. Alignments vary depending if you are lowered or not. I pay $75 for an alignment but my car is lowered. The dealership charges over $100 I believe when my car was stock.

SeanO

iTrader: (1)

You should be able to get 35-40K out of a decent set of tires for sure.. most reputable tire companies will have tread wear warranties that will guarantee a certain amount of life out of their tires so I'd be looking for that. Alignments are all pretty standard between $75-100 - Lexus here in Canada charged me 89.99 I believe. If you want good life out of your tires you need to buy good tires.. plain and simple

Mrfix

I'm curious, why tires are such a concern? Cost? Because if you are willing to get her a nice car so she can drive it like $h!t why would you worry about tires?

I would just get her a $h!t box and not even entertain the idea of a nice car. She will probably ruin it or get herself into trouble. Have you thought about an older 4 banger Toyota Camary? Let her drive that thing into the ground.

XSV

iTrader: (1)

Yes, but for staggered setups the warranty may not apply or the milage is decreased. For example, I used Nitto Motivo tires in the past and here is the fine print: "Vehicles with staggered fitments (i.e., where the front and rear tires are of a different size) cannot be rotated. Therefore, Nitto® warrants tires mounted on the rear axle of vehicles with staggered fitments only up to 50% of the warranted miles under the standard Nitto® treadwear warranty."

604GSE21

should've bought tires that can rotate from left to right... i made the mistake of buying Toyo T1-Sports which can only be rotated front to rear and with staggered setup on my car, my tires can't be rotated...

XSV

iTrader: (1)

It doesn't matter if you rotate rear tires side to side, the warranty will be halved either way.

Lexusloud

Thanks for the info. Mr Fix a tad strong comeback eh? My wife is a Realtor and unfortunately an old Camry like I drive (1999, with 307,000 miles currently) does not show well. She currently drives a 2003 Gx470 with 185,000 miles. She works very hard and it's not like she is demanding a $50k to $100k new car. She would just like a convertible and we believe in Lexus(Toyota0 Quality/long life. As you can see by our current vehicles mileage, we get our monies worth out of our cars. The tire situation does worry me as it could get pricey. I will check with Americas Tire to see what they say. No chance of going to only 225-40-16 all around and rotate them? I suppose the wider rear rims won't do well on the front?

2013FSport

iTrader: (2)

You could opt for 2 or 4 new matching wheels and run a square setup AND rotate them.

The downside is the ABS/traction control and all that will be more sensitive but others who have done this seldom mention it so it may not be an issue at all.

JM2C - mine came w Nitto Motivio's on the rear. What a useless tire! It is good for a smoke show and sliding tho!

DMV350

..........

Mrfix

Just go with the AWD Rims, they are all the same size....

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

The savings in GAS alone should cover the cost to replace tires "slightly" sooner. Plus the tires on the IS are not that expensive.

Or, keep the GX and have the IS as a "fun" car only?? I'm sure the GX will last for another 150k easily.

Good Luck!

XSV

iTrader: (1)

Tire cost is about $1,000 per year.