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Hey everyone, new to the site but not so much to Toyota's, because of this I'm leaning towards getting an IS. However, in looking I've found a few in the price range I'm looking at (sub 8k), including some that are low mileage (compared to a comparable Toy). The problem is I'm not as young as I used to be, and I'm leaning towards the 350 just for the power, but I'm wondering if there's a valid reason to go with a 250 over a 350 outside of slightly better fuel economy. If the 350 gets significantly less than 30, that would be a concern, but at or near 30 will work just fine.
A little background, this is going to be my commuter car. I've had some back issues, so I want something a little more comfortable, as well as reliable. My commute currently amounts to about 150 miles a day, almost entirely freeway, and less than 5 miles of <65 MPH zones and lights. I looked at an 01 LS, and I loved it, rode like a cloud on rails, but the V8 isn't going to get mileage that is good enough to keep me happy long term. It also has a timing belt, and I have no idea of it's last change, so I kept looking. The Toyota's I find, although reliable, have all been heavily beat or otherwise trashed to the point I really don't want to deal with them, plus they aren't quite so plush as the Lexus versions. I'm looking at cars in the 06-09 range, and nothing above 130k miles on the clock. I'm not concerned about financing, this will be a cash sale giving me a bit more flexibility to negotiate the price. Nearly everything I'm looking at is fully functioning, or at least being reported as such by current owners. At least one was just listed today, a 350, and has Lexus history showing all services completed, but I don't want to jump and make a mistake.
So, what say everyone, is there a reason to choose one over the other?
Sub-8k for an IS350? That's ambitious, but good luck.
Honestly, any small fuel economy benefits of the 250 will be heavily outweighed by how much more fun the 350 is to drive. That being said, my average MPG (according to the car's computer) seems to hover around 20. Not the greatest, but I live with it just fine.
I found the ride to be pretty bumpy, even in stock form. Keep that in mind with your back issues.
Bumpy isn't a big deal, I'm currently commuting in an old Saturn sedan, but the mileage is concerning. Is your drive mostly city? The rating says closer to 30, if it's only really getting 20 mostly highway I'll go with the lesser cost LS that was showing 26 when I test drove it. Or I may go with a 250 as that kind of mileage isn't worth the extra smiles, since it is 10-12 below what I'm currently getting.
Just went on a beach trip taking my "old" '06 IS350 and it never skipped a beat! Even did 24.9mpg, even with a few unnecessary passing pulls around slow traffic in the fast lane. The minor MPG advantage that the IS250 has is completely overshadowed by the advantages of the IS350.
I'm thinking that's the difference, or just a bad link I found. Either way, I think I'd rather have the 350 anyway, just having a bit more power is more fun for a long drive.
Gville, you mentioned advantages of the 350, what advantages exactly?
Sub-8k for an IS350? That's ambitious, but good luck.
Honestly, any small fuel economy benefits of the 250 will be heavily outweighed by how much more fun the 350 is to drive. That being said, my average MPG (according to the car's computer) seems to hover around 20. Not the greatest, but I live with it just fine.
I found the ride to be pretty bumpy, even in stock form. Keep that in mind with your back issues.
I thought I might mention, the one I'm checking out this week is an 06 350, 125k on the clock, all documented maintenance from the dealer, appears to be in nice shape. The downside, it's some awful light green, maybe gold, maybe tan, maybe blue color I've never seen on any IS. The plus to that is it won't get lost in a parking lot. The price? They are asking $6,600 for it, so I need to drive it and check it out really well.
My 2006 96,000 mile IS 350 is such a joy to drive. No where near what I'd call a gas-miser but I don't care! Low 20 MPG's around town and somewhat better on a trip if I'm judicious with the "go" pedal. I drive it briskly around town because this 350 performs so very well. I own a couple of other cars that have great performing V8's but this IS 350 is one very quick automobile and I love it. You'll love it too. Forget MPG and just drive it. It has been trouble free and really only been back to the dealer for the recalls. My 'ride' is the best it's ever been since I put on new Continental tires.
As for the color. I personally love that color and please note.......it is not white, silver or black. Seems like where I live 90% of all cars are one of those 3 colors! Good luck with your choice.
My 2006 96,000 mile IS 350 is such a joy to drive. No where near what I'd call a gas-miser but I don't care! Low 20 MPG's around town and somewhat better on a trip if I'm judicious with the "go" pedal. I drive it briskly around town because this 350 performs so very well. I own a couple of other cars that have great performing V8's but this IS 350 is one very quick automobile and I love it. You'll love it too. Forget MPG and just drive it. It has been trouble free and really only been back to the dealer for the recalls. My 'ride' is the best it's ever been since I put on new Continental tires.
As for the color. I personally love that color and please note.......it is not white, silver or black. Seems like where I live 90% of all cars are one of those 3 colors! Good luck with your choice.
The color is what I referred to in the not getting lost in a parking lot, I'd love to find a nice dark blue, but yes this one isn't one of the three colors. Now I just need to money to come in so I can get this taken care of before my current commuter leaves me on the side of the road.
If it helps you any, my 07 IS350 reads 29-32mpg when I reset the dash for long highway drives at 65ish. Mixed driving will read 22-26mpg for the tank.
That's more what I'm hoping for, especially with my commute being more than 90% highway. I guess we will see, money should be arriving soon and I will be finding me a 350.
I picked my 06 IS350 in Los Angeles and drove it straight home to Salt Lake...I averaged 25-27 mpg at 75 mph....on the last 80 miles home I got it up to 30.8 going really easy on it. I've put 5400 miles on the car in the past 7 weeks and do about 70% city and 30% highway and it averages about 22mpg.
Trying to decide which to get
