Hi,

I’m not sure if I should’ve posted here or in the 2G IS forum but I’m seeking some direction,

I’m very close to purchasing my 1st Lexus. I own a 2012 Genesis 4.6. It has been a great car but I have issues with it in 3 areas:

• Gas mileage: 11-13 in the city
• Seating: Just can’t get comfortable in them
• Air conditioning: Bad quite frankly. Acura has the best I’ve ever experience even here in LA on 100 degree days

As an aside the Genesis has been completely reliable, rock solid, and the Tau engine is a marvel.

I’m torn in a few ways by the IS. I drove the 2014 IS 250 and the engine was okay (compared to the 385hp I have now) but I didn’t get to take it on the freeway – I’m concerned whether there’s enough there for passing. I drove a 2013 IS 350 F-sport and the engine is much better – but at a $5,000 premium?

The ultimate question is – do I go for a 2013 and get a substantial discount or do I pony up the extra for the 2014. Power train seems to be the same.

What do you think? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

The question is can you live with the older tech on the 2013, or will you get the improved 2014 (design is subjective so we'll skirt around that) tech, safety, and usability (60/40 sets). You can get a 2013 in 250/350 or the 2014 in the same so it's your prerogative. Myself, I always choose the 350 over the 250 for the extra 100hp and 2 less mpg not bad. Plus the 2014 has the 8-auto on the 350

 

It really did feel like older tech in the 2013. I didn't know about the 8 speed. Thanks for the feedback.

 

I would consider that although there will be a substantial discount, there will also be a limit to what is on the lots and the options within those cars and you may not get what you exactly want.

 

Depends on if you need the latest and greatest. For practical purposes the increase in whatever technical advances were made from one generation to the next will be mostly lost in day to day driving. People always swear they would never get the first year model due to bugs, but they seem to be the first ones out there buying a brand new model which inevitably have issues and kinks to work out. I have an 06 IS350 and I'm very happy with it and see no need to get a new update when the current one works so well, but I'm not one to need the latest model and I like to keep my cars at least ten years. Since very few owners have had the opportunity to drive a Gen3 IS we don't really know how much better it is, if at all.

 

Choose the '13 350 over the '14 250, without question.

You'll hate yourself for getting the IS250 after coming from a 385HP v8.

The 300 HP IS350 has more than enough passing power for daily driving.

 

I'd get a base IS350 over a well-equipped IS250. That's how strongly I feel about the power difference.

Like Hoovey said, the IS350 will still get you excellent gas mileage compared to the 250. It's less than the 250, but you'll get much better mileage than your genesis in the city.

 

Thank you. The 2014 IS250 had the most comfortable seats ever. Rock solid car. The only real downside I saw was the mouse and it's lack of accuracy. I'd hope they could optimize that with a software patch rather than wait until 2015.

 

If seats are a priority, definitely take some time exploring the differences between the '13 IS seats and the '14 IS seats. They are definitely different, and a lot of people do say the '14 seats are more comfortable.

I have no problem with my '09 IS350's seats, though. I find them to be just fine.

 

Oh, I'm talking about the non-F sport versions though.

The '13 IS350 F-sport has very different seating than the regular IS350.

 

No F-sport for me. My wife hated the ride of the F-sport. It's not a car for LA roads which arguably are the worse in the country. The 2014 seats are much better than the 2013 imo. They are the best I've sat in.

 

It should be like all the other Remote Touch controllers found in other Lexus vehicles. You can increase the resistance (haptic feedback) so it's easier to lock into an on-screen button. It's made a difference for me for my RX increasing the setting from the default. I never have an issue with accuracy. If this is a buying factor, you may want to test this first at the dealer...

I had a 2IS 250 and I was more than content with it. I ordered a '14 IS 250 F-Sport since 204 hp is adequate with a $4-5K cheaper price tag. In addition, the 2.5L is a gem of an engine - smooth and silky V6, slightly better in these areas than the 3.5L IMO. You have to determine if the extra hp, larger brakes, and ISF-borrowed high performance 8-speed tranny as the main mechanical differences are worth the extra 4-5K for you.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

If ride comfort is a priority for your wife, she'd probably like the ES350 a lot more. Obviously the ES350 is a lot slower (despite being a "350") and handles more like a boat than like a sports sedan, but the ride is much more comfortable than the IS.

Anyways that's just something to think about.

 

Thanks dmvp29 -- I just don't really want an ES350 -- that's where "happy wife, happy life" ends. It's an IS. I will be buying one and will be a regular member of the forum -- I just need to define wants vs. needs. I always seem to buy more than I use -- if you know what I mean.

Thanks for your perspective on the 250 corradoMR2. Truth be told my Gennie is one of the fastest cars in LA -- up to about 35 mph which is about how long it takes to hit traffic. It's funny to see the 500hp Porsches sitting next to Corollas -- stuck in traffic. LA traffic and roads level the playing field.

 

I know what you mean. I'm in Toronto stop-and-go traffic every day and reason why I own a CT hybrid today to commute. It's so rare you get to be able to benefit from all the power and speed of today's cars in N. America, plus factor in the rising price of fuel...