I have an appt to test drive the is200T F sport this weekend. This will be my first test drive and if I can get a good deal plus trade in, I plan on buying the car. Is there anything I should specifically look for or ask when test driving?

 

Ask for a 350

Haha kidding. You should test drive the 350 as its a better drive because it comes with the AVS which the 200t doesn't. See if you can get one with Mark Levinson as the base stereo is kinda disappointing.

 

I would defenitly get the IS200t for gas mileage if that's what your looking for... but obviously if you have the money step up to an IS350, but the IS200t has plenty to offer for someone who wants the sportiness and fun but also the gas mileage... I want an IS200t but unfortunately I need all wheel drive so I'm getting an IS350 next year instead... oh well I'm not complaining

 

My only advice is not specifically about the 200t, but test driving in general. Don't allow them to rush you. Take the time you need to be certain the car, features, engine, etc. meet your needs. If your daily commute takes you on the freeway, then spend adequate time evaluating the car on the freeway, or similarly for back roads. When I bought my truck, I even drove it home to test fit it in my garage.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

Try Sport mode and Manual mode as it helps lessen the Turbo lag feel.

 

Totally agree on the point of not having the salesman to rush on you on test drive. When I bought mine, I had multiple test drives. Every time I discovered new things or new feeling with the car which helps you determine if the car is the correct choice or not.

 

highly suggest the 350 instead, the real world gas mileage is negligible

 

If you drive very softly and gently, then the 200T will achieve superior economy.
However, if you drive quite hard day to day, there will be little difference in economy between the 200t and the 350 V6.

If you look at the current price of premium gasoline at $2/gallon, and then multiply that by the real difference in fuel economy between the 200t and the 350 depending on your driving habits, and then multiply that by the number of miles you do per year, you will then be able to calculate how much extra the 350 costs to run per year, and often this figure amounts to less than $1,000 per year, hence it may be much better to go the 350 route, and enjoy a much smoother spinning engine day to day.

A person enjoying a $40,000 car shouldn't be too concerned about paying less than $1,000 per year extra on purchasing gasoline.
However, it can be quite amazing and ironic how a person purchases and expensive car, then cuts corners on gasoline and servicing costs.

A taxi that does 60,000 miles per year, or a person living in Europe eg Norway paying over $7/gallon - will obviously be hit hard by high fuel consumption, and high fuel costs.
However, in the US, we pay only $2/gallon, hence our top selling cars have been Camry and Accord for the past three decades.
Because Europe can pay more than $7/gallon, the best selling cars in Europe tend to be the VW Golf, Renault Clio and Fiat Punto hot hatches.
In the US, gasoline prices are gradually going up, and so Corollas and Civics are becoming much more popular.
In Europe, due to quota restrictions on Japanese cars, the Corolla and Civic are not able to sell in large quantities, thus Europe if full of Golfs, Clios and Puntos etc.

Typically, if sub-$1,000 extra annual gasoline costs are important to you, then go 200t.
If quality, performance and smoothness is more important, and you can afford an extra $1k a year in gasoline, then go 350...
.