Looking into a 2016 IS300 & IS350. Is there a huge difference on engine performance and driveability between these V6s? 255 vs 305hp? The color combo that I want is hard to locate on the 350 so I am thinking to just go with the IS300. Thanks

 

50 hp is definitely noticeable. I recommend you drive both before making a decision.

 

It is a highly personal judgement. You need to try both of them.

 

It's noticable. you need to test drive both.

 

Very noticeable, if it wasn't for the 10k price difference in Canada I would be all over the 350. The 300 feels sluggish compared to the 350.

 

What is the color combo you want? You can always special order the car

 

Go with the 350.

Looking at the spec of the 300, it looks like it's basically a 350 detuned since it has the same engine. Interestingly, the MPG is the same for both AWD 300 and 350.

---

Wait for 2017 and see if they bring back the 350 RWD for Lexus Canada. It was very disappointing that they dropped RWD model out.

 

50hp difference! its a night and day difference!!!

if you dont care for power the IS300, but if you want the power, then 350!!

but test drive both to see which one you like, you have to test drive to see it for yourself. i know someone who just bought a is300 and they hate it!!!!

 

But I also know a person that owns IS250 and is very happy. It works both ways. Many simply don't care for extra power, for them it is just another car, another utility vehicle, another A to B transportation, these people do not frequent this forum and simply are far detached from this 'enthusiast' factor.

 

that is very true, the opinion does go both ways.

for those who loves cars will usually go for the more powerful car (ME LOL)

 

We just picked up an IS300 F Sport for my wife and she absolutely loves it. Before settling on this car we drove a CT200h FSport(this is what we were planning on buying), a 2013 IS 350 (had some fancy package with funny looking tan and black leather seats), a 2016 IS350 F Sport, and lastly the 2016 IS300 F Sport. MY favorite of all the cars was the IS350 F Sport, but my wife said it felt like "too much car".

The IS300 is clearly not as powerful, but it's not slow. If you stomp the accelerator it'll get up and go pretty good. The 0-60 time is 1/2 second slower which, to me, doesn't matter.

One thing we've noticed (and we hope goes away after a few thousand miles) is that the fuel economy sucks. In eco mode, driving like a grandma, my wife is averaging high 17s to low 18s for mpg. With the cruise control at 60mph on the freeway (also in eco mode) it's getting high 23s to mid 24s for mpg.

There's only one IS300 on fuelly so far, but they're seeing similar results with an average of 17.3mpg over 10 fuel ups. IS350s (2014-2016) are seeing an average of 20-22mpg over a combined 986 fuel ups.

Who would buy a car that they hate? That makes no sense. If they're dense enough to buy a new car they don't love, I wouldn't trust their opinion on much of anything.

 

And you are right - makes absolutely no sense to me either. Sounds to me a lot more like someone who is adjusting his story to fit the expectation of his audience.

 

On the internet? Such a thing would NEVER happen!

The IS300 and IS350 are both excellent vehicles, but if your only reason to go with the IS300 is the color, that's the wrong choice. To me, compromising on color is acceptable on a used car, but not a new car. When spending 40-55k you should get what you want, and absolutely nothing less.

Which color combo are you looking at, OP? I could only find one black F Sport in the country, and it was out in Tennessee or something.

 

well he test drove it and thought it was good, but i guess after a few months of owning it different story!! he doesnt like it like the day he got it!! he wants more out of the car!!!!

 

Since both engines are V6 and 3.5 liter, wonder what the differences are? Cams? Ecu Tuning? Intake? etc