Hi guys,

I've had a 2014 Corolla for about 1.5 years. I'll be done paying off my student loans early next year and thinking about getting a Lexus. I know the IS250 is no longer in production and I think it was supposed to be replaced by the 200t? Although it seems like the 200t is no longer being sold? So I'm wondering if I should buy a 2015 IS250 in early 2019 or just get a 300 or 350?

Thanks

 

IS 200t has been replaced by IS 300 RWD. The engine is the same.

The 200t/300 is going to be a lot quicker while giving you better fuel economy than the 250. Simply put, the 250 is an older engine paired with an older 6-speed transmission (compared with the 8-speed found in the newer models). However, it does have one benefit - it's a 6-cylinder, which will sound nicer than the 4-cylinder in the 200t/300 IMO. Not to mention, it'll probably be cheaper.

If you're going used and want more power, the best bet is really the 350 if that's in your price range.
If you don't care about power and don't need AWD, the 200t or 300 RWD is for you.
If you need AWD but can't afford the 350, then there's the 300 AWD, which has the same engine as the 350 but detuned to 255 horsepower (2018 cars get 260 horsepower). It won't get nearly as high gas mileage as the 200t however.

Basically it comes down to what you want to do with the car.

 

I want a bit of power, but nothing too serious. I'll definitely need AWD since I have to go into my shifts regardless of weather. So it looks like the 300 AWD will be better for me.

 

Cool. I mean you're basically getting a discount IS 350 powertrain. RR Racing has a tune that will turn your 300 into a 350, horsepower-wise, for a lot less than the price difference of the two models.

Of course I would recommend test-driving it before you pull the trigger - it will feel different from the 250 for sure. I think you should be more than happy with the 300's power, coming from a Corolla. Cheers.

 

Turbo IS has decent power and has very useable (full torque) from very low RPM. good for commuting. 350 is faster, but not fast.

Get a turbo (200t/'18 300) or 350 if you want to splurge.

 

A lot depends on your budget. I went with a 2015 IS250 F Sport, the 2016's were just a bit more than i was willing to spend.

 

I'd recommend the 300awd over the 200t or 250. But you'll love the 350 over everything

 

The 350 F-Sport also comes with a better suspension than any of the other models. It's a noticeable improvement.

 

If you are interested in AWD but not spending more money, then the 300AWD is the way to go. I myself have a 200t and sometimes looking back at it i should of waited and got the 300AWD. But i love my 200t and its faster then the 250 and has the good looks as the rest of the models. I ran snow tires and did fish tail a bit in the snow, but that was expected. In terms of fuel economy obviously the 200t is better in the highway/city, but ive driven a rental 300AWD and its honestly not that bad of a difference.

Good Luck!