Hi all thanks for reading. I test drove an IS 300 and I'm hooked. I plan to get one and do an RR Racing tune to get the 2GR up to IS 350 spec which only works up to 2016. Is there any reason to look for a 2016 over a 2015 assuming similar options and mileage? Did Lexus add anything major?

Also how does the 6 speed in the AWD models compare to the 8 speed in performance, reliability, and MPG?

Thanks!
Mark

 

there was never a 2015 is300 made they only offered the is250 and the is350

 

 

My mistake, that's what I meant

 

The point still stands, there's no 2015 IS 300 of any description (except maybe the IS 300h).

But if you were thinking about looking at a 250, you probably will notice the 250 has a lot less power than the 300. Below 4000 RPM, the 300 feels identical to the 350. Around-town driving will feel a lot more effortless in the 300.

Also, random thing I learned recently: it seems the 2016 cars have different intake sound generator tuning, at least based on my experience comparing a 2015 IS 350 with my 2016 IS 300 AWD. My 2016 definitely seems a bit louder. Kind of a quirk, but something to think about nonetheless.