liazon

iTrader: (1)

is350 = 19.5 mpg mostly in-town driving for me
the 350 is a minimal performance standard for a sporty driver.

svelt

I have a 2013 250 and haven't experienced any of the carbon build-up issues. Granted it's not my DD and so I mostly drive it on highway for trips (under 50K miles on it), I believe last I checked the display I was averaging 11L/100km or about 26 MPG.

The 250C is significantly more popular than the 350C by sales numbers, IIRC it was double the figures. While base model syndrome comes to play, I think the majority of owners in the IS-C market just do not care about the power or performance as much as the top-down ride; there are far better performance-focused convertibles than a 350C and if that was my prime objective I would have opted for a different car altogether. Calling the 250 range as a whole a "piece of crap" is doing its hundreds of thousands of owners quite a disservice IMO. Then again, you probably think every base-model engine is "crap" so, to each their own. For me, I find the power adequate for its purposes.

Tmymck

Lexusloud

I think for the small amount of gas mileage difference I would like the more powerful motor. The reason I am looking at the Lexus is for long term longevity. Even though the BMW's and Mercedes retractable hardtops are sleeker/better looking ( in my and my wife's opinion) I believe I can trust the Lexus (My 2003 Lexus GX470 has 180K and my 1999 Camry has 306k) to go for many miles and years without horrendous maint. costs. I don't trust the others to make it past 100k without some major issues.

aswang

iTrader: (4)

I really did ponder a BMW convertible turbo AWD, but I just can't shake off my loyalty with Lexus. Even though the ISC is for my wife, the 250 just was not up for consideration. In the end and up to now - it is perfect for her, and I am equally happy. Good luck and hope you come up on a great find.

TomDac

I drove a 250 and it was seriously underwhelming in the power department. 350 was way better, so that's what i bought.

cjhazard

I just drove my 350C about 14,000 miles from TX to CA and averaged roughly 24MPG. I was doing about 85MPH the whole way, and had the top down about half the time.