'11 IS350 awd
07-30-10, 01:23 PM
#16
Pole Position
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Lake Country, WI
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sure...anytime. 
But what was the problem with the 250AWD...just not enough power with the added weight/drag of AWD? Traction-wise, it would have been fine in the snow with winter tires. Of course, the low ground clearance will not give you as much deep-snow prowess as a Forester, Outback, or SUV.
But what was the problem with the 250AWD...just not enough power with the added weight/drag of AWD? Traction-wise, it would have been fine in the snow with winter tires. Of course, the low ground clearance will not give you as much deep-snow prowess as a Forester, Outback, or SUV.
07-30-10, 01:53 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
The rear seat on the IS350 is so small that when my wife looked at it she said she might as well just get a G35 coupe because the back seats are useless. Its like the rear doors are to simply reduce insurance rates
07-30-10, 02:00 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
I've actually tried getting in/out of the G37 coupe/335 coupe versus IS350, like night and day difference crawling into the coupes.
In short having the 2 extra doors makes a big difference in gymnastics required to enter/exit the backseat (less headbumping, back-bending, knee-bending, crawling over driver and front passenger). For those that actually use the backseat in this class of car, the current gen C-class and current gen A4 are best (I've checked both out extensively, I've had the C for over 2 years and just returned from Edmonton where I spent 2 days touring city in a new A4).
Last edited by IS-SV; 07-30-10 at 02:35 PM.
07-30-10, 02:25 PM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
In short having the 2 extra doors makes a big difference in gymnastics required to enter/exit the backseat (less headbumping, back-bending, knee-bending, crawling over driver and front passenger). For those that actually use the backseat in this class of car, the current gen C-class and current gen A4 are best (I've checked both out extensively).
I suspect that was behind their thinking when Mazda designed the RX-8 and Saturn did their half-rear-door coupes.
07-30-10, 02:59 PM
#22
Sure...anytime. But what was the problem with the 250AWD...just not enough power with the added weight/drag of AWD? Traction-wise, it would have been fine in the snow with winter tires. Of course, the low ground clearance will not give you as much deep-snow prowess as a Forester, Outback, or SUV.
But what was the problem with the 250AWD...just not enough power with the added weight/drag of AWD? Traction-wise, it would have been fine in the snow with winter tires. Of course, the low ground clearance will not give you as much deep-snow prowess as a Forester, Outback, or SUV. The 350 is so much more fun to drive and FAST! The 250 had all seasons while our 350 in the winter has Blizzaks and honestly, the rwd with winter tires might almost be just as good if not better
07-30-10, 03:01 PM
#23
07-30-10, 03:03 PM
#24
Pole Position
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Lake Country, WI
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
07-30-10, 03:58 PM
#26
I'm excited for the 350AWD! I always thought the 250 was a seriously underpowered car, but it was there to compete against the 328 (325?)i. Are they going to continue the IS250 AWD or are they dropping it completely? Living in Sunny SoCal, I don't see 250AWD very often (go figure) but wouldn't this overshadow the 250? If they continue it, to them, more options!
to them, more options!
07-30-10, 04:16 PM
#27
I have a feeling the 250AWD will continue to sell very well. Here in WI, the dealers rarely even carry anything but the 250AWD due to the winters. Even when the 350AWD comes, I anticipate most sales to be the 250's simply because to most, the 250 is adequate power wise. I see lexus following BMW here by offering AWD in several configurations.
07-30-10, 06:45 PM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
I had a feeling that power was the issue. Though with 2 more cylinders, the IS250AWD has essentially the same displacement, with AWD, that many N/A 2.5L Subarus do.....and those Subies are not known for being powerhouses.
As rdgdawg (who also lives in WI) has also pointed out, in the type of very cold, dry, powdery snows typical of WI and the upper Midwest in the wintertime, RWD with a good set of Blizzaks, as you note, probably would do OK. But that setup wouldn't hack it in the slushy, icy, sleety, half-rain/half-snow storms typical of further south...and here in the D.C. area. I've done FWD, RWD with snow tires and all-seasons, and AWD with all-seasons in this area, and there is simply no substitute for AWD here.
Back to the 350...are you going to keep your RWD model or consider the AWD? If, as you say, you are doing OK with the RWD/Blizzak setup, there's probably no reason to get the 350AWD model, as it will be more expensive, have more-complex service, and use more fuel.
07-31-10, 07:15 AM
#29
I had a feeling that power was the issue. Though with 2 more cylinders, the IS250AWD has essentially the same displacement, with AWD, that many N/A 2.5L Subarus do.....and those Subies are not known for being powerhouses.
As rdgdawg (who also lives in WI) has also pointed out, in the type of very cold, dry, powdery snows typical of WI and the upper Midwest in the wintertime, RWD with a good set of Blizzaks, as you note, probably would do OK. But that setup wouldn't hack it in the slushy, icy, sleety, half-rain/half-snow storms typical of further south...and here in the D.C. area. I've done FWD, RWD with snow tires and all-seasons, and AWD with all-seasons in this area, and there is simply no substitute for AWD here.
Back to the 350...are you going to keep your RWD model or consider the AWD? If, as you say, you are doing OK with the RWD/Blizzak setup, there's probably no reason to get the 350AWD model, as it will be more expensive, have more-complex service, and use more fuel.
As rdgdawg (who also lives in WI) has also pointed out, in the type of very cold, dry, powdery snows typical of WI and the upper Midwest in the wintertime, RWD with a good set of Blizzaks, as you note, probably would do OK. But that setup wouldn't hack it in the slushy, icy, sleety, half-rain/half-snow storms typical of further south...and here in the D.C. area. I've done FWD, RWD with snow tires and all-seasons, and AWD with all-seasons in this area, and there is simply no substitute for AWD here.
Back to the 350...are you going to keep your RWD model or consider the AWD? If, as you say, you are doing OK with the RWD/Blizzak setup, there's probably no reason to get the 350AWD model, as it will be more expensive, have more-complex service, and use more fuel.
As for my next car, I will always continue to get the 350 and might get the AWD version just for more piece of mind when my wife is driving(with kids someday too)
After driving one and I feel both handling and acceleration are too compromised, then I may stick to what I have. Mines an '08, so I am waiting until the next gen IS comes out anyway.I also have the sport pkg, which I feel really brings the feel of my 350 closer to the 3 series I have driven through the years. Obviously I cannot get this pkg in AWD either.
07-31-10, 10:21 AM
#30
Lexus Fanatic
According to this site (this is not an official Lexus source), the IS350AWD will start at $41,905.
http://www.allaboutauto.us/2010/07/2...ular-fuel.html
Lexus has expelled the really long list of updates and cost changes to the lineup of vehicles for 2011, with the couple of important changes tucked divided in the extensive press releases. The biggest headlines is the key of a new IS350 AWD model. Previously Lexus usually offering an all-wheel drive 250 chronicle of a IS, though right away clientele can enjoy the energy and traction. No 0-60 mph times were expelled (it’s Lexus after all) as well as its not transparent if a added traction will yield any increase in speed improvement over a RWD model’s 5.3 second time, generally deliberation it will supplement weight. Still, it’s good to have the choice of the more powerful 3.5-liter engine with a combined hold. Pricing for the IS350 AWD starts during $41,905, the bump of $2460 over the rear-drive IS350.
(DURING $41,905?)
...that's a good one.
All 2011 IS models get brand new grilles and alternative cosmetic tweaks which embody LED using lights as well as brand new 17- as well as 18-inch wheels.
As for the IS-F, it gets updated energy steering as well as cessation for 2011. The “Sport mode” symbol is additionally now found upon the steering wheel, rather than upon the center console.
Also of note is a strange shift for a 2011 ES350, that gets the revised engine mapping setup to run 87 octane fuel, rather than than a premium stuff. Engine outlay is downgraded slightly as good, rom 272-hp as well as 254 ft-lbs of torque, to 268-hp and 248 ft-lbs of torque. The advertised 0-60 mph time has additionally risen, from 6.8 seconds to 7.0 seconds, whilst fuel economy remains constant during 19/27-mpg (city/highway).
On the reserve note, for 2011 all non-hybrid Lexus models will include the brake overrule complement which cuts energy if a gas as well as stop pedals have been press simultaneously.
http://www.allaboutauto.us/2010/07/2...ular-fuel.html
Lexus has expelled the really long list of updates and cost changes to the lineup of vehicles for 2011, with the couple of important changes tucked divided in the extensive press releases. The biggest headlines is the key of a new IS350 AWD model. Previously Lexus usually offering an all-wheel drive 250 chronicle of a IS, though right away clientele can enjoy the energy and traction. No 0-60 mph times were expelled (it’s Lexus after all) as well as its not transparent if a added traction will yield any increase in speed improvement over a RWD model’s 5.3 second time, generally deliberation it will supplement weight. Still, it’s good to have the choice of the more powerful 3.5-liter engine with a combined hold. Pricing for the IS350 AWD starts during $41,905, the bump of $2460 over the rear-drive IS350.
(DURING $41,905?)
...that's a good one.All 2011 IS models get brand new grilles and alternative cosmetic tweaks which embody LED using lights as well as brand new 17- as well as 18-inch wheels.
As for the IS-F, it gets updated energy steering as well as cessation for 2011. The “Sport mode” symbol is additionally now found upon the steering wheel, rather than upon the center console.
Also of note is a strange shift for a 2011 ES350, that gets the revised engine mapping setup to run 87 octane fuel, rather than than a premium stuff. Engine outlay is downgraded slightly as good, rom 272-hp as well as 254 ft-lbs of torque, to 268-hp and 248 ft-lbs of torque. The advertised 0-60 mph time has additionally risen, from 6.8 seconds to 7.0 seconds, whilst fuel economy remains constant during 19/27-mpg (city/highway).
On the reserve note, for 2011 all non-hybrid Lexus models will include the brake overrule complement which cuts energy if a gas as well as stop pedals have been press simultaneously.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-31-10 at 10:24 AM.