My 1st SUV

Thinking of getting a new GS350 AWD (in Canada). But am considering the IS-F, even though is is RWD. Price for both is similar in Canada. If I got the IS-F, I would park it in winter and just use the wife's RX.

Both are sporty. The GS has more interior space. The IS-F has more HP, and I guess uses more gas.

Plan to use car for mostly driving to work (half highway and half city) and also dropping off young teenagers to school.

Any other things I should consider?

ek9vboi

iTrader: (3)

Buying: GS350
Leasing: ISF

I wouldn't be afraid to driving around during the winter with a RWD car. Just don't drive like a jerk, is the road that bad that driving an AWD is needed? I live in Miami, so I wouldn't know.

pingu

The one huge difference I noticed when I have vacationed in Canada is that there are a lot of AWD cars on the road. It makes sense though. Their winters can get pretty harsh. I'm actually surprised that there arent nearly as many in areas of the US that snow heavy.

You should really consider other factors as well. Price of petrol, kids safety, cabin room, insurance costs, maintenance costs, if you would need to drive either car or can let it sit in the garage. The IS-F and the GS350 are different machines and drive differently. Take a test drive in them.

IS3_FTW

iTrader: (3)

If you need to run a 4.2 sec 1/4 mile, then get the IS-F.

fried_rice

iTrader: (20)

4.2 at 300mph FTW

spider_55

You live in BC and you can get away with RWD in the winter without any problem. Get winter tires, and only keep it parked if you get a really bad snow day. Get the IS-F, and have fun.

flipside909

I own an 07 GS350 and i'm driving around an IS-F right now for a week. The IS-F only has a 16.9 gallon tank and it is definitely not a gas miser. It does get decent mixed city freeway driving mileage of 19-20mpg. If you're constantly romping it to empty, expect only 14mpg. The GS350 holds it's own and is no slouch. I can do 27-28mpg easily with long distance freeway driving going about 80mph avg.

It really depends on what your wants and needs are. The GS is a lot more practical for everyday use. The IS-F is a pinch if you plan to carry more than 1 other passenger.

AlexusAnja

Ouch... tough decision. Do you need to ever carry people in the back? If you're more than 5'7", you'll never had people behind you sitting in the IS-F, unless they're little children (not even toddlers). IS-F is a beast, but GS is the way to go if you know you'll be carrying more than two people.

Faymester

you live in BC ... unless you're off up north somewhere, get the IS-F

I drive a RWD car year round, skiing and all ... if you want the IS-F more get the IS-F (unless you're looking for a way to rationalize the GS)

Faymester

ps ... come to the Canada section ... there are a lot of vancouver ppl there

S4fox

Sounds like the GS would be the "practical" decision and the IS-F would be the "emotional" one. It really only depends on which side of you wins out. Both are great vehicles and while one would thrill you more on a daily basis, the other might make more sense as a stylish sedan for your family.

Or, you could combine both and get an Audi S4 (LOL)

TheKoosh

option C: get the GS350 and a fun/cheap RWD'er.

dunnojack

how can the isf and the gs be about the same price up there????

orbital817

my vote would be Audi S4 or RS4

yoshi

The IS-F is a definite sporty choice if you like going round corners fast. It's got bigger brakes (6-pot) and cooling ducts so it makes it the obvious choice if you're going to track.

But from what it sounds like, you aren't do much of that and for freeway driving the GS is a superior machine.

I have the best of both - twin turbo 400hp GS + diff/suspension/brake mods which give me IS-F performance.

I think the IS interior is cheap compared to the GS also.

So, buy the GS - it's suited to your purposes.