Threxx

I could have sworn this had been discussed in one of those massive stickied threads, but I looked all over for it and couldn't find it, and I suspect others might have the same frustration. So hopefully we can have some group discussion as to the known differences between the IS250 and IS350.

So obviously there is a 100 or so horsepower gap between the two, which personally I just don't understand considering it's only the difference of 1 liter in displacement. Does the 250 maybe not use direct injection and uses lower compression or what?

Then the 250 will have an available manual, while the 350 will only have the 6-speed auto for now.

The 350 comes with standard VDIM while the 250 only comes with VSC (no option for VDIM).

So far the only appreciable differences we have are almost 100 extra ponies (unconfirmed) and VSC upgraded to VDIM?

For the suspected 8-10 grand increase in price, I'm surprised they didn't try to offer any more value... but I guess it's like the GS300 and GS430... really all you get is more performance... that's about it.

As much as 300hp would feel nicer than 200 or so, I'd rather save my money. And VDIM isn't that important to me anyway since even in my GS4 I've only relied upon VSC during a 2-3 day time period where the roads were iced over solid. For 8-10 grand I'll just take the 4Runner next time I drive on ice.

Now if they went and threw in a couple of extra standard features on the 350 then I might think it was worthwhile.

TheRupp

Oy, you're lucky. We have about a 4 month period where a RWD vehicle is a stupid idea.

I definitely think that Lexus is going to throw some extra standard features on the 350, but probably will allow all options to be equipped equally on both vehicles to keep their buyer's options open. (Gotta make it up somewhere if they aren't throwing a 6MT on there )

LexusLuver

the IS350 probably uses brake-by-wire, I'm sure it has more serious hardware too.
~100lbs seperating the two, maybe sunroof is standard on the IS350

spwolf

100lbs is nothing... bigger wheels/tires, tires, suspension pieces, 2 exausts, bigger engine, more standard stuff... There should be at least 200lbs of difference like between 325i and 330i...

I wonder if they gave us IS250 weight that was fully equipped.

I dont think it is fair to judge if spending extra money for 350 is worth it when we know almost nothing of those two cars ;-)

Threxx

If you haven't realized it by now... wild speculation and rumor spreading helps tide the cravings until the car shows up.

1Violinist

The IS350 comes standard with 6-cup in-dash Starbucks coffee maker!

TED_FR

Today, there are not that many differences either between the IS200 and IS300:
155 hp vs 213 hp
IS200 has a manual 6 while Is300 comes only with e-shift 5.
IS200 has only TRC while IS300 has TRC+VSC

That's about what you get for €10,000.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Is the price difference really going to be $8-$10K? Seems like a fully loaded IS350 will go for about $42K (I hope a little less with a top of $40K). I would only speculate that a fully loaded IS250 will go for more than $32K. Still though, I see your point that you really only gain the larger engine and VDIM for the most part. I still think it is worth it though. 100 extra HP and nearly 100 extra lb-ft of torque is quite a lot. As evident from the Lexus predicted times of upper 7 seconds for the IS250 RWD and under 5 second for the IS350 in the 0-60, that extra 100 HP and torque is significant. Truthfully, I have to woder if Lexus is being ultra conservative on the IS250 performance numbers since even certain Honda Civics have better performance numbers than that. What BMW driver is Lexus going after with the IS250? The 323 buyer?

XeroK00L

$42K for a fully loaded IS350 actually sounds about right since the the base GS now starts at $43K.

Of course, I too wish it will be no more than $40K but if you think about how the luxury content and performance of a loaded IS350 compares to a base GS300, you'll probably find $42K pretty reasonable.

biker

I kind of doubt the IS350 will be a sub 5s 0-60 car.
The 10K diff is because one is comparing rumored prices of base IS250 vs loaded IS350. Kinda like comparing the 325 and 330 - it seems like a big jump in base price for just 30HP. But when you take into account all of the features included on the 330 vs. the 325 it comes out to about 3K for the extra 30HP (which nets you a healthy 1.5s faster 0-60).

I'd venture to guess it will be about the same on the IS. The base IS350 might start at something like 37K vs. 30K for IS250 but that IS350 includes the 6AT, sunroof, xenon, VDIM and some other stuff standard. So it will more likely be around 3K for the extra 100HP and perhaps a 2s faster 0-60.

TED_FR

As I posted in another thread, you need to consider that for some markets, Europe for instance, most of IS sold are IS200. There is no replacement for the IS200 / 155 HP. IS250 is IS300 replacement with similar performances and similar pricing. It will be quite a jump for current IS200 owners to go for a € 40,000 IS250. It then addresses the BMW320/325/330 market share.

The IS350 with 300+ HP, explores a brand new market where neither BMW with the 3 serie or Lexus with the current IS300 are serious players.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I see. I keep forgeting how many different models other countries get. Especially the BMW models.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Honestly, I'm liking the IS350 more than the GS anyway. There is no doubt that I would pay $42K for the IS350 compared to even $43K (More like $46K in my State) for the GS300. I would probably pick a GS430 over all, but we are now talking about $15K or more so that is significant money. It is just a little tough to swallow a $40K IS. I bet a real test drive will make it much easier though On paper and pictures it looks like it probably is worth it, but I still have to see it in person.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Did I say sub 5 second car? I probably meant sub 6 second car (Upper 5.7-5.8 range) Yea, if this IS could do 4.9 0-60 $42K would definately sound like a bargin My mistake. In fact, looking again at the Lexus released specs it does say upper 5 second range.

mooretorque

CK6, interesting thoughts about taking GS430 overall. As you can see from my sig, I've got a 430 but am considering a 350. Definitely am more taken with the IS styling than the GS (tho most of us have only seen the GS in the metal, on the ground) and if the interior is nice enough (hard to go backwards in that regard, personally) plus a 6 spd with 3 pedals in a couple of years, I could be had. But then, in a couple of years the GS might have a bigger V8 (tho I'm beginning to doubt this with the T/L commitment to hybrid) and I'm back on the fence or even back in the GS. And then there are the rumors of the IS430..............arrrrrrggghhhh!!!!!

Since my time frame to turn the GS is 2-3 years, I can torture myself for quite a long time, waiting to see what Lexus will eventually do............. But then, I'm dam happy with my 430, so the wait isn't too bad!