yaro1

I disagree that the IS250 is underpowered. I drove the 250 for a few days as a loaner car, and it was far from underpowered. For the general buyer, I think the IS250 is a great option. Once it kicked into the power range, it actually had nice punch.

However, in the 350, the power is much more easily realized. For those moments when I want the power, I'm sure I'll be happier with the IS 350, so that's how I am making my decission.

Above all, enjoy whatever car you have.

OutlawsX

In reality...

Tradeoff:

More HP = More Money.

If you have the extra cash, and it's not going to hurt your bank account, go for the extra HP, why not.

More HP may not be for everyone... but once you drive the extra HP, you never want to go back down. It was already hard for me to go down to 306 from a 425 HP RX7. :P

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

so the prefect combo(s) would be:

350 + AWD and

350 + 6MT (I would buy it in notime!)

Then ALL of us will definitely get the 350!

problem solved!

caudlek

Hey M1sTa801

Looks like you blacked out your grille .... can you post a bigger pic for me?

KC

IronPhoenX

I couldn't find a Road and Track test on the RWD IS250 online. If you are talking about the IS250 AWD comparison, then it's not really fair to compare with some of the other cars in the test. The 325xi and A4 were both manuals and according to the manufacturers websites, that's about a difference of 0.2sec for the 0-60 between automatic and manual. So if they tested with all automatics, then the 325xi and A4 would have a 0-60 of about 6.7sec. Really, it's not that much different from the 7.4sec the IS250 AWD was getting. I think you only really notice a difference when there's a 2sec difference, unless you take it to the track.

I needed AWD and that's enough power for me. I don't take my car to the track. I just need enough power to pass up hill and merge onto highways.

Here's the Road and Track comparison test for AWD...

http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/d...data_panel.pdf

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3280

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

It's not that bad at all. It surely isn't anything like a late 90's four cylinder Camry. Those are SLOW and have serious issues with anything resembling a hill. The 250 AWD is comparable to a Scion tC for performance numbers. Definitely not a quick or fast car, but also not so slow as to be intolerable. I had a lot of fun with my tC, and the wife still loves her automatic tC.

IronPhoenX

Here's a big list of 0-60 and 1/4mile for a bunch of cars, dating back several decades...

http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

IronPhoenX

According to Road and Track, the IS 250 AWD out-handles and out-brakes the tC. Not bad for a heavy sedan. Also, the R&T tested a manual tC. So the IS 250 AWD would probably out-accelerate the automatic tC.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

No surprise. Their test car had BS RE92s on it. They're the worst street tire I've ever driven bar none. The tC with just about any aftermarket rubber is vastly better than stock. At least Lexus got the rubber right on the ISx50. None of them came with crap tires from the factory.

And my tC with Tein SS-Ps, Hotchkis sways, and 245/40/17s on all four corners would leave the IS250 for dead on a tight road. Something about being almost 500 lbs lighter...

nighthawk

The IS250 is not for racing, its an eco box...haha. I don't even see why you would compare it to the IS. IS is like 4 classes ahead of it.

Myself...I bought the 250 because the 350 would have cost me like 14K more (would have optioned it out since would be spending so much anyways)...

With the 250 I got everything I wanted...

IronPhoenX

Both cars were tested with RE92's, so it's somewhat fair. But the IS did have wider tires. Upgrading the IS250 AWD tires and suspension would probably still let it out-perform an upgraded tC cause it's AWD.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

i dont get how anyone can honestly say that the 204 hp in their 250 is enough. if you drove both cars back to back the 250 is very very underpowered and it feels like it. even the 2.0 turbo engine in the audi a4 feels much stronger. while some people make the argument that it doesn't matter, it should in this category since the IS is considered near luxury/sport. Like buying a sports car with no power. So what if the handling is good with little HP to push it what good is it?

za_insane

I have a IS 250 and I love it. I would have loved the IS 350 but its not available in South Africa. The top spec IS 250 retails for R352 000 around $46933.00 and the bottom end version R280 000 around $37400.00. If we do get the IS 350 later on it will retail for around R380 000 around $51 000.

So if you look at the pricing here a entry level car starts at about R100 000 $13400. Then you get a supermini VW Polo, Toyota Yaris, Renault Modus and even a Toyota Corolla 1.4.

So I think the IS 350 is dirt cheap in the US and good value for money. The IS 250 is still cheaper than a BMW 325i here and the entry level priced at the BMW 323i price level.

I dont know how I'd feel if the IS 350 ended up here for $6000 more with all that power. Will I sell my IS 250? No. Why the hell not? The IS250 meets my needs and exceeds what I want over and over again. And I'd say the same if I had a IS 350. Its a lexus and its about Luxury. Luxury means more than the acquisition of possessions or the attainment of power. It is now measured by the time we have free to share meaningful moments - esperiences that enrich our lives. It's about making the time to visit new places, or interacting with opportunities that allow us the luxury to enjoy life on our terms, in our time. And you must agree that Lexus gets to this point in any of their vehicles.

kkfoto

I test drove the new 2006 MB C280AWD, BMW 325XI, Infi G35AWD, IS250AWD, IS350. I chose the IS250AWD with a lot of factors went into the decision.

AWD, Gas mileage, Price, Insurance, Long Term Maintenance, Horse Power, Reliability, Resale. I live in ILL so my criterias are different than for someone living in the Southern and Western states.

But yes, on some days I wish I had more power but 95% of the time, the IS250AWD is perfect for me. The only thing I wish is to have more room in the back. I used to drive an Acura CL type S with 270HP and I felt like I almost never have to use it that much where I live.

Remember that there is no car that is perfect for everyone.

Having said all this, I am going to test drive the 2007 GS350AWD 303HP and the 2007 300HP biTurbo BMW 335 Coupe ..only because I can.....hahaha!

IronPhoenX

If you believe that, then what good is an expensive luxury car if it's slower than a cheaper Mitsubishi Evolution? Just because the Evo is faster and out handles the IS350, doesn't mean I would buy the Evo instead of the IS350. And Just because the 325xi and A4 quattro are a little faster and out handles the IS250 AWD, doesn't mean I don't like the IS for it's overall qualities.

And the IS250/350 is not a sports car. I don't know how you can call a heavy sedan with a lateral acceleration of 0.84g a sports car.