I smile everytime when I see this:

 

I guess you could call me a more practical driver. I had my Celica for fun driving and wanted something comfy to cruise to work in

Plus, I'd like to keep some kind of gas mileage

 

*cough* Wait till you come to the next cruise and you pull into the lineup with your 'stocker' Even my CL cookie cutter 2IS build pales when next too the Team Revision cars

 

The 2.5 V6 even with AWD, is much better mileage than the gen 1 2JZGE. And my first gen was running perfectly smooth with new plugs.

 

So I'm thinking of getting n IS, but I'm not sure if it should be the 250 or 350. What do think?

Also Navi or not?

And last, are there any major differences between the 06,07,08,09 models?

Thanks for looking.

 

well you can do a search and find out lots of information about IS250 and IS350
IS250- less HP, but cheaper and gas efficient compared to IS350
IS350- more HP, pricier, but more fun to drive around

do you need more power? or do you wanna save money?
IMO Nav is a must nowadays and if I were you, I would get 2007 or 2008
I'm not a big fan of 09 models

SEARCH is your friend here~!

 

IS350 w/ navigation hands down, end of conversation. The extra 100hp is a huuuuuge difference and plus having a luxury car without nav is just odd to me.

 

Get is350 with navi. Alot of is250 owner regret buying the 250 since the power is lacking. Gas is cheap now so you shouldn't have to worry much about gas efficiency. I get about 23 MPG average half city/highway.

06-08 has no major differences. The 09 has a face lift.

 

I would say get an 08 (as the stock 18" wheels look vastly better than any other year, and it has the minor improvements done from 06-07 and 07-08, but you don't really lose many improvements since 08-09 was mainly cosmetic).

get an IS350 since the price difference is very small compared to the power difference.

Do NOT get nav.

It's a $2500 option and does less than a $250 garmin unit.

If they'd actually put a modern nav system in there for 09 my answer might be different.

Quick changes breakdown off the top of my head for years:

06->07: added sharkfin for XM, added ability to really disable TRAC/VSC from dash button, added X package as option.

07->08: Improved steering feel, better wheel color, better illuminated scuff plate color, better front seatbacks (more rear legroom), most recalls don't apply to 08s and newer.

08->09: Lobsterclaw wheels (ugh), facelift on front/rear grill/bumper/taillights, added turn signals to side mirrors, enabled the nearly-useless paddle shifters to work in D mode rather than only S mode. No recalls (currently) apply to 09s.

I probably left some stuff out, but that's the highlights.

 

IMHO, if I was going to buy an IS again....
IS350 extra $$ for 100HP whenever you need to have fun..
with NAV... whenever you get lost, + mod to play DVD with NavTool installed...

 

The navi isn't worth it but we do have a luxury car. You have to pay to play. It would look awkward if you have a aftermarket navi on your window IMO. Also I got the navi only because I didn't want to take it off every time I park my car worrying people might break my window for it.

Exactly what I have. Better for people who doesn't want to shed out a couple thousand for the luxury package and ML. My DVD combo only cost me $300.

 

Just go down to the dealership, play and drive the car.

 

is350

 

test drive both IS250 and IS350 lol
well, I wasn't going for speed or more power
(I actually wanted something slower than G35C 6MT lol)
and I'm pretty happy with 250

 

I agree with one of the above posters. I actually went in with the intention of buying a 250, but when I saw the price difference for the extra 100hp, there was no reason not to go with a 350.

I vote for nav. Its not the best unit out there, but I don't like "tag on" accessories... so an integrated nav with no wires or stuff on my dash was a HUGE plus.

But everyone is different.

Although now I'm wishing I could use my paddles without shifting so "S". Oh well, maybe they'll release a software mod.