GNG

I have a 03 IS300 and love it, but it's time to move on. I am having a heck of a time deciding on the IS250 or 350. Everytime I test drive the IS250 I get out thinking it's not as fast as my 300, but the dealer keeps telling me that it's actually the same if not faster. I do feel a nice "punch" when I accelerate once the car is moving, and the cornering seems much tighter. Of course, the IS350 was like driving a roller coaster with a rocket engine strapped to it.

My right side of the brain keeps saying to just get the IS250. Better price, better gas mileage, and heck, in SoCal the traffic is so bad that there is no way to even use the power - oh, and that past ticket in my IS300 keeps me from driving fast these days.

My left side of the brain says that driving the IS350 is a lot of fun, and dammit, I deserve it! (LOL, that's about the best I can come up with!)

So I am wondering if any IS300 owners bought the IS250 and your thoughts on whether is is more, or less, than what you had? Does it feel like an upgrade, performance-wise?

siren05

I had 01 is300 drove it 4 years.I bought 06 is250 mt and believe stock to stock I'm faster than is300 I have pulled on a couple of my friends is300 pretty hard highway pulls many car lengths seperated us.

MrMark

iTrader: (3)

Happy here.....

Rash

iTrader: (1)

too bad they don't sell the 2nd generation IS300 in the US

Evitzee

Go with your heart and get the IS350. Otherwise you will forever be kicking yourself. Some people are very happy with a 250, and others had to have the 350. If in doubt I'd err on the high side.

k_dizzle

Getting the 350 over the 250 even though the dealer kept pushing me to get an 250 has been one of the best decisions ive made..period..

350PsDMeuP

iTrader: (1)

i waited 6 weeks for my tungsten pearl is250, loved the car but it just didnt have that punch i needed. i kept a year and traded it in for my black sapphire is350, and love the car even more. the only difference in the cars, having owned both is the performance, the 250 is a fun car to drive but lacks that extra power when you feel the need to get up, the 350 packs that extra punch when you want to be bad!

autovation

iTrader: (1)

Just remember that the IS350 will have a much better resale value and be easier to resell. Look at total cost of ownership not just the purchase price.

CarlitosPR

iTrader: (1)

Go with the is350 you will not regret it! rigth now im planing to trade my is250 for a is350 or a 335i convertible im not sure wich one its going to be but i will let you know guys.

neova

simple choice. if you want a manual or AWD, 250. If you're driving an auto stick then get the 350. The price difference is only $4000 down in the states, compared to $12k difference up here in canada. If you get the IS250 with any type of package you're closing in on the MSRP of the IS250.

I live in canada so the price consideration was a factor. If i lived in the US i'd get the IS350 no questions asked, even if this means forgoing the 6MT.

Bichon

I'd listen to the left side of your brain. The engine in the IS350 is a gem; its grin inducing power is well worth the bump in price and small fuel economy penalty.

iSuxeL

iTrader: (21)

Is it that big of a difference in gas?? IMO the only way gas is bad in the 350 is cause people are always gunning it! LOL I drive with the snow button and I get at least 370miles. But I never run it till empty so I dont have an exact, I also use the cruise control on the highway it works on saving gas! I drove 2hrs on cruise and barely a 1/4tank.

sirCharles

I drove 07 250 loaner this morning after TSB brake pads replaced.

It was amazing the lack of power and general juice.

250 for females, and price/gas savvy girly mens...LoL. jk

Lexus88

when i was buying my car, i told myself that a 250 was all i NEEDED and that was what i was gonna get... in the end i decided to go with the 350 instead... payment wise, it would've been just $100 more per month... it was the best decision i ever made... you have a lot more pride in yourself when you drive the 350... a 350 will beat out most cars on the road... a 250 can't even beat a camry... for just another $100/month i went from the slowest lexus to the fastest lexus... well worth the money...

javyLSU

iTrader: (21)

Calling AsianGirl007...

Javier