Hello, I’m new here and currently shopping the IS. I was wondering form those who currently own, how is the IS350 in snowy weather?

I’m torn between the 250 and 350. I really like the additional power in the 350 but the 250 seems to offer better all year around driving.

Please share experiences and comments, I appreciate your input.

Thanks!!

 

i am in Chicago and i have had no problems. i just did purchase snow tires this past weekend as my wife is going to take over this car and i am going to look for something different for work reasons. She is not used to rear wheel drive cars and how they handle in snow and bad weather. i prefer RWD over FWD. AWD is great and had it on my last car but it does take away from the performance. the IS is a great all around car and you just have to know your limits. for 500$ you can get snow tires and be just fine!!!!
I say go for what makes you happy and you can get snow tires like i said above if you really need them where you are.
GO BUY THAT CAR!!!! and enjoy it

 

snow tires + ECT Snow Mode + correct driving in snow should be fine on a IS350

 

Agreed--tires are the most important factor for snow driving, especially for RWD. Don't go driving around on 18" summer tires.

 

The first two items are the easy part, it's the 'correct driving in snow' that eludes most people.

 

First and foremost, you live in Maryland. So, unless you live on top of a very tall mountain, you get the same 1-2" 5 or 6 times a year as everyone else in MD. So, what you need to ask yourself is 'Is this going to significantly affect me?'. If it was me, 5-10 days a year working from home/calling in sick/finding another ride just isn't going to cramp my style, hence the 350. But it might matter more to you.....only you can answer that.

Beyond leaving it in the garage, Evitzee is right, as long as you have some idea how to drive in snow/slush and are smart about it, you should be fine.

Lastly, good luck with your decision, you will love it either way.

 

I've gone through two NJ winters on my IS350 with Pirelli Snowsport tires, and with the exception of one nasty snow-over-freezing rain event, it has handled the white stuff surprisingly well. If you have a chance, our searchable archives have lots of first hand experience from IS350 owners. As others have said, don't try driving the car in winter weather on the stock summer tires, they are dangerous and inappropriate for those conditions.

 

Thanks for all the comments... Very helpful!

 

Do the smart thing. Park the Lex in the winter, and get a winter car.

 

EXACTLY!

 

That's what I'm trying to avoid. I'm stepping out of a highly modified CTS-V which was useless in the winter. I'm looking for something that I can drive worry free.

 

Why not an Audi S4 then? Do you really think you would be happy going from the CTS-V power to an IS250? I'm happy with mine, but I'm coming from a 2000 Acura TL.

 

I haven't considered the S4. I've thought about the change and I've accepted the type of car I'm buying into. I was orginally shopping the GS350 and still considering along with the IS and the ES. I'm looking for a more day-to-day this time around and a weekend car later. The one constent is Lexus is very high on my list for several reasons.

 

What would you recommend for $500? I looked at Blizzaks and for a set of 4 (225-40-18 x 2 in the front and 255-4-18 x 2 in the rear) they were about $900. I live in Denver where it can snow a lot off and on and I don't want to get a whole new set of wheels + tires. Tires alone seem fairly pricey. Any advice on Brands/models and prices are greatly appreciated.

 

I live in a snow belt in northern lower Michigan. I spent $750.00 on winter tires last year for my IS350. Traction to move is important, however winter tires give you the ability to stop and turn. AWD cars do not help in those areas. The IS350 with winter tires performed very well. I drove an IS250 AWD for a couple of days during some repair work on my car and it sucks. It was heavy and slow.
Buy the 350 and winter tires.