Driving a 250 versus my 350...
all city driving, even our hwy's would be considered city in da mainland.
11-01-07, 03:18 PM
#47
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That's why you get an IS250 6MT 
I knew the IS350 had more power. But I also knew it was heavier. But I also knew that with a MT I could get the most out of engine while having that engaging feeling that was mentioned in an earlier post.
I noticed that I get a surge of power at 3500RPM and another one at 4500RPM. The sweet spot is from 4500 to the redline. With a MT, I can constantly hit that point and really get the thing moving. I don't think the AT does the car justice and is really meant for people who want to get a Lexus but don't want to pay money for something more expensive (or just think the ES or GS is ugly).
Even with flooring it and revving it high, I average about 23MPG. If I drive just freeway and at 65MPH, my tank average goes up to about 31MPG.
I think I was probably within the first 1000 ISs to be on the road in California. Now I just see them everywhere
I knew the IS350 had more power. But I also knew it was heavier. But I also knew that with a MT I could get the most out of engine while having that engaging feeling that was mentioned in an earlier post.
I noticed that I get a surge of power at 3500RPM and another one at 4500RPM. The sweet spot is from 4500 to the redline. With a MT, I can constantly hit that point and really get the thing moving. I don't think the AT does the car justice and is really meant for people who want to get a Lexus but don't want to pay money for something more expensive (or just think the ES or GS is ugly).
Even with flooring it and revving it high, I average about 23MPG. If I drive just freeway and at 65MPH, my tank average goes up to about 31MPG.
I think I was probably within the first 1000 ISs to be on the road in California. Now I just see them everywhere
11-01-07, 09:07 PM
#49
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In the OP's defense, he wasn't trying to flame any 250 owners, he was just expressing how different the cars felt. Even so, tons of 250 owners came out and said their cars were just fine. Of course they're just fine They're great cars all round, the only thing significantly different is the power.
As for me, I've had my IS350 for about 4 months now. I drove a friend's 250 last week and what a dog it was! For the life of me, my senses could NOT comprehend it. It looked like my car, but it felt like there was a giant parachute behind it and I was in a wind tunnel. What we all need to remember is that this is strictly relative though. If I hadn't been driving my 350 for 4 months, the 250 would have felt just fine, just like it did the first time I ever drove it.
Now if I owned an AMG63 and drove it every day for 4 months and then drove the IS350, guess how it would feel? Yeah, like a parachute was attached behind it
It's all relative folks, that's all the OP is saying.
@maz: rofl at the 350 in snow mode = 250 comment
They're great cars all round, the only thing significantly different is the power.As for me, I've had my IS350 for about 4 months now. I drove a friend's 250 last week and what a dog it was! For the life of me, my senses could NOT comprehend it. It looked like my car, but it felt like there was a giant parachute behind it and I was in a wind tunnel. What we all need to remember is that this is strictly relative though. If I hadn't been driving my 350 for 4 months, the 250 would have felt just fine, just like it did the first time I ever drove it.
Now if I owned an AMG63 and drove it every day for 4 months and then drove the IS350, guess how it would feel? Yeah, like a parachute was attached behind it
It's all relative folks, that's all the OP is saying.
@maz: rofl at the 350 in snow mode = 250 comment
11-01-07, 09:35 PM
#50
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It all comes down to this:
The 250 is a pretty quick car. In fact it's a lot quicker than I expected such a heavy car with a mere 204hp and 185 lb. ft. torque would be, especially if you put it in PWR mode.
But the 250 is definitely very, very slow for the price. You can get cars for far cheaper and with far more than 200hp, and I'm not talking about plastic American crap. I drove a freakin' 3 year old Altima that had 40hp on top of the 250.
The 250 is a pretty quick car. In fact it's a lot quicker than I expected such a heavy car with a mere 204hp and 185 lb. ft. torque would be, especially if you put it in PWR mode.
But the 250 is definitely very, very slow for the price. You can get cars for far cheaper and with far more than 200hp, and I'm not talking about plastic American crap. I drove a freakin' 3 year old Altima that had 40hp on top of the 250.
11-01-07, 10:13 PM
#51
Tech Info Resource
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As I've said before, I wouldn't pay $30k+ for a car that won't outrun the Scion tC I sold when I bought my IS. I couldn't care less if they're different classes of cars. I owned the fastest sport bikes you could buy from 1980 to 1990 because I didn't want to drive something slow. I still don't and I wouldn't consider the 250 because it is fundamentally slow like a lot of economy cars.
And I know all too well horsepower comes from your gas tank. So what. If you don't like the price of gas, go to school and get a better job.
And I know all too well horsepower comes from your gas tank. So what. If you don't like the price of gas, go to school and get a better job.
11-01-07, 10:33 PM
#52
Why are so many of you fixated on performance? Some of us didn't buy the car for hp. Some of us DON'T CARE if the car has 200hp or 500hp (i know, hard concept for some of you to grasp).
Personally, i care much more about interior quality, handling, ride comfort, gas mileage, reliability, safety and a few other items on my checklist. HP was NOT one of them.
Personally, i care much more about interior quality, handling, ride comfort, gas mileage, reliability, safety and a few other items on my checklist. HP was NOT one of them.
11-01-07, 11:11 PM
#53
Tech Info Resource
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Why is your hair short or long or not at all? Why do some people like red cars or blue cars or black cars or silver cars?
This thread is for people who DO care about performance. If you don't, that's just fine, but as much as you DON'T care about performance, others DO.
There are plenty of useless threads about color, interior quality, which tires are the quietest, comfy ride, which bodykit looks best, which wheels are blingingest, etc...This isn't one of those threads.
This thread is for people who DO care about performance. If you don't, that's just fine, but as much as you DON'T care about performance, others DO.
There are plenty of useless threads about color, interior quality, which tires are the quietest, comfy ride, which bodykit looks best, which wheels are blingingest, etc...This isn't one of those threads.
11-01-07, 11:21 PM
#54
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This thread is sort of silly, so here adds some more. 250 vs 350, gee dear, what shall we do? IMHO, the 250 is not underpowered, but VERY underpowered for what it costs. One should expect more, even if he/she does not use the power. It is almost embarrassing that Lexus offers the IS250 with a terrible hp/weight ratio. BTW... the 250 rear wheel with manual is only about 100lbs lighter than the 350, the 250 rear wheel auto is less than 100lbs lighter than the 350, and the 250 AWD is heavier than the 350. Those previous statements about weight of the 350 are moot. Further, the amazing 250 transmission arguement is moot as well, it must have been manufactured in Fantasy Land. It doesn't exist.
When all else fails, people comment on their gas milage. Sort of like a last resort as to why he/she purchased the 250. Give me a break. A discussion about gas milage should be a point of interest on the hybrid forum. "Hey dear, the Prius got 52mpg today!" reply--> "That's wonderful dear, but did you drive the Prius 50mph in the left/fast lane again?" Sure, gas is approaching $100/barrell, but so what, not relavant when comparing the 250 vs. 350. The IS350 avg is low 20s for mixed driving. For 5 miles per gallon difference, I'd opt for the car that does not require the driver to use an ore to row it faster when passing. It has nothing to do with racing from light to light.
Since both the 250 and 350 have the same interior quality, ride comfort, reliablity, and safety... I think it is an acceptable trade for a few miles per gallon to have improved braking and handling; a car that not only talks the talk, but walks the walk, ie. IS350.
BTW.... I have nothing but respect for IS250 owners, but honestly, you don't have to shave your emblems. Be proud! You drive a great car. Heck, just look what so many IS250 owners have done to their rides. In many cases, sexy lexy and amazing mods.
When all else fails, people comment on their gas milage. Sort of like a last resort as to why he/she purchased the 250. Give me a break. A discussion about gas milage should be a point of interest on the hybrid forum. "Hey dear, the Prius got 52mpg today!" reply--> "That's wonderful dear, but did you drive the Prius 50mph in the left/fast lane again?" Sure, gas is approaching $100/barrell, but so what, not relavant when comparing the 250 vs. 350. The IS350 avg is low 20s for mixed driving. For 5 miles per gallon difference, I'd opt for the car that does not require the driver to use an ore to row it faster when passing. It has nothing to do with racing from light to light.
Since both the 250 and 350 have the same interior quality, ride comfort, reliablity, and safety... I think it is an acceptable trade for a few miles per gallon to have improved braking and handling; a car that not only talks the talk, but walks the walk, ie. IS350.
BTW.... I have nothing but respect for IS250 owners, but honestly, you don't have to shave your emblems. Be proud! You drive a great car. Heck, just look what so many IS250 owners have done to their rides. In many cases, sexy lexy and amazing mods.
Last edited by DropTopGal; 11-01-07 at 11:36 PM.
11-01-07, 11:30 PM
#55
Lexus Fanatic
If i wanted a 'sports car' i wouldnt have walked into a lexus stealership in the first place right?
11-02-07, 09:59 AM
#56
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well a large majority of IS owners are young... and young people want more horses =) regardless of gas prices... if gas came to 10 dollars a gallon...hell i'd still have bought it...
11-02-07, 12:03 PM
#59
That's why you get an IS250 6MT
I knew the IS350 had more power. But I also knew it was heavier. But I also knew that with a MT I could get the most out of engine while having that engaging feeling that was mentioned in an earlier post.
I noticed that I get a surge of power at 3500RPM and another one at 4500RPM. The sweet spot is from 4500 to the redline. With a MT, I can constantly hit that point and really get the thing moving. I don't think the AT does the car justice and is really meant for people who want to get a Lexus but don't want to pay money for something more expensive (or just think the ES or GS is ugly).
Even with flooring it and revving it high, I average about 23MPG. If I drive just freeway and at 65MPH, my tank average goes up to about 31MPG.
I think I was probably within the first 1000 ISs to be on the road in California. Now I just see them everywhere
I knew the IS350 had more power. But I also knew it was heavier. But I also knew that with a MT I could get the most out of engine while having that engaging feeling that was mentioned in an earlier post.
I noticed that I get a surge of power at 3500RPM and another one at 4500RPM. The sweet spot is from 4500 to the redline. With a MT, I can constantly hit that point and really get the thing moving. I don't think the AT does the car justice and is really meant for people who want to get a Lexus but don't want to pay money for something more expensive (or just think the ES or GS is ugly).
Even with flooring it and revving it high, I average about 23MPG. If I drive just freeway and at 65MPH, my tank average goes up to about 31MPG.
I think I was probably within the first 1000 ISs to be on the road in California. Now I just see them everywhere
The car feels peppy enough from 3rd on up for me. If I wanted speed I would have kept the Mustang.