02Ku

Hey All, In the near future ill be buying a new car and the IS is on the top of the list. The others include the BMW 328xi, Merc C300, Acura Tl, Cadillac CTS, and Infiniti G35 sedan. In regards to the IS, i would prefer to get the IS350 however when i calculate the price on the "build your own" feature on the website its somewhat out of my price range. This is with the best package that includes Nav,ML, spoiler, and all the other great features.

When i do the calculation, it comes out to 44k without tax. What do you think i could ultimately get the car for with MN tax (6.5%) out the door. Do you think 42K is even feasable (especially in January poor sales and MN winter).

Now obviously i could step down and get the is250 AWD, however, the car will be primarily driven by my to be wife who wants more of the features and can care less about the power. So i may have to do that to please her...ill just drive my sc.

Thanks ahead for the input.

-Ku

llamaboiz

Your in MN, doesnt it snow alot there and if its gonna be your to-be-wife, wouldnt you feel safer with her driving a AWD 250? Methinks your trying to talk yourself out of a 350

GS350

In MN and for her safety, I would get a 250 AWD. Plus, she said she doesn't need the power anyway right?

TAP4636

I live in Chicago, and just traded in my Mustang GT for the IS 250 AWD just last Thursday. The 350 and the Mustang are very close when talking power, and that Mustang sucked in the snow. Tonight it snows a little bit and the 250 drove like a champ! Also, from someone who has driven powerful cars, believe it or not, the 250 is pretty quick in my opinion. I'm happy with it! Loving the gas mileage too.

sirkfc

I think with the economy in the tank, your low tax rate compared to CA, $42K OTD on a $44K car might be do-able, though I don't know how much minnesota discounts...

Rehab_Pain

a good set of snows and you'll be fine in the winter with an is350, call 2 or 3 different dealers and offer them a price out the door, if they agree great, if not move on and try the next dealer. worst comes to worst they say no.

TAP4636

The 350 may be ok, but I love the AWD...just the peace of mind that comes with that. I've driven RWD for so long, I totally won't miss it.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Go with the AWD.
I don't think I'll ever buy anything but a vehicle with AWD or 4WD from now on.Unless I move to a warm climate state.

TAP4636

Probably a wise decision. If I lived in Arizona, or Nevada, or Hawaii..350 it is!

In Chicago, with so many climate changes...give me the AWD. I would think Minny falls into the same category.

02Ku

Thanks for the input guys. All points well noted. Ive driven FWD, RWD, and AWD cars through the winter and have never had a problem in any of them as long as i had all season tires. This year, i decided to keep my sc430 and sell the suburban, so i purchased winter tires...ill never go back to anything else in the winter. I can out perform my brothers fx35 easily in the snow just because of those tires. Thats why i feel that if we do indeed purchase the 350, my to-be-wife will be fine, however, as llamaboiz has pointed out - i would feel much safer with her having an AWD vehicle with not to much power.

Another reason I am reluctant to purchase the 250 is because the power is much lower than the other cars in its class (size and financially). Both the c300 and 328xi are around 230 hp, G35 around 306hp, and the Acura TL S at 286. Would resale be hurt in the future because of this?

Lastly, i have not done much research on it yet, but are parts for the IS as expensive as the SC. Parts include: exhaust, intake. Is there a need for coilovers or swaybars (the SC430 needed it). What other beneficial mods are there for this vehicle.

Again, thanks!

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

I think resale value will be fine with a 250 AWD in a winter climate state.
Parts are expensive for all the cars you mentioned.

slee18

iTrader: (1)

If your using snow tires I would go with the 350 for the extra power. I would take the C300 off your list because most people i have talked to dont seem to like the car too much. MB isnt what it use to be... I 250 AWD will hurt the resale value, it is still a LEXUS . You wont notice too much power difference between the 328xi. The handling might be difference, more sport inspired suspension the the 250. Price wise 250 with all the toys is worth is better than the 350.

Good Luck!

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

AWD IS would be a nice to-be new car for your to-be wife

just kidding.....

actually it's good to have AWD, esp if she doesnt care about power

02Ku

Decisions...decisions. One brain is telling me to do the right thing and get AWD and the other brain...obviously the one that controls the rush of a high hp car...is telling me to get the 350. Then there is the woman - who ultimately will choose, so it really should not make any difference to me. Thanks for the input guys. My guess is we will stick with the 250 AWD.

I still have yet to test drive the other cars. Ive driven an '05 M3 before and wow that was fun, so im hoping BMW carried some off that "old" tech to their new lower end vehicles.

Any other cars you guys can think of in this class. I wouldnt even consider a volvo or saab. Nothing American (except maybe the new Camaro..but again, wrong brain talking). Italian is too damn expensive. I guess im sticking with Japanes or German....but i could go get 12 of those new TATA mini cars.

Evitzee

Stock suspension on the IS is pretty good, no need to add anything along the lines of the SC which was not made for sporty driving and was pretty soft. Wifey would be fine with the stock suspension. Others will say you need to lower it and all that, but not necessary from a driving standpoint.

Another car you haven't mentioned is the Subaru Legacy GT which is similar in size but has AWD, 250hp, and a much better AWD system than the IS. Reliability of Subarus is top drawer, and you can't beat them in the snow from my experience. They aren't quite up to the Lexus finish wise, but the Legacy is a compelling overall package, especially at its price point. And parts and ongoing maintenance will be the lowest of any of the cars you mentioned.