The Showdown! Which is better IS 250 AWD or RWD?
01-16-08, 09:45 AM
#16
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RWD car with snow tires is not as good as an AWD car even with just all-season tires.
Being a good driver might help a bit, but does not replace the confident and composed traction that an AWD offers in adverse winter condition.
If you MUST drive a manual, IS250 RWD is your only choice. If you're going with auto and want better safety/traction, AWD it is.
The other thing you have to consider is that the way Lexus has packaged their options is that they feel AWD owners are more concerned with safety than sport, so you can't get the sport pacakage on the AWD (only luxury package which gives you upgraded 17" staggered wheels, but no sport suspension).
Right now my IS250 RWD is my only car, but for our 2nd car I'll definitely get an AWD (probably a used AUDI A4) as a winter beater for those weeks when the roads are literally ice rinks.
Being a good driver might help a bit, but does not replace the confident and composed traction that an AWD offers in adverse winter condition.
If you MUST drive a manual, IS250 RWD is your only choice. If you're going with auto and want better safety/traction, AWD it is.
The other thing you have to consider is that the way Lexus has packaged their options is that they feel AWD owners are more concerned with safety than sport, so you can't get the sport pacakage on the AWD (only luxury package which gives you upgraded 17" staggered wheels, but no sport suspension).
Right now my IS250 RWD is my only car, but for our 2nd car I'll definitely get an AWD (probably a used AUDI A4) as a winter beater for those weeks when the roads are literally ice rinks.
01-16-08, 10:42 AM
#17
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I love my RWD because its a 6 speed. however, i live in vancouver, and we have a lot of rain and some snow...it SUCKS in the snow. sucks. So go ahead and get the AWD. Sure i have performance tires on, but still, it SUCKS in the snow.
01-16-08, 11:02 AM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
The AWD.
The RWD will never come close to AWD in bad weather, doesn't matter which tire.
I'm sure the RWD will do fine and get through the snow, but with AWD, you will look for snow to drive in.
And not to many people are mentioning rain...Driving 100mph with RWD car and it gets out of control, you may as wll just close your eyes and hold on...
the awd will pull you through.
NOTE: This is all based on you having some driving skills...
and NO I'm not promoting driving 100 mph in the rain...or any public roads.
The RWD will never come close to AWD in bad weather, doesn't matter which tire.
I'm sure the RWD will do fine and get through the snow, but with AWD, you will look for snow to drive in.
And not to many people are mentioning rain...Driving 100mph with RWD car and it gets out of control, you may as wll just close your eyes and hold on...
the awd will pull you through.
NOTE: This is all based on you having some driving skills...
and NO I'm not promoting driving 100 mph in the rain...or any public roads.
01-16-08, 11:03 AM
#19
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OK.. I have owned both! Well I currently own an AWD, as most know my RWD was totalled on New years eve..
My trunk consisted of 4 sand bags, and yet I still managed to get stuck in my own driveway!!! The worst car I have ever driven in the snow. This probably could've been fixed a little with better tires.
Today I woke up, 4" of snow on the ground, get in the new AWD, and absolutely NO problems. The car feels and handles similiar to my previous RWD 07 IS250, Gas Mileage umm not sure yet. I'm assuming it'll be a little less. But if you can afford the car, then you should be able to afford the gas, right?
Hands down AWD
My trunk consisted of 4 sand bags, and yet I still managed to get stuck in my own driveway!!! The worst car I have ever driven in the snow. This probably could've been fixed a little with better tires.
Today I woke up, 4" of snow on the ground, get in the new AWD, and absolutely NO problems. The car feels and handles similiar to my previous RWD 07 IS250, Gas Mileage umm not sure yet. I'm assuming it'll be a little less. But if you can afford the car, then you should be able to afford the gas, right?
Hands down AWD
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