ajfinoak

Anybody have any info on handling differences (i.e slalom) between the 250 and 350 if both have performance tires besides the obvious acceleration advantage of the 350? I had heard that the 250 was slightly better due to the closer to 50-50 weight balance. Thanks!

nabbun

my car will outhandle yours with my RE30s wrapped in Goodyear F1 Asymmetrical =P

ajfinoak

Thanks for the input; however, I am more curious about handling comparisons between the 250 vs 350 in their stock versions

Brian231

Springs are key to enhancing handling on the 2gen. Having said that, the optional sport package offers stiffer coils and better handling. I think you do not want to focus on drivetrain like the AWD right? The 250 and 350 should have similar suspension. Try a test drive of a 250 or 350 at the Taste of Lexus with the F-Sport springs. This will feel entirely different than OEM. TIEN makes excellent springs on the 2gen as well.

nabbun

If I could start all over again, I would have special ordered a 2007 Black Sapphire Pearl IS 350 with the Sport Package w/ 17 inch wheels.

Handling wise, I never drove a 350 so I can't tell you =/

All I know is that I was able to hang with a S2000 and IS350 on the roads around the tail of the dragon.

BUT we were all modded cars

Brian231

Nabbum,

We have a local member who dropped his 250 AWD on Tiens and not only does it look incredible, the handling has improved exponentially.

nabbun

Brian, I wanted to either wait for the BC Racing Adjustable Coilovers or try out the TTE springs from Germany. The Tanabe's and Tein's were up there on my list also

leo_k

hey you said "modded" cars..you were able to keep up with just the intake? you still have stock springs?

VikH

iTrader: (5)

Don't IS250s sit higher? I believe so. That would factor in center of gravity.

nabbun

we weren't going too crazy so yea, I was able to hang =P

God when they let it rip on the straights I was left for dead LOL

But it was in the turns where I had the most fun.

I stuck like glue.

Tires and wheels will do that for you

Byprodrive

iTrader: (1)

Anyway, back to your question the only differance between the 2 cars handling wise for a slalom I can think of right off is the 350 has a slightly larger swaybar. The weight distribution should be extremly close for that same reason. There would be far bigger variables testing actual cars than IS250 vs IS350 such as Temp, tire tread depth,tire PSI, driver, pavement friction etc.

FYI Road&Track slalom MPH test: IS350 66.7MPH IS-F 70.9MPH

I am sure wheel & tire combo was the main differance there

Brian231

Vik,

The 250 AWD sits much higher than the 250 RWD and the 350. I guess engineers factored in snow in the wheel wells (LOL). You remember how bad my AWD needed to be dropped? Icez's AWD looks great now.

mikez

I don't know how Leo has the ***** to go over 100mph lol, I only went 130 once and that was 3am in the morning on the empty Garden State Raceway.

Now that I am lowered and spacer the wheels the car is much more stable, I took it up to 90 today in a fit of road rage (so I can flick some dude off) and it felt like I was cruising at 25. But as soon I near 100 I feel scared again lol.

The car feels disconnected from the road even though its freshly paved (though unevenly paved) and the steering is super sensitive, so much so it was a bit freaky.

Koz

The IS250 (RWD) with the sport pkg is one of the best handling sedans ever made!

Koz

scruffydog

I totally agree, but does anyone know if the F-Sport or the X-Package suspension is any better? I figure the F-Sport is prolly better cuz it came out later...