DjBuddy

Hey guys, im in the market for a new car and i fell in love with the is. I live in Pa where we get lots of ice and snow, and it dosnt help that i live on a hill.I was thinking to get a rwd and some good snow tires, or get the awd and call it a day. But when i have asked people about the performance between those two they said, that the awd is slow and lacks any punch, people also told me that its slow and less snappier then a 4cylider accord,camry and altima. I currently have a 07 accord coupe with a 2.4 4cylider that puts out 160hp at crank and its aint much of a performer, but it gets it done, so how would those two is250 compare to what i have now?

ApoK

if you're going for a RWD car --> get a 350.

If you want a 250 only --> get an AWD. I actually think the AWD is a much, MUCH smarter choice if you're going to be in the snow/ice.

I have a RWD 350 and I love it ... but it's a 350. I would never, ever even consider a RWD 250 for the ridiculous weather we get in MN (same goes for the NE).

RA030724

iTrader: (1)

I have the AWD and we just had an ice storm here in Indy last night. I would gladly give up any small difference in speed etc. for the safety of AWD. Also goes through snow like a cat. I too had reservations about the performance, but I drove both at the dealer and did not see a difference in the performance. The only difference I noticed was a very slight heavier feel in the steering due to the AWD. I have since added the rear F-Sport sway bar and I highly recommend that you add that. Tremendous cornering difference. Leaning towards adding the F-Sport brace maybe next year, though I know it won't add much difference. In town which is where I do 80% of my driving, you'll see no difference and as far as highway performance, I find that it has plenty of power when needed. I do run only premium 92/93 fuel as recommended. You will notice a drastic difference if you try to run lower grades. But when working out the mileage, I find that it far makes up for the $0.20/gal difference. Oh and I have a 30 degree incline driveway at home, so at times I need the AWD just to get up it. (My wife has had three RAV4s since 1996, so we love AWD). If you do want increased performance and want to settle for RWD, then you should look at the IS350. I just wish they made the IS350 in AWD. I know they could as my wife's 2008 RAV4 AWD is a 350.

Dbak

I have not driven the RWD version of the IS but I own the AWD. Up here in Ontario, Canada we get snowed in nicely as well, and the AWD is really useful. This IS 250 AWD really does just tread through the snow, I can't tell you how many times I see people getting stuck and I don't know how because I am so pampered with AWD :P. As you mentioned about calling it a day without snow tires, I so far have not seen the need. I don't really do much highway driving, but at city speeds I always feels safe. When the traction slips its really easy to pull it back. My SUV that is FWD has snow tires on all 4 and it does handle as well. Therefore, if you are going to be confronted with a season with snow you can't go wrong with the AWD. Also, it does not have the punch you feel in other cars :s. I am a little disappointed in that, but all other things outweigh this for me.

RA030724

iTrader: (1)

I traded a 2004 RX330 for my IS250 AWD and the IS has more pickup, or punch, than the RX did. Again, I feel that if one is looking for performance as the number one criteria, then get the IS350. I had actually looked at the ES350 since I was given one to drive as a loaner when I had my RX in for an ECU upgrade, but I wanted AWD as my primary criteria so I went with the smaller IS. Now if they make an ES AWD..........

acefalcon2

iTrader: (20)

hey hey... i'm using a RWD in indiana... 250... it's doing fine i guess =)

cssnms

Not sure who said that, but I would disagree. I have the RWD and I test drove the AWD at length. The AWD is a peppy car and it gets out of its' own way. You will not be able to tell the difference between them. The engine is silky smooth and revs high, so it feels quicker then it is. If you are concerned about performance and want measureable improvement and are leaning towards the RWD, consider the 6 speed MT, that's what I drive. I chose this over the AWD auto even though it had fewer features. It's a lot more fun to drive and it's considerably quicker.

Evil Teo

iTrader: (13)

i say is 350 or 250 with snow tires if u want performance. if u dont mind slowness then awd is ur answer.

rinthiran

I have a IS350 and my sister has a RWD IS250. I drive my sisters car every time I'm in LA. I had the opportunity to be a passenger and also drive a friend's AWD IS250 last year in the early winter in Washington DC in light snow (1-2"). All I can say is that I can't ever imagine owning a RWD car in PA. GO FOR THE AWD!

Acceleration is just slightly slower than the RWD version, but all you have to do is rev +200rpm more. Its called using the accelerator. I did not drive my friends AWD IS250 hard at all, but really appreciated AWD in slush/snow. That made a huge difference in being able to easilly accelerate; and the traction control in snow mode is excellent. If I were you, I would rather have acceleration and traction 3 months out of the year it snows in PA, then the +0.2sec 0-60. If you want acceleration, get the IS350.

crazybuggy

i find the awd smoooooooth... i play around with it which is fun but im sure the 350 is way more fun...

Tangerine

Difference in performance won't be night and day, there are some RWD with snow tires that have survived through the New England snow. Electronics have helped take away the RWD disadvantage in snow.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

RWD is better than FWD. In rain, on snow, or on dry roads.

The above statement assumes you're a good driver that understands how to drive the car appropriately though.

For the "average" driver FWD is probably a safer option in snow (with AWD being even safer than that for such drivers- though it often gives them a false sense of overconfidence much like 4wd does for many SUV drivers in bad weather).

And, again, it assumes you're using the proper tires for the road conditions. As I've said before, people drove safely for most of the last century in the snow, with RWD, they were just smart enough to usually do it with snow tires on the car.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

250 is faster than your 2.4L accord....

go test drive both RWD and AWD and decide...