GymWarrior

I own a 2008 IS 350 (Navi & Sport package) and must say I love it. However, I live in a northern climate (Montreal, Canada) and thus could benefit greatly from
having it offered in AWD (all-wheel-drive).

I cannot understand Lexus' logic to offer a smaller displacement model (2.5 liter in the IS 250) in AWD, but NOT for the IS 350.... makes no sense, since a larger displacement engine (more torque) is more of a handful on slippery road conditions than a smaller engine. Plus they already have all the AWD technology etc. from the IS 250,... so the set-up cost for doing the same on their IS 350 should be minimal.....

Not only does Infiniti offer their sedan (G37) in AWD, but they now (2009 and up) also offer their G37 coupe in AWD !!!

What is wrong with LEXUS ????

Clay Easto

I have a 250 AWD, I wish Lexus offered the 350 in AWD. I need AWD here in Chicago, too much snow in the winter.

panda327

iTrader: (3)

because that will cost around the same as a awd GS

VF84

wasn't sales figures for is350 only 10-15% of all 2is sales? and how much for awd? add the two together and it probably doesn't make a whole lot of financial viability

dubsesd

almost every IS on the road in my area is AWD. i live in ottawa canada just 1hour north of new york state, and we get a fair amount of snow. i didnt get the 350 mainly because it didnt have awd, but if it did i would of probably gotten one

Brian

I am SO glad someone brought this up, and I hope an executive from Lexus reads this. I currently own a 2006 GS (which is, BTW, overpriced in Canada) AWD. I was interested in the GSh, but, guess what, no AWD.
I actually wanted something smaller and sportier, and the IS350 would be perfect in AWD. I looked at an Infiniti G37 AWD and it is VERY nice, and has available laser cruise, too. The only drawback is that the interior is, frankly, cheap looking when compared to the IS 350. I looked at the Mercedes C-300 and it is HORRIBLE in terms of features and finish on the inside. And, frankly, for moral reasons (association with ****-ism in WWII) I can't force myself to buy a BMW 335xi coupe.
What I've decided to do is to order a 2010 IS-350 and put snow tires on it.... I hope that works out. I don't want the IS-250...maybe because I'm going through a mid-life crisis (lol...). Having said that, I'm hoping that at some point Lexus Canada starts to "get it," which I'm not at all convinced that they do. Otherwise, love Lexus or not, a few years from now when I trade off again, I will be forced to go with something other than Lexus. Do you guys think I'll be okay with IS-350 with snows? Kindest regards, BL

dubsesd

it wont be horrible. remember, most of the 3-series on the roads are rwd, and they are everywhere.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

The following won't be popular with AWD owners, but it's true-

AWD is a crutch for people who either don't own snow tires or don't know how to drive a car correctly.

People got along fine with RWD cars in the worst snows around for most of the last century. And without even the benefit for modern tires or modern traction control.

The 350 is a performance car, there's no reason to saddle it with a bunch of extra weight and a power-robbing drivetrain.

There's 350 owners in Canada (and Chicago) by the way who have no problem getting around.

I lived in Canada (and a couple northern areas of the US) with RWD V8 American cars with no traction control and got around just fine, I've no doubt I'd have even less trouble with my 350.

CRB

The IS350 is overpriced to begin with and would be that much more overpriced with the AWD. I suspect that market interest in that vehicle would be very, very small.

darkdream

The IS350 is overpriced?

CRB

In my opinion it is very much overpriced, especially in Canada, where the OP is from. It's almost a niche vehicle that piggybacks on the volume of IS250 sales.

2IS 'R' US

I thought it was because there's no room for the AWD system on the 350.

mikez

When you pay excess of 70k for an IS350, you tell me if its over priced or not

FisforFast

In my opinion, and AWD IS350 would be far too expensive. Lexus would not only have a hard time marketing it, but the price would be far from justifiable. That being said, I believe that the IS series suffers from a severe case of bad pricing. A fully loaded IS250 goes for the same price as a nicely equipped IS350, and a fully equipped IS350 can go for the same price as a very nicely equipped (if not fully equipped) IS F. I think that the pricing on an AWD IS350 would be similar to that of an AWD GS model, which would make it very difficult to market and absolutely not financially viable.

Others have mentioned it but I'll say it again. AWD is only good for getting you off the line and is not fool-proof. A light foot on the throttle and a good set of winter tires will out-perform even the best AWD systems in the world. People around my neck of the woods, in the suburbs of Montreal, are doing fine with the F in the snow. Heck, I think most people drive it year-round. Not my cup of tea, I much prefer a $1000 ****box on 14's I can have fun with all winter long and have crushed when spring comes.

sjgIS350

It seems Lexus is falling behind Infiniti a bit doesn't it?