DexRox512

iTrader: (5)

So I got a 2011 250 loaner from my dealer with 5,000 miles on it...the thing drives great. In my opinion ALMOST better than my 350. Power wise...no comparison...the 250 is gutless but with the ECT button engaged it's peppy enough. The steering is lighter but to me feels much more direct and responsive. Ride quality is about the same...the 350 feels heavier and more solid. But in the end I think I like the steering and feel of the 250 better. Is there something wrong with my car??? I mean, shouldn't the 350 feel/BE a better ride? Obviously I am having issues with the car, that's why it's been in the Lexus dealer pretty much every week since I've had it (even though it's brand new) but still. I wouldn't trade the power for the ride but this shocked me. I didn't really remember the feeling of my old 250 and can't compare my 250C to the 350...but getting in this car yesterday opened my eyes. Anyone want to weigh in?

Bigrahizzl

iTrader: (8)

maybe because its AWD??

shadowman

iTrader: (2)

Is250 should have less body roll becuz of the thicker sway bars. The is250 is built more with ride comfort in mind. The 350 is more sport oriented

iRock

iTrader: (12)

I don't think he has or had an AWD

My only thoughts are that the 250 is broken in already with 5k miles on it.

chikoo

Is250 is a RWD car with VERY less weight on the front wheels....the true mark of a nimble sports car. Not sure if one can say the same for the IS 350

XhyDra

iTrader: (8)

Stock for stock the IS250 is lighter and handles better than an IS350. Power is no comparison but having driven both I can say that without sways or suspension mods the IS350 comes in as more of a sloppy whale than an IS250. Both cars are great though.

iRock

iTrader: (12)

Yea a couple days after I got my new car a realized that thr 350 didn't handle as well. But then I thought it was alllll in my head and because I had 18's instead of the 19's that I got now. Now with new tires, 19 x9 rims in the rear and sway bar

DexRox512

iTrader: (5)

It's RWD...

This makes more sense now. It also has the sport tires from the F-Sport on the stock 18's...which is odd. So it has better tires. Kinda pissed because I wish I would have gotten those on my car...anyone want to trade tires??? I have the sway bars on my car and there are issues with them but they did help tighten the rear end but even with those and the steering damper...still no comparison on steering feel though to this 250. Intersting!

Sango

iTrader: (10)

Alignment could be part of it too since that also affects how the car would feel and handle, besides the tire wear. As we know, the factory alignment isn't great to begin with which normally causes those fast tire wears.

chikoo

Great point. If your toe-in is too much but still within specs, the pigeon toe stance will make the car feel heavy and not at all nimble

DexRox512

iTrader: (5)

This is all good info. I still have the loaner and after driving it for 3 days I really notice a difference. I'm curious to get my 350 back and see how I feel. The body roll is so much more limited on the 250...I can't believe it. I don't remember my 09' 250 being like this at all...thinking of doing the F-Sport springs on my 350 to lower the center or gravity and pull back some more body roll after the sways. Any opinions?

iRock

iTrader: (12)

I'm sure it would help a bit. Did you notice a difference when ugraded to the f sport stuff on the 250??? I was thinkin about gettin some f sport springs to but not sure I would be happy with the amount it lowers the car.

DexRox512

iTrader: (5)

I definitely noticed a difference in how it looked on the 250 with the original 17's and then when I got the F-Sport 19's that you now have Ken. But when I had originally bought just the springs and the sway bars (without the shocks) I didn't noticed a drastic difference until I put the shocks on...however, I didnt like that difference very much. The shocks made the ride harsh...yet took care of a lot of the issues it has...(body roll, steering response/feel)...it also really helped braking feel. But just having the sways and the springs I didn't see much of a different. I am going to consider it but probably wait. I am scared about having the harsh ride again but trying to recall how it felt with JUST the springs....if it was or wasnt too harsh...hmmmmmm...