RYAN7585

I just bought a 2008 is250 and the handling is strange and feels dangerous. It reacts very strongly to changes in the slope of the road, to the point that it actually swings the car back and forth on a straight road, just due to it wanting to stay in the tire ruts of the road, so strongly.. like, it pulls itself into the rut, then overshoots, pulls back into the rut, overshoots again, etc... causing an oscillating back and forth swing

It has low-profile tires which I am not used to, but I find it hard to believe that anyone would feel safe in a car that handles like this, and low-profile tires are all over the place. I definitely feel the bumps of the road more than I would like and I know that has to do with the tires, but this handling thing seems different and its driving me crazy

I bought it at carmax and can return it if needed, but I like the car otherwise so I'd prefer to avoid that. Have any of you ever had these issues? What would you suggest I do?

Zmon

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like tramlining. That's usually the tires. Couple things to check is tire pressure and alignment. Otherwise, grab a different set of tires.

2013FSport

iTrader: (2)

We are on the same page. ^^
Over inflated worn tires / bad fitment design/application wise can make the best of cars follow ruts.... Makes them wallow in/out of the ruts so to speak. If the rear is toed out that makes for a very strange feeling when the surface has imperfections. Like said above, check the alignment.

How is the damping? If you brake briskly does the nose pitch down excessively? Or maybe bounce on each corner of the car, it should come up and stop.

Drizell

I would have not much to say but CARMAX? I mean good god, I would only buy something economy from them like a Rav or Corolla. They do not know anything about Lexus. They just sell the ****.
I would look into wheel bearings, alignment inspection and a set of 4 new tires for $1,000. That should bring you up to like 1100 and you can drive with confidence. Since the IS 250 has a known steering issue and alignment issue with the front Toe, it use to bother me as well. After the above repair it still does what your saying but way less and I feel more in control of the car around curves. Tires suck, then those whole car sucks, IS 250 depends on the tires as if it were gas and oil. But Carmax, oh man, I would trade that back in specially if your not ready for al lthe repairs and broken crap with an 2008. When climbing to 10 years now a decade. Sounds like a stunt only Carmax would do, sell you older model, depreciates faters than the new tires you will need.