UCLABryan

Hello all,

I have the opportunity to pick up a 2010 IS 250 AWD for below Kelley Blue Book, clean title, and only 58k miles despite being registered and owned in NY-->PA-->NV-->CA. Only trouble I'm having is, do I really need AWD in California? I live in Sacramento where it is mostly sunny, and like now lots of rain and some limited icy conditions. We go up to Lake Tahoe a few times a year if that so I can use it then. But I guess my question is, is it normal to have AWD if you're not really utilizing it? I may have a good deal to take advantage but am having second thoughts since I figured out it was AWD and not sure I want to sacrifice MPG.

Any Lexus owners around that use AWD without the snowy/icy conditions?

Thanks for reading! Your feedback is appreciated...

Bryan

2013FSport

iTrader: (2)

People buy millions of AWD suvs and never use them. Not a show stopper. It took a couple years to find a 350 F-sport RWD....

Perhaps snag that and use it as a bargaining chip while you search for 350 RWD?

As for AWD & MPG's, it matters not while you idle through a traffic jam 7 days a week.

Aspect

Even living up here in Canada I'm really only taking advantage of the AWD during snow storms/blizzards/ice storms/freezing rain etc. Having good tires is key. You'd be fine with RWD or AWD, also give it's a 204 hp v6 NA you shouldn't have any problems with traction I would think in your scenario. I'd prob go for a RWD given it has less powertrain loss 175 vs 165 whp iirc. Also if you plan on lowering it/slamming it in the future it's better to have RWD so you can go less than 24.5 inches ground to fender. Also saves you money in doing front diff fluid changes and CV axle replacements if they go out in the front.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

look around LA, lots of AWD crossovers and SUVs and they are just fine. 99% of subarus are AWD! you will be fine.
I would stay away from cars that saw snow before (since you mentioned the car you are looking at came from NY).
road salts can wreck havoc on older suspension/braking parts. I would find a car that strictly was from less snow covered areas.
this is why the rest of the country looks for a 'California' car as our cars see minimal snow with less likely for rust related problems. my $0.02.

Hondabuff

iTrader: (1)

I drive a RWD IS350 with Michelin AS3+ in Pittsburgh PA year round. When it snows, your not going anywhere in the IS350. Even a dusting of snow gives the car fits. But with that setup, The RWD IS is amazing in wet weather which it rains every day here and have never had an issue with spin outs or loss of traction while playing with the car. If I lived somewhere sunny, I would look for the RWD platform because it is so much better feeling of a car and feels nothing like the AWD. Feels lighter and steering inputs a laser sharp. I bought my car when it was 4 years old and flew down to Florida to buy it since it had 20k miles on and was brand new looking. 2 years of driving in Pittsburgh and you would be amazed on how much corrosive damage there is to the suspension and underneath the car. I keep my car super clean but the north east uses liquid calcium chloride now to pretreat the roads and its like pouring acid on the aluminum. Dont buy a car from the North East!