Decision!! AWD or RWD IS350
#32
Lexus Champion
#33
I have a '14 IS350 RWD as a daily driver and I live Buffalo, NY (relatively plain topography). I have winter tires, of course. Blizzak LM60's(They provide decent traction in snow but are noisy and tend to trigger the TC under heavy acceleration even in the 3rd gear on dry surface). I was able to drive through over 12' of snow and unploughed streets (remember that 2013-2014 winter was terrible with 3 blizzards in upstate NY). There was not situation where I couldnt commute because I have RWD vehicle.
The snow mode does work and as it was pointed out already, vehicle starts from 2nd gear and once it starts moving, it stays in the highest possible gear.
That said, my friend has the AWD version and for regular driving it doesn't feel in anyway inferior to the RWD. It does have better traction even with all season tires. He has the same packages as mine but costs about $1,500 more. I would've gotten an AWD if I were living in a place with a lot of hills.
One advice for you. If you do plan to get the RWD, speak with the dealer to see if the stock Turanza ER33s can be swapped with something of your choice(there are a lot of better tires in the market). They have insane threadware (rated at 140) while not so great grip.
The snow mode does work and as it was pointed out already, vehicle starts from 2nd gear and once it starts moving, it stays in the highest possible gear.
That said, my friend has the AWD version and for regular driving it doesn't feel in anyway inferior to the RWD. It does have better traction even with all season tires. He has the same packages as mine but costs about $1,500 more. I would've gotten an AWD if I were living in a place with a lot of hills.
One advice for you. If you do plan to get the RWD, speak with the dealer to see if the stock Turanza ER33s can be swapped with something of your choice(there are a lot of better tires in the market). They have insane threadware (rated at 140) while not so great grip.
#34
I have a '14 IS350 RWD as a daily driver and I live Buffalo, NY (relatively plain topography). I have winter tires, of course. Blizzak LM60's(They provide decent traction in snow but are noisy and tend to trigger the TC under heavy acceleration even in the 3rd gear on dry surface). I was able to drive through over 12' of snow and unploughed streets (remember that 2013-2014 winter was terrible with 3 blizzards in upstate NY). There was not situation where I couldnt commute because I have RWD vehicle.
The snow mode does work and as it was pointed out already, vehicle starts from 2nd gear and once it starts moving, it stays in the highest possible gear.
That said, my friend has the AWD version and for regular driving it doesn't feel in anyway inferior to the RWD. It does have better traction even with all season tires. He has the same packages as mine but costs about $1,500 more. I would've gotten an AWD if I were living in a place with a lot of hills.
One advice for you. If you do plan to get the RWD, speak with the dealer to see if the stock Turanza ER33s can be swapped with something of your choice(there are a lot of better tires in the market). They have insane threadware (rated at 140) while not so great grip.
The snow mode does work and as it was pointed out already, vehicle starts from 2nd gear and once it starts moving, it stays in the highest possible gear.
That said, my friend has the AWD version and for regular driving it doesn't feel in anyway inferior to the RWD. It does have better traction even with all season tires. He has the same packages as mine but costs about $1,500 more. I would've gotten an AWD if I were living in a place with a lot of hills.
One advice for you. If you do plan to get the RWD, speak with the dealer to see if the stock Turanza ER33s can be swapped with something of your choice(there are a lot of better tires in the market). They have insane threadware (rated at 140) while not so great grip.
Thanks for the feedback!
Also, I'm from Buffalo as well.
#35
Pole Position
I have a '14 IS350 RWD as a daily driver and I live Buffalo, NY (relatively plain topography). I have winter tires, of course. Blizzak LM60's(They provide decent traction in snow but are noisy and tend to trigger the TC under heavy acceleration even in the 3rd gear on dry surface). I was able to drive through over 12' of snow and unploughed streets (remember that 2013-2014 winter was terrible with 3 blizzards in upstate NY).
#36
You would get into trouble only when you want to deliberately. With sensible driving and winter tires, the RWD is as safe as AWD. No question about it.
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