RWD vs AWD - soon to be new owner looking for advice
#16
Lexus Test Driver
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I completely agree with this. I always ran a dedicated snow wheel/tire set up on the Audi and it was a beast while seeing other AWD cars struggle in snow because of traction issues. Living in the DC are we do get snow but it tends to be hit or miss and it's nothing like folks in Colorado or further up NE. Because of this RWD with winter tires should be sufficient.
I know no automatic will be as fun as a manual transmission but when I do want to play with the paddles and change my gears I'd like the shifting to be a but more engaging and from what I have seen with the 8 speed it should be the case.
Are there any maintenance items to be aware of when shopping for the IS350 with 40-50k miles? I looked through the service intervals on the Lexus site and nothing really jumped out at me. I know the drive belts get inspected and changed at some point but for the most part it looks like oil changes every 5k. No timing belt since there are chains. No carbon build up worries. Have the injectors been not a problem since there is 12 of them!?
I know no automatic will be as fun as a manual transmission but when I do want to play with the paddles and change my gears I'd like the shifting to be a but more engaging and from what I have seen with the 8 speed it should be the case.
Are there any maintenance items to be aware of when shopping for the IS350 with 40-50k miles? I looked through the service intervals on the Lexus site and nothing really jumped out at me. I know the drive belts get inspected and changed at some point but for the most part it looks like oil changes every 5k. No timing belt since there are chains. No carbon build up worries. Have the injectors been not a problem since there is 12 of them!?
#17
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The paddles are of limited use. They are out of reach, mid-corner. When I really want manual control, I always use the floor shifter.
Last edited by dizlex; 02-11-19 at 04:32 PM. Reason: typo
#18
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Thanks everyone for the feedback and advice so far. Doing more research and some soul searching I think I'll be happiest with the RWD set up. I may end up investing in some winter tires at some point for the little bit of winter that I typically deal with. We will see.
I found what seems like a decent car and will go to check it out this Saturday. Looks clean, has just about all options that I wanted - 2014 350 F-Sport with red interior. 48,200mi on the clock. Even though black is not my favorite color I can live with that. The price has been dropping on it slowly and it's down to $23,400 now. If I could negotiate it down to $22,500 including paperwork fee I would be content. Is that realistic?
Looking at the Carfax things look fine except for one thing. 07/30/2015 the car was exported to Turkey for about a year and half. Next record for service is on 04/03/2017 and back in the US. I'll try to see if the dealer knows anything but what does everyone think of this? Red flag? Reason for additional negotiation? I did a good amount of research on the dealership as well. It's a smaller family owned business and they have nothing but solid 5 star reviews. Either all customers get fed some cool-aid as they leave or they are genuinely an honest dealership. I realize how that sounds and how rare that is! Either way, I'm going in to take a look for now and do not intend to make any decisions just yet but will certainly update with my experience.
I found what seems like a decent car and will go to check it out this Saturday. Looks clean, has just about all options that I wanted - 2014 350 F-Sport with red interior. 48,200mi on the clock. Even though black is not my favorite color I can live with that. The price has been dropping on it slowly and it's down to $23,400 now. If I could negotiate it down to $22,500 including paperwork fee I would be content. Is that realistic?
Looking at the Carfax things look fine except for one thing. 07/30/2015 the car was exported to Turkey for about a year and half. Next record for service is on 04/03/2017 and back in the US. I'll try to see if the dealer knows anything but what does everyone think of this? Red flag? Reason for additional negotiation? I did a good amount of research on the dealership as well. It's a smaller family owned business and they have nothing but solid 5 star reviews. Either all customers get fed some cool-aid as they leave or they are genuinely an honest dealership. I realize how that sounds and how rare that is! Either way, I'm going in to take a look for now and do not intend to make any decisions just yet but will certainly update with my experience.
#19
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I think it sounds like a good deal, good mileage for that price. Probably realize that as you've been shopping.
And black on red interior sounds really nice. Just more upkeep for that car to look nice (mine looks dirty in about 36-48 hours after wash)
And black on red interior sounds really nice. Just more upkeep for that car to look nice (mine looks dirty in about 36-48 hours after wash)
#20
Driver
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This Saturday I had a chance to finally see and drive the car. The dealer experience was very low pressure and great overall. I was on the road in about 15 minutes and they even abided with my request to raise the car on a lift to see the underbody. Overall the car is great shape although rims had some minor rash. Said it will be fixed before a sale happens. I still want to see at least another car or two before I settle as they say, you shouldn't buy the first thing you see. These cars are quite common so it's only a matter of time before a new option pops up and I'm not in a rush. If the car is still there in 2 weeks I may pull the trigger. RWD cars don't typically fly off the lot during winter where it snows. But if it's meant to be it will still be there. One thing I noticed is that tires are mismatched for front and rear. Front has better Bridgestones where the rear has cheap Summitomo tires. Typically rears would wear more given RWD but I've read about the front inner wear issues so who knows. Price is quite competitive so there isn't too much to negotiate but that won't stop me from trying, within reason of course. Don't plan to lowball as it's disrespectful. One thing I forgot to check if the spare tire is there and if any service records are available since Carfax is pretty modest. Thanks for all the tips thus far and I'll keep this updated as I make my decision.
#21
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We got our first snowfall yesterday, and have to say that my IS was awesome! Drove conservatively, but was doing everything from stopping on hills to taking sharp turns and the tach didn't spin up nor back end go sliding around. Beautiful -- first time with AWD and although we don't typically get much snow here (at least compared to the east coast) it sure was nice to have. As for drier weather, I've yet to really push it but she hooks up right smartly off the line from whatever I've asked.
#22
Lexus Champion
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as a sheet of glass. I drive 4 Matic SUV with good set of winter tires. Solid as rock on the road. B4 I had Audi SQ5 which I had a blast with it's supercharged 3.0 giving little over 300 horses, My SUV has more that 400 Hp stock.
Even AWD has ones with front wheel biased or rear wheel balanced, different again between two.Tried new Acura RDX with SH-AWD?
#23
drives cars
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This Saturday I had a chance to finally see and drive the car. The dealer experience was very low pressure and great overall. I was on the road in about 15 minutes and they even abided with my request to raise the car on a lift to see the underbody. Overall the car is great shape although rims had some minor rash. Said it will be fixed before a sale happens. I still want to see at least another car or two before I settle as they say, you shouldn't buy the first thing you see. These cars are quite common so it's only a matter of time before a new option pops up and I'm not in a rush. If the car is still there in 2 weeks I may pull the trigger. RWD cars don't typically fly off the lot during winter where it snows. But if it's meant to be it will still be there. One thing I noticed is that tires are mismatched for front and rear. Front has better Bridgestones where the rear has cheap Summitomo tires. Typically rears would wear more given RWD but I've read about the front inner wear issues so who knows. Price is quite competitive so there isn't too much to negotiate but that won't stop me from trying, within reason of course. Don't plan to lowball as it's disrespectful. One thing I forgot to check if the spare tire is there and if any service records are available since Carfax is pretty modest. Thanks for all the tips thus far and I'll keep this updated as I make my decision.
Sounds like a pretty good dealer experience to me.
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Best of luck.
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#24
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My F-sport rims were curbed most of the way around by the previous owner. For now I used the 1E3 Phantom Grey Pearl on them and they look a lot better. Because they're dark the curbing shows up a lot more than on silver or aluminum-coloured rims.
#25
Driver
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Do you know which Bridgestones? The OEM Bridgestones (all-seasons) are frankly not great at all. Decently quiet but certainly lacking in performance and treadwear.
Sounds like a pretty good dealer experience to me.
Curb rash isn't terribly expensive to fix - the people my dealer uses are between $100 and $150 USD per wheel. I have a Tire and Wheel Road Hazard package, so I haven't had to actually pay for fixing curb rash on mine (aside from the $900 I spent on the package itself, lol). Or you could just live with the curb rash. 99% of people will never notice.
Best of luck.![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Sounds like a pretty good dealer experience to me.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Best of luck.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
The dealer said they have a guy that regularly comes in to fix wheels as needed so I won't fight it
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#26
drives cars
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Now that I think about it they were actually BFGoodrich G-Force tires hah. Looks like the GForce Comp 2 A/S model specifically. Have not had experience with them before but they looked to have 85%+ thread left and even wear.
The dealer said they have a guy that regularly comes in to fix wheels as needed so I won't fight it
Not sure how regular this is as the cur has been on the lot for 3 months now...unless someone test driving curbed them up, although I doubt it.
The dealer said they have a guy that regularly comes in to fix wheels as needed so I won't fight it
![Wink](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
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#27
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Apparently 8 speed transmission shifts faster
#28
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i dont think the 6 speed in the AWD is meant for supercharged abuse.
the 8 speed is newer and is derived from the LS, IS-F. its built from the ground up for more torque/power so naturally it will be the more durable transmission. RWD always unless we're talking Audi Quattro.
the 8 speed is newer and is derived from the LS, IS-F. its built from the ground up for more torque/power so naturally it will be the more durable transmission. RWD always unless we're talking Audi Quattro.
#29
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