AWD models only weigh about 140 pounds more than RWD. Never drove a RWD but the Awd handles extremely well, they both understeer at the limit. The IS is a great handling car, by no means a boat, it’s just such a heavy car. I think if they cut the weight a few hundred pounds it’s would feel like a different car.

 

Agreed. I have high hopes for the next gen IS, but not expecting anything radical tbh.

 

The handling is really nice especially at 8/10ths. You go a bit harder and it really understeers badly. Also, the limits aren't has high as some of the competitors. It's just a great all around daily.

 

+1. I've driven a RWD 350 but not very hard since it wasn't my car. There is a slight, yet noticeable, difference in feel between the two. Honestly the transmission is the biggest difference.

 

Agreed at 8/10th it’s a super solid, predictable car but at the limits you can feel it’s going to understeer and boy it does. I’ve never driven the 8 speed tranny but always wanted to. I wanted RWD but winters here to crazy.
I can say the 6 speed tho in my 350 despite being ancient shifts pretty quick, has aggressive gearing and only needs 1 shift to hit 60mph.
It’s also easy in manual mode because there’s only 6 gears to cycle through. It has the electronic rev matching and that works well to. It’s just not as good as the 8 speed in terms of shifting speed, mpg, and obviously has more drivetrain loss. The newer RWD models with LSD must be fun as hell.