Lexus 2008 IS250 vs. IS350

[gar598]

IS-F may be a little out of my price range.

 

[rh71]

Drove both at the lexus event where they let you run it around pretty hard. The IS250 couldn't really handle being pushed that hard and threw up some I-give-up dashboard warnings. The IS350 was a beast. They had a 328 to compare against and while they obviously kept that barebones and isn't a 1:1 match, it was still no competition as far as driving fun, aesthetics, and performance around the course. The Lexus interior also blew it away.

 

[Vortex22]

I'm looking at getting a 06 IS350. Not even considering the 250, I definitely want more power. It's hard though, since it seems like 80% of the used car inventory is 250s.

 

[ivan2]

any IS is a ladies car.

 

[amdhunter]

IS250 is woefully underpowered. My Civic LX coupe had MUCH better handling and felt (not sure if it actually was) quicker off the line.

Still for the price of an IS350 - go for a 335 sedan. IS350 = pretty Camry, and if you really look at the interiors of the IS series - everything looks cheap as hell. WTF is up with that Camry Navi system? Seriously.

 

[gar598]

Camry is similar to an ES - much too large.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
IS250 is woefully underpowered. My Civic LX coupe had MUCH better handling and felt (not sure if it actually was) quicker off the line.

Still for the price of an IS350 - go for a 335 sedan. IS350 = pretty Camry, and if you really look at the interiors of the IS series - everything looks cheap as hell. WTF is up with that Camry Navi system? Seriously.

WTF are you smoking?

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: amdhunter
IS250 is woefully underpowered. My Civic LX coupe had MUCH better handling and felt (not sure if it actually was) quicker off the line.

Still for the price of an IS350 - go for a 335 sedan. IS350 = pretty Camry, and if you really look at the interiors of the IS series - everything looks cheap as hell. WTF is up with that Camry Navi system? Seriously.

WTF are you smoking?

he's right, except for the part about civic being faster and handling better.
probably feels that the civic handles better because it's lighter and more tossable.

the 250 is underpowered, and the interior is bleh... so plasticky.

 

[vrbaba]

I was about to buy the same when I was deciding. But I went with a 07 328xi instead. I just couldnt resist the BMW after test driving it even though the Lexus would be new and with Nav.

Here are a few points regarding the IS250:
- The interior feels slightly more luxurious.
- It is very quiet (hence the above)
- The steering is very easy to turn, which I sort of did not like.
- It seems underpowered only when I compared it to a BMW.
- Where do you live? If you get a lot of snow, the 250 is better choice with the AWD. Otherwise, I would just go with the 350. The difference in power should be noticeable.

 

[SportSC4]

IS250 is ok, handles nice with the sports package (very high ratings in those car mags) and gets decent gas mileage. But in terms of handling, the BMW felt best of all I tried. If you're worried about resale value, then don't get the navigation package. It's the option with the largest devaluation. However, it really improves the interior and you get the backup camera - which i've found to be very helpful. Even though I'm going to take a hit for my navigation, I'm glad I got it. And yes, you can't input new destinations while driving ... which is ridiculous. I mean, the car has the ability to know if you have a passenger, it should allow it!

As for the interior, it's going to depend on what you like. I found it to be very nice, better than the Audi A4, MB C-series and BMW 3 series (In decreasing order of what I preferred). Of all, the Audi A4 came closest to beating out the 250 AWD I ended up buying.

I don't have options for power with my 250 AWD so I went on upgrading the handling. It's definitely made it more enjoyable. I may be trading in my IS though. I'll need something larger in the next few years and the G37x Sedan is calling my name...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: SportSC4
IS250 is ok, handles nice with the sports package (very high ratings in those car mags) and gets decent gas mileage. If you're worried about resale value, then don't get the navigation package. It's the option with the largest devaluation. However, it really improves the interior and you get the backup camera - which i've found to be very helpful. Even though I'm going to take a hit for my navigation, I'm glad I got it. And yes, you can't input new destinations while driving ... which is ridiculous. I mean, the car has the ability to know if you have a passenger, it should allow it!

As for the interior, it's going to depend on what you like. I found it to be very nice, better than the Audi A4 and MB C-series and much better than the 3 series. Of all, the Audi A4 came closest to beating out the 250 AWD I ended up buying.

I don't have options for power with my 250 AWD so I went on upgrading the handling. It's definitely made it more enjoyable. I may be trading in my IS though. I'll need something larger in the next few years and the G37x Sedan is calling my name...

That really is a lot of car for the money. I love the look of the new G37 sedan, it has that wonderful VQ engine, RWD, and excellent chassis.

The G35 sedan was on my short list of cars when we bought my wife's Lexus but she wanted the Lexus...so that's what we bought. My only complaint about the IS is that it is too small. Other than that I love it.

 

[spidey07]

No manual means DO NOT BUY.

 

[Strk]

The IS250 is slower than your typical family sedan.

 

[gar598]

Originally posted by: spidey07
No manual means DO NOT BUY.

The IS250 has a manual option.

 

[LordSnailz]

Originally posted by: rh71
Drove both at the lexus event where they let you run it around pretty hard. The IS250 couldn't really handle being pushed that hard and threw up some I-give-up dashboard warnings. The IS350 was a beast. They had a 328 to compare against and while they obviously kept that barebones and isn't a 1:1 match, it was still no competition as far as driving fun, aesthetics, and performance around the course. The Lexus interior also blew it away.

the 328 or the is250?

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: gar598

Originally posted by: spidey07
No manual means DO NOT BUY.

The IS250 has a manual option.

Whoops, sorry. I had been wanting an IS350 and have told the dealer and TMS - until you have a manual, I'll shop elsewhere.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: gar598

Originally posted by: spidey07
No manual means DO NOT BUY.

The IS250 has a manual option.

good luck trying to find one.
i was looking for these a couple of years back and no dealer stocks them and are reluctant to order them.
kept pushing me towards the auto.

it's just a ploy to get a lower starting price and lure in buyers.

 

[gar598]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: gar598

Originally posted by: spidey07
No manual means DO NOT BUY.

The IS250 has a manual option.

good luck trying to find one.
i was looking for these a couple of years back and no dealer stocks them and are reluctant to order them.
kept pushing me towards the auto.

it's just a ploy to get a lower starting price and lure in buyers.

There's a couple manuals available on ebay.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: gar598

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: gar598

Originally posted by: spidey07
No manual means DO NOT BUY.

The IS250 has a manual option.

good luck trying to find one.
i was looking for these a couple of years back and no dealer stocks them and are reluctant to order them.
kept pushing me towards the auto.

it's just a ploy to get a lower starting price and lure in buyers.

There's a couple manuals available on ebay.

compared to how many autos?

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: gar598

Originally posted by: spidey07
No manual means DO NOT BUY.

The IS250 has a manual option.

Whoops, sorry. I had been wanting an IS350 and have told the dealer and TMS - until you have a manual, I'll shop elsewhere.

Agreed. Manuals are way better. I'd either go for the IS250 with a manual, or buy a different car. I'll say this much - if I had the cash for an IS350, I definitely wouldn't buy one. It's just an overgrown Camry. Toyota ruins or discontinues every good car they make - they discontinued the Celica, MR2, and Supra, and they replaced the small, nimble, sporty IS300 with the boat-like and slow IS250/350.

If you want a sports sedan, get a BMW 3-series. Otherwise, there are plenty of options in the $30k range for something fun.

 

[rh71]

are the mods on vacation? Garage eh?

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: gar598

Originally posted by: spidey07
No manual means DO NOT BUY.

The IS250 has a manual option.

Whoops, sorry. I had been wanting an IS350 and have told the dealer and TMS - until you have a manual, I'll shop elsewhere.

Agreed. Manuals are way better. I'd either go for the IS250 with a manual, or buy a different car. I'll say this much - if I had the cash for an IS350, I definitely wouldn't buy one. It's just an overgrown Camry. Toyota ruins or discontinues every good car they make - they discontinued the Celica, MR2, and Supra, and they replaced the small, nimble, sporty IS300 with the boat-like and slow IS250/350.

If you want a sports sedan, get a BMW 3-series. Otherwise, there are plenty of options in the $30k range for something fun.

Yes the 250 is way underpowered and slow but the 350 is a totally different beast. It's right up there with the 335 on the straights. The 300 was never really that quick either.

 

[jlee]

Yeah, the IS350 is pretty quick. http://www.roadandtrack.com/as...wnload/3car_dp.pdf.pdf

 

[gar598]

I'm not a big fan of BMWs. I do like the new Nissan Maxima (http://www.nissanusa.com/maxima/) - Camrys don't do much for me.

 

[Arkaign]

The IS250 is a bit of a dog compared to today's cars, and runs about like the Acura TSX. The base 6MT IS250 weighs 3450lbs and 204hp/185tq is not going to make that exactly thrilling. Perhaps I've been too harsh on them though, it is a nice looking car, and of course you get a solid Toyota reputation behind it.

I much prefer the G37, but it's slightly more expensive than the IS250, slightly less than the IS350. The big win for me is that with the G, you can get the ~330hp V6 with a sport package and 6-speed manual. Can't do it with the IS350. Not sure what Lexus problem is there. I see plenty of manual 335i and G37 sold, so there's a market for sure.