thesaintjim Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 anyone drive a 350 yet in snow? Been wanting a 350 but saw it was RWD only and I don't want a 200hp is 250 AWD car ;) ← Have I got a story for you!!! Today I woke up in Concord, MA to an inch of wet snow and temps just below freezing. Since it was an early Sunday morning with no traffic, I thought I try out my brand new IS350 with 18" wheel sport package and see if it can handle this amount of snow on original equip. (I'm waiting for proper 17" wheels to arrive in the States so I can mount some winter tires). About 400 yds from my driveway I encountered 2 beautiful deer standing in the road just around a slight downhill bend. I was at 15mph in 3gear, manual drive, reg trans mode and simply couldn't stop. The car skidded sideways and with VDIM and antilock brakes chiming like Big Ben, I luckily slid to a stop in the driveway on my right about 5 ft from the trees and fence along its left side. The car wouldn't turn at all it was like driving a sled. Granted the conditions were perfect (black ice under the wet snow) but this is really dangerous. I've had three GS's including a 430 with winter tires and it outperforms my Explorer in 6 inches or less no contest. This new and magnificent machine is a wonder but don't ever go in snow without snow tires. AAA towed me to my home and out came the Explorer. ← Wow, We are getting 5-8 inches tomorrow and I get to test drive the IS 350. I hope the dealership insures their cars :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwkarth Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 The AWD and RWD body style is the same as far as I can tell, but... The transmission "hump" between the front seats is wider at the floor to make room for the transfer case on the AWD models. There seems to be about 3" less room laterally in the AWD model on the driver's side. We just picked up our IS350 night before last. It's a little small for me, and has no back seat to speak of when the front seat is adjusted for me, but man is this thing a hoot to drive! I still love my LS, but the IS is one great car, and I predict, a real "3 Series" threat. :D ← Is the ISbody style different in the all wheel drive as to the rear wheel drive? And is it alot smaller than the ES330? ← Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesaintjim Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Well, I decided not to test drive the RWD. They would not let anyone since it did not have snow tires on it, hehe. Took the AWD out and my impression? I slammed the gas and was not impressed. my 400h would destroy it, but it is lacking about 65hp difference. I do like the interior A LOT.Everything is right there. All in all I am on a waiting list for the first batch with Sirius installed. I'll join your club in the spring ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkaplan435 Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 I'm told that Sirius is a dealer installed option, about $575. Well, I decided not to test drive the RWD. They would not let anyone since it did not have snow tires on it, hehe. Took the AWD out and my impression? I slammed the gas and was not impressed. my 400h would destroy it, but it is lacking about 65hp difference. I do like the interior A LOT.Everything is right there. All in all I am on a waiting list for the first batch with Sirius installed. I'll join your club in the spring ;) ← Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesaintjim Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 I talked with my dealer and they are looking at 450 for the installation (Not official) This will not be available until 1st quarter of 2006. I'm told that Sirius is a dealer installed option, about $575.Well, I decided not to test drive the RWD. They would not let anyone since it did not have snow tires on it, hehe. Took the AWD out and my impression? I slammed the gas and was not impressed. my 400h would destroy it, but it is lacking about 65hp difference. I do like the interior A LOT.Everything is right there. All in all I am on a waiting list for the first batch with Sirius installed. I'll join your club in the spring ;) ← ← Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockdoc Posted December 13, 2005 Share Posted December 13, 2005 Tweeter Etc quoted me $425 to install the just released Soundgate LexXM integrated adapter with XM tuner. It's $80 more for the soon to be released LexPOD IPOD and XM combined that allows operation of both from the dashboard. I talked with my dealer and they are looking at 450 for the installation (Not official) This will not be available until 1st quarter of 2006. I'm told that Sirius is a dealer installed option, about $575.Well, I decided not to test drive the RWD. They would not let anyone since it did not have snow tires on it, hehe. Took the AWD out and my impression? I slammed the gas and was not impressed. my 400h would destroy it, but it is lacking about 65hp difference. I do like the interior A LOT.Everything is right there. All in all I am on a waiting list for the first batch with Sirius installed. I'll join your club in the spring ;) ← ← ← Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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