Meesha

I currently drive BMW 325i. That's rear-wheel drive. There's a certain feel to the rear wheel drive. When I drove IS250, it felt a lot like my car. I guess I wanted to "upgrade" my car, either to a more stable car or a faster car. The driving feel I liked when I first test-drove IS was AWD. That's why :) Have you test drove the 350. If not, you might want to give it a try. I've seen complaints of the 250 being sluggish. Like bartkat said, if you are going to be doing a significant amount of driving in the snow and ice, then get the AWD, but by the time you add all of the upgrades to the 250, the price difference isn't that much. Plus you lose about 80 or so horses by going with the 250. Plus all of the extra weight of the AWD system will cut into the gas benefit of the 250. You have a point! That is why I was going back and forth the idea of 350 and 250AWD. Here in Oregon, we don't have snow much. Maybe once or twice a year. But I like the feel of AWD. For money-wise, it's not that much more to get 350. But the gas mileage plus insurance can add up. I am going to test drove 350 *finally* this evening!

If they are all the same size, I don't think there'll be a problem. I know some people have done this. But ... if I get AWD, I'm hoping I can get better rims and make the 17" wheels look better. Anyone got nice chrome wheels on AWD??

It should say "Mark Levinson". See this post: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=39059. Towards the end of the thread. Since you have IS250AWD, the chances are slim. (but maybe things are different in Canada.) In the US, you have to custom build for IS250 to have Mark Levinson. And, unfortunately that's what I'll probably end up doing.

I currently drive BMW 325i. That's rear-wheel drive. There's a certain feel to the rear wheel drive. When I drove IS250, it felt a lot like my car. I guess I wanted to "upgrade" my car, either to a more stable car or a faster car. The driving feel I liked when I first test-drove IS was AWD. That's why :)

Are you getting 08 or 07?

Yeah, I was wondering about that. They didn't even make it as an option. There's probably a reason... So, I'm deciding if I should go w/ the stability or the look. :D

Hi all, I have an interesting choice to make. I am deciding if I want IS250AWD or IS350. I know those are two different types and you must be wondering what does this person want?! hehe... but here's the thing: Options I want for sure are Mark Levinson/Navigation system and 18" wheels. I like how AWD drives, so I want to go w/ IS250AWD BUT this car doesn't come with Mark Levinson. It will be a special order for 08. I'd also have to swap all the tires and rims for 18" wheels. That's more $$ on top of already slim negotiation power for special order 08 car. Then, I could just go for IS350 and get the wheels I want and the Mark Levinson. BUT I won't get it in AWD. More money, less gas mileages, higher insurance. BUT I don't have to special order this car so possibly gives me more negotiation power. Do you guys get my point??? ;) What do you think?? Go w/ AWD? Still cheaper? or just go w/ 350 'cause the power would blow my mind anyway? D: I'm also curious how the price difference would be. Maybe not much different as I'd have to put more $$ into this IS250AWD because of the wheels and special order. 1) 08 IS250AWD Pros: AWD, less expensive than IS350, insurance low, slightly better gas mileage than 350. Cons: Will have to be special order because I want Mark Levinson, No 18" wheels option (if I want to swap, it's more $$), Dealer is asking for MSRP because it's an 08 special order. 2) 07 IS350 Pros: I can get Mark Levinson & 18" wheels w/o special order. Faster car. Can negotiate better. Cons: No AWD. Costs more than 250. Insurance will be higher. Lower gas mileage than 250.

Heh... I thought so... They look great. Do they have similar chrome rims for 17"? I'm just wondering because I'm considering getting AWD but the only thing I don't like is the 17" wheels :( Why 17" wheels in particular? Because AWD only comes in 17" and 18" isn't an option. I could replace the whole set w/ 18" but that's more $$. :( I don't really need 2 sets of tires anyway. I'm actually considering IS350 because of this reason. Besides I wanted Mark Levinson and if I want it on 250, it'll be a special order and they are asking MSRP for it. I may have more buying power if I go w/ 07 existing IS350 w/ all the options I want than special build 250.

I contacted AAA broker and her quote for IS350 was $42,324. This includes: Mark Levinson/Navigation system, Luxery package, XM radio, and rear spoiler. I don't know if this is a good deal but it's better than $45,177 :) But I'm still shopping. :) I might want to try dealership in LA.

Heh... I thought so... They look great. Do they have similar chrome rims for 17"? I'm just wondering because I'm considering getting AWD but the only thing I don't like is the 17" wheels :(

I had the same experience. Here in Portland, we only have one Lexus dealer. I was in and ready to negotiate. But no negotiation happened. He gave me the MSRP and that's it. IS250 with Mark Levinson/Navigation plus Luxury plus 18" package = $40,500. He'd also have to add the difference between 07 and 08 prices when they know. That was his bottom line. The invoice on this is about $35k. He said this is the price if I want to special order the car.

That is beautiful!!! I just came back from the dealership and I decided to go with Matador Red. They got the color in the show room with the chrome rims just like yours. That made my mind up :) by the way, is your car AWD or RWD? I'm wondering if your wheels are 17" or 18".

I was at the dealer today and they couldn't tell me. I am planning to put an order for a similar car, IS250 with Luxery Plus 18" package and ML. They told me it'll be 4 months wait. When did you put an order? Getting it in Oct is pretty fast. Sometime next week, the dealer is gonna call me and let me know what the difference would be. He said there'll be a manager w/ some inside information will be there and he'll ask him. I'll post it if I hear anything.

LOL... you got me.

I heard the 08 has a hovercraft option. :D What is hovercraft option ???

Looks like it's been over a month since this discussion. Any new info on this?

Do they even take orders for 08? The price info isn't even out there, is it?

Right... that's why I want to see as many pics as possible that people took. I wish I could see it in person though.

What color is this car?? Glacier Frost Mica or Starfire Pearl?? Girly is fine 'cause I'm a girl... no, wait, I'm a woman! ^_^ Since I won't be able to see the color in person before making my decision, can you tell me why you chose this color (that is if you got this color.)

I wish I can see the color in person!! But unfortunately we have only one Lexus dealer here in Portland and they don't have the color to show :( Anyone got pictures of both? Please post. Thanks!!

This one? Not sure if this is Breakwater but looks like it. http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/LexusIS/PhotosIS250.htm

WOW... you make me want to wait and get the ML system. :D I will talk to the dealership. I'll wait for 4 months but I won't wait for 8-10 months. But she did say she talked to "Lexus"... hmm... I wonder it's a long wait because she is just a broker? Maybe they'll do it quicker if it's from a dealership.

I'm talking to my broker and she said that if I want IS250 and the Mark Levinson stereo, it'll be a special order and have to wait 8 to 10 months. Also it'd cost much more. Is this true?? 8 to 10 months wait!!!??? That is ridiculous. She suggests to get IS350 because it comes with the Mark Levinson stereo. Is this true? I'm not sure if I want to get a diff model of the car just because I want a better sound system. But if it comes w/ the better stereo and maybe better options, paying a little more may worth it. What do you think?

I know a lot of ppl here like black but I always liked light color interior. For some reason, black interior doesn't have the luxury feel. If I were to get Breakwater Blue, the interior would be gray leather with the metallic trim. Just my opinion ;) Oh.. yes, tint the windows too! By the way, I see you are in Portland. Just for curiosity, where are you planning to buy the car from?

I always like white on this car and now I am picking between these 2 colors: Starfire Pearl or Glacier Frost Mica. Starfire Pearl is white with pearl effect and Glacier Frost Mica is white with blue tint to it. That is my guess... What's your thought? Why do people buy Glacier Frost Mica over Starfire Pearl ? or vice versa? If you have some photos with two cars side by side, I'd love to see it too. I'm asking because I have not yet to see Glacier Frost Mica in person because the dealership doesn't have one in their inventory. I saw Starfire Pearl and I liked it. But I don't want to regret later if I see the other color in person and I like it better.