Should I buy Type S or IS 350??
02-24-2011, 12:23 PM
#42
This was also my case OP.
I had a 2005 TL which was totalled. So I had about $19,000 to spend towards a new "whip."
My three options were TL-S, IS350, G35
G35: everyone told me they looked ugly LOL (I also thought the same thing. so this was out of the questions.
I test drove the IS350 and I liked the power very much and of course because it was RWD, but as everyone else said, there's NO ROOM in the back seat.
So I ended up getting the 07 TL-S because it LOOKS SEXY and it's power was strong enough for my kind of driving oh and I LOVE the handling.
All in all, you can't go wrong with either a IS350 or TL-S
I had a 2005 TL which was totalled. So I had about $19,000 to spend towards a new "whip."
My three options were TL-S, IS350, G35
G35: everyone told me they looked ugly LOL (I also thought the same thing. so this was out of the questions.
I test drove the IS350 and I liked the power very much and of course because it was RWD, but as everyone else said, there's NO ROOM in the back seat.
So I ended up getting the 07 TL-S because it LOOKS SEXY and it's power was strong enough for my kind of driving oh and I LOVE the handling.
All in all, you can't go wrong with either a IS350 or TL-S
02-24-2011, 05:21 PM
#43
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (2)
04-08 TL styling i believe is timeless, like the BMW E46s. If you read reviews of the UA6 TL pretty much everyone was impressed with its looks.
the IS on the other hand, while I'm sure is a nice car, I feel wont age well in terms of styling. Interior probably feels more cramped. When I'm driving the TL I look back at the rear seats and I think, "Damn, that's a lot of space back there"
the IS on the other hand, while I'm sure is a nice car, I feel wont age well in terms of styling. Interior probably feels more cramped. When I'm driving the TL I look back at the rear seats and I think, "Damn, that's a lot of space back there"
And as far as the whole chic car thing, let's face it. No car in this class, be it the TL, IS, G whatever, is ever going to be as macho as a Mustang or G8, etc. All three are neither really feminine or masculine really, although the IS is probably slightly more girly than the G and TL. It would be nice if they would make some subtle differences between the 250 and 350.
02-24-2011, 06:02 PM
#44
Team Owner
One thing that I think really helped with my friend's IS350 was the optional gunmetal 18s with 255 summer tires out back, sport suspension which lowers the front 1/2", and the 13.5" brakes along with the all black exterior. Looks a little more aggressive than most using only factory options.
02-24-2011, 06:02 PM
#45
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guys, come on now these rationalization comments i'm seeing are whack haha...
The lexus is just as luxurious. If you've ever seen a lowered lexus on rims? its absolutely stunning. Maybe a stock 250 is a "chick car", but I've seen many 350's around town that are freakin sexyyy. They have presence for sure.
Sooo 0-60 in under 5 seconds is a chick car? By the way, this is stock, which is scary...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7-Ht...eature=related
Since type S and is350 are aimed towards performance (and still are considered luxury), I would definitely pick the 350. I wouldn't pick the 350 if I was in a snowy climate, or for some reason I was transporting adults all the time. Also I heard you can't operate the nav because shuts off after a certain speed, which is ridiculous haha. The problem is, you gotta fork over a lot more coin
Best answer is to drive em both
The lexus is just as luxurious. If you've ever seen a lowered lexus on rims? its absolutely stunning. Maybe a stock 250 is a "chick car", but I've seen many 350's around town that are freakin sexyyy. They have presence for sure.
Sooo 0-60 in under 5 seconds is a chick car? By the way, this is stock, which is scary...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7-Ht...eature=related
Since type S and is350 are aimed towards performance (and still are considered luxury), I would definitely pick the 350. I wouldn't pick the 350 if I was in a snowy climate, or for some reason I was transporting adults all the time. Also I heard you can't operate the nav because shuts off after a certain speed, which is ridiculous haha. The problem is, you gotta fork over a lot more coin
Best answer is to drive em both
Last edited by akajambas; 02-24-2011 at 06:08 PM.
02-24-2011, 06:15 PM
#46
Team Owner
I've never seen the nav turn off after a certain speed but I have experience with only one '06 350. Of course, my friend did the "cheat" codes right away so he was able to drive his with no traction or stability control. I heard the newer models have a button for this.
He did the e-brake wire mod so that he can watch DVDs all the time, not only when the car is stopped with the e-brake on. Not bad for a factory system.
Very nice cars. I just feel that the TL does the luxury portion a little better while the IS is much better in the acceleration department but not in the handling. I'm glad I chose the TL but I would not be unhappy if I had gotten the IS.
He did the e-brake wire mod so that he can watch DVDs all the time, not only when the car is stopped with the e-brake on. Not bad for a factory system.
Very nice cars. I just feel that the TL does the luxury portion a little better while the IS is much better in the acceleration department but not in the handling. I'm glad I chose the TL but I would not be unhappy if I had gotten the IS.
02-24-2011, 06:50 PM
#47
Instructor
I was in the same situation as you when I was car shopping. I'm not sure where you live OP, but here in So. Cali. A LOT of the IS drivers are chicks, I know of 3 girls at my work place that has IS, not a single one with a TL, let alone a Type S.
If having 4 doors is important to you, get the TL. What I did was adjusted the front seats (TL Type S seats has more "bolster support" than the more "comfort" of the IS) to MY preference, which in the TL is almost all the way back, than got in the back seat and see how much leg room was left, the IS had very little room left. The IS is like a 4 door with the back seat leg room of a 2 door car.
Add the fact that I personally like the interior dash layout of the TL more than the IS and that the IS350 only comes as an Auto, but the IS250 has a manual, what?!?!? The 6MT TL Type S was perfect for me
But in the end, I would suggest you to try to drive both back to back to get a more accurate comparison of the two cars. Good luck!
If having 4 doors is important to you, get the TL. What I did was adjusted the front seats (TL Type S seats has more "bolster support" than the more "comfort" of the IS) to MY preference, which in the TL is almost all the way back, than got in the back seat and see how much leg room was left, the IS had very little room left. The IS is like a 4 door with the back seat leg room of a 2 door car.
Add the fact that I personally like the interior dash layout of the TL more than the IS and that the IS350 only comes as an Auto, but the IS250 has a manual, what?!?!? The 6MT TL Type S was perfect for me
But in the end, I would suggest you to try to drive both back to back to get a more accurate comparison of the two cars. Good luck!
02-24-2011, 07:44 PM
#48
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thanks for all the replies and suggestions, im still on the fence between the cars, i perfer the room in the TL but the IS 350 styling is better to me along with the power. Since they stopped the Type S in 08 and they are still producing the IS 350 and I plan on keep the car for at least 5years. The lexus is ageing better due to being introduced in 06 with a 6yr car production.
I found a few 07 type S with 60-70k in the 18k range but for the lexus is 350 with 50-60k im looking close to 19-20k.
I found a few 07 type S with 60-70k in the 18k range but for the lexus is 350 with 50-60k im looking close to 19-20k.
02-24-2011, 08:20 PM
#49
interesting thread, and the only reason i respond is because i love the IS and i love the TL.
BUT... since im a firm believer that if youre into a sportier car, youre going to get the manual transmission. i went with my 2008 tl-s 6mt.
granted the is250 has a manual, but that's not even the AWD variant. needless to say, every is350 i looked at had a notable markup price compared to the tl-s.
i love my tl-s, it is still my "top sexiest car of 2000-current." whoever agreed with chicks drive is250/350s, i totally agree. thats all i see. only guys is see driving an is are the older is300s with the manual tranny. i love those cars a lot more than the current, but i prefer new to old with an average of 80-90k miles.
BUT... since im a firm believer that if youre into a sportier car, youre going to get the manual transmission. i went with my 2008 tl-s 6mt.
granted the is250 has a manual, but that's not even the AWD variant. needless to say, every is350 i looked at had a notable markup price compared to the tl-s.
i love my tl-s, it is still my "top sexiest car of 2000-current." whoever agreed with chicks drive is250/350s, i totally agree. thats all i see. only guys is see driving an is are the older is300s with the manual tranny. i love those cars a lot more than the current, but i prefer new to old with an average of 80-90k miles.
02-24-2011, 08:33 PM
#50
Cruisin'
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I've seen a lot of girls in mustangs, and ive seen just as much girls in 350z's as guys, and I see a LOT of girls driving beamers, but that doesn't mean any of those are girly cars....the same thing could be said about the TL from a lexus owner perspective. Hell, it could be said about any car, disliking it is more appropriate than claiming its girly because its really not haha.
02-24-2011, 08:45 PM
#51
I've seen a lot of girls in mustangs, and ive seen just as much girls in 350z's as guys, and I see a LOT of girls driving beamers, but that doesn't mean any of those are girly cars....the same thing could be said about the TL from a lexus owner perspective. Hell, it could be said about any car, disliking it is more appropriate than claiming its girly because its really not haha.
/derail and rant
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/23/c...f-exotic-cars/
02-24-2011, 09:56 PM
#52
Get the Type S!!! The IS is boring and plus there's very little visible that separates it from the IS250. Instantly when someone see a Type S they know something is different about your TL!! That car stands out way more than the IS350
02-25-2011, 01:56 AM
#53
Racer
I've seen a lot of girls in mustangs, and ive seen just as much girls in 350z's as guys, and I see a LOT of girls driving beamers, but that doesn't mean any of those are girly cars....the same thing could be said about the TL from a lexus owner perspective. Hell, it could be said about any car, disliking it is more appropriate than claiming its girly because its really not haha.
I agree with you, I've never understood the whole "a lot of girls drive it" deal. Did you know that almost 30% of the supercars owned in China are owned by women? Does that mean you are going to pass up an F430 Spyder because "a lot of girls drive it"? Ridiculous.
/derail and rant
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/23/c...f-exotic-cars/
/derail and rant
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/23/c...f-exotic-cars/
02-26-2011, 12:31 PM
#59
Go with the Tl Type-s. Most of us here are going to be biased but the IS350 is a nice ride as well. I'm not sure where you live, but for those in the frozen northland need front wheel drive in the winters. A CAI, J-pipe and a cat back exhaust and there is nothing more to talk about. :-)
02-26-2011, 01:04 PM
#60
2007 TL Type-S NBP
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For me the choice was easy. Which car has a manual trans offered with a powerful engine? TL-S was the only choice. Having a rear seat that I don't have to make apologies to my adult friends for is nice too. Torque steer sucks though.
02-27-2011, 11:09 PM
#62
Wants a TL. Stuck with a
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You ask this question on an acura enthusiest forum. Well....
I would have to say Type-S. The IS may be quicker, but it's an AT, and where's the fun in that?
I would have to say Type-S. The IS may be quicker, but it's an AT, and where's the fun in that?
03-01-2011, 01:36 AM
#63
I love my tls and would not get the is 250 but would really consider the 350.
My friend had a 250. He hated it said its a girls car..
IMO you tend to see more cars on the road you like.. ie I notice more tl's on the road now after having one.
Do you want to drift? get the IS350 DK.
My friend had a 250. He hated it said its a girls car..
IMO you tend to see more cars on the road you like.. ie I notice more tl's on the road now after having one.
Do you want to drift? get the IS350 DK.
03-01-2011, 05:56 PM
#64
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im located in NY, so having rwd will suck for me in the winter. I had my brother check out this 07 blk type S for me at the dealer and he told me it wasnt worth it due to the condition. So last night he looked at a 06 IS 350 for me and so i offered 20k and now waiting for a reply.
03-01-2011, 06:13 PM
#65
Racer
In the end it all comes down to personal preference. I, myself, am a first time TL owner and I love the car. It's comfortable and quiet on the inside, has plenty of power(even though it's not a type-s) and it handles very well. I have owned a LOT of Hondas in the past, from eg hatchbacks to preludes, and there is no denying that Honda(Acura) is an extremely reliable vehicle. On the other hand, Toyota(Lexus), is also a very reliable vehicle. When you do drive a TLS and IS, make sure that you do a long drive with a mix of city and highway driving to really get a feel for what you like and dislike about either one. I have driven an IS 250 and didn't like it. It has plenty of power but in the end I'm 6'1" and it wasn't comfortable for me. For me the TL-S would be my choice but like I said before it all comes down to personal preference!!
03-01-2011, 11:57 PM
#66
Advanced
my brother owns a is250(same exact body as 350) there is absolutely no room in that car to sit comfortably. its made for women or really short people. im 5"11. the is350 is fast but your going to be very uncomfortable, and theres alot of little rattles thoughout the cabin.
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