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Geting back on topic... by the looks of it, I think we'd be considering the AWD option then.
Forgot to add one thing: my kid wants me to enroll him and our family into the "Porsche Driving Experience" in S. Carolina next summer... I guess it's my fault for making him love cars!
There is 30 cm of snow that just got dumped on Winnipeg and I don't see anyone using snowchains!
Yikes, maybe if you live on top of a mountain!
People use snowtires, not snowchains...
This reminds me of how ruined (spoiled) and arrogant one of my "friends" is since his dad gives him credit cards galore and a brand new Cadillac Escalade, Rolex, among 4 other thousand dollar watches.
This doesn't mean that others who are not as wealthy, as they too can be spoiled relative to their financial situation.
It is all in what your parents teach you.
BGDC said it.
In general, if you aren't given it, you work a hell of a lot harder to get it if you think you deserve it.
I kindly ask that people don't pre-judge the reasons why I am buying this car. I am not automatically buying this car for the sake of giving him a new car. He clearly earned it through many different factors that I won't go through with you all. For those who directly responded to my very simple question, thanks a bunch! I just have no idea what winter driving is like.
On the other hand, there are people with all kinds of disposable income, literally money to burn.
Yes it's spoiling the child but more than likely, the kid's been spoiled way before graduation. At least these luxury cars are safer or more likely to protect in a collision.
There's a "reality" show on MTV called Laguna Beach. Kids are driving X5, 330iC, Mercedes convertibles, Audis, etc. and they're all slackers, mostly lucky to end up at second-tier schools like SDSU, LMU, BYU or USC. Some are HS drop outs and they're still rolling in luxury German cars.
So the rich aren't interested in instilling character in their children.
Really the protection difference between a 1998 C class or a 98 Accord and a 2006 Lexus is pretty much a wash.
There's a "reality" show on MTV called Laguna Beach. Kids are driving X5, 330iC, Mercedes convertibles, Audis, etc. and they're all slackers, mostly lucky to end up at second-tier schools like SDSU, LMU, BYU or USC. Some are HS drop outs and they're still rolling in luxury German cars.
True. San Diego is the same way. La Jolla/Del Mar/Rancho Santa Fe/encinitas it's expected your kid will get something foreign and expensive (check out the lot at LJ High!!). Mira Mesa/Kearny Mesa the families will go into debt to put their kids into fancy cars...it's a weird way of proving they've made it in the USA. Scripps Ranch/Poway/Otay Ranch is filled with people trying to prove they wanted to live in those hellholes instead of a nice coastal community.
The CEO of one of my old companies dropped over 65k (not including their cars) on his triplets' 16th birthday party. MTV did an episode covering the event for their show "Sweet Sixteen."
Since you "have no idea what winter driving is like", I assume this is also true for your son. Getting moving is harder, stopping can be much harder. Mostly it is the stopping that is riskier. Also sideways traction (in turns) can be iffy. All of these things can come on suddenly, even in otherwise clear (but cold) weather. For example, you may come around a corner and hit a patch of ice or snow unexpectedly. These factors would make AWD a plus for a less experienced driver. Also, IMHO (no flames here, please) RWD is a bit tougher than FWD in snow, if you have to pick one or the other - the weight in a FWD car is over the driving wheels, which aids traction.
AWD has no advantages when stopping. It makes a car heavier - basically bad. The most effective approach to this problem - FWD/RWD/AWD independent - is winter-specific tires, which you should get him no matter which car you buy him.
East coast weather varies - Washington DC does not get as much snow as NY city, and is generally warmer - it may last a shorter period of time (per snowfall). Plus, I would say in general that big cities are warmer and have effective snow removal. I live in upstate NY - more rural, less traffic, more prone to the have lingering snow.
There is no substitute for good judgement and knowing your driving limits - you sound confident with his. However, he has no experience, and should be cautious. A classic east coast young driving pleasure is testing traction limits in empty, snowy parking lots as a learning experience. Tim
(I drive AWD with dedicated snow tires)
Ive done real well the last 30 some odd years, maybe you can toss me a IS ? :P
Good luck with your decision,
DL
I agree that snow tires, or at the very least all-season tires, are the way to go regardless of what kind of car you get. AWD is mainly a big advantage when starting your car from a stop - it will help you get more traction. It can also help going around a turn if some of your wheels hit ice, for example, but others still have good traction. For times when you are not accelerating, or when you are braking, it won't make any difference. In those cases, vehicle weight and dynamics, tires, and driver skill/experience matter the most.
And yes, I agree with someone above who mentioned driving around in a snowy, empty parking lot to test the limits of your traction in the snow. Plus it's fun too.
Just make sure there are no parking cubs hidden under the snow...Otherwise it’s a new broken Lexus
#1 Nav comes with a backup camera. Is this something obvious that you see on the back of the car from the outside - meaning can someone come along and break it off?
#2 Utilizing Bluetooth - after you program your phone to the Nav system do you have to have the phone in the car to utilize the system or does the system become your phone?
And look at the second picture up from the bottom... the camera is the little black dot right below the Lexus logo, above the license plate.
2. The car does not have a built-in phone. You need your phone in order to make calls.
Confirmed to work on IS350 and GS430 per clublexus.com members.
Use at your own risk - Safe Driving
Source: realtechnews.com
What does steering feel like w/o VDIM?
http://www.canadiandriver.com/winter.htm
Tires are the single most important aspect (after the driver's brain) in snow driving. Remember all the traction aids will not help when you have NO traction!!! If you do buy him a RWD, snow tires. With AWD, good all-seasons should be good enough. Not the best, though. I've driven FWD all my life, never had snows. My Dad's Ford Country Squire Station WAgon had 'em, though! And, btw, that was the last domestic vehicle he bought until the last few years...
Good luck. If your son does come East, make sure he takes up skiing!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
all-season tires orwinter tires." I am taking their advice.Not to burst your bubble, but a civic is quicker than your truck.
The other option is the small Navigation Quick Guide. On page 18, the last page, a comprehensive list is provided with some of the most used voice commands. The best part is for the points of interest (POIs). Just say, "Nearest _____ (gas, bank, ATM)" and it finds them for you! Just be sure to wait for the beep to sound and the microphone to be displayed before speaking!
This board may make you think otherwise - it might lead you to believe that everyone would opt for the 350, but remember an enthusiast is more likely to come onto this board and voice their desieres than the average person looking for a regular 250. I'd be willing to bet that the 250 6 speed is pretty nimble. I just test drove a C230 kompressor (about 180-190hp under old standards mind you)and this thing moved like it was released from a slingshot. I bet the IS 250 6speed feels like this and would satisfy most like me who is used to the thrust of a 150hp honda. The 350 is for those people who have been spoiled by the thrust of high torque and really want a japanese musclecar.
I am awaiting the 250 coupe or convertible. The only way i'll get a 350 is if the convertible only comes in that trim.
On german cars, there are very visible differences between base model and top end model unless of course you buy the upgraded styling. i was wondering if this is the case for the Lexus.
link title
I currently own a RWD Mazda Miata, the A6 Quattro and a Honda Pilot 4x4 SUV. I recently got rid of a RWD Q45 with Traction Control. I have driven each one in all types of weather. For me, the AWD is without question worth the extra price. Most assume that AWD is only for snow. Wrong. It helps immensely with rain slick streets too. I have yet to find a similar weight RWD car that can corner like a AWD car on wet roads. I can drive the A6 in any weather and literally forget the traction issue (or lack of). At least until I try to stop, then it don’t matter if it is AWD or RWD.
I will not own a car without AWD that sees slick roads on a regular basis. The Q45 with TC was lousy in the snow and rain. I couldn’t get up any marginal hills and the lack of torque to leave stop light with TC on was pathetic .especially trying to avoid accidents in snow at intersections (when the guy behind me couldn’t stop). The Miata is a joke in any slick stuff. But a blast in great weather. In good weather, the RWD cars are great to "drive" since you can actually use the RWD to your advantage. However, for me, and the constantly changing Kansas weather, AWD is the daily choice.
THANK YOU FOR FINDING A CURE!
Now I can decide when I want VDIM on, and when I don't!
Is the LEx a value to you guys? Should i be looking at higher end cars, or are there any other competitors in this segment I'm overlooking? (not a Bmw fan)
And I paid sticker. (Ouch)
I still feel the value is strong, though. I, too, am a car enthusiast and am constantly trying to balance those inherent emotional issues with fiscal responsibility. For me, the car represents a great deal, even at the 38.5K MSRP of my model. The exterior design has an aggressively-appealing stance. The materials are high quality. It feels like it's extremely well-screwed together, more so than its competitors... even with my early build copy. There are thoughtful little touches everywhere in the interior...stuff that only a brand new design brings. And when I put my foot down on the accelerator, the thing takes off like a rocket. Plus, my dealer has a brand new facility with an excellent and free soft cloth car wash that I use once a week. That alone saves me a bundle of money.
All of those details were enough to solidify my decision. There will always be compromises, but the IS emerged as one of the nicest ways to spend a ton of cash.
I think the IS350 is a pretty good value and the IS250 is not a good value. I've had my 350 for about 3 weeks and don't regret it for a second. One of those products that you like more and more, the more you use it.
The IS is a better value if you want a "nice" car. The G35 is cheaper and it feels like it.
P.S. I was in the Dealership when my girlfriend calls me over and says that I need to buy this 33k G35 coupe...i walk over and it's a 435hp stillen supercharged G35, (no aesthetic mods except different hood and chrome on the front) falsely advertised tho, it was going for 60k :surprise:
I think I would wait for 2008 Skyline GT-R