A IS350 Sport or C350 Sport
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From: Phoenix
08 C300 Sport P2, AMG; 06 Texas Chopper
I drove the IS before purchasing my MB and I liked the performance but it felt smaller on the inside and I really like the looks of the MB better.
Now when I see the IS on the street it looks a lot more plain than the C-Class and not as sporty. It's a good car, but I think for the money the Benz is a wiser choice and I feel it's in a different class than the IS. Just my opinion.
Now when I see the IS on the street it looks a lot more plain than the C-Class and not as sporty. It's a good car, but I think for the money the Benz is a wiser choice and I feel it's in a different class than the IS. Just my opinion.
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
gets me from point A-B
I have an IS 250 and I love it, but trust me there is no rear leg room. The IS350 would kill the C350 in a race, but i would buy the C350 just for looks IMO. If you don't have family, I would say take the IS just b/c its more fun to drive.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: orange county
99 DC2, 08 C350
like others said, IS is smaller, so depends on what you're looking for in your purchase. I went with C350 because I needed the rear to have more room.
If i wanted something for performance and to mod, i would go IS350. I have no facts to backup this statement, but i would think IS would be more reliable since it is Toyota.
and i like the looks of both cars!
If i wanted something for performance and to mod, i would go IS350. I have no facts to backup this statement, but i would think IS would be more reliable since it is Toyota.
and i like the looks of both cars!
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
IS350 beats the C350 out in pure performance. Test drove both of them and it was easily apparent. However, the C350 is more luxurious than the IS350 and is roomier. It all depends on what you want and there will be compromises with both cars.
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
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From: Mississauga, ON CA
15 Mercedes C400, 12 Mercedes C250 coupe
like the other posts, my co-worker has an IS,
in his driving position unless u have no legs, no leg room at the back at all.
his son (in car seat) even kicks the passenger, because thats how close it is.
I find the lexus to be smooth, more refined then the C, the C is very luxurious but I like the drive feel better. Although the gauge cluster on the IS is pretty cool.
in his driving position unless u have no legs, no leg room at the back at all.
his son (in car seat) even kicks the passenger, because thats how close it is.
I find the lexus to be smooth, more refined then the C, the C is very luxurious but I like the drive feel better. Although the gauge cluster on the IS is pretty cool.
Last edited by angeloxnet; Apr 28, 2008 at 11:21 PM.
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
gets me from point A-B
It kinda also depends on how tall you are, I'm 5'7'' and my son sits behind me comfortably, and he's 5'10''. I would say to test drive them both, but if i were you, I'd go with the IS IMO (kick *** nav, memory seats, standard leather, heated and cooled seats, etc.) and if you do plan on getting one, get the X package cuz it adds spoilers, rims, etc. I have it on my IS
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
2006 Boxster
I have an IS350 and it was a a most efforless comparison when I flew by a C300 today, and that driver had a major head start! The MB owner was frustrated! It was rather comical. I've owned C classes with the smaller engine, and they get boring very quickly! Sensible, nice, but boring.
Perhaps it's a poor comparison - the IS350 is far faster than a C300. I need to drive a C350 and then decide. But even then, the IS interior, while smaller than the MB, is far more soft to the touch and comortable than the MB. Comes all down to taste. But I just hated the cheap MB interior when I drove it...especially when I pressed the interior light button and the entire headliner pushed up to the metal roof liner.
Cheap...
Perhaps it's a poor comparison - the IS350 is far faster than a C300. I need to drive a C350 and then decide. But even then, the IS interior, while smaller than the MB, is far more soft to the touch and comortable than the MB. Comes all down to taste. But I just hated the cheap MB interior when I drove it...especially when I pressed the interior light button and the entire headliner pushed up to the metal roof liner.
Cheap...
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
you can't really compare a C300 with an IS350....different class. A closer comparison would be C300 to IS250 and C350 to IS350.... Too bad there's no C model that compares to the ISF :p
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From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
I think another member has already said similar things, but I say, IS 250/350 for the performance/modifications, and C300/350 for a more practical, "adult" solution. And far, far better looks, of course.
This is my first German car, and I absolutely love the car -- the driving "feeling" and all. The performance is quite satisfactory, as well; even though the IS350 will pounce on the C350 any day of the week, I'm sure you'll find that the C350 is more than enough power for most uses. The C class drives well.
However, every time I hear my engine shudder to a stop, every time I hear the not so smooth (compared to some Japanese engines) idle of the car, I can't help but worry about the maintenance costs a few years down the road. I wouldn't have to worry about such things with a Japanese car, or so I believe. If you plan to lease, this is a non-issue.
Looks: C-class, hands down. Pano roof.
I really liked the IS300, despite its fixed-up-Civic look. But this one... eh. My friend has one. What's with those "slabs of concrete" looking side panels? So plain.
Performance: Straightline - IS250 is slower than C300, I think. But IS350 > C350, no comparison. Cornering- Eh, I like the C's dynamics. But the IS does have a smaller turning radius.
I have the Sport model, FYI.
Interior: Room, definitely C-class. The decor and such, I can't comment because I've only been in an IS at night.
Reliability: IS series. Can't beat Toyota.
Gadgetry: IS series. Lexus has more free (standard) options, no?
Verdict: C-class!
Come on, man. With all due respect, I think it's kinda silly to ask this kind of a question in a C-class forum. Unbiased, objective opinions would be rare, I think. I wonder how many guys on http://my.is forum would admit the truth: C-class is superior.
This is my first German car, and I absolutely love the car -- the driving "feeling" and all. The performance is quite satisfactory, as well; even though the IS350 will pounce on the C350 any day of the week, I'm sure you'll find that the C350 is more than enough power for most uses. The C class drives well.
However, every time I hear my engine shudder to a stop, every time I hear the not so smooth (compared to some Japanese engines) idle of the car, I can't help but worry about the maintenance costs a few years down the road. I wouldn't have to worry about such things with a Japanese car, or so I believe. If you plan to lease, this is a non-issue.
Looks: C-class, hands down. Pano roof.
I really liked the IS300, despite its fixed-up-Civic look. But this one... eh. My friend has one. What's with those "slabs of concrete" looking side panels? So plain.Performance: Straightline - IS250 is slower than C300, I think. But IS350 > C350, no comparison. Cornering- Eh, I like the C's dynamics. But the IS does have a smaller turning radius.
I have the Sport model, FYI.Interior: Room, definitely C-class. The decor and such, I can't comment because I've only been in an IS at night.
Reliability: IS series. Can't beat Toyota.
Gadgetry: IS series. Lexus has more free (standard) options, no?
Verdict: C-class!
Come on, man. With all due respect, I think it's kinda silly to ask this kind of a question in a C-class forum. Unbiased, objective opinions would be rare, I think. I wonder how many guys on http://my.is forum would admit the truth: C-class is superior.
Last edited by narky; Apr 29, 2008 at 12:09 PM.
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
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From: nyc
528i, GLK
my only complain is the IS250 drives like a go-cart, not my style at all. Can't tell you much about the IS350 vs c350.
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From: Toronto, ON
2011 E350 4Matic Wagon, 2013 C350 4Matic Sedan
Disclaimer: My preference is towards handling vs. straight-line power (otherwise I would have bought an American car).
The IS350 drives really nicely, good handling characteristics, and plenty of power. It was effortless to drive (i.e., steering is light). The interior material and ergonomics are good, but I didn't like the touch-screen Navi because it got washed out under the sun and all I saw were fingerprints. Having owned a Lexus before, I am confident that it will have good reliability and post-sales.
I chose the C350W4M because it was able to keep up with the IS in the handling department, and adds AWD, German solidity and more rear-seat legroom.
If Lexus offered AWD in the IS350 the outcome may have been different.
The IS350 drives really nicely, good handling characteristics, and plenty of power. It was effortless to drive (i.e., steering is light). The interior material and ergonomics are good, but I didn't like the touch-screen Navi because it got washed out under the sun and all I saw were fingerprints. Having owned a Lexus before, I am confident that it will have good reliability and post-sales.
I chose the C350W4M because it was able to keep up with the IS in the handling department, and adds AWD, German solidity and more rear-seat legroom.
If Lexus offered AWD in the IS350 the outcome may have been different.
