idea-catalyst

These cars are not comparable - you need to figure out what you want. I would NEVER buy a 2-door 4-seater because it's too much PITA getting in and out. But a 2-door 2-seater is a no-brainer. (Ok there have been some unusual vehicles, like the Isetta with a single front hatch/door - but 2 doors and 2 seats has always seemed right to me.) On the other hand, if you need a sedan, give some thought to your passengers and pass on the 2-door. I suppose if you really need the extra seats and there's no other alternative and you don't have to haul other folks very often, then maybe 2 doors could work. Just not my cup of tea.

I'm for 4-door sedans (even "sport" sedans) and 2-door roadsters. Given a choice, I'll take the roadster every time. (OK, my "overflow car" is an Odyssey so I can haul folks, lumber, parts, or anything else if I need to. But fun is fun, and that's the S2k.)

BooGTS

WTF do you think we're going to say? If a Lexus IS was better than an S, we wouldn't be here.

justdoitmikey

Wellllll.... Since everyone is saying S2k I figured I would offer up my differing opinion.....

I have owned both cars. Just sold my IS350 to get the S2k. That being said do not buy an IS250, it is a nice car but seriously lacking on the speed / fun factor. So now we are left with the IS350 versus the S2k so lets look at the comparison:

The S2k is more fun to drive than the IS 350 (but the IS is still fun to drive).
The IS 350 is faster than the stock S2k in a straight line (trust me I could run 4.9 sec 0-60 in a stock IS, nothing like killing a late model cobra in a four door).
The S2k is faster in the twisties than an IS.
The IS has by far more creature comforts and a better fit and finish than the S2k (but if you bought the S2k for creature comforts you need to have your head examined)
The IS has room for four.... kinda obvious.
The S2k is a convertible.
Blah....Blah

All that said I LOVED my IS, and still love it a little bit more than my S2k. So why did I move from the IS to the S2k? Well last year I put less than 5k miles on the car, literally it spent six days a week in the garage. I only had people in the back seat 3 times. In the end it made more sense to have a totally impractical car (the S2k) than it did to have a practical, amazing car that I never drove. My advice? The IS 350 may not be better than the S2k, but its certainly not worse. They both have really positive points so.... Don't buy an IS250, ever. Buy the IS350 if you want a fast fun car, need to haul four people and don't plan on auto-x. Buy the S2k if you love to thrash the gears, have no wife or kids, are into tuning and like the thought of owning an iconic vehicle.

Mike21

If you don't have kids, get the S. The IS250 will bore you all the way back to the dealership to buy the S2000 you should've bought in the first place.

idea-catalyst

SheDrivesIt

I drove a friend's wife's IS250. My impression -- Buick, or maybe what a Buick should be. Felt heavy and large even though it wasn't. Comfortable but not exactly precise.

RTZX9R

The IS250 is SERIOUSLY underpowered. The IS350, on the other hand, is very impressive to drive.

Regardless, I'd still rather drive my S any day over the 4 door, unless I was going on a retiree vacation aka national lampoons vacation.

On top of that, I personally think the interior of the IS is pretty plain/bland and takes away from the "luxury" of the car.

I'd rather drive my S than my wife's 2010 V6 tsx if that helps. Every day of the week.

Driven

Get a bus pass... Save the planet

blobianco

yea i can put my .2 in.........my mom has the is 250, yes the is250/350 is cool but it is lacking in the speed slash handling ......the s2k is louder (stock) more aggresive and has way better handling. all around i drive the cars as much as i want and i dont even drive my moms car because mine i cant leave it everything about the s2k is amazing.....if u chose the is250 u will miss your old gem!!!

CKit

How would a 4-door matter for the driver getting in and out?