A4 Quattro vs Lexus IS250?

[RichTJ99]

Hi,

I am down to these two cars. I did test drive a A4Q Auto & I really think thats the car for me, but I figured I needed to do some due diligence & at least look at a similar car. So I went to the lexus dealership & while I didnt have time to drive the car (I will go do that tomorrow), I did sit in it & price it out.

The car (IS250) feels very comfortable (the seat) but a little cramped (that was without a winter coat on - just a regular shirt). The backseat (Im 5'6") with my seating position was a little cramped as well. It has loads of nice bells & whistles (Nav, GPS, rear view camera - whoopie). I am planning to drive it tomorrow (thats most important). That dealership also does free pickup, loaner drop off, & delivery when the car needs servicing (Audi does not).

I figure I am not the only A4 or IS250 person on the board. What made you choose the A4 over the IS250?

I will say that having such a huge community of people to walk me through any problems is a great thing. The A4 was lots of fun to drive (in auto sport mode), the paddles looked fun & while it also felt a little cramped, the IS250 felt more cramped.

The IS250 is a little less money but its probably within $1,500 of the A4 (with the options I want).

Thanks,
Rich

Part of what is making me lean towards the A4

[A4TuNeD]

My sister has the IS 250 I have driven her car quite a bit and hands down the A4 is better, despite the ease of the is nav system and some of the other cool features like the back up camera the A4 is overall a much better car. The paddle shifting I found really slow too.

Audi A4 Quattro

[4RingRook]

I was in your shoes completely. Test drove a 328xi, is250awd and the A4. The 250 is A DOG. A v6 that puts out 204 horses. I felt like I had MASH the gas to get the car to move. Seemed very sluggish. I found the attitude in the Lexus dealership to be very arrogant as well. I traded in an 03 Acura CL Type S, and they offered me $9k for it. I bought the car new, and I wasnt expecting to break the bank, but they basically entered the negotiation like this... "The car is X, we have a great sale going on, we'll take $1500 off sticker (big freakin deal!!), and we're going to give you $9k for yours. There's no haggling, If you dont want the car, I can sell it to someone else." After that, I stood up, walked out and went to BMW. I liked the 328xi, but they are EVERYWHERE around me. Too much of a fleet car, and I'm so relieved I didn't get it b/c the body of the Audi is so much sharper IMO. Btw, Audi gave me $13,6 for my car. I could've gotten more, but I beat em up on the sticker and CPO warranty instead.

Not to mention, if you're considering mods, it will cost an arm & a leg to mod the lexus (s/c, etc). You can get more bang for your buck out of the audi, both on the car itself and the aftermarket parts.

Good luck!

[10MPG]

my DD is a IS250

the only reason I bought it for is because the MPG (when compared to my S4). 420 miles per fill up!

Pretty boring but it is plush and quiet inside. Too much plastic on the console for my liking but whatever.

[dave405nyc]

i test drove one at some lexus driving event, pretty slow ride compared to a bone stock auto B7 A4. i think lexus has their 0-60 time around 8.3 seconds? at least they hold better resale value compared to our A4s

[Tiesto]

I'm right around 6'1 and I don't find the front cramped at all, when I got the car I was amazed at how far back the seat could go. Rear on both cars is not so good.

i test drove one at some lexus driving event, pretty slow ride compared to a bone stock auto B7 A4. i think lexus has their 0-60 time around 8.3 seconds? at least they hold better resale value compared to our A4s

Last I checked, the A4 resale value isn't too shabby either.


Go with the A4.

[2007DolphinA4]

Go with the A4. IS250 is way too slow, especially the AWD version.

[davis449]

OMFG: get a 2.0T, spend $500 and have a friend with a telephoto lens take pics of the guy in the IS 250 crying as you burn his ass from the line to as fast as the car will go.

[muffinman]

I was in the EXACT same shoes as you, debating heavily on whether I should buy a Lexus IS250, BMW 325i, or an A4. Hands down, the A4 is the better driving car (more responsive, better handling, "feels" livelier). If you're a person who enjoys driving (or want to), it is an easy choice.

The IS250 is luxurious and smooth but it's driving dynamics are anesthetic - numb steering, deadened pedal feel, no road feel, etc. Power and torque is roughly the same as a stock A4 but the A4 feels (and is) quicker. Chip it and it's game over - the IS250 does not give you an option to add 45 hp and 80 ft. lb of torque for $600.

As for interior space, I agree with you that it does feel a bit cramped. I mean..the backseat room in the A4 is small but the rear leg room in the Lexus is ridiculously bad (absolutely pitiful for a 4 door sedan).

Styling is subjective but I'm a fan of the muscular, clean Euro styling vs. the sharp Japanese angles but both cars are good lookers.

The choice would be much tougher if it was a tossup between the IS350 and the A4, but this is a no-brainer. You'll end up here

[gpxluke]

Hands down for the A4, I've never driven an IS250 but I've sat on it. Yeh the interior is kinda cheap, plastic everywhere, fake wood trims...Yuk...and the back seats space is just ridiculously small...While I was shopping for my car, the IS250 didn't even get into my buying list...

[INTEGRATION]

I've never tried the IS250 before but I do have an IS350.
The interior is...small. I feel like the car was made for a small Asian girl who is 5'3". The interior makes me feel very Japanese in the manner that everything is compacted together and cramped. My only other gripe about the car is that the rear seats cannot fold down.

[AudiA4Style]

A4Q > IS250 hands down.

I test drove the IS when it first came out. I was very disappointed to say the least. Car was smaller than a civic and felt very heavy and sluggish.

If you want a good all around car for around the same amount of money you can also check out the TL typeS.

[greene08]

A4! I do have to say that I love the way the 3-series BMW handles. Maybe not the non-sport version but you add those 18" wheels and a tight suspension on that car and it is a total kick.

[Sharkfin]

After owning my a4 from July of 2007 until November I was skeptical of it because I knew the b8 was coming out and I didn't get nav or xenons with it so I took a walk down comparison lane and test drove 6 cars in one day.

One of those six was a 2007 is250 and I was immediately impressed by the interior (the seats are really nice) as well as the technology but the drive was another story. It was an automatic transmission and the throttle response was very slow going from a stop. The suspension and turning were also a little on the harsh side. I do like the headlights and bodykit but hands down the a4 drove way better.

I think you will notice exactly what I mean when you drive it tomorrow, keep us updated and good luck!

[RichTJ99]

You guys were right on. I took a IS250 for a spin & I will say, I was really liking it (before I drove it). The outside looks great, the inside, while plastic looking, was nice & not terribly snug. The gadgets are awesome (Nav, BT, Camera), the steering wheel was covered in "stuff".

The seat was very plush feeling.

Then we started the car. It was about 75 degrees & the AC was on. I hit the gas & the car wouldnt move. I turned off the AC figuring that might make a difference, it was still a dog. I took a sharp turn & it didnt feel like it had AWD. The paddles are so large & in the way that you cant even ignore them (as you could in an A4).

Overall, the outside is nice, the inside (aside from the plastic) is nice, the gadgets are great, the service department comes to your house (with a loaner) to pick up your vehicle (and drop it off) - which is excellent - unfortunately the ride was terrible (bumpy as well). My 2003 GLX rides nicer.

I then went straight to the audi dealer & took an A4 for another test drive (the dealers are about 2 miles from each other). I really knew right away which way to go.

I will say the A4 is much more fun to drive in Automatic Sport mode (than regular "D" mode). However for normal driving "D" should be fine.

Thanks for the advice guys, I think the A4 & Lexus are not in the same league at all.

[Onese1f]

250 = crap


MT IS-300 = ftmfw

[Sharkfin]

You guys were right on. I took a IS250 for a spin & I will say, I was really liking it (before I drove it). The outside looks great, the inside, while plastic looking, was nice & not terribly snug. The gadgets are awesome (Nav, BT, Camera), the steering wheel was covered in "stuff".

The seat was very plush feeling.

Then we started the car. It was about 75 degrees & the AC was on. I hit the gas & the car wouldnt move. I turned off the AC figuring that might make a difference, it was still a dog. I took a sharp turn & it didnt feel like it had AWD. The paddles are so large & in the way that you cant even ignore them (as you could in an A4).

Overall, the outside is nice, the inside (aside from the plastic) is nice, the gadgets are great, the service department comes to your house (with a loaner) to pick up your vehicle (and drop it off) - which is excellent - unfortunately the ride was terrible (bumpy as well). My 2003 GLX rides nicer.

I then went straight to the audi dealer & took an A4 for another test drive (the dealers are about 2 miles from each other). I really knew right away which way to go.

I will say the A4 is much more fun to drive in Automatic Sport mode (than regular "D" mode). However for normal driving "D" should be fine.

Thanks for the advice guys, I think the A4 & Lexus are not in the same league at all.

I TOLD YOU SO! All you had to do was drive it, it looks cool, but drives just OK . Now get that a4!

[SGVA4]

^^^^

the IS300 was a tuner's wet dream...it had abundant of parts and it had that Supra engine..

now the 250 is complete utter crap...but I digg the 350 tho..

[quattro.it]

"I will say the A4 is much more fun to drive in Automatic Sport mode (than regular "D" mode). However for normal driving "D" should be fine."

Chip the A4 and you won't mind driving it in "D" mode. Chip it and you'll also see 3-4mpg bettter all-around.

[RedS-line]

IS250 = 185 lb/ft torque at 4800 rpm = :(
chipped 2.0T = ~290 lb/ft torque at <4800 rpm = :)
if you want something with puny torque go buy a 325i

[errocha]

Great decision man!!!
In regards to driving it in "S" mode... That's the only mode my car had ever seen. I have 27k miles on it and APR. The "S" mode makes me "Smile" just thinking about.

[coryliv]

I've never driven the lexus or bmw but both seem much more snug inside. I rode in a new 325 and the back was tight (width wise). I think you'll have more fun with the Audi considering the tuning options. If you had more money to spend I'd say consider bigger dollar bmw's (335xi). I'd also recommend the new G35 sedan. My friend has one and its a nice looking car that handles and performs well. It has remained competitive with all the major german brands and offers a lot for the money.