[Italian Stallion]

Wondering how the car does on rain-slick streets? Some cars are great on dry roads, and become squirrely when the rain starts falling. The dealer showed me some good performance figures constrasting the IS300 with the BMW and Audi on wet surfaces. Was he pulling my leg?

 

[ckolsen]

When I went to the driving event in Boston, it was in pouring rain, tons of standing water, and the IS300 handled amazing, like the water wasn't there with TRAC ON. After turning TRAC OFF, it got very easy to break loose the rear end, which was a blast. I think if I had an IS300, I'd be out there every time it rains with traction control off, it was so much fun. Very safe though with TRAC ON. Didn't try the other cars so i can't compare the Audi or BMW, but it was light years better than my Integra in the rain.

 

[Italian Stallion]

Thanks. Did the IS also have the limited slip differential option?

Originally posted by ckolsen:
When I went to the driving event in Boston, it was in pouring rain, tons of standing water, and the IS300 handled amazing, like the water wasn't there with TRAC ON. After turning TRAC OFF, it got very easy to break loose the rear end, which was a blast. I think if I had an IS300, I'd be out there every time it rains with traction control off, it was so much fun. Very safe though with TRAC ON. Didn't try the other cars so i can't compare the Audi or BMW, but it was light years better than my Integra in the rain.

[This message has been edited by Italian Stallion (edited July 07, 2000).]

 

[ckolsen]

yes, i believe they all had the LSD option.

 

[tony]

Just found out today, raining hard for the first time since I got the car. Awesome...the car is great in the rain, really controlled. I left the traction control on, but was looking for an excuse to turn it off.

Earlier in the day, I was seriously tossing the car around with four people in it - Awesome. I got a chance the rub the sidewalls of the tires on the asphalt...


------------------
Tony
'01 Spectra Blue

 

[dude]

I guess those tires are great on wet pavement then??

 

[jiggafett]

The people at the IS Performance Tour stated when they tested the BMW 3, Audi A4, and the IS300. The IS to their total amazement had better times on wet roads through the slolams than the 3,and the A4 had on dry pavement. That really caught my attn. I was shocked, and after hearing things like that and driving the car on their test course there is no doubt in my mind that this is the car I want.

 

[ckolsen]

In the interest of fairness, those tests were done with non-sport package BMWs and Audis. But yes, the IS handled amazingly in the rain at the Driving Event.

 

[tallguy]

What tires were used on the wet tests? One dealer (who only had the 16's) told me that the 17's were only good for dry roads -- so I told him they shoul donly be an opion in Phoenix. What were the tires mentioned in Boston and this Driving Event? -tg

 

[ckolsen]

17" Goodyears at the Boston event I went to, don't know which model. Goodyear was sponsor, so all tires were from them. Handling was superb in the rain, even in 2-3 inches of water.