Fairly typical Toyota stuff. Bulletproof reliability, though you are adding the complexity of AWD. If it matters to you or DD, it's a fairly vanilla driving experience. The small V6 is powerful enough, but won't scare a BMW owner. Interior size is fine for 4. At 112k miles, it's barely broken in for a Toyota, but I'd want to make sure it has had transmission flush, coolant flush, plugs, etc...
For a relatively low cost daily driver, it'll be a great car. I'd put it in the same relative category as a used Accord, Camry, Acura TL, Mazda6.
I’m also looking at some newer Subaru Legacy’s in the 2008-2011, 90-105,xxx mile range.
There’s also a ton of cheap BMW’s out there, some under 70,000 miles. But, I know better LOL.
I have a 2012 ES & have never had any problems with mine (knock-on-wood). It’s the best car I’ve ever owned. Mine has 105,000 miles & so far no issues.
My air bag was fixed after the recall although it took like a yr to get to me. Lexus told me the older cars were their higher priority b/c they were the ones more likely to actually have a problem so I would think the previous owner would have wanted to get it fixed.
Run away.
Run away even faster (though they're stupid fun to drive)...they're cheap for a reason.
If you want something that reliable but don't buy the IS, I'd look at cars I listed above (I'm assuming you want something similar in size to the IS).
The priorities are reliable, AWD, and small. Oh, and cheap
Hmmm...if those are the priorities, your selection in small sedans is relatively limited. You could always look at...shudder...."CUV"s like the CR-V, Rav4. You could also look at the G35x or G37x. I own a G37, though not the "x" model. I thoroughly enjoy it, it's our 3rd G series car over the years. We had a 2004 G35x many years ago. It was very sure footed in the snow, we lived in PA at the time. The VQ motor is reliable as the sunrise, they're a stinkin' hoot to drive, AWD, and can be had cheap. They're slightly larger...but only by a few inches. They also require premium unleaded...of the top of my head not sure if the IS250 uses regular. Check out the Lexus, if you like it, it's hard to go wrong. Great car. If you don't, check out the G in x trim.
Yeah, ideally I’d like to have a “car”. So, that really narrows the focus.
monsterkitty, that Subaru "good in snow" is pure marketing hype. They are good, but any AWD system with good tires will do more than fine in Colorado snow. Nothing at all special or unique about the Subie AWD system, and nothing at all wrong or bad about the Rav4 system (we're talking snowy road use, not true off-roading). Problem is Subaru has a number of quality issues...and really poor interiors.
Where in CO is she going to school? CU, CSU, CC, DU, Mines, or UNC she won't really need to worry about something really good in snow. If she is going to a college in the mountains I would suggest something really good in snow. Subaru Legacy or Forrester would be the top of my list or a a newer Rav. Older Ravs are not so great in the snow.
I live in Colorado. I know the snow. I can see what cars have troubles in the snow and which ones don't. In fact, I even know about tires and things.
I'm a Toyota fan but a lot of my friends drive Subaru. My sister had a 2006 Rav and it was horrible in the snow because it was so light. A coworker who has a 2015 Rav does not have the issues the smaller Ravs had. My friends who drive a Subaru have had no problems with them. Colorado drivers obviously don't care about the poor interiors of the Subaru because there are an awful lot them on the roads here.
Western CO State in Gunnison. Western slope, 7,700 ft, Monarch Pass between her & civilization
Monarch had over 250" of snow this season. Gunnison was higher than normal as well. I would make sure whatever car you get her has good clearance, AWD or 4WD, and really good tires. Cat litter bags in the back for weight and if she gets stuck she can use the cat litter for traction. At the end of the season if she doesn't have a cat box to use the litter in, she can donate it to a shelter.
I still stand by a Subaru or a Toyota.
My friends who drive a Subaru have had no problems with them. Colorado drivers obviously don't care about the poor interiors of the Subaru because there are an awful lot them on the roads here.