a guide wire including a lubricous distal portion and a less lubricous intermediate portion proximal of said distal portion . one guide wire provides a highly lubricous distal portion with a hydrophilic layer and a less lubricous intermediate portion with a hydrophobic layer . another guide wire provides a lubricous distal portion with a polymer tip that is itself hydrophilic . yet another guide wire provides a less lubricous intermediate portion using a stainless steel coil helically wound around the tapering intermediate portion . the coil is preferably coated with a hydrophobic coating such as ptfe or silicone . the coil can either abut the distal portion proximal end or extend into the distal portion interior .