Lexus IS 300

younghov85 · 10-24-2006, 11:36 AM

If I were you I'd just test drive the IS300 in both trannsmissions and see which you like better. The IS is much more flexible in mods than any 3-series, with the addition of a Supra turbo and Supra cluth. Look at:
http://www.visionboy.com/cars.html#is300
This shows exactly how powerful and capable that inline-six is.

maq · 10-24-2006, 11:58 AM

Late to the party, but here we go.

I had a 02 black/black CPO IS300 5-spd with LSD. A few thoughts:

- DO NOT GET THE MANUAL. The shifter is fine (apart from excessive vibration in idle), but the clutch sucks - big time. There is absolutely no pedeal feel, and the engagement point floats around. It's impossible to shift smoothly in this car. It wasn't just my car, I've driven 3 other manual IS300s, and every 5spd owner I've chatted with agreed on this issue. Save yourself the hassle and get a smooth automatic, I cannot emphasize on this enough.

- Then there's the placement of brake and throttle pedal - they are placed so you CANNOT heel and toe, unless you change the pedals/arms.

- Power/sound. Very slow off line, but once you get it going, it's ok. The Supra derived straight-6 sounds nice under WOT, but most times it's a bit too quiet.

- Handling. It's good for what it is, but it's no go-kart. The chassis is solid, but the suspension setup isn't very well sorted. The ride is not on the soft ride for a Lexus, but there's still too much body roll. My ZHP can ride just as good and handle 10x times better - tells you how much BMW know about handling. The steering in the IS300 is way too over assisted, but it's expected in a Japanese car. Also, the driving position is very high for a sports sedan, the first few days I felt like I was driving a Minivan (I had a 01 Audi TT before the IS300).

- Interior. I liked mine, but not because it was luxury. I had the half leather half cloth combo, I'd take it over full leather any day. The steering wheel is of very nice size, I liked it. The Casio designed instrument cluster is a mess, very cramped and confusing especially when it's lit in the dark. The stereo was ok, but nothing to write home about.

- Usebility/reliability. Nice car to drive around town (without the clutch, that is), kinda low key (which I liked), but horrible MPG. I used to get around 300miles city/highway out of 16 gallons. Reliability is where it shines, my car never had a problem. My experience with Lexus service is also extremely good, once the service advisor thought he made me wait too long, so he told me to come by Saturday morning for a free wash and a free tank of gas - all I had to wait was 15min.

If all you want is a nice commutemobile with some sportiness, then the auto IS300 is a very nice choice. If you want the real sports car driving experience, the IS300 is just a poser at best.

Bimmerista · 10-24-2006, 01:45 PM

Did not read the entire thread, but has anyone suggested a G35 yet ?

I dont know about US pricing, but in terms if driving experience, I would guess that it is closest to the 3 series - closer than the IS (from mag reviews)

younghov85 · 10-24-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

Did not read the entire thread, but has anyone suggested a G35 yet ?

I dont know about US pricing, but in terms if driving experience, I would guess that it is closest to the 3 series - closer than the IS (from mag reviews)

I would agree. Also what about an RX-8??

deburn · 10-26-2006, 07:36 PM

I bought the IS 300. They gave it to me to drive for a few hours on Saturday afternoon and I loved driving it. They gave me a great deal. Clearly it's not a BMW but I think it's the best combination of the fun factor, luxury/comfort, reliability, resale value and price and that's why I bought it. Also it's a CPO so 3 year, 100k mile, no deductible warranty on top of the 16k/10 month factory warranty that's left on the car - it's at 34,000 miles now

all8up: a Golf or Jetta would have been my first and only choice but a few years ago, I had a few customer service issues (nothing to do with the car itself) with a 2002 A4 and the dealership Brookline Audi VW dicked me around like you wouldnt believe and when I complained to Audi (the guy before Len Hunt) I got a stock response letter from some admin that thhey couldnt or wouldnt do anything. It really pissed me off. When I called the 1-800 # they wouldnt even give me his name. It will be a very long time before I buy another VW product

younghov85: that's the same model and color that I've got, also with Sport Design, but it will be a while before I do any engine mods

mag - thanks for the detailed response, I would have normally bought a stick but got the automatic because of knee surgery coming up.

I dont like the G35 or any of those cars and they're also overpriced. The RX-8 would have been ideal for me, but I heard some bad stories about reliability and even worse ones about gas mileage

Nikki · 10-26-2006, 08:02 PM

Congrats!! Post up some pics.

just4kickz · 10-26-2006, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deburn

I bought the IS 300. They gave it to me to drive for a few hours on Saturday afternoon and I loved driving it. They gave me a great deal. Clearly it's not a BMW but I think it's the best combination of the fun factor, luxury/comfort, reliability, resale value and price and that's why I bought it. Also it's a CPO so 3 year, 100k mile, no deductible warranty on top of the 16k/10 month factory warranty that's left on the car - it's at 34,000 miles now

all8up: a Golf or Jetta would have been my first and only choice but a few years ago, I had a few customer service issues (nothing to do with the car itself) with a 2002 A4 and the dealership Brookline Audi VW dicked me around like you wouldnt believe and when I complained to Audi (the guy before Len Hunt) I got a stock response letter from some admin that thhey couldnt or wouldnt do anything. It really pissed me off. When I called the 1-800 # they wouldnt even give me his name. It will be a very long time before I buy another VW product

younghov85: that's the same model and color that I've got, also with Sport Design, but it will be a while before I do any engine mods

mag - thanks for the detailed response, I would have normally bought a stick but got the automatic because of knee surgery coming up.

I dont like the G35 or any of those cars and they're also overpriced. The RX-8 would have been ideal for me, but I heard some bad stories about reliability and even worse ones about gas mileage

my friend's rsx8 died after hitting 125... engine just failed.

10-24-2006, 11:36 AM	#45
younghov85 Captain 65 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 black 325 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lanham, Maryland iTrader: (0)	If I were you I'd just test drive the IS300 in both trannsmissions and see which you like better. The IS is much more flexible in mods than any 3-series, with the addition of a Supra turbo and Supra cluth. Look at: http://www.visionboy.com/cars.html#is300 This shows exactly how powerful and capable that inline-six is.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-24-2006, 11:58 AM	#46
maq Lieutenant 12 Rep 469 Posts Drives: MTA Monthly Pass Join Date: May 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Late to the party, but here we go. I had a 02 black/black CPO IS300 5-spd with LSD. A few thoughts: - DO NOT GET THE MANUAL. The shifter is fine (apart from excessive vibration in idle), but the clutch sucks - big time. There is absolutely no pedeal feel, and the engagement point floats around. It's impossible to shift smoothly in this car. It wasn't just my car, I've driven 3 other manual IS300s, and every 5spd owner I've chatted with agreed on this issue. Save yourself the hassle and get a smooth automatic, I cannot emphasize on this enough. - Then there's the placement of brake and throttle pedal - they are placed so you CANNOT heel and toe, unless you change the pedals/arms. - Power/sound. Very slow off line, but once you get it going, it's ok. The Supra derived straight-6 sounds nice under WOT, but most times it's a bit too quiet. - Handling. It's good for what it is, but it's no go-kart. The chassis is solid, but the suspension setup isn't very well sorted. The ride is not on the soft ride for a Lexus, but there's still too much body roll. My ZHP can ride just as good and handle 10x times better - tells you how much BMW know about handling. The steering in the IS300 is way too over assisted, but it's expected in a Japanese car. Also, the driving position is very high for a sports sedan, the first few days I felt like I was driving a Minivan (I had a 01 Audi TT before the IS300). - Interior. I liked mine, but not because it was luxury. I had the half leather half cloth combo, I'd take it over full leather any day. The steering wheel is of very nice size, I liked it. The Casio designed instrument cluster is a mess, very cramped and confusing especially when it's lit in the dark. The stereo was ok, but nothing to write home about. - Usebility/reliability. Nice car to drive around town (without the clutch, that is), kinda low key (which I liked), but horrible MPG. I used to get around 300miles city/highway out of 16 gallons. Reliability is where it shines, my car never had a problem. My experience with Lexus service is also extremely good, once the service advisor thought he made me wait too long, so he told me to come by Saturday morning for a free wash and a free tank of gas - all I had to wait was 15min. If all you want is a nice commutemobile with some sportiness, then the auto IS300 is a very nice choice. If you want the real sports car driving experience, the IS300 is just a poser at best.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-24-2006, 01:45 PM	#47
Bimmerista Major General 82 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	Did not read the entire thread, but has anyone suggested a G35 yet ? I dont know about US pricing, but in terms if driving experience, I would guess that it is closest to the 3 series - closer than the IS (from mag reviews)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2006, 07:36 PM	#49
deburn Private 4 Rep 91 Posts Drives: e90 ERed MT for lease transfer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. I bought the IS 300. They gave it to me to drive for a few hours on Saturday afternoon and I loved driving it. They gave me a great deal. Clearly it's not a BMW but I think it's the best combination of the fun factor, luxury/comfort, reliability, resale value and price and that's why I bought it. Also it's a CPO so 3 year, 100k mile, no deductible warranty on top of the 16k/10 month factory warranty that's left on the car - it's at 34,000 miles now all8up: a Golf or Jetta would have been my first and only choice but a few years ago, I had a few customer service issues (nothing to do with the car itself) with a 2002 A4 and the dealership Brookline Audi VW dicked me around like you wouldnt believe and when I complained to Audi (the guy before Len Hunt) I got a stock response letter from some admin that thhey couldnt or wouldnt do anything. It really pissed me off. When I called the 1-800 # they wouldnt even give me his name. It will be a very long time before I buy another VW product younghov85: that's the same model and color that I've got, also with Sport Design, but it will be a while before I do any engine mods mag - thanks for the detailed response, I would have normally bought a stick but got the automatic because of knee surgery coming up. I dont like the G35 or any of those cars and they're also overpriced. The RX-8 would have been ideal for me, but I heard some bad stories about reliability and even worse ones about gas mileage __________________ e90 328xi 6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2006, 08:02 PM	#50
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	Congrats!! Post up some pics. __________________ Nikki
	Appreciate 0 Quote