Hi all,

I would like some opinios please. I am going to buy one of these cars in the next 1-30 days. I have test driven both cars, recently the IS300, about 4 months ago the CL-S. I plan to test drive the CL-S agian this week. My impressions were that the CL-S was faster, quicker, and nicer inside. IS 300 was a little more responsive in handeling and steering but not quite as nice inside. Also the Lexus appeared to be a little bigger in the back seat, but it is a sedan. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Please no bashing/flaming. Just looking for a little help in the decision making process. Thanks in advace for your time!

JD
McLean, VA

 

well, honestly, i was going to get hte is300 before it came out. I thoiugh it was the coolest car out on he road and was very refreshing to see such a spunky littole car especilly by lexus. I had to get a car in june and it didnt come out till july an there for i was unable to buy the is300.
after i went to the acura dealership and took lease of my cl-s i have never been happier. THe only car htat makes me jealous on the road is the Acura Tl, yes its less power and 4 doors, u can do soo much with it by changin lites and rims and exasut and inside stuff. My friend tommy on the acura-tl.com page has a phat as hell TL so if u are trully lokin into gettin a 4 door car, i suggest the tl over the is300, plus in a month or 2 the TL-S is comin out and it will have 260 hp and look real mean for a 4 door car. If u want a door door car, the cl-s is the car that is the BOMB/
wg
check out my car in my sig, and i just added hypo white buklbs to the corner and highbeamsd and fogs tooo


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The SILVER STREAKER CL-S no navi, spoiler, tint all around, moonroof visor,
indaglo emblom, ACURA.CL.com stickers, eurolights fog lights, bel 950 radar detector, and 2 chamber flowmaster exaust
coilovers or springs to come soon 620+ posts makes me still a freak on the old Cl page.
my cl-s http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...725&a=11443786

 

I agree with most of URIR's response. I was also very impressed with the IS300 when rumors and articles first came out, but once i saw one up close it began to look too ricey and not classy enough. I wanted something that was comfortable, luxurious, quick and fun to drive. The IS just fell short in my opinion.

The IS interior is overdone and i think there's way too much plastic. I do like the gauges, but the overall layout is weak in my opinion. And for $35K i'd expect more than 215hp, alot more standard equipment and better than 23 mpg highway. The CL-S has some much to offer for $30K and even left as stock will eat any car in it's class for breakfast (compared against price and options).

I had a Prelude SH before i bought my CL-S and i wanted something roomier and with more luxury. The IS doesn't have the class and creature comforts the CL-S does. To be honest i think the IS's front seat dimensions would have been closer the Prelude's. The Prelude had no backseat utility and wanting to stay with a 2-door variant i feel the CL-S has quite a bit of room in the backseat.

If you'd like a 4-door i'd suggest waiting for the TL-S when it comes out in the Fall. If you like the CL-S you can probably get a good deal on one. I paid $29,290 + tax, for my non-nav CL-S and that included the spoiler, mud guards, wheel locks and fenderwell trim.

I can honestly say you won't be disappointed if you buy a CL-S. Just my $.02
B-TS



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Bullet-TypeS

 

IS300 is nice on the outside. But nasty on the inside... looks like a Pontiac interior if ya ask me.

As for the back seat room... the funny thing is... the CL-S has more room in the back then the IS! The IS shouldnt have 4-doors.

All said and done though... its just personal choice... their pretty similar cars.

One is geared more towards "sportiness" while one is geared more towards the coveted "performance/luxury" title.

The CL has dozens of small features you will be glad you have from day to day that the IS300 doesnt.

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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit

 

the IS300's handling is better then the cl-s

but the cl-s is cheaper and faster..."if" you

decide to buy the cl-s, you can use the extra

money to get the springs and sways, which

could improve the handling of the car..and

looking especially...or..be patient..wait

couple of months..till the tl-s release...

by the way..stick tranny is coming soon for
the IS300...



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01 silver cl-s
k&n air filter

clean cl-s=270 HP

 

The cars are pretty similar. I would say that if image and name-brand is important to you, a Lexus is a Lexus is a Lexus; regardless of what it actually looks like. Otherwise CL-S all the way, baby!

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* 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor * V1 *
* Since 3/31/2000 *
* Road Warrior *

* 500 posts on h/a.net *** 400 posts "insane poster" on the "old" acura-cl.com *

 

my advice...guess it comes down to what kind of 'image' you are going for. if i were a little younger, i would have prolly gone for the IS-it's a very cool car. however, i went thru the 'cool' mode with my last car, and wanted to sort of move upscale-ya know, something sporty, but with some CLASS. i was also looking at the IS, which i test drove first. i was really disappointed!! i was expecting luxury in typical lexus fashion, and it just wasn't there. after driving the ESS, it was an easy decision for me-had the best of both worlds and handled both of them very well. also knew i would hate myself every time a CL came along and kicked my arse!! either way you go, i would wait until the 5-speed tranny appears on the IS, not just for the tranny, but to see waht else pops up on the newer model. course, if you can wait, we are all wondering if acura will be answering some of our gripes with the '02 type ESS! (we have a much cooler group on our bulletin board, too-heh heh )

 

If you are looking for a 4 door, then just wait till Tl-S will come out. To correct previous posters, the new TL will be out by mid March, early April time, not by the fall, as was previously mentioned.
Also, Acura offers alot more creature comforts for the money. My fried got an IS for 35k incl. tax. The CLS is under 29K without the Navi. The CL or TL are also bigger, faster cars. And Acura is a well respected luxury name, however not up there with the Lex though.


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'01 Satin Silver w/Black, Navi_less, spoiler, mud guards, wind deflector.
Things to come: Tint, fog lights, sub, air kit (if exists), maybe headers and K&N filter.

 

First off, don't buy either at Pohanka, they are pricks who are just looking to make a buck!


Second:

I've had my Type S since May, and I test drove the IS300 as well. Lexus is a higher build quality than Acura. They are more precise with steering, and handling. They are also more expensive, and have better dealership service.

The Type S is definitely faster. It doesn't have any lag when floored. The main thing I noticed about the IS300, like ALL V-6 and four cylinder toyotas is that it has a lag when you floor it before the RPM's go up and the car takes off.

IMO, get the Type S. Not because its just an opinion, but because its honestly a better value for the money. The two cars ARE NOT a fair comparison.

 

Name or substance? If you are going to highly mod it then it's a matter of cost and looks because you can do the same thing with either. But if you are going to leave it near stock and need it for a daily driver, the CLS is an easy choice. It just flat runs circles around the IS300 and is much less tiring to drive. If you prefer the looks of the IS enough to persuade you to overlook the extra bucks, bad freeway ride and damn near a second to 60, go for it.

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CLS Blk/Blk, Wife ripping off

 

Don't waist your time.. For anyone else considering this too...As far as looks the IS300 doesn't
compare.. Plp are more impressed with the Lexus name.. Any Lexus worth buying in my book
as far as looks has to be the GS model.... General consensus in the Chicago area is that the
inside of the IS looks way too dull compared to the CL.. First thing they point out is that
"Well, it doesn't have the Navi, heated seats, and tilting side mirrors".. The only compliment
I've heard about the IS has to be it's gauge frames... The shape is awkward.. Sounds like I'm
Knocking the IS300, but my points are valid. Get a GS400 if you can afford it or a CL...


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'01 3.2CL-S (BLACK <> EBONY) W/ NAVIGAT. KIT
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
~ REAR SPOILER ~ ** ~ACURA NOSE GUARD BRA~
~GOLD EMBLEM KIT + GRILLE~ ** ~ROOF VISOR~
~MUD GUARDS~ ** ~WOOD TRIM KIT~
** ~MAHOGANY SHIFT KNOB~ ** ~ CARGO NET~
~35% METALLIC CHROME TINT (all doors)~
~V-1 RADAR DETECTOR W/ REMOTE~
~MOTOROLA HANDSFREE PRO-INSTALL PHONE KIT~
~ALPINE 350W AMP - W/ 12" XTANT SPEAKER~
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1537160&a=11646931]Joey's Mistress

 

if u want a stick...wait and go w/ the IS300...it's a good car for drifting and throwing around. if u want an auto and luxury w/ a bit of speed...go w/ the cl-s or tl-s. keep in mind...the cl-s and tl-s will age better in appearence...the IS300 will look cheesy as hell w/ the altezza tail lights in 2 yrs...actually...it looks cheesy now...

 

if u want a stick...wait and go w/ the IS300...it's a good car for drifting and throwing around. if u want an auto and luxury w/ a bit of speed...go w/ the cl-s or tl-s. keep in mind...the cl-s and tl-s will age better in appearence...the IS300 will look cheesy as hell w/ the altezza tail lights in 2 yrs...actually...it looks cheesy now...

 

Hey I am in your area if U wanna test drive a CLS with some mods so you can see the potential I dont have a prob with that.
U will notice that with a couple of enhancements you can do so much with the car.



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CL-S BLK on BLK
Navi,mudgaurds,
spoiler,Eibach springs dropped 1 3/4 in ,35%,sitting on 19" Altstadts & Nitto 555 235/35/19s
Comptech headers and sways.
GReddy Dual MX exhaust
AEM custom CAI