So I was crusing around the other day and I saw a lexus IS 300. I have seen them before and was just like ehh they are ok. well..I was really impressed with this one. I have been doing some research. I'm pretty sureI'm going to go for an IS 300 5 speed. I have the 01 type s auto. Black and it's the worst thing in the world to keep clean! I think I just miss the 5 speed. I was just wondering what you guiys though?

 

IS 300 is a turd. Sharp car but no balls

 

...but can be HEAVILY modded and smoke many cars in its class.

 

why would u want the lexus? the cl type s has a 6 speed manual, more horsepower, and for the money more standard/options if you want navi. i think u should upgrade to '03 cls.

 

Trade up for a CLS 6spd if you miss the stick I personally don't like the lines at all on IS300s

 

i was looking at the is300 before i choose the cl, thank god i didnt choose the is300, i think its underpowered for what its suppose to be and overpriced. It is a lexus and is worth the moeny but...or u can wait for the new is430? i think that has a v8, that should be a fun car

 

My co-worker has a turbo IS300, and he has about 500hp at the crank. He does mid 12's in the 1/4. Cost about 10k for all the mods. Down side is that car puts out some much hp that he is on his third tranny (5-speed).

Stock CL-S-VS- Stock IS300= Cl-S.

Mod CL-S -VS- Mod IS300 = IS300

 

a bit disappointed that the IS430 was not redesigned...I am so bored with the IS300 look I am ready for something new to look at.

 

I know it might be underpowered. I can deal with that . I'm going to look into the IS 430. I think I just want a good crusing car that looks good. I am a little disapointed with my cls. It rattels alot and it has plenty of problems a highend car shouldn't. I love the interior. I have the black leather I think I will miss that the most. how does the IS300 interior compare, anyone know?

 

I have a 2001 CL-S and my wife has a 2003 IS300. If I had to get rid of one of them, it would be the CL-S. If and when the IS300 is made as a 2-door, the CL-S will be history. Yes the CL-S has more HP, but the IS300 is built a hell of a lot better, the Lexus dealer makes the Acura dealer look really bad and the IS300 is a lot more fun to drive. Be warned the IS300 is a GAS PIG! On the road I have gotten as much as 31mpg from the CL-S, but NEVER any better than 24mpg with the IS300. I like both cars, but the IS300 brings a much larger smile to my face!
Dan
ps I am in So Cal, don't know about a IS300 in PA snow. (4) winter or a beater?

 

How about the IS430 that one of the southern California shops put together?

 

Full leather in The Is300 is not as nice looking as the Leather/Escane mix in my opinion. Plus the mix holds you better in turns and is cooler/warmer than full leather. IS430 does not exist as a factory car.
Dan

 

My ex she had IS300 and its fast on the top end and a fun car to have. To turbo it would require alot of work. New tran to start with along with keepin it cool. but the down side of the IS is its heavy. If you get one light weight mods are the way to go. I think you would like IS but miss your V-TEC.

 

I hate the interior the most about that car. The gauge cluster is OK but the materials and shapes of the dash look cheap to me. I do like the exterior even after all these years and could probably live with the reduction in power the way I drive on the street (conservative), but he dash, echhh.

 

When I went to test drive my CL-S, I also test drove an IS300 and after that I wanted the IS300. It was so fun to drive and quick at cornering. But I ended up getting the CL-S because it was cheaper and had navi and other options the IS300 didn't.

Recently i've been in the market for an IS300 test drove it and wasn't really impressed with it anymore. Suspension is really soft compared to the CL-S. Thats nice for daily driving but it seemed like I couldn't feel the car. The engine felt totally underpowered, just smooth all the way. Which is good for preventing tickets, but boring. Overall I still like the looks. The interior is disapointing. If you have atleast $5000 for a turbo/supercharger then it could be a really fun car. However adding a turbo can kill its daily drive use because it really hurts the already bad gas mileage.

 

Ok so I slipped on the Is 430...though that might be the name, but there is only a Is 300 e shift and 5 speed, same thing that is available now! Is there a 4.7 liter v8 out? That gas milage is that bad??? I would have though it was going to be better. That's pretty disapointing....anyone else have comments on the car....I don't plan on racing it at all. just maybe some wheels and a new set up for some tunes!

 

Buy a used IS 300 for 20k. Dump anywhere between 5-10k into and you can blow past any IS 430 (if it was ever made).

Check out www.seloc.net for some hooked up clean ISs, modded from S/C, to Turbos to just suspensions wheels and tires. No cocky IS.net attitude.

 

IS300 gas mileage is something like 19/23. Some turbo users get about 12 mpg. So it can get pricy. I think the supercharger gets better gas mileage then the turbo. A lot of the used IS300's i've seen for around 20k have beat up interiors. The suede seems to wear fast. Especially on the drivers seat.

 

the IS 300 is a bitch car unless you mod it

 

Around here I never see anything but women driving them.

 

I find this funny coming from a FWD, Accord based, discontinued car owner.

 

If all you're gonna do is mod it then I would get an evo and save the hassle.

 

 

Got em there

 

I like the IS300, my friend bought his in December of 2002(auto '02) and it had 3k miles on it. He got it for $26k and he just traded it in and got $22,600 for it, talk about resale....kicks acura's ass.

 

Here's a pic of his car...

 

I see a pic of a red x.

 

That was sweet, but was a one off. Lexus said they have no plans on producing the car. It was merely a car for SEMA.

 

So I went and drove one last night, Handles great, It's the blue color, So sweet and it's low to the ground in the front!! Def a sweet ride ,the interior wasn't bad, but the auto isn't what I'm looking for, I want a 5 speed again. My cl is auto and it's good when I just am commuting, but when I want to have fun, it's not there ! Not like a 5 speed. But you guys are right it does lack the power of the Cl and the exhaust sounds isn't even comparabe! I'm plannig on modding it. Lightly, intake , maybe exhaust...system stuff like that. My deal is that i like the low stance that the Is has , that the Cl is lacking!