I like how it looks, it's a Toyota so it's at least as good as a Honda for reliability/durability, it's RWD, manual, and inline-6, all of which I would prefer, and it's an easy swap to the Supra turbo block and you're on your way to (expensive but fun) turbo power.

As opposed to an Evo8, STi, or s2000, which are the other cars I was looking at for my next car. It's got more luxury than those, it's definitely more mature looking than an Evo or STi, and it's more practical than the s2k.

Btw, the TSX would be a contender if it wasn't front wheel drive.

I'm in no hurry to buy yet so maybe by spring the 04 models which are new now will be down further in price although they're currently selling for around or a little under $30k at some dealerships from what I read on is300.net.

Opinions/complaints/likes/dislikes of the IS300?

 

I love everything about the IS except the lack of power. But that turboed Supra block sounds like that would take care of that problem

 

Interior doesnt look to be worth 30k.


Other than that i love the car. Get it!!

 

I have a friend who has a is300 6 speed. I know he loves it, it handles great but he tells me it's not that powerful.

it handles better than the automatic cl... (i had a 2001 cl-s) but the 2003 6-speed with the limited-slip front differential is very impressive. (what I have now)

 

hell yea

 

Isnt the IS300 coming out with a beefier engine for next years model?

 

how are they compared to the G35/350 in the winter w/ the rear wheel drive/snow combo...does the IS300 have a real working traction control??

 

many mods and options to gain power (s/c and turbo) plus rwd. im not a big fan of the interior or the gauges, but the car handles and brakes well with good overall build.

500rwhp turbocharged IS300 running high 12s would be nice.

 

I like those cars. And, yes, TRD and everyone else has mods galore for that car. It's the "same" engine as is in the Supra, so...

 

It's a 5speed I believe, not a 6speed.

And as for a bigger engine in 05, it will likely be a V6 and I will no longer be interested in it if that happens.

I agree about the interior design being kinda hit-or-miss and I think Acura makes the best looking interiors in the $30k price range with Audi being second, but it's certainly a tolerable interior.


vvvv 04 models are already out, you might mean 05 vvvv

 

yup, going to be the IS330 for the 04 model.

i was absolutely positively going to get the legacy turbo next year for the 05 model, but with the rumors of the IS430 being a production car becoming more of a reality rather than just speculation, i might have to hold off bit...especially since my wife works for corporate toyota and can get all toyotas, lexus's, and scion's for DEALER cost.

if speculation that the IS430 will carry a MSRP price of ~$40K, dealer cost would be close to mid 30's. i would be in lexus heaven.

 

That likely won't be under $40k, probably MSRP close to $45k. =\

 

I give two thumbs up for the IS300. I may go that route someday too!

 

is430+turbo=fast ass car

 

My friend just got an Is300 5spd manual. Its a great car that handles well and smooth. But he always complains about the lack power.

 

i can see it being a shade over $40K, but a MSRP of close to $45K would put that at GS430 levels AND M3 pricing. my wife is an inventory and financial analyst for them, dealing with vehicle sales and forecasting. they are estimating that a base price (should lexus decide to produce it ) close to $40K would be a competitive price for it.

 

Turbo'ing that motor will be nowhere near as easy as going the 2JZ-GTE inline-6 turbo route. The i-6 turbo Supra block is built for a turbo. The 4.3L V8 would be interesting but would probably get supercharged or something, right?

 

Make sure you fit. It's really small inside! They are also slow. Well stock anyway.

 

to that.

However i'd like to see what #'s the IS330 is gonna put up.

 

I6 >> V6

I guess you won't consider a G35 6MT Sedan?

I think Lexus has an low APR offer now. Maybe I'll take a look. :devil:

 

With Toyota dumping the Inline 6 in favor of the 3.3L V6 for the IS, it sounds like Toyota is following Nissan's lead in having a single V6 motor for a load of different vehicle applications.

Also, the new Legacy Turbo (B4) heading to the states is rumored to not have the JDM model's 280hp. Rather it'll be available with a 250hp Turbo 4 OR a 250hp Flat 6. But if the current Forrester 2.5 XT Turbo model is any indicator (0-60:5.3 sec/1/4ET: 13.8sec@97mph), that 250hp rating may just be on paper.

That IS430 (if it comes to be) will probably be priced @ close to $50G.

Peace

 

I have never liked the IS300. I would go with a A4 or G35 Coupe.

 

i'd rock an is300 real quick. almost picked one up used but it was pretty dirty so i got the RL instead.

 

i'd like to know what your reasoning is behind how or why toyota/lexus is going to price the IS430 above the GS430 and the M3.

 

The GS will be redesigned for 2005; Lexus history demonstrates new design=higher MSRP (ref. SC400 vs SC430)

 

where are your numbers or facts for speculating that lexus will price the IS430 at $50K?

 

i wouldn't expect a is430 for a while, wouldn't make much sense to invest that money into a car that is up for a redesign in a year.

 

Exactly. The Lexus IS will probably be its 2nd generation when it gets the V8 motor.

That said, the V8 model will more than likely be on top of the IS food chain (a la Caddy CTS-V http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/...jsp?model=ctsv which starts @ $49,995 OR $3,375 more than the larger Seville) NOTE: The CTS is a direct competitor to the Lexus IS and BMW 3 Series: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/cadi...m2.1.cadillac* -- click link and scroll to 'Competing Vehicles'.

Peace

 

How can you compare the CTS-V pricing against the Seville, they aren't even using the same engine. The CTS-V has the 5.7L LS6, whereas the Seville is powered at best by the 4.6L.

There is no way in hell that Lexus is going to price the IS430 higher than the M3 if they have any intention of selling more than a handful of these.

 

Rhetorical counterquestion: Who'd buy a CTS-V over an M3??

That said, time will tell.

 

I dont like the dash/console or the lack of power. Otherwise, a decent car, if a bit overpriced.

 

it's not rhetorical...cause i'm going to answer it.:P

IF i could afford either of those cars, i would probably be swayed into purchasing the M3 cause marketing and hoopla has long given the crown of the "ultimate driving machine" to BMW. it would probably take much in order to get over the perception of the word "cadillac" equating to an uninspiring old foggie's ride. but, i would be open to it test driving and considering it.

but, bottom line is...there is a world of difference between MSRP, Invoice, AND Dealer's Cost (the latter being the one i would be interested in ). much like 99.9% of all the other american made cars out there, i expect the dealership/consumer agreed upon price for the CTS-V to be well below the MSRP. yes, time will tell, and if time tells me that the IS430 can be purchased from corporate toyota by dealerships for mid to high $30K, then time would have explained how GTKrockeTT has one sitting in his driveway.

 

How about a 1.8t with A4. :o

Turbo swap anyone?

 

Go for it, it is one of the best looking sports sedans out there.

 

if you get the IS300 now...just remember that dealer cost for the base 5-spd is ~$25K.

and, back to the actual thread...i like the IS a lot during the year my wife leased it. handled very well, could have had a lower stance, but we didn't want to modify w/aftermarket stuff. definitely could have used more power. those were my only complaints. but, it is a good value for those who's number one concern isn't straight line acceleration and performance.

unfortunately, that is a big concern for the target audience lexus was trying to reach...25-35yr old males. this is why the IS300 has been one of toyota's disappointments as far as sales and profit.

 

I prefer to stay away from German cars, thanks.

GTKrockeTT - their cost is ~$25k, but will they take an offer at around $27k for a 5spd with sunroof, LSD, and leather/alcantra package, or would they laugh because that's probably at or below invoice, or are sales slow enough that if I took something they had in stock they might consider it?
I'm not used to shopping for Lexus. I do know they have around 18% markup to MSRP compared to Acura's ~10%, but I'm not sure how to go about getting the best price on a Lexus.


Also, am I reading this right in that I can get the top two packages for the price of the bottom one? $1000 for $2500 worth of options?

 

$27, probably not, but I don't think $28K would be too far from possibility if you could find an 03 model. even the 04's are way below MSRP's cause like I said earlier, the IS300s do not sell well at all.

 

sounds good to me, turbo that is.



anything to stop you from making any more "what kind of car should i get?" threads.

 

lol =)

It's funny working at Acura but looking at other brands for my next car. Even though I could probably get a TSX for a couple grand less than an IS300 I'd rather have the RWD, LSD, power passenger seat, two more cylinders, and already existing potential for turbo.

Maybe if there are turbo kits for the TSX by the spring I'll consider it one more time but the IS300 is more appealing to me.

Btw, wtf was Acura thinking with a manual passenger seat in their entry-level luxury car? Maybe it's just me but it's got so many nice luxury features and then they go and do that. Like the ladies want to have to manually JICKITA-RACKETA their seat into place. Please. Everything else about the car is nice and smooth. Even just a 4-way like the CL has on the passenger seat would have been fine. Heck I'd rather the driver's seat be manual than the passenger's.

 

Yes $1065, is correct.