Im looking at IS300's to replace my CL-S (Crashed)

Does anyone know how well these cars do with NA mods? I can't afford a turbo package ($6k)

They only dyno at like ~165hp stock.

Any other suggestion for a used car around $24k that is a good daily driver in the rain.

 

for that kind of money and WA weather i would get a WRX.



you can pick up an STI w/ a couple thousand miles on it for 28 or so.

 

Don't know about mods, but the build quality is a hell of a lot better. I have had my CL-S since 3/00. My wife got her IS300 in May of 2003. I have no problem giving up the power of the CL-S for the handling of the IS. Also the stright six in the Lexus is one of the sweetest engines ever made, even though it is a gas hog. If and when Lexus makes a 2-door IS300, the CL-S is history!
Dan

 

i like the A6 2.7t or the 4.2 (comes in a 6 speen and mods add lots of power)

 

99 Audi S4 retails for a grand or two above $24G; just my $.02.

 

if you want to drop 30k, then get a 2004 A4 1.8t and chip it

 

I'm not a big Audi fan, I like some of their cars but I don't trust their reliabilty. I was thinking newer gen A4 + upgraded turbo etc. but i'm not sure if they are reliable.

As for the STi I wish i could afford $28k. 4K in price is a lot and actually the iS300 im looking at should only cost me like $22k.

I was also thinking IS300 then a supercharger but I don't think I can get an IS300 cheap enough that I would be able to afford a $5k supercharger.

The max money i can spend is like $26k including tax.

 

oh 24k...


get a used S4

or 97-99 M3

 

tsx?

 

how much power the chip good for?

 

30-40hp and 50-60lbs torque

We have a 1.8T in the family, with an APR chip running 100 octane, it puts on 210/250 resp. pump gas is around 200/240

Check it out: www.goapr.com

 

Search and/or ask questions here:
http://is300.net/modules.php?name=Fo...360005acb7238f
Dan

 

Used 2002 WRX is about $20K. Check autotrader, there's plenty of them.

 

That's an awful big jump in HP with just a chip...

 

NA mods, headers, exhaust intake will give you 20-25 to the wheels. And it's around 180-185 RWP stock. I've had an IS 300 and I just rode in a supercharged one from Atlanta-Birmingham over the weekend. I love this car. The interior is love it/hate it, I love it. It's comfy. Lexus service and reliability. It handles awesome.
If u want something faster, the WRX, SRT-4 etc are.
There are pros and cons to all cars.

 

Nite's #s are pretty close: 207hp/245lb-ft for the 97-00 1.8T.

 

IS300 is horrible in rain/snow. Two of my friends have 03 IS300, they both complained about easy fishtailing even with the traction control ON. One of my friends swore not to trust Jap RWD anymore...

Why not getting a WRX, you can get one of these for $23k + tax now a days (check www.carsdirect.com for the price in your area). 0-60 is 5.5 seconds, AWD, and turbo..

 

when I was buying the CL, I priced out a tsx .. the CL was like 31K$ all said and done, and the TSX was like 30K all said and done. they are high priced. I got 2K$ off the CL though.

a WRX would be a cool car to get. the upside is they handle great, the AWD is down right fun and comes in handy, especially in snow and stuff. The turbo sounds awesome, they sound AMAZING with exhaust. and I love the noise of a blowoff valve. and they are VERY mod friendly. Up-pipe, downpipe, exhaust, no cat and blowoff get you like 50 WHP. If you decide to go this route, let me know, I have a friend with a WRX that sells WRX parts and is very knowledgeable .. he could definetly tell you what route to go.

downsides .. don't expect any luxury.

 

Snow, I may be able to understand but that is a plain dumb reason not to buy a Japanese RWD car. Your friend needs to stick to Ford Escorts. I've never had a problem with the IS in the rain. Good tires help. Maybe he was running on bald tires and expected superglue grip.

That is just a dumbass reason not to "trust Japanese RWD". I guess the hundreds of thousands with Japanese RWD are just a little bit brighter.

 

Guru, what do u want in a car? Lux, sport, speed, quality? FWD, RWD, AWD?

 

gs300

 

I want a sporty, luxury car, preferrably not FWD. I want a manual but my mom is against it because she wouldn't be able to barrow it. Dumb because she only drove my CL-S once and with me there.

Other Factors:
Needs to be a daily driver in wet seattle weather.
Insurance cost. (I'm 19, 1 accident not at fault, 0 tickets)
I prefer easy to park. CL-S was kind of big, GS300 is probably too big.

These are the cars I found in my price range
2001+ IS300
2001 325ci (found a 330ci to but had 60k miles)
2002 Audi A4 1.8T (I'm worried about the reliability)
2001+ Honda S2000 (daily driver in rain? Insurance?)
2004 TSX found a couple used

 

oh yeah and i found out how much an IS300 with H/I/E + afc makes. 190rwhp. pretty sad. If i get an IS300 cheap enough maybe i can get a supercharger ($4500).

 

04 honda accord coupe?

Saw a red one today with bodykit and tints and looks really nice.

 

Wow...I was hoping with all those basic bolt ons plus the afc it would break 200rwhp.

 

I think a accord coupe is a downgrade from a CL-S, CL's interior is much better in the fit and finish, and I haven't adjusted to the accords new looks yet.

I know im picky but I will mostlikely keep this next car for awhile so I want to get it right.

 

I hear ya. I was in the same boat.

 

Your 19? Any of those cars kick butt. The IS 300 is plenty fast for most folks, it just seems slow b/c the competition has stepped it up. GS 300 is not bad to park, it's shorter than the CL-S with a much longer wheelbase. IMO, it is hard to see out the C-pillar of the GS compared to the CL-S. But since it has much shorter overhangs, it was okay for me.

A4 is great too, love that car in it's last 2 iterations. Being caught up in speed is kinda useless. You have to figure out what feels comfortable for you. B/C there will always be someone faster.

 

how about a used 350z?

 

350Z insurance would kill him.

 

GS instead of the IS...I would get the Accord coupe with navi and 6spd. I know its a downgrade but its something till acura gets its act together

 

Not if he puts his mom as the primary driver of the car.

 

Insurance for the Z is pretty low. It was lower for me than my CL. It's a common experience on the Z forum too. I just hope after a bunch of idiots getting into crashes, it doesn't go up

 

ya young drivers usually in the Z .. young driver+powerful RWD 2 seater sports car = disaster

 

That's a pretty picture...nice colors, etc.

BUT, do they have a real slip?

 

you can get is300's wit 40k or less miles for 19 grand easy and turbo or supercharge it

 

i was lookign at the preowned and they were just as expensive used as bmw's

if i were him, i would want something certified pre-owned so he has a warentee

are these prices private party or pre-owned?

 

Socal - Your IS300 prices are hot! Undercutting those in UT by at least $2K pvt party and more from the dealer.

Guru - Not sure the RWD IS300 w/17" wheels would be ideal for rain. If the WRX isn't lux enough, how about a '03 Accord EXL V6 with voice activated nav and leather?! Not to mention - fast.

 

Yeah i can't get those prices here, but I'm gonna try to buy private party so I can probably save a thousand or some on tax.

 

That is sweet. I swear that focking car has a helluva stock exhaust note to die for.