Ok I was running on empty and my "low fuel" lights come on. So I pull into Texaco. I start to put my gas in when the I noticed the guy in front of me with his Lexus. He was cleaning his winshield and pumping in gas. I said to him "Nice car!", he glances over and gives me a smirk and replies " Yeah thanks! Really shines! Makes you Honda Accord shameful!", I laughed and tried ignoring, but it ticked me off! "It'll give your Toyota a run for it's money!" He replies angry "Um it's a Lexus IS300", I say "As is mine a Acura TL........Type S!" Well nothing more from him, he's done and driving off, soon after I am too. So forgeting about the whole thing I start my drive home, but hold up what's this? The Lexus! I drive by and he knows it's me, he floors it! Those Lexus' have good gearing because he was half a car behind me! By now we are going 70 soon 90 and the all you can hear is just both engines wailing! We finally come to a red, so I roll down my window and so does he. All hear is his wife nagging "Honey! Come on! Stop it....." I say to him "So how do you like my Honda?" I feel so dumb because right after I said this he quickly pulls away to the green and now I am playing catch up! I floor it soon catching him, we are neck and neck! I downshift and pull away(well actually he slowed down switched lanes behind me and made a left)!

 

IS300 is a nice ride, but it sounds like that particular driver had a bit of a chip on his shoulder - maybe he's defensive about spending $35K on a small sedan that gets wailed on by just about every other sports sedan on the road. He can definitely out corner us, though.

No excuse for that dude being such an a$$hole, though.

I like the looks, and even the tachometer style gauges. It was too small for our needs, though. My wife actually mistook one for a civic when they first came out - I could almost hear the IS300 product manager groan out there in the Lexus headquarters.

You should have dusted the IS300 w/no problems. 0-60 in the low 7's.

 

The second day I had my car, I had a civic, errr, I mean a IS 300 try to race me. Of course I was on my cell phone, so I didn't, (and wouldn't have then), use my SS. I just nailed it, with one hand on the wheel, and he couldn't pull me.
But that guy sounds like an a-hole.....maybe his wife is a witch, so that'll be his punishment for trying to dog out the TL-S

 

Damn, I am jealous. No IS will race me, I have tried. Then again, most IS's I have seen on the road were driven by women. Also, I would not get a BMW to race me either, WTF.

Now my car is in the shop and I am dirving a rental Pontiac Sunfire, everyone wants a piece of me.

 

YOu should've said instead:

"It'll give your Civic a run for its money"

 

sweet, but the driver does sound like an a-hole...

I have no performance mods on my TL-P but I've never lost any races to IS300's. dead start, highway. In order to beat the IS300 on highway, the most important thing is to use SS and downshift at the right time to the right gear. It has always worked.

 

The reason he called your car a Honda / Accord is because he knows damn well what the Acura / TL-S is and what it can do. Most IS300 owners do, since its considered in the same class. That's why on five to ten different occasions, IS300 owners have all shyed away from me when I was in a mood to race. It's like they will cut you off, then not even bother to race you when you are pissed and passing them. This leads me to believe : THEY KNOW VERY WELL WHO WE ARE

 

It's an Corolla S

Andy Kuo

 

I'll agree, the driver was not very nicebut please refrain from IS slurs. The IS 300/ALtezza had the clear taillights first, the aftermarket copied like crazy.......

There are a few IS sleepers around, modded but you would have idea, some people don't need badges to make em feel good.

The IS is a 35k small sedan b/c the ES competes with the TL, IS the 3 series, A4, c-class etc.

JUST CAUSE THEY ARE THE SAME PRICE DOES NOT MAKE THEM DIRECT COMPETITION!

 

No disrespect to Lexus, but the stock TL-S will kill the Lexus, be it the IS300 or the ES300.

 

I don't wanna start bashing on the IS, but the owner sounds like a big prick with a big head because he over-paid for a slow, ugly, Toyota.

 

Obviously the prick doesn't nothing about his competitors. Before I purchase my TLS, I pretty much done research on everything on my car and its competitors, IS300, BMW 3 series. The guy didn't even know what an TLS look like?? Where have he been?? I would have spank him silly and tell him to kiss my TLS's a$$ because that will be the closest he will ever get when on the road. Hehehe!!

 

Yeah, he probably just bought it because it is a "Lexus". We all know we can kill the IS, even if they offer it with a stick, but we have to admit, that is one nice chassis they have (almost as good as a 3 series). It's too bad they put such ugly skin on it, and overdid the interior. They were aiming for the 25-35 male group, but the only people you see driving them are women in their 40s-50s, or 40 year old geeks. 1sickLex brags about the laighlights, and everyone copying; the only car companies that do that are Nissan and Toyota, and aftermarket companies for little Civic, Neons, and Eclipses. Nice company to be in. haha

 

Hehe, I am in the market for a car in this class. I have driven both and this is my opinion:

IS300:
- handles better
- turns more head
- bottom of the line Lexus
- bad on gas
- sporty, not luxurious
- RWD
- a Lexus is a Lexus

TL-S:
- better performance
- SS better than the grip shift
- more room, but some still think the back doesn't have enuf
head room
- high end Acura
- more luxurious feel

both are nice, depending on your needs

Also considered WRX, found it ugly, and dealership unfriendly.

A4, looks good, feels good, too pricy, but Quattro sounds like
a good idea in my region

BMW 330i or xi, nice but can't afford, or not feasible

Nissan new Maxima or Altima, not really the same class but worth a look.

 

If Lexus changed the interior of the car to match the price of the car and gave it a manual transmission (which I guess it is getting next year) then the car might be a better buy, but as it is, it is a waste of money.

 

Not all Lexus owner are like that, we are just car fanatics like you guys. It was even nice of you to tell him how you liked his ride. That takes a big man to do that. Most guys just try to play it cool and don't want you to notice that they are noticing you car. Something about not wanting to give the upperhand.


That Lexus Guy was a jerk, you started off nice, he started off angry. Nice people always win in the end!

 

I just meet an a-hole driving a Lexus IS300 the other day and we both stopped at a red light an floored our cars for a 2 mile stretch! Fortunately we had a very long straight and wide street! I totally blew him away after 20 seconds! He only saw the back of my car.......and read ACURA TL Type S! yea babay!~ weeew!

 

That baby Lexus is just too small. I'd say it's fun to drive, but not a comfortable ride.

 

Not trying to dis, but what is the exact definition of "kill"? 1, 2 car lenghts?

 

I agree! I use to talk plenty of **** about the IS300 til I drove one. Man that car handles GREAT! and the power isn't all that lacking, however, I did not like the tach style speedo and the car was too small for me. Otherwise, I think the car as great styling (frontal view only IMO) with the 17's.

 

As far as the comment, "It's a L-E-X-U-S..." That's a bit childish, especially if you had already given him props for his ride. Nonetheless, I'm sure there are Infiniti G20 owners out there somewhere pulling up to Corollas at gas stations saying, "It's an I-N-F-I-N-I-T-I...."

Who's the REAL loser here? The guy w/ the ego, or the guy who had to rub the TL-S in his face b/c he SWEARS the TL-S is more classy than the IS300. Next time you run into an arrogant luxury car owner, IMHO, tell him/her to have a nice day, slowly pull away, go about your business, and enjoy your TL-S.

I perchanced to drive an IS300 at the Mercedes Benz Powertrip recently, and all I have to say is... fun fun fun in the twisties, and amazing prowess in 90 degree, hard turns. The acceleration ain't that bad either -- silky smooth. All I have to say is this, if they ever come out w/ the single turbo IS300, stick or auto, or the IS430, alls I gotta say is "TL-S/M3 killa!!!" (doubt they'd ever put the V8 in the IS, too nose heavy then).

 

But remember as I was talking **** and being stupid, he blasted off and I was playing catch up.

 

When I wrote that a TL-S would "kill" the IS300, i meant you could kill the car, as in win. I wasn't thinking about carlengths. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Sorry bub, A LEXUS is a LEXUS. If u don't know ASK SOMEBODY!
IS 300 is a case study, wait till 2nd generation (like ya'll tl) Lexus WILL GET IT TOTALLY RIGHT! Because that's what happend with the 1st gen GS compared to the 2nd generation, LEXUS GOT IT RIGHT!

Some people have open minds reading the comments about the IS handling etc, some are idiots calling it a "Toyota".

Jeez TL-s is faster are u happy?!?!?!?

P.s for those of that do not know, Lexus PURPOSELY made the IS TOTALLY SPORTY i.e. the exterior looks and interior looks, why make the inside look like the ES 300, we still sell that. IS totally sport, ES totally luxery.

The IS is very extreme for extrem people, you are not so your happy in the tl-s, a family car.

p.s there is no such thing as I-n-f-i-n-i-t-i those cars are average

 

I'm sure Acura will "get it right" the next generation too.

Yes . Just kidding.

Wow, Lexus should pay you for advertising so hard on their behalf. I don't think anyone's dissing Lexus, just that they're fed up with that particular driver's arrogant attitude.

 

I like the IS300 for its mercurial handling abilities.....but dislike it for its boy-racer touches including the part-leather interior, cheap plastics, cheap looking dashboard, lack of a center armrest (which Lexus is addressing now), lack of a navigation system (also being addressed by Lexus), and the clear taillights (americans associate that with "ricers" and thus the car would be a no-no for people who like the Lexus reliability but dislike being classified as a "ricer")......

Lexus supposedly positioned that vehicle to compete against the 3-series and appropriately priced it a bit less than the 3-series but un-fortunately, at that price-point, the boy-racers to whom those nasty interior/exterior styling touches would have appealed to, did not have the financial wherewithal to purchase one of these cars.....while its competitor, the 3-series ploughed ahead with a classy and under-stated interior, which has a universal appeal, especially when it is coupled with other-worldly handling......

On the contrary, if Lexus bought in the IS300 with a classy interior, it would have appealed to a wider audience, who truly could have afforded the price at which Lexus was selling it for. Mentioning things like "A Lexus like no other" is meaningless since they were trying to differentiate the IS300 from the stodgy image normally associated with Lexus......but they could have done it by instilling the superb handling (which no other Lexus has) with a classy interior......you will not find BMW making such stylistic blunders.

However, having said this, and knowing Lexus, they would definitely improve the next version and truly bring it into BMW 3-series territory both stylistically and otherwise. If that happens, I will purchase it in a heartbeat.....the current car, even if it is a "Lexus", is a positive turn-off for me (stylistically) even though I am absolutely blown-off by its terrific handling prowess...

just my 2c

 

I ain't gonna lie, interior gets some getting used to.

Exterior not for everyones tastes.

But it'll work cause (barring this slowing economy) those people will move up from the IS to the GS in a few years.

Driver was arrogant, maybe a real young kid!

I'm a loyal consumer, u do right, I'll buy (and my family and friends) your products forever, from cars to dishwashing liquid!

 

Well said my friend...and I'm not even a Lexus owner. Well sort of since I bought my father in law an ES300.

I did get to test drive the GS430 LTuned and for $61K, I would still stick with the 540i without hesitation. The GS, where credit is due, looked MEAN with it's 18's, lowered suspension, and exhausts, but man only if Lexus made that bad boy a 6spd it would then give the 540i a hell of a run. Til then, I still consider the 540i the champ in that class, just a thought.

 

Lexus IS 300 was my first choice...i was all excited..when they first appeared..but by the time i saw it in person....i was very dissappointed by the size..it's a CIVIC!!!..too small..if it was a bit longer... and a lil more hp....then i'd get it.

TL-S was everything i was looking for...the looks...the engine....the size....a bit bigger than what i prefered...

these two were the tops on my list...
for around 30 grandish

G

 

It's funny that these types of threads happen on this board so consistently. I was considering a C320 Sport, 330ix Sport, IS300, and Volvo S60 T5 when I decided on the TL-S. The fact that I decided on the TL-S doesn't mean that the other cars were bad - just that the TL-S was better for me. When I see any of the other cars on the road, I don't think, "wow those people were stupid" for not making the same decision I did. They had different criteria and chose what they felt was best for them.

As for the Lexus folks who seem so passionate about defending the IS... The fact that Lexus is making considerable interior changes (real and more plentiful leather, additional sound deadening, and a Navi option) would indicate that some of the opinions expressed here about the IS are legitimate. Actually, I feel sorry for 2001 IS owners because all the changes being made for 2002 will probably make their cars less desirable when they go to trade them in. That's why Lexus has been so aggressive with IS pricing (e.g.: $399 monthly lease for 39 months) over the past few months - to clear out 2001's well before the 2002's arrive.

To each their own...

 

Well Barry not unlike the 99 tl's compared to the facelifted revised versions?!?!??!

A lil update, the IS was sold in Japan for over 3 years there, comes with a 4 cylinder and a 6 speed.

A rare instance where the US gets the more powerful verison (the engine from the GS) was imported here we call it IS 300.

I like it, but I also would not buy it, not till the 2nd generation.

Yeah the 540i WITH 6-SPEED still feels better, well it has a 6-speed manual, but the l-tuned GS is a total sleeper, people hardly know about l-tuned. Put's people in shock!

The ES I own is a 5-speed manual, and I got tired of the traffic and shifting, so I checked the 540 6-speed but could not entertain the thought of shifting in 2 cars!

GS 400 came out (heard absolutely nothing about a GS 400 before it was sold, a new 300 was due for replacement in 1998) and 1 drive, WOW!

I still get goosebumps!

 

I wouldn't compare the enhancements Acura made to the 2002 TL after being essentially unchanged since '99 to the triage Lexus is performing on the IS. Lexus has been quoted in the auto press as saying that 2001 sales have not met their expectations but that they are committed to the IS program - hence the 2002 changes.

P.S. - The IS200 is a popular executive car in the U.K. and I've driven a couple that belong to colleagues. I won't even comment on how the car drives using my biased U.S. standards as Europe has an entirely different perspective on engine displacement and performance.

 

I've seen specs that the IS300 will do 0-60 in 8.2 seconds. If that's the case, then non-S TLs should be able to hand the IS it's lunch. I haven't raced one yet, but with non-S TLs known to do the 0-60 mark in the mid 7s it seems to make sense.

 

"if they ever come out w/ the single turbo IS300, stick or auto, or the IS430, alls I gotta say is "TL-S/M3 killa!!!"?? Um, it would be nice, but NO WAY would it even keep up with the E46 M3. How can you even mention the TL-S and M3 in the same sentence?
1sickLex, you say you like how the GS is a sleeper, then you put us down for "you are not so your happy in the tl-s, a family car." I had been comparing the Mercedes C320, 330i, IS300, Lincoln LS V8, Cad Cattera, and one reason I got the TL-S is because it is a sleeper. I take people for a ride in it and they say "Nice Acura", like they are surprised about how smooth of a ride it is, the luxury. Then, I hit the gas. Man, the look on their face is worth the monthly payment. My dad even said "Damn". Then to beat all the other cars on the road, hell yeah. The looks on their faces at the next stoplight is nice. I try to be cool about it. I'm sure I'll lose someday, and I'll still be cool about it.
Your IS300 is great (I still don't like the tailights, UNLESS you get silver, then they don't stand out so much). I just knew I could help the TL-S with it's suspension/handling a lot easier than getting the IS faster. What exactly do you have? Any mods? What would you LIKE to do to it?
Stay cool everyone...

 

Well, I don't own an IS 300, I own a GS 400 (SC400 and ES 300 5-speed)and it's a sleeper on 2 fronts.

Dummies just see the Lex badge and figure it's another cruiser...

Enthusiasts talk smack about the handling but when it is l-tuned it's a match for just about anything.......I'll post pics later.....

SimType S as I stated in another thread I deleted the post cause it was ignorant, thanks for the heads up.......

IS expectations were only 2000 a month (sales) and that only happened the first couple of months, a lot of people waiting on the 5-speed....so it is not selling briskly but the car doesn't even have a ARMREST!?!??!

However, it works out for the best, IS not stealing Es sales (ES sold 3500 cars last month, 8% increase), ES still selling well at the END of it's product cycle.

New ES drops in fall!

 

This is what peple says about IS300.. Looks like well tuned up CIVIC.. Too small.. Takes away so much Gas.. Kinda slow than expected.. Inside is not comfortable..

I was in the market for IS but it's not good as what i thought.. looks small.. and inside is too crumpy.. ES i don't like the style of inside.. very classic.. and most my friend told me ES is like a old people.. and looks very Toyota camry style.. i live in va.. and i went to dealer right next to Lexus.. which was an Acura dealer.. and saw the TLS.. and test drive it.. and much better.. feels like sports enough.. very aggressive.. feels fast.. and then I did not like LEXUS.. sucks.. i have to say.. if you wanna be LEXUS fan.. you should have to spent $10,000.00 more.. i don't think you can't recommend IS300.. maybe go for GS430.. and spend all your money..

 

I was initially waiting for the IS300 to come out a few months back. I really wanted one and the car was really hyped up. Me, and a lot of my friends, were very disappointed when Lexus released the price of the car. When we test drove it, we were even more disappointed. Acceleration was good, but not as good as it was hyped to be. Handling was great but if I was going to lose to many cars (costing thousands less than mine) on a daily basis, I might as well not get one. The two final reason I dropped the IS300 from my list was an unsatisfactory dealership experience (aka. the "you're too young to be able to afford this car" look) and the debut of the Acura TL-S.

 

So does a <i>Land Rover</i> but it is nothing but a big obsolete pile of junk... turning heads is a stupid reason to buy a car!

 

You have just spoken the ultimate truth! The IS300 needs to change its styling before it repeats the Integra story and cheapens the entire brand.

 

I owned an ES300 for about three years, I didn't feel any more important in that car than I do in the Acura. I do feel somewhat more important in the E320, that's for sure.

Oh, and I asked many people, including the dealer I bought it from. They're a dime a dozen out where I'm from.