Hi guys. I am a previous 06TL owner. Traded her in about a year ago to run off with my first love (G35 Coupe). Anyway, love my G, but I need a second car now that is a little more family friendly. Right now my choices are down to an 04-05 TL or an IS300. Pricing is similar, although some of the TLs have higher milage than 02-04 IS300s I'm looking at. Having driven my 06 for over a year I am pretty familiar with the good points of the TL, as well as the shortcomings.

Anyone here consider an IS before getting your TL? Any driving impressions? What ultimately swayed you to the TL? I know the IS is a little smaller which doesn't bother me. Anything that the TL had other than bluetooth that the Lex lacked or vice versa? One thing that worries me about buying a used TL is the way that the leather holds (fails to) hold up. I am seeing 2-3 year old TLs with leather that looks 10 years old. The Lexus seem to have more durable interiors. I assume they are as mechanically reliable as an Acura. Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.

 

I really don't think they are comparable at all. The IS350 is comparable to the TL, but the IS300 is not. First, it is a lot slower, with only 215 hp versus the TL's 270. Secondly it is a lot less modern, just compare the interiors.

I'm not saying the IS300 is a bad car, but I definitely wouldn't choose it over a 3G TL.

 

Look at how outdated the Lexus's interior looks compared to the TL:

 

you have a point, but you are also talking about an interior that was conceived in 2001 vs one that was conceived in 2004 (with nav). Nothing an aftermarket dd kit couldn't dress up. I think the IS interior is more sporty/driving oriented, the TL definitely more luxurious.

 

My buddy has an IS300 it's a great car in my opinion the leather is nice the design is nice too. It's more of a sportier build but the motor just doesn't produce the torque the TL does. So that is why I love driving my TL much more than when I drive his car. The TL handles great as well, excellent suspension setup, and the car handles really great for FWD not to mention the VSA keeps you out of trouble when you need it. You have side airbags in the rear which is really great for safety especially for kids. The IS300 does not have this. There are many reasons why I chose the TL, and at one point I did choose it over the car you currently drive the G35.

 

HA, I beg to differ. Maybe the IS250 but not the 350. expecially since hes concidering 04-05 TL, 350 is comparable to the 07-08 Type S.

 

just curious, are you a fan of RWD? All things being even, the RWD is what really keeps the IS in the running, otherwise its would be a slam dunk for the TL. There just are not any japanese rwd options for what I want to spend on a second car. Since you get the chance to drive both, How do you feel the handling of the IS is in comparison to the TL?

 

Here is my take, I have driven RWD. I had an s2000 for awhile and yea it was great. But when I wanted a bigger vehicle that could handle rough winters in the north-east for when I would take long drives home I wanted FWD and I wanted safety. I feel a lot more comfortable driving my TL than I do my buddy's IS300. Excluding the fact that I am just use to my TL more his car just feels stiffer in turns and control. Not a good stiff either. If I am taking an exit ramp off the interstate my car will take it like a champ, the IS300 feels alright as well, but with the TL I can pick a line and pretty much stick to it his car has some roll that wants to throw me out the door. Could be solved with some springs and a strut bar but the TL already handles better stock so that is my take. Same goes for curvy on ramps, I can pick my line accelerate into the turn and on the interstate and I feel planted the whole time. With the IS300 I am gripping the wheel and wanting to ease up on the gas because it just doesn't feel to seated.

 

we have both in the family... 05 IS300 is my dad's..... 04 TL is mine.... and here's my input!....

the IS300 is A LOT more responsive than the TL.... feels faster/LIGHTER.... has a way better turning circle!... drives a lot smoother while the TL kinda feels like you gotta gas up to keep momentum... interior is obviously owned by the TL... the leathers on the IS300 are so easy to maintain but as mentioned.. it is a little outdated... 2001!... we added an alpine double din... but good luck with adding a sub... hardly no room.. and there's a bump from the gas tank in the trunk that makes it impossible to push a sub box all the way to the back of the trunk... so yeah... the IS300 is a lot smaller.. and feels boxier than the TL... sooo overall... i only like IS300's in white... dark tinted windows and lowered!..... ta duhhh...... but i loveeee my white TL even moreeee..... toooooo sexy!!

 

oh yeah.... IS300.. and i guess RWD cars SUCK in the winter time... even with TOYO Observes..... GARBAGE....

 

I will agree with the above poster that the turning radius does suck in the TL sometimes. I'll find myself making some very tight left u-turns it really is a pain sometimes.

 

Great points and input guys. It is a tough choice. I really did love my 06 TL but I have to say that it concerned me that after buying new and only putting 25,000 miles (and I treated her good) that it was already showing so much wear on the inside. And there were more rattles than a few. I also remember when I would bet two year old loaners when my car was in for service and think how poorly they had held up. I have heard some whispers of tranny issues with 04-05 is that true?

 

my
IS300 is nice. but look at the pro's and cons.
6mt> 5spd
RWD>FWD
270hp>215hp
If the prices are similar like you say then 2006>2001
You say its a second car for the fam. TL interior room>IS300 interior room

4 out of 5 says the TL

 

--- Thinking out of the box a little ---

Test Drive a Lexus LS400 / LS430 and an Acura RL

Seriously.. I test drove the G and IS.. but the only car I really think back on was this '99 LS400.. It was a bad mofo.. the suspension was so smooth.. I hit turns faster and harder in the LS then any other car I test drove before buying the TL.. Plus the thing is a TANK, talk about a family car.. I always think back on that one..

 

Well there are more than a couple of other cars I would love to have, but setting a budget of around 15k limits choices. a v8 isn't an option because I am not under the impression that gas will be this cheap for long after the holiday season. After taking a second look at prices, clean 04-05 TLs with reasonable milage are actually going for more than my budget. They are priced pretty high unless you settle for a scuffed up one with 90,000 miles

 

More family friendly? Definitely the TL. The IS would be acceptable if you have toddlers, maybe...but for car seats there just is not enough room.

 

^^8 month old

 

I too have the experience of both. I have an 04 TL & my sister an IS300. Gotta say that they are totally different cars. I have 2 kids & love the TL's smooth handling, comfortable size & power... when u need it. The IS is firmer, sportier & ... dare I say it... to drive. That being said, after taking a 4 hour trip with the IS300 & having the chance to drive it most of the way, I would say it is a bit too sporty. Every bump felt like never ending knocks to your rear end. The MPG's were way below the TL's & the handling, RWD vs FWD, was not that apparent in a real world environment. Unless you plan on racing every car you see, with your 8 month old in the back, you won't notice the benefit.

So my take: TL seems like a solid winner in my book. The IS would be great to take for a spin on a sunday afternoon but not a car that I'd like to live with. It just seemed to get old too quick for me.

and Don't forget, with the economy being the way it is, you should try to pick up an certified 04 TL from an Acura dealership. They are probably hurting for sales. You will get the best of both worlds. A great price on an acura... with the peace of mind of a 100k warranty!

Thats what I did

 

This thread was calling my name from the start.

I'm a previous owner to a 2001 Lexus IS300 and current owner of an 07 TL-S.
I love the IS300, great stock sound, great feel in turns, RWD=FTW (sorry). Anyways, very fun car to drive. It was rather small, the TL is much more spacious. So considering you want it to be a family car, go with the TL. You can't go wrong with either car, but the TL is definetely the better choice. Maybe compared to a IS250, things would be a bit more challenging, but to an is300 the choice is obvious, TL FTW.

 

I considered a Lexus too but went with Acura because I had a '91 Legend.

 

TL is bigger, faster, newer. go with the TL

 

Car shopping - took 5 months before purchasing:
'04 TL 86k Non-Navi - $12k (purchased)
'99 LS400 69k - $10.5k
'01 LS430 77k - $12.5k
'04 TL 99k w/ A-Spec Kit, S type rims, SRI, Nav - $13k (last week on CL)

I had some buyers remorse because I thought I had a good deal on the TL until the tranny went out. I got money back on the repair but wonder if it was the right deal. The TL gets real good gas mileage if you're not a heavy foot. The LS also gets good gas mileage (20-25 mpg) but once you shove your foot down its throat you pretty much vaporize your tank...

There are a lot of deals out there.. my local Honda dealership just auctioned off 50 cars that were on their lot. Not because they didn't want to sell them but because they couldn't. It's the buyer's market..

 

Which TL has 270HP???

Base 3G TL is 258 hp

Type S 3G TL is 286 hp

IS300 is nice, but too small. TL is a comfortable ride. And the main difference I would focus is on the condition of both cars, in regards to future maintenance. Both are good vehicles. Honda/Toyota reliability.

 

^ Pre-new-HP-rating-convention


This can haul your family around...

 

Base 3G TL used to be rated at 270 hp until the rating system changed. I believe in 05/06. Same engine, just different hp rating.

 

^ You don't say?

 

It sounds like most things about the TL vs IS300 have been chimed in about...but the leather. I have an 05 TL with 55,000 miles on it. I also have 2 sons that are 11 and 12 and very active in sports. IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THE LEATHER IT WILL LOOK GREAT FOR A LONG TIME. I use Zano leather cleaner and conditioner about every 3 months and the leather in my car is showing no signs of wear. The only comparison I have is my cousins 07 IS250, great little car, but LITTLE compared to the TL. I have a feeling that after she drove my car she will be "trading down" and getting an 07/08 TL

 

I haven't personally driven the is300 but my cousin have one and have ridden in it quite a few times. It is a sexy/sporty car as well, and drives well. But I like my TL better

 

You forgot the red text

 

I felt like I took reasonable care for the leather in my TL. I cleaned and conditioned it using a product I bought from the dealer. My driver seat was always picking up color from my jeans and the edges of the seat we wrinkled and cracked. Most of the used TLs I'm looking at show the same wear. In comparison, some of the ISs I'm looking at look brand new on the inside even with signifigantly more miles on the clock.
The size of the IS doesn't bother me. When I said I wanted a "family" vehicle I should have been more specific. I have an 8 month old and while it can and is done, the car seat in the back of the coupe is a little annoying at times.
Being that this will be a cash purchase, my main concerns are that I am getting a quality car (which is why the TL tranny issues scare me), that it will wear well since I will likely have it for a long time, and that it will be fun to drive. When I got rid of the 06 it was primarily because although it was a very nice car, it didn't excite me when I drove it. Eventually I will sell my G and drive this new car exclusively with no payment to free up money for my kid. That being said I want to drive something that won't bore me after 12 months. Having never driven an IS for more than 10 mins at once I guess I am trying to figure out if I can expect it to be any more exciting than a TL. If not, than I may as well get the newer, bigger car. However I am willing to sacrifice a little size for driving pleasure. I am not willing to sacrifice reliability.

 

my friend has a is300 and winter driving is just fine. No more problems than in my 3G tl even if its a RWD so I wouldn't call it garbage

 

It really depends on why you are getting bored so fast...

Me personally, I've had my TL-S for one year this month, and I'm bored. This trend is repetitive with me no matter which car I own. I drive too much... BUT once you push the pedal, the engine roars, and you pick up speed insanely fast for a FWD, I get a grin on my face, and I'm back to business Plus when my WDP is clean, I love it

P.S. I really dislike the interior of the IS300... Though I remember seeing an overhaul done to IS300, where GS430 engine was swapped... I drooled for a little...now that's hot. For agile performance and fun, IS300 wins... Comfort, reliability, maintenance, interior design, and hp, TL hands down.

 

Since the IS300 came out in 2001 I assumed it got its 215 hp rating from the old SAE system just like the TL pre-2006 so for comparison purposes it's more accurate to say the TL has 270 than 258.

 

Good read: http://my.is/forums/f41/does-is250-r...-is300-261891/

IS300 204bhp vs TL 258bhp.... compare the actual values.

 

TL has alot more room compared to the IS300, if you're looking for a family friendly ride i would go with the TL.

 

is300 has 2jzge motor...ALOT more reliable than the acura J motor.

 

The is300 slots somewhere between the tsx and tl imo. IS350 slots in between the 3g tl and the 4g.

 

Some "older" opinions...

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ht=vs+tl+is300

 

I would get a IS350 or IS250 i bet you get them for a really good price.

 

tl > is300 ANY day.. sit in the IS and then sit in the TL and then tell me you cant decide? my buddy has an is300. that interior is so small.

the newer is is another story though.