Ive been comparing these two cars for a while now because i absolutely love both of them. First of all i compared performances and obviously the TL with an extra 55hp is exacly one second faster, then compared prices TL goes for abour 36K and lexus 29K.
Im young so the cheaper the better for me. Ive also been told in this forum that boosting a TL isnt really possible because of the engine (i was told) so after comparing performance, price etc... I still couldnt decide.
Then, I went to the http://www.is300.net forum and realised that nobody has ever complained about the quality issues, however many in this forum have.
So there it goes, ill have to go for the Lexus and with the price difference of 6K i could just boost it up since its power isnt so incredible and add a couple of mods to it.

 

All the best on your decision.

 

That's not a bad decision, I'm also a fan of the IS300 as far as looks. There are definitely more mods for the IS300 as well. The TL provides more luxury, though, and I haven't had much in the way of quality issues.

Best of luck to you!

 

I came very close to buying an IS300 a bit over a year ago, but the acceleration was just not up to my expectations.

-r

 

The IS300 is a decent car. Those tailights look like rice out of the box though.

 

IS300 interior is my biggest concern. TL...

 

Yeah, and being in NY, unless this is a weekend car, the RWD would concern me as well. If this is a weekend car, I could understand you choosing it over the TL. But for a daily driver, I would take the TL. The fit, finish, comfort, and features all make it great, and the performance is great right off the floor. If you have an SUV or an AWD vehicle for the winter, you'll be alright.

 

Funny, I was also thinking about purchasing the IS300 for many reasons. However, living in Michigan I decided against the rear wheel drive for snow reasons. I also noticed the interior wasn't as roomy as the TL which was another negative I thought. I like the looks of the IS a lot and the interior is very well made, thought the seats were very comfortable. The horsepower was lacking I thought in the IS as well. Just my 2 cents. Both great cars, good luck!

 

36K vs 29K not quite right to me. you have to compare apples to apples here. the 26K TL would include navigation system. if you were getting the IS300 at 29K i bet that is without navi, you can get a TL without navi got about 31K if you shop around easily.

 

Good going! Very good to read all the nice, congratulatory responses from users!

 

While the IS300 is a nice car, it's not in the same class as the TL IMHO. The IS300 is a tuner's car. It's significantly smaller than the TL. Isn't the TSX the same size as the IS300? If your only comparing these cars based on price alone then IMHO you miss the boat. If your wanting to tune, then buy the IS300. If you want sedan sport luxury without having to put any more money into the car then buy the TL.

 

get the 6spd accord coupe.....cheaper and faster the IS300

 

i have a 45XXX build TL and havent had one rattle or problem yet with over 1500 miles on it.

its a lot more expensive, yes. and if you are on a budget the IS300 might be a better choice. but i have heard around here that a supercharger for the TL is on the way.

 

You're prob right on the IS300 quality but to be fair a) its a lexus and B) its not the first year model - I also looked at the IS300 and found it on the small size as far as interior space.. and NOT that there is anything wrong with it but I felt IS300 is the car most rich parents would be buying their college kids (seems to me they were targeting that market)

Cant go wrong with the IS300 though... best of luck with it

 

I have nothing against the IS (okay, a few things, but strickly subjective dislikes). But I do agree that your price comparison is not making sense. I recently paid 31,300 before taxes for a TL.

Also, if you want any of the extras the TL has that do not come on the IS, you have to figure that into the price.

 

Ask around about wet traction for the IS300 and I think you'll be surprised.

 

My wife has a 2002 IS300 and I just bought the 2004 TL. Comparably equipped (e.g. no nav on each) they cost me *exactly* the same. Not sure exactly what the price is on the IS300 these days, but I don't think it would change that much (although maybe the demand is lower now?).

As for RWD vs. FWD, I'll pretty much defend FWD for most things. However, I'll also defend the fact that RWD does not necessarily mean a car will be poor in the snow. I threw some Blizzaks on my wife's car and it turned it into the best handling car I've ever driven in the snow (even in some deep stuff that I had no business driving in). Although the car's design will have some effect on traction (dry, wet, and snow/ice), the tires you choose are ultimately going to make the biggest difference. BTW, I've never had any wet traction problems, and the 17" rims/summer tires on the IS are standard (i.e. free).

As for quality, I have to admit the IS300 has had zero (ziltch, nada) quality issues in the 2 years we've owned it. That includes rattles and other minor issues that tend to take away from the ownership experience. My TL has a few rattles, and other issues (EL42s, brake squeal, seat memory). I'm not that concerned though - I know that rattles and stuff happens especially in the first year of a new car design. However, I think overall the Lexus has a more solid build and higher quality based on my experience with these cars.

Performance? The TL certainly has more power. However, the IS handles better (in my opinion). The IS feels nimble, while the TL feels big.

Other differences: The TL is quieter and better for highway cruising. The IS is more fun to drive. The TL has a very nice, luxurius interior. The IS is more radical and has a sportier look and feel (interior and exterior). The TL comes standard with more toys, but a lot of them I don't even use (Bluetooth, DVD-A, XM).

Ultimately, I think the younger crowd appreciates an IS more, while the older crowd would tend to like the TL.

In any case, the IS300 and TL are both great cars (you can't lose with either decision). Enjoy!

 

nice comparison between the 2 cars.

 

Congrats on your choice... the IS300 is a nice car. Let's not forget that inline six cyllinder engine has lineage to the famed Supra. It should have serious mod potential.

 

I agree that the IS 300 is a good car, and will be fun to mod. Doesn't measure up to the TL in terms of luxury and features though. Bottom line. can't go wrong with either car.

I also agree with GaleForce that the tail lights look rice. In fact, the IS 300 always reminded me of a rice powered Ford Escort.

One thing the IS doesnt have (due to RWD) is a front-end overhang. The front end overhang on the TL is border-line obnoxious and looks dated. I still love my TL though.

 

Yep, I actually, compared the TL and ES, GS, and IS. TL, finally won on interior space and the TL Nav system blows the Lexus nav system out the water. Though, I have only had my TL one week. Though, I do have 1000 miles no problems but too early to tell. However, showing the TL to friends that have recently gotten MB C classes and 3 series BMW all love the interior of the TL and the Luxury gadgets. Though, the smaller car is going to handle great. I never actually drove the IS. I sat in it and being a tall person the leg room was too cramped to even consider. (Been there, done that in my '94 Civic). This was too much money to consider being uncomfortable.

But, of course all my reasons are very subjective. Go for it. I'm sure you'll enjoy your IS.

 

thanks to all, i do agree in terms of luxury the TL is far ahead but right now i dont need all of that but maybe in a few years ill consider a TL.
LATER

 

I had an IS300 before I bought my TL and I loved that car. The IS300 was tight as a drum, no squeaks, creaks or rattles. I really liked the interior, especially the chronograph style gauges and the drilled aluminum foot pedals. That car was very fun to drive. We had some pretty decent snow over the past few years on the east coast and I never had any problems in the snow with my IS300. I will admit, I miss the RWD now but I'm happy with my TL. You won't be dissapointed when you get the IS300 though, great car.

 

The IS vs the TL is not a good comparo. IS vs TSX would be more appropriate. Both are smaller, less lux, cheaper and have similar performance characteristics. Personally I love the TSX but the IS is also a fine car. The design elements are to "rice" for my taste the TSX is much more elegant and has a better ride. Between those two its up tho personal preference.

 

TSX is not IS competition. If you look at ALL the comparos in every magazine known to man the IS is with the TL grouping, the TSX in the sub-entry level grouping, Volvo, Saab, C230 etc.

Again, it's a good time to be a car buyer, with almost no wrong choices.

 

I thought we had insulted you into submission. Your opininon is wothless anyway. Who cares what the magazines are printing! They have 4 doors, equivalent horse power ratings and carry a LUX badge ergo, they compete directly with each other!!

 

The October, 2003 issue of Automobile Magazine groups the TSX with the IS (and 10 other cars) in their "$30K Mega Test"

 

Yes, they did. Good catch. And your opinion that they are competition are full of worth? :fingerfawk:

I see them as in-direct competiton. I am sure people have cross-shopped the 2.

 

I've always considered the TSX and the IS to be in competition more-so than the TL and IS. Because the way I see it, the TL literally blows the IS out of the water in almost every category comparable. Where as if the IS were being compared to the TSX, it would seem more reasonable. In fact, the only thing I see that the TSX lacks that the IS has is straight-line speed and handling. As far as everything else compared goes, doesn't the TSX take the IS?

 

The IS competes with 3 SERIES and C CLASS and TL and such BECAUSE OF THE PRICE. SORRY FOR THE CAPS. As far as the car itself, it is much more comparable to the TSX than TL, yet TSX costs less....

 

, lex. Except for the C230, which looks cheap fot its price.

 

I don't think they (meaning the IS300 and the TL) *directly* compare (not like ES330 does to the TL anyway), though oddly enough the G35 directly compares to both. Go figure...

 

I used to own a 2002 IS-300 SportCross. While waiting for my TL to become available I did briefly check out the 2004 IS-300, but decided against it because

• The TL has 270HP - the IS is just too wimpy
• The IS nav system cannot be used while the car is in motion
• The TL is better looking

I have no regrets - given the opportunity to do it all over again, I would buy the TL again.

But hey, the TL does cost more, and if you can't afford it, you can't afford it.

 

I found the IS to be a very "tossable" ride -- a good driving alternative to the BMW 3-series.

But I thought the interior was a little cheap. Better equipped than the 325i, and a little more power, but a lot of hard plastic.

The BMW, by comparison, has few features. But the interior materials are top-notch. TL interior is on-par with the 3-series, but it's much better equipped and more powerful.

The TL has a great ride, but the two RWD sedans are better driving machines. I thought the TL was a great compromise in driving dynamics for the level of power, luxury and value that it delivers.

 

The IS300 in my opinion fits neatly between the TSX and TL, therefore a comparison to either of them makes some sense.

The TSX lacks a 6 - lots of customers shopping this segment (lets call it "entry-level luxury sports sedans") won't shop for less. However, in size and performance, they match up nicely.

I agree that overall the TSX and IS make a better comparison, but where would that leave the TL? I actually think that TL comparisons with 5 series and Lexus GS would make some sense, but the price difference is ridiculous, so people looking at 5 series and GSes probably don't even consider TLs. The only true direct competitor to the TL in my opinion is the G35 (size, price, performance) and that's why there are so many heated debates here and elsewhere about which is better - they are so close, but each has compromises.

I guess that each mfg has their own interpretation of what the customer for each segment wants. Fortunately for customers, these don't always line up exactly, so it allows us to buy the car that we get the most out of.