04 Acura TL vs. 02 Lexus IS300
#1
10th Gear
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04 Acura TL vs. 02 Lexus IS300
hey guys
So I've had this 04 TL for about 6 months now, bought it for $$13,*** with 90,*** miles. It's bone stock, but i took the resonator out. And now I see this 02 Lexus IS300 with about 90,*** miles for $12,000, also stock.
HELP ME OUT HERE... considering everything, insurance, power, drivability, looks, potential. I MEAN EVERYTHING!!!!
which should i pick. it'd be really helpful to have some other thoughts on this.
So I've had this 04 TL for about 6 months now, bought it for $$13,*** with 90,*** miles. It's bone stock, but i took the resonator out. And now I see this 02 Lexus IS300 with about 90,*** miles for $12,000, also stock.
HELP ME OUT HERE... considering everything, insurance, power, drivability, looks, potential. I MEAN EVERYTHING!!!!
which should i pick. it'd be really helpful to have some other thoughts on this.
#2
is300
Pros: tough engine, rear wheel drive, built in Japan
Cons: slow as balls, dated looking exterior and interior and bad gas mileage for a 6 cylinder
Acura tl:
Pros: sleek styling, sharp looking interior, more leg room, and Peppier engine in my opinion.
Cons: Front wheel drive, more maintenance is required
I think you would become very bored and tired with a is300 unless you Mod it, I drove both and i love my Acura i get excited every time i get it in, just my
Pros: tough engine, rear wheel drive, built in Japan
Cons: slow as balls, dated looking exterior and interior and bad gas mileage for a 6 cylinder
Acura tl:
Pros: sleek styling, sharp looking interior, more leg room, and Peppier engine in my opinion.
Cons: Front wheel drive, more maintenance is required
I think you would become very bored and tired with a is300 unless you Mod it, I drove both and i love my Acura i get excited every time i get it in, just my
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#4
The sizzle in the Steak
Stick with your TL
#6
Senior Moderator
TL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>IS300
Keep your TL.
>>>>>>>>>>IS300
Keep your TL.
#7
hey guys
So I've had this 04 TL for about 6 months now, bought it for $$13,*** with 90,*** miles. It's bone stock, but i took the resonator out. And now I see this 02 Lexus IS300 with about 90,*** miles for $12,000, also stock.
HELP ME OUT HERE... considering everything, insurance, power, drivability, looks, potential. I MEAN EVERYTHING!!!!
which should i pick. it'd be really helpful to have some other thoughts on this.
So I've had this 04 TL for about 6 months now, bought it for $$13,*** with 90,*** miles. It's bone stock, but i took the resonator out. And now I see this 02 Lexus IS300 with about 90,*** miles for $12,000, also stock.
HELP ME OUT HERE... considering everything, insurance, power, drivability, looks, potential. I MEAN EVERYTHING!!!!
which should i pick. it'd be really helpful to have some other thoughts on this.
I was in the market for a car about 2 months ago. My choices were an 05 Lexus IS300 and an 06 Acura tl, both stock and automatic. I test drove both. Here are what i like and dont like about the 2 cars.
05 IS300: i like the RWD, smooth acceleration and riding quality of the car (the ride isnt as harsh as the TL). I kinda like the exterior of the lexus but it is really outdated. Interior is alright, very cramp and no rear vents. IT HAS AS Much LUXURY AS A CIVIC.
06 TL: FWD, acceleration isnt as smooth as the IS, way harsher ride quality. Exterior is almost timeless. Tl is a very spacious car, it has rear vents and MUCH MUCH more options than the IS. And ofcourse the TL has way more power than the IS. Not sure about the power/weight ratio.
In the end, i Picked the 06 TL.
p.s the lexus i was looking at cost as much as the tl.
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#8
Disinformation Terminator
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That IS300 is an old design, and although its rear wheel drive, it has virtually no other advantages over a 2004 TL. The TL is more car, pure and simple. Keep it and mod it. It should be said that this is coming from someone who has zero allegiance to either brand. Total objectivity.
I know where you're coming from dude, I wish I could pull the trigger on different cars all the time....and I'm 40.
I know where you're coming from dude, I wish I could pull the trigger on different cars all the time....and I'm 40.
#10
10th Gear
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yea, thats what i was thinking, but everyone in class says the 2jz engine has way more potential than the engine inside of the tl. so im still unsure.
#13
The Box
That IS300 is an old design, and although its rear wheel drive, it has virtually no other advantages over a 2004 TL. The TL is more car, pure and simple. Keep it and mod it. It should be said that this is coming from someone who has zero allegiance to either brand. Total objectivity.
I know where you're coming from dude, I wish I could pull the trigger on different cars all the time....and I'm 40.
I know where you're coming from dude, I wish I could pull the trigger on different cars all the time....and I'm 40.
Working for a European high end used car store for 4 years helped out, getting a new car every 1-3 weeks....but that's been over for the last 1.5 years.
OP: The IS is fun to drive but it's smaller and gets surprisingly bad MPG for that engine. I was really surprised to see the little IS300 eat more gas than my GS400 with a V8...I'd keep the TL in this scenario.
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#14
B A N N E D
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You also have to take in account where you live, I live in the northeast where it DOES SNOW alot in the winter so I would NEVER consider a RWD car.. If i liked somewhere where it did not snow I would prob take the IS cuz you can mod it balls to the wall.
The IS has more potential if you want to build a really fast RWD car.. If you are going to keep it stock keep the TL, the TL has alot nicer and roomier interior and is more reliable.
The IS has more potential if you want to build a really fast RWD car.. If you are going to keep it stock keep the TL, the TL has alot nicer and roomier interior and is more reliable.
#16
Cruisin'
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i had an 01 IS300 for about 3 1/2 years until it was totalled last August. i loved the car, but it lacked power and new features that I wanted. i now have an 08 TL and its a night and day difference. i haven't looked back. however, i do miss RWD. gas mileage does suck, low pro tires don't last very long and lexus maintence is not cheap. although it's an older model, i still think the IS looks great. TL FTW!!
#20
The Box
You also have to take in account where you live, I live in the northeast where it DOES SNOW alot in the winter so I would NEVER consider a RWD car.. If i liked somewhere where it did not snow I would prob take the IS cuz you can mod it balls to the wall.
The IS has more potential if you want to build a really fast RWD car.. If you are going to keep it stock keep the TL, the TL has alot nicer and roomier interior and is more reliable.
The IS has more potential if you want to build a really fast RWD car.. If you are going to keep it stock keep the TL, the TL has alot nicer and roomier interior and is more reliable.
#23
Burning Brakes
In terms of potential, I'd argue the TL has plenty. The new turbo kit they developed made 400+ WHP on fairly low boost. Traction is a problem though because of FWD.
#24
Safety Car
considering you are 18, you may regret a purchase of an IS as you get older/more mature. its kinda "kid racer" and the trend setter of god for saken altezza taillights.
personally, i think that car represents an aged craze in the history of the automotive mod world - think fast and the furious 1, GT2, etc...im over the IS300. owning one would be like reliving the past, which really puts a damper on using the car on a daily basis.
personally, i think that car represents an aged craze in the history of the automotive mod world - think fast and the furious 1, GT2, etc...im over the IS300. owning one would be like reliving the past, which really puts a damper on using the car on a daily basis.
#25
Senior Moderator
Stick with the TL.
#26
I shoot people
TL
thus the username since 2001 LOL
thus the username since 2001 LOL
#27
Burning Brakes
#28
As much as it pains me to say, I'd get the IS300, turbo it done deal. TL is TOO big. I have a 04 TL, and keep wishing it was like the IS300. Oh and the build quality of the IS300 is SOLID. Did you drive both? You can tell, the TL is closer to an Accord, than the IS is to .... Seriously, the Lexus build quality is so superior its ridiculous.
#29
I drive a Subata.
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this is ridiculous.
keep your TL. mod it a little.
/thread
keep your TL. mod it a little.
/thread
#30
Senior Moderator
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As much as it pains me to say, I'd get the IS300, turbo it done deal. TL is TOO big. I have a 04 TL, and keep wishing it was like the IS300. Oh and the build quality of the IS300 is SOLID. Did you drive both? You can tell, the TL is closer to an Accord, than the IS is to ....
turbo the TL and call it a day...
#31
TL. Look at it this way: both cars are previous-generation, but the 3rd-gen TL looks BETTER than the current one (WAY better) while the 1st-gen IS just looks dated compared to the current gen.
<--- drives an 04 TL with 90k miles on it.
<--- drives an 04 TL with 90k miles on it.
#32
'10 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
My friend had an IS300 and I sat in the back seat with two other people and it wasn't that bad, then again I'm fairly thin, but I'm also 6'2".
#35
この道は毛むくじゃらのマンコだらけ..
IS300 ONLY if you do a 2JZ GTE Swap and push over 500whp, or a BEAMS 3SGE.... But if you do have to drive in the snow, you should stick with the TL.
Having owned an IS300 with Toyomoto gen1 headers, SAFC street tuned, y pipe, and a few other reg mods.... it was damn slow. My brother drove it and I got in the RL to see the results... My bone stock 01 kept up with it to about 50mph before the IS started pulling away... my RL's front bumper was at the IS' rear bumper at 60mph.
Having owned an IS300 with Toyomoto gen1 headers, SAFC street tuned, y pipe, and a few other reg mods.... it was damn slow. My brother drove it and I got in the RL to see the results... My bone stock 01 kept up with it to about 50mph before the IS started pulling away... my RL's front bumper was at the IS' rear bumper at 60mph.
#38
I drive a Subata.
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tl tl tl
#39
Off roading in his
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#40
Ultra Negro
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Is300, just because there is so much aftermarket support compared to the tl if you are looking to mod a car, I kinda wish I bought the is300 over my cl, but it was sold the day I came to pick it up.
is300 2jzge motor is a beast, headgasket is all you need and boost.
is300 2jzge motor is a beast, headgasket is all you need and boost.