SnidleyTL

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.

jbacura

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

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Unless you REALLY want a RWD vehicle, I'd say to stick with the TL.

Also, passenger room in the IS is much smaller than the TL.

Moog-Type-S

Stick with your TL

Shift_Acura

Tl > is300

neuronbob

TL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>IS300

Keep your TL.

stock to the bone

Hello Snidley.
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 I kinda like the exterior of the lexus but it is really outdated.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.

TheMirror

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.

dallison

tl

SnidleyTL

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.

shooter

Only if you're into modding, then TL has more to offer than IS, stock vs. stock ...

SnidleyTL

yea, ive looked into the superchargers for the tl... too expensive.

and yes the is300 is practically a blank canvas, just begging for mods.

vas25tl

You mean it won't stop as I get older? I'm about to hit 25 and I swear every 6 months I get this bug inside of me that needs a different car.

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.

StonedCL

iTrader: (1)

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.

JediMindTricks

tl

SeekDPR

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!!

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

Tl

TheMirror

Afraid not. My pops is in his 70's and he still has the bug.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

unless you plan on swapping a GTE or turbo'in the GE, you will get bored with the IS... also the TL is roomier and more perks... can you say bluetooth?

vas25tl

There are snow tires. Plenty of people drive RWD cars in snow.

SnidleyTL

minor switch up, its now a 03 is300 with 65000 miles on it...???

and i just turned 18, i think the tl is a bit too sophisticated for me.???

Trendzero

iTrader: (1)

TL for sure. I've owned Mercedes, Lexus, domestic cars and recently got my TL and love it!

knavinusa

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.

ThermonMermon

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.

Yumcha

Stick with the TL.

is300eater

TL

thus the username since 2001 LOL

Shift_Acura

Jus cuz ur 18 doesnt mean u should buy an uglier, outdated car

TLinWC

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.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

this is ridiculous.

keep your TL. mod it a little.

/thread

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

what? a Camry? or maybe a Corolla since the backseat barely is comfortable enough for a teenager?

turbo the TL and call it a day...

elessar

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.

Eoanou

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".

(Cj)

IS300 /endthread

Black Tire

Tl

onebadna1nsx

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.

t0MMy

tl ftw

charliemike

TL is a better car. The 04 was the first year of that car and assumedly had all the latest engineering updates from that platform.

The IS was several years old at that point.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

tl tl tl

ZhenyaF

iTrader: (6)

04 was the first year and some owners has experienced transmission problems carried over from the previous years. It isn't as wide spread as 2G TL, but nevertheless it may be a problem. It wasn't until 06 MY that the problems were completely solved. Knowing this, I would still suggest the TL, the IS is too small and underpowered

OperationDarkie

iTrader: (1)

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.