You can buy almost anything from all over the planet on eBay. Toys from Canada, clothing from Italy, books from Australia – it’s there. That’s why I was surprised to learn that the V8-powered 2001 Lexus IS300 you see here belongs to a member of the Club Lexus forums, nickt93. What a small world. (It used to belong to yet another Club Lexus poster, ATSMATT.)Now it can be yours for $22,000.
This hopped-up hybrid has the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 from a C6 Corvette under its hood. That’s paired with such goodies as headers, the intake manifold from a 2010 ‘Vette, LS7 roller lifters, a 92-mm throttle body, and a cold air intake.
Since being inserted, the engine has covered fewer than 15,000 miles. A T56 6-speed manual gearbox pushes the GM power plant’s output through a limited-slip differential and a 3.73 rear end. Horsepower at the rear 18″x9″ wheels, which are wrapped in new rubber, is estimated to be 410-420. Coilovers, front and rear sway bars, traction bars, and other upgraded suspension components keep the IS from getting squirrely.
According to nickt93, the interior features a “5 channel amp [that] pushes a ton of power through the 10” subwoofer and speakers. Additionally the head unit has a ton of features: it plays DVDs, has a touch screen, includes iPhone lightning cable hookup in center console (can be modified to fit Android or other devices with a different USB cable), integrates Pandora, has an SD slot for music/media, and more.”
nickt93 has been conscientious enough to disclose that the paint could be in better shape and that the tranny sometimes pops out of reverse. To get the full rundown of his Japanese four-door with American firepower, hit the forum link below.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.
