00LexusGS3

What's up guys,

Some of you may know me as I used to be on here everyday, but only in the 2GS section. I gave that ride up already and been using a Honda Prelude as a daily. I enjoy the prelude but really miss the luxury in a Lexus. I'm not wanting to go back into a 2GS as I already owned one before, so I'm looking for a clean 5 speed manual IS300. Once I sell the prelude, I want to pick up a '02 IS300 black/black, 5 speed manual transmission, and looks as if it's lowered. Exterior looks nice, but I've only seen pictures. It's in Akron, OH, which is four hours away from me so I don't want to just take the weekend off work to go look at it. I need to sell the prelude first in order to make a down payment on it. Interior still looks nice, but the radio unit is swapped for some kind of touchscreen unit that just looks like crap. If given the chance, I'd rather just have the stock stereo. I did notice in the pictures though that the check engine is on so that kind of worries me a bit. I know it may be something small, but I'm just looking for something that I won't have any problems with as I already had to drop a new engine in the prelude as maintenance wasn't kept up to date with the car from the previous owner. Back to the IS300, their asking $8.9k with 101k, which doesn't seem to bad compared to other IS's online. What do you guys think? I'm familiar with the 2JZ so not too much to worry about there, but how about other cosmetic things. When I do purchase an IS300, it will get a GTE swap in the future

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1

I hope the link works. Anyways, please give me some feedback guys, I want to get back into another Lexus and out of the Honda scene,

jadu

iTrader: (42)

IMO 5 speeds sell fairly quick and its prolly worth looking at if that's the closest one around. 4 hours is a manageable drive. Either that or you'll be flying out to purchase an IS300. If GTE is in the near future, just get an autobox, and get a manual trans when the GTE comes in.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Agree with jadu... the only benefit to getting a manual car to start is that the pedal is already there... the stock manual transmission will not handle very much power and will be a required replace for any serious power adders, especially a turbo'd motor...

also, no reason to swap in a GTE, just build the factory motor - it is light years easier, IMO...

as far as the check engine light, buy yourself a bluetooth code reader for cheap (less than $20), find out the code... some can require big repair dollars, some are very inexpensive... best to check first...

TC2jz419

If its a cat code for the is300 I would recommend you putting on whatever exhaust you like and get an O2 simulator. Best thing I ever did to my car besides the LS400 brake swap :-)