Me and my girl are getting her anew car in the next 2 weeks. She's stuck on the IS300.

We test drove one, I liked it but I'm not completely sold on it. I'm wondering if you guys could give me some PROS and CONS.

Also is there a major redisign coming soon? How does the car handle mods? How strong is the e-Shift?

Well if we do get one we'll most likely get a Black Sport design, so maybe I'll be posting some pics soon.

Thanks guys.

 

If this is her car and she likes it then get the IS300

The IS300 is the best handling car in the Lexus lineup. There are lots of aftermarket parts for the IS300. However few more hourses under hood would help. IS300 is compact so there is less space compared to ES and GS.

 

its a great car and definitely worth the money.........you will like it more when you drive it more.......

as for mods- endless possibilities
handling- great, but even better with sways, struts, etc.

as for getting black- hope you know how to clean because its easy to show up the swirl marks....be careful

 

JT, a friend has a 2-year old IS for sale since she's getting a company car. She lives near San Jose area. If interested, please provide your e-mail address.

 

Well let's see my 2 cents.

Awesome handling as stated above, horses could be more yes but that feeling (in my case)didnt really come until after I had the car and I really got in to the need for speed. But there are so many minor things you could do to help add some horse power or major things you could do to add some major horse power. Besides it is a I6 (better IMO)as apposed to the new redesign that will be just a regular V6 which wont really get the power that the I6 will. The ride quality for this car is phenominal for the size and sportyness of it. You get more for your money IMO like 17in wheels, leather, HID headlights, power everything, sunroof spoiler if you want, foglights, 6disk cd changer, e-shift auto or manual. And all for around 32-33 add navi and you are looking at around 35 try getting all that in a BMW or a Merc. and see how much that thing gets. Plus the styling of this car is so different because it is a newer model. Not to mention there aren't too many of these on the road (well at least where i'm from) so it makes you stand out. Well good luck car shopping and I would do more research on the IS before you wrote it off. I hope I helped in some way.

 

Thanks you for the heads-up but we're looking for a new car (bad experiences with used)

 

As for mods, how does this engine respond to modifications? Besides boosting, I don't think anything really gives my S2000 anymore power. Somethng that really bothers me.

Does anyone make a chip for the IS300?

Also, Does the IS300 use the same engine that is in the RX300 and ES300?

I haven't done much research on the car so thats why I've come here.

Thanks again

 

yea there is a race ECU made for the IS........your best bet is the SRT intake with race ECU if you do not want to boost........you can put headers, intake and exhaust and SAFC if you want more HP without boosting....with those, you will get more than your s2k....

 

IS300 doesn't use the same engine as RX300 and ES300.
IS300 uese an in-line 6 and ES & RX use a V6.

IS300 information at Lexus.com:

3.0-liter, twin-cam, 24-valve in-line 6 engine. Certified Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV)1
215 hp @ 5,800 rpm, 218 lb-ft torque @ 3,800 rpm
Continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
0 to 60 in 7.3 seconds2
Top track speed: 143.7 mph2
Aerodynamic drag coefficient: 0.29
Five-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i)
E-shift, with controls on steering wheel
Overdrive fifth gear, engine/transmission networking, flex-lockup torque converter

 

IS300 uses the same I-6 as the GS300, the old SC300, and the non-turbo Supra.

 

IMHO - best looking, most luxurious compact vehicle you'll find for under 32K

 

people may rave about the the bmw over the lexus and heres the straight up truth -
yes, the bimmer is more expensive (330i). it has some better quality things (i prefer the setup of the window controls of the bimmer. but, the 330 is anywhere from 5-10k more expensive than the is300. the gps on all lexus's is far more superior than any other gps ive ever dealt with, and i've worked with my dad's on the newest rangerover, a s55 amg, and several of my friends bimmers. touch screen rules. also, thats alot of money to save. people also say the 330 outhandles the is. stock, yes, and stock, it is faster than the is. but not by much. if you look more closely, they always compare the 330i manual transmision to the is300 eshift, a difference of nearly a second. with my exhaust and my intake (RMM) on my manual is (bout 600 $ in mods) i can kick any new 330's butt (stock that is. im using the price comparision in difference in cash). also, ive got around 1200-1500 in my suspesion, exluding wheels/tires. i outhandle 330's without trying, and trd claims that i outhandle an m3, but i wont claim that yet. so heres how i look at it - both are nice cars, but with the extra money saved on the lexus, you can make it look better, handle better, and accelerate better than any 330. not to mention that lexus's dont die easily. much less service required...

just my 2 cents on the bmw vs lexus....

but here's probably the most convincing evidence for my friends of why the should get an IS -

my parents said i could get a new car for gaduation cause the could get an amazing trade in for my IS. they said i could go 330i, g35 coupe, 350z, most anything in a similar price range (i had a 2001 is300). i said i wanted an o3' manual is300. i liked it better than all that stuff, and i have faith in lexus. not to mention i like the styling the best .

 

well said well said!!!!!!!!!

 

Don't get the IS300. You'll end up getting the "Fun Factor Syndrome", and end up spending all your time driving it all over the place. You'll also end up spending any extra $$ you can spare for mods., and finally you'll end up getting "Road King Syndrome", where you'll feel you're on top of the world after all the mods you put on your IS. Is that what you want? If so, go for it, cause I don't regret one bit of what my IS300 gives in terms of "Fun Factor".