I posted this before on the wrong forum so here we go again. I currently drive a 2001 ES300 which is now at almost 200k which means I gotta get a new one. I've had my eyes set on a 2002 IS300 or a 2006 IS250. I personally like the IS300 but the interior is really outdated. On the other hand I like the IS250 but I'm not sure if it's worth the extra money. Which car would you get and why? Thank you.

 

To me, the interior design is a very important aspect of the car buying process. If the interior feels cold or outdated or I'm just not comfortable in the seat for whatever reason, then it's not the car for me. So if you feel that the IS300 is too outdated looking for you, then I would go with the IS250. More modern technology, a newer design, better fuel economy, etc. Of course there are other factor as well (mileage, condition, etc) that you should also consider, but all things being relatively equal, I would go with the IS250.

 

You're right. Thanks man. The interior is the most important part of the car!

 

Those are two very different cars. I honestly prefer the is300, for looks and everything, but age has me leaning towards an IS250. Maybe is it were a 2005 IS300 and fully loaded I'd swing for the is300, but i prefer older ones, I'm not sure as to why.

 

Have you done your due diligence on the insurance cost for these two cars, given your age and driving record? From what I remembered, it was quite expensive to insure an IS300. You can't go wrong with either one but I have a profound attachment to the IS300. With the newer model, yes the interior is much nicer (I was just in one last night), but it still doesn't give you much more space.

 

Go for at least a 2007 IS250. 2006 being the first model year had more "teething" problems

 

Don't buy an IS250, get the IS350. Has almost 100 more horsepower. The 2.5 V6 has a lot of problems with carbon buildup, which in bad cases can lead to entire engine replacement. Just avoid that dog IMO, which if you drive an IS250 vs the 2JZ in the IS300, it will feel like a dog. Drive an IS350 and its a night/day difference as to how much more power you have. Its like going from a 4 cylinder Camry to a V6, or a V6 Mustang to a V8 Mustang in terms of power output.

 

I love the IS300 too except for the interior. I don't know why but I hate it. If I could have the IS300 exterior & the IS250 interior it's be the perfect car

 

I'm small anyways so space isn't a problem. As for insurance I made a few phone calls & the insurance is about the same for both cars for some reason

 

Oh right! It's a good thing that the price difference isn't too big

 

That may be true but I'm on a 12k budget.

 

Are there any other vehicles on your radar besides those two? For 12k, there are quite a few good pre-owned options out there.

 

Well those are the only ones I was looking at really. Do you have any suggestions? I don't want any BMW, MB, Audi, VW because I've heard they're expensive to maintain especially pre owned.

 

You can probably find an IS250 for 12k but with a lot of miles since they hold their value very well. A guy was selling his 06 on here a few days ago for 11k but with 180k on the odo. My choice would be really what you would like to do with the car. Do you want to mod? because is300 has FAR more potential than the is250. Do you want a reliable (a few issues here and there but what car doesnt) DD that looks awesome and have decent options? Then I would go with the IS250. In NY, you will probably find AWD's all over the place. When I got my 250, I couldn't find a decently priced RWD so i settled for the awd. Im glad i did after this winter we had tho

 

Yeah that's what I was afraid of, high milage. The same reason I'm getting rid of my es300. & I want to mod it but not too much. Just the looks of it. I'm not into racing or anything. As for the awd I have a 96 f-150 pick up that's a 4x4 so I'm not worried about that