I just drove a new 2002 5 speed (I never drove one of the automatics). The car is very quiet but you can hear the motor when you really put your foot in it. Pedals are OK for heel-toe but I do it backwards with my heel on the brake. Shifter is a little tall but shifts pretty smoothy; maybe not up to the smoothness of my GSR or my old Miata.

The suspension is comfy over highway expansion joints but plenty stiff in the corners. Didn't do any real crazy driving but it definitely turns in nicely and is more planted than my GSR with stock springs/shocks.

The car turns about 3200 rpm at 80 mph for those who care. While I complained previously that the car was underpowered compared to others, it does have a nice broad torque curve which is good for cut-and-thrust driving in traffic. It was hard to gauge how fast it was because it was so disarmingly quiet. It feels small and light.

Seems like a nice balance between luxury and sport. I will definitely think long and hard about a purchase in the near future.

 

I forgot: clutch uptake was very nice and clean, and it engages fairly close to the floor.

Base price was $29,400; I think that is a little cheaper than the automatic

 

Yes, here in california I saw an IS300, 5spd, nav, full leather, at $35,900. Auto was $1,000 more.

 

what do you think the 0-60 is now with the 5-speed?

 

Like I said, I didn't beat on the car but I think car mag testers will be around 7.0 give or take a little. Add some mods and it should sneak into the sixes.

 

Are you sure about the 80MPH at 3200RPM?

I just got finished with a test drive and fifth gear had me at 2000 RPM for 40MPH.

I would have liked to have been at a higher speed but it the car was right of the truck and it didn't even have plates on it.

I am going to start my own thread on this experience.

-Mr. Wigggles

 

6.8 is the 0-60.

 

4000 rpm in fifth was about 85 to 90 mph if memory serves. My GSR is 4000 rpm at 80 mph and the IS3 was definitely less than that. The gauge is not real precise; could have been 3300 or 3400.

 

Can we get a confirmation concerning the engine speed of the manual at a certain speed? My 2001 auto is spinning about 2000RPM at 45MPH. I can't imagine the manual being a higher RPM. I think it is too high now for an overdrive gear. And the EPA highway mileage is up to 25 from 23 for 2002. Go figure

 

I agree; my GSR can sneak into 5th at about 2000 rpm/40 mph. The IS3 has to be geared taller than that.

 

Marke1,

Until Road and Track or whoever posts official numbers, I'll eat my hat if the IS300 does more than 22MPH/1000RPM in 5th gear because it appeared to be about 20MPH/1000RPM when I did my test drive. I had to make sure that I wasn't in 3rd gear when I was driving.

Trust me when I say I would LOVE to be wrong on this one.

Also keep in mind that the IS300 is so smooth that 4000 RPM is O.K. for it. However, I do alot of driving at 90+ MPH cruising and 4500RPM+ would get old pretty quickly.

You have a Lexus dealership in your backyard. Take a test drive.

-Mr. Wigggles

 

Alright, I have to eat a little piece of crow.

I did another test drive and the RPMs were 2200 at 50MPH which is 22.7 MPH/1000 RPM.

Still not wonderful but a lot better than 20.

-Mr. Wigggles