Getting a 1IS
Getting a 1IS
Hey everyone. I've been a member of CL for quite some time now (about a year), and has been primarily active in the SC300 section. My 92 SC300 was my first car, and though its been a great vehicle, i think its time for a change. For my next vehicle, i want an IS300(obviously lol 
)....one of the reasons why i want one is well besides it being a beautiful car, its not AS common as the 2IS here in SoCal. So, long story short..i have a couple of questions:
1. What are some common problems the IS300 have? (2001 - 2005)
2. Is manual necassrily better than automatic? (Since i would like my second car to be a manual, but wouldnt want to wait too long for a nice IS300 manual to come around)
I know i have more questions but, those 2 were the main ones i can think of as of now lol. Any feedback is welcomed. Thanks in advance
)....one of the reasons why i want one is well besides it being a beautiful car, its not AS common as the 2IS here in SoCal. So, long story short..i have a couple of questions:1. What are some common problems the IS300 have? (2001 - 2005)
2. Is manual necassrily better than automatic? (Since i would like my second car to be a manual, but wouldnt want to wait too long for a nice IS300 manual to come around)
I know i have more questions but, those 2 were the main ones i can think of as of now lol. Any feedback is welcomed. Thanks in advance
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
We definitely have (lots) of threads about this stuff but I'll give you the shortened version ... you might want to look down through the threads to see what we complain about.
1. the CD stacker (seriously, that's the only consistant one that almost everyone faces)
1a. if you're getting a higher milage one makes sure the 90k service is done, it's a biggie
2. I think that depends on you, I personally have an auto but I also didn't shop for my IS; if I'd shopped for it I probably would have bought the manual (more fun, I think)
1. the CD stacker (seriously, that's the only consistant one that almost everyone faces)
1a. if you're getting a higher milage one makes sure the 90k service is done, it's a biggie
2. I think that depends on you, I personally have an auto but I also didn't shop for my IS; if I'd shopped for it I probably would have bought the manual (more fun, I think)
the cd changer deal i guess it depends on the car. mine gave me some trouble but it was due to the previous owner loading in a extra cd in the cd changer. once apart i was good to go.
go for a 2002+ the armrest is worth the extra year.
shop for the exact color combo you want
decide if you want manual or auto. dont forget you do have the button shift option in M mode. you also have other shifting options if you want the auto.
also when you do buy one take it to a mechanic with a lift and have them check the ball joints. I know a couple people who had a fun hwy ride when theirs gave out.
dont expect the room of the sc. the is300 is a smaller car. im 6'1" and wish i had 2-3" more leg room.
good luck.
go for a 2002+ the armrest is worth the extra year.
shop for the exact color combo you want
decide if you want manual or auto. dont forget you do have the button shift option in M mode. you also have other shifting options if you want the auto.
also when you do buy one take it to a mechanic with a lift and have them check the ball joints. I know a couple people who had a fun hwy ride when theirs gave out.
dont expect the room of the sc. the is300 is a smaller car. im 6'1" and wish i had 2-3" more leg room.
good luck.
the cd changer deal i guess it depends on the car. mine gave me some trouble but it was due to the previous owner loading in a extra cd in the cd changer. once apart i was good to go.
go for a 2002+ the armrest is worth the extra year.
shop for the exact color combo you want
decide if you want manual or auto. dont forget you do have the button shift option in M mode. you also have other shifting options if you want the auto.
also when you do buy one take it to a mechanic with a lift and have them check the ball joints. I know a couple people who had a fun hwy ride when theirs gave out.
dont expect the room of the sc. the is300 is a smaller car. im 6'1" and wish i had 2-3" more leg room.
good luck.
go for a 2002+ the armrest is worth the extra year.
shop for the exact color combo you want
decide if you want manual or auto. dont forget you do have the button shift option in M mode. you also have other shifting options if you want the auto.
also when you do buy one take it to a mechanic with a lift and have them check the ball joints. I know a couple people who had a fun hwy ride when theirs gave out.
dont expect the room of the sc. the is300 is a smaller car. im 6'1" and wish i had 2-3" more leg room.
good luck.
3rdelement, thanks man!
Great info. I actually test drove a really nice, lightly modded 2001 IS300 yesterday....and i immediately felt the difference between the IS300 and SC300 in the interior space, even though its not TOO much different. I actually prefer the IS's interior space, but then again im not 6'1" 
(5'10" ftl 
lol). But the things that kinda steered me away from the car were:-the mileage (130k)
-Price, $10,900 (i felt that was TOOOO high for the amount of mileage the car had)
..but I've learned to be patient with my car search and the right one will come, so I'll do that.
definately wait for "your" car.
i had to go 16hrs to find the exact one i wanted.
and im glad that i waited. just as a comparison. i bought my 02 with lsd. black leather interior and it had everthing i wanted but nav. cost me 14,900 out the door with 81,500 miles. i feel i paid more than i should but it was the exact car i wanted so i didnt mind.
i had to go 16hrs to find the exact one i wanted.
and im glad that i waited. just as a comparison. i bought my 02 with lsd. black leather interior and it had everthing i wanted but nav. cost me 14,900 out the door with 81,500 miles. i feel i paid more than i should but it was the exact car i wanted so i didnt mind.
definately wait for "your" car.
i had to go 16hrs to find the exact one i wanted.
and im glad that i waited. just as a comparison. i bought my 02 with lsd. black leather interior and it had everthing i wanted but nav. cost me 14,900 out the door with 81,500 miles. i feel i paid more than i should but it was the exact car i wanted so i didnt mind.
i had to go 16hrs to find the exact one i wanted.
and im glad that i waited. just as a comparison. i bought my 02 with lsd. black leather interior and it had everthing i wanted but nav. cost me 14,900 out the door with 81,500 miles. i feel i paid more than i should but it was the exact car i wanted so i didnt mind.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 0
From: FL
As others have said, there are plenty of IS300's out there get the one with the transmission, color and options you really want. Shame you can't also keep the SC, but the more I research about SC's, you really want the later model ones. When I get a SC ( still keeping the IS300) it will be a 97+ Sc300, ready for turbo, or a 98+ SC400 for lite mods.
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As others have said, there are plenty of IS300's out there get the one with the transmission, color and options you really want. Shame you can't also keep the SC, but the more I research about SC's, you really want the later model ones. When I get a SC ( still keeping the IS300) it will be a 97+ Sc300, ready for turbo, or a 98+ SC400 for lite mods.
Last edited by P Weezy; Apr 17, 2009 at 09:54 AM.
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