I am in the process of looking for a good commuter car for my gf. She's not a very experienced driver, so I would like to find her a car that is both reliable and easy to handle. I think the IS300 is at the top of my list.

My question is what year is the best model to get for the IS300 in Automatic transmission? She doesn't drive stick shift which I am actually more preferred in buying. And I realize only some models and years comes with LSD. Does LSD really makes that much of a difference? Should I only look for one with LSD?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

I love my auto 04 with LSD. I like the leather door panels with my full leather and the memory seat feature. So I guess I would suggest going with an 04. Also the LSD made a diff with me in the winter time, but it isn't something I would absolutely say that you need.

 

My 02 rocks great daily.

 

You sure you want to get your gf a rwd car for the winter time?

 

my 03 is amazing lol i love it my gf drives it all the time but now i gotta get her one too lol

 

What's the big deal with LSD if you live in Cali? Does your girl live somewhere that gets a lot of bad weather? Just curious.

 

Just want to see if having LSD would be safer for her to drive. I live the Cali so the only weather condition we have to deal with is pretty much heavy rain. Thanks for the replies guys.

 

Yea i live in SoCal too... the only time i ever wished i had an LSD on my 03 is on the track. Otherwise the car has tons of grip and i prob drive much harder than your gf would ever drive. Even in rain the traction control gives you plenty of power and an easy drive (with good tires that is)

i would stay away from 01 IS300, not because they are bad or anything but Lexus did revise a few things for later years. 02+ had a few computer bugs worked out so thats what i would go with.

 

I had An 01 and it was great but based on Edmunds, 04-05 is best