Any Year "Better" Than Others?
06-01-15, 08:51 AM
#1
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Any Year "Better" Than Others?
I know "all " about LS400 and LS430's but I am ignorant concerning IS's. In my research I was able to figure out the "better" years to purchase an LS. I don't have a clue about IS300's other than my daughter has a '01 and it is apparently the same engine as is in my wife's '00 GS300.
What I am looking for is from your experience, are their certain years that are more bulletproof than others? Are there years where some fantastic changes were made. I can spend up to $14K. I did the wikipedia thing trying to follow the changes in the IS over the years. Man, this car seems to have so many options as compared to my LS's. In line 4, in line 6, v-6, 5 speed AT, 6 speed AT, etc.
Can you steer me to a few years to look into?
What I am looking for is from your experience, are their certain years that are more bulletproof than others? Are there years where some fantastic changes were made. I can spend up to $14K. I did the wikipedia thing trying to follow the changes in the IS over the years. Man, this car seems to have so many options as compared to my LS's. In line 4, in line 6, v-6, 5 speed AT, 6 speed AT, etc.
Can you steer me to a few years to look into?
Last edited by gebo; 06-01-15 at 09:49 AM.
06-01-15, 10:48 AM
#2
I don't remember all those options! if I'm not mistaken all of US market is300 have the 2JZ inline 6 w/ vvti motors. within the years they were released, the only variations were certain exterior colors that were available for certain years, variations in interiors and then the 5 speed manual transmission was available with 2002+ models; also sports cross model introduced in 2002. there was also the L-tuned and sports design that exterior differences (different kits, fog lamps, suspension and/or rims). so it just comes down to looks and color. finding a stick is pretty difficult to find as well.
06-01-15, 10:57 AM
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Oops, you are correct. I was just researching IS's in general. Do you think the 300's are better than the 250's? Has the inline 6 been more reliable than the V6?
06-01-15, 12:15 PM
#4
the 2JZ is one of Toyotas best engines...EVER! the first gen only came in 3.0 inline 6. the second gen went to the 2.5L and 3.5L engs and are still being used in the third gen. I traded my 03 is300 and it had 276+k miles on it and it was still running well. did the major services every 75k and changed the timing belt and water pump at 100k. I'm not familiar w/ the 2.5L from the 2nd and 3rd gen. I have the 3rd gen is350 and am still learning about it. but it shows that Toyota does really well when it comes to reliability when it comes to their motors.
06-01-15, 05:38 PM
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the 2JZ is one of Toyotas best engines...EVER! the first gen only came in 3.0 inline 6. the second gen went to the 2.5L and 3.5L engs and are still being used in the third gen. I traded my 03 is300 and it had 276+k miles on it and it was still running well. did the major services every 75k and changed the timing belt and water pump at 100k. I'm not familiar w/ the 2.5L from the 2nd and 3rd gen. I have the 3rd gen is350 and am still learning about it. but it shows that Toyota does really well when it comes to reliability when it comes to their motors.
I did not know the inline 6 was such a great engine. Thanks for helping steer me in the right direction.
06-01-15, 06:15 PM
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When i was on the hunt for is300 i was specifically looking for a 2001. 2001 was the only year that did not have a dash problem that they call "sticky dash" the dash material actually starts to melt and becomes very and sticky and creates a huge mess. 2001 was the only year that did not have this issue.
06-01-15, 07:10 PM
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2001 - 2005 IS300 Definite changes list
This might help you out for the 1st gen IS, personally I think the 04-05 are the best years just because of all the minor revisions they made. However 02-05 IS300s do suffer from the melting dash problem. The 01 doesn't have the dash problem but lacks all the new revisions such as the newer style cupholder and armrest. Also the ECU is different from the 02-05 if you plan to modify it.
For the 2nd gen IS, the IS250 suffers from carbon buildup, the IS350 doesn't. The 06-07 IS has some problems that were fixed in the 08 model, I forgot the specifics but that's what I remember reading about a few years back when my sister was looking for a car. The IS started having those daytime LEDs in 2011, but it eliminates the AFS headlight feature found in the earlier models. Most of the changes on the IS250/350 are just cosmetic, even for the carbon buildup problem Lexus already issued a recall. We received a letter which is basically a free ticket for a new engine if the 3GR-FSE in my sister's car ever goes bad. Of course you could always solve this problem yourself by adding a catch can.
This might help you out for the 1st gen IS, personally I think the 04-05 are the best years just because of all the minor revisions they made. However 02-05 IS300s do suffer from the melting dash problem. The 01 doesn't have the dash problem but lacks all the new revisions such as the newer style cupholder and armrest. Also the ECU is different from the 02-05 if you plan to modify it.
For the 2nd gen IS, the IS250 suffers from carbon buildup, the IS350 doesn't. The 06-07 IS has some problems that were fixed in the 08 model, I forgot the specifics but that's what I remember reading about a few years back when my sister was looking for a car. The IS started having those daytime LEDs in 2011, but it eliminates the AFS headlight feature found in the earlier models. Most of the changes on the IS250/350 are just cosmetic, even for the carbon buildup problem Lexus already issued a recall. We received a letter which is basically a free ticket for a new engine if the 3GR-FSE in my sister's car ever goes bad. Of course you could always solve this problem yourself by adding a catch can.
Last edited by blkaltezza; 06-01-15 at 07:18 PM.
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06-02-15, 02:40 AM
#8
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2001 - 2005 IS300 Definite changes list
This might help you out for the 1st gen IS, personally I think the 04-05 are the best years just because of all the minor revisions they made. However 02-05 IS300s do suffer from the melting dash problem. The 01 doesn't have the dash problem but lacks all the new revisions such as the newer style cupholder and armrest. Also the ECU is different from the 02-05 if you plan to modify it.
For the 2nd gen IS, the IS250 suffers from carbon buildup, the IS350 doesn't. The 06-07 IS has some problems that were fixed in the 08 model, I forgot the specifics but that's what I remember reading about a few years back when my sister was looking for a car. The IS started having those daytime LEDs in 2011, but it eliminates the AFS headlight feature found in the earlier models. Most of the changes on the IS250/350 are just cosmetic, even for the carbon buildup problem Lexus already issued a recall. We received a letter which is basically a free ticket for a new engine if the 3GR-FSE in my sister's car ever goes bad. Of course you could always solve this problem yourself by adding a catch can.
This might help you out for the 1st gen IS, personally I think the 04-05 are the best years just because of all the minor revisions they made. However 02-05 IS300s do suffer from the melting dash problem. The 01 doesn't have the dash problem but lacks all the new revisions such as the newer style cupholder and armrest. Also the ECU is different from the 02-05 if you plan to modify it.
For the 2nd gen IS, the IS250 suffers from carbon buildup, the IS350 doesn't. The 06-07 IS has some problems that were fixed in the 08 model, I forgot the specifics but that's what I remember reading about a few years back when my sister was looking for a car. The IS started having those daytime LEDs in 2011, but it eliminates the AFS headlight feature found in the earlier models. Most of the changes on the IS250/350 are just cosmetic, even for the carbon buildup problem Lexus already issued a recall. We received a letter which is basically a free ticket for a new engine if the 3GR-FSE in my sister's car ever goes bad. Of course you could always solve this problem yourself by adding a catch can.
06-23-15, 05:58 PM
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2001 - 2005 IS300 Definite changes list
This might help you out for the 1st gen IS, personally I think the 04-05 are the best years just because of all the minor revisions they made. However 02-05 IS300s do suffer from the melting dash problem. The 01 doesn't have the dash problem but lacks all the new revisions such as the newer style cupholder and armrest. Also the ECU is different from the 02-05 if you plan to modify it.
For the 2nd gen IS, the IS250 suffers from carbon buildup, the IS350 doesn't. The 06-07 IS has some problems that were fixed in the 08 model, I forgot the specifics but that's what I remember reading about a few years back when my sister was looking for a car. The IS started having those daytime LEDs in 2011, but it eliminates the AFS headlight feature found in the earlier models. Most of the changes on the IS250/350 are just cosmetic, even for the carbon buildup problem Lexus already issued a recall. We received a letter which is basically a free ticket for a new engine if the 3GR-FSE in my sister's car ever goes bad. Of course you could always solve this problem yourself by adding a catch can.
This might help you out for the 1st gen IS, personally I think the 04-05 are the best years just because of all the minor revisions they made. However 02-05 IS300s do suffer from the melting dash problem. The 01 doesn't have the dash problem but lacks all the new revisions such as the newer style cupholder and armrest. Also the ECU is different from the 02-05 if you plan to modify it.
For the 2nd gen IS, the IS250 suffers from carbon buildup, the IS350 doesn't. The 06-07 IS has some problems that were fixed in the 08 model, I forgot the specifics but that's what I remember reading about a few years back when my sister was looking for a car. The IS started having those daytime LEDs in 2011, but it eliminates the AFS headlight feature found in the earlier models. Most of the changes on the IS250/350 are just cosmetic, even for the carbon buildup problem Lexus already issued a recall. We received a letter which is basically a free ticket for a new engine if the 3GR-FSE in my sister's car ever goes bad. Of course you could always solve this problem yourself by adding a catch can.
07-11-15, 11:46 AM
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I'd like to point out that with the manual transmission (available '02-'05), LSD was an option from 2002-04. Not sure why it wasnt available in 2005.
I think its a huge plus to have with the 5 speed!
I think its a huge plus to have with the 5 speed!
07-12-15, 10:15 AM
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I think most 5 speed owners are just happy to find a 5 speed, and if we happen to have the lsd thats a added bonus lol.
07-12-15, 01:48 PM
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Very true! I had an 01 for a couple months. Missed driving a stick so bad I went on the hunt for a good manual. Found an 03 Sport Design black manual with lsd in Texas. I'm happier than ever now. Very hard to find at a reasonable price.
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