Haden7

I am going to look at a 2001 IS300. It's an automatic, 3.0, the kicker is it has 170k miles. I have been looking at cars for days and it seems everything in the $5000 range has transmission issues, including nissans, mazdas, everything. It's like every model I want has huge tranny issues. Somehow I stumbled on the IS300 and it looks to be a great car, but I'm finding a lack of info on what I believe is the A650E that is in this car (I think thats what a 2001 3.0 is supposed to have in it anyways). A lot of forums are saying mileage on these cars isnt an issue. The owner has ran nothing but premium fuel and has done all the regular maintenance. I understand the timing belt is an issue on these, needing replaced every 100k, what does that cost if you do it yourself? Is there anything else I should look out for? I don't plan on modding it, I will leave it bone stock. So really just looking for info on this 170k mile tranny and if I should be worried.
Thanks guys

sameer24

If you look around you will find better deal on is300 automatics. 175k is nothing on these engines. Personally I had same motor my gs300 up till 285k before it got in a wreck. Now I have 2002 is300 with 220k. As long as the engine is maintained, you shouldn't have any issue. Transmission is also pretty bulletproof and use only Toyota type iv fluid in it every 30k or whenever you change it out. Overall excellent car for money.