So my 2001 is300 has a blown head gasket. I bought a 2012 is250 f-sport as a replacement but it’s not the same. The is300 was fun to drive. I bought it at 156,000 miles and even at that stage it was exciting. I loved to drive the car every day. The car was quick and peppy unlike the is250. The constant downshifting on the is250 when you give it gas is frustrating. The v6 engine on the is250 is slow as molasses. I should have done more research before buying it but that ship has sailed.

So if I have to buy another to get the same excitement back, what car is comparable? Not an ISF, I don’t need a V8 as a daily driver. Any ideas on what car gives a similar feeling? And fixing up the is300 isn’t really an option. The body is rusting out and it has 192,000 now so its not really worth it.

 

the IS350 has more pickup if you're willing to trade it in for that. the IS250 should suffice for now. recoup what you can for the IS300 or shop around for repair.

 

 

I have a 2014 is350 and i bought a 2004 is300 like 6 months ago. The 350 is cool has power you can also change the drive you can put it on Eco mode push a **** goes to normal turn same **** goes sport turn **** once more and you get sport plus. It has get up and go on those settings for sure. Believe it or not i enjoy the 04 is300 more. The seats are more comfy and the ride is smooth. I just installed coilovers put a new audio system with satelite radio and decided im giving the is350 to my daughter when she starts driving in a year. My wife has a 2015 rx350 which i decided to park for a bit and have been letting my wife drive the is350 she likes it. Ive been trying to figure out what to get next im torn between a GSF or being more of a family man and buying like a big SUV or maybe a diesel truck. But for now i love the 04 is300. It only has 134k miles i dont plan on ever getting rid of it.