I am very seriously considering purchasing a 2001-2003 IS300 (hopefully a 5-speed manual) in the next few months. I had previously wanted a used SC, but am now leaning towards the IS after test driving one.

Anyhow, I am wondering where you all purchased your mods for both performance parts, suspension mods, and aesthetic/cosmetic modifications. I am looking to modify my IS300 accordingly, and I have seen several FINE cars on this site, so this is why I am asking. I am looking for a good, reliable, dependable, and competitively priced place to purchase different types of modifications.

Any help you can give me is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

Start with the Club Lexus Vendors. They have great specials for members of CL.

 

Steve Ganz at Carson Toyota is a very reputable distributor of Lexus/Toyota parts and aftermarket parts. Try him first always...he's the some of the best prices and service available!!

 

No doubt about it. Steve Ganz for Governor.... hehe...

I got my JIC Exhaust 505S Ti from him, got it in reasonable prices. Gotta love JIC.

I'm planning to get JIC FLTA2 coil overs, and their strut tower bars....

 

You can't go wrong with my buddy Steve Ganz. He'll take care of ya from the start.

 

I went to Carson Toyota also. Great service.

P.S. I'm selling my IS in the IS300 classified section in the markeplace forum if you're interested.

 

Guess what, just got my FLTA2's ... nice product...

I put my car low to the ground, and it still ride like stock. So unbelieveable.

I heard Steve has couple of FLTA2's in stock right now. Get it while you can, it is a hot product....

Man, i think i should call JIC for sponsor pretty soon.

 

Be careful though with the JIC's. I have heard a LOT of people complaining about noise coming from those things. Keep us updated on whether or not you have any issues in the future.

 

Noisy coilover suspension on full race coils is normal.

My S14 is running the same suspension. Initially it is quiet, but in time it will start creaking.

People say coilovers tend to "shake your car apart" due to the stiffness.

I hear many complaints in and out of my shop, I constantly tell people, "Did u really expect to keep the "Lexus" ride with race suspension?" Coilvers are meant for flat roads i.e. a road course.

So YES, you will have issues with noise, guaranteed. One thing that might help, WD40.

just my thoughts...Chris

 

Well, Chris is right. If you still want your lexus ride and lexus quiteness, i don't recommend you to fix up your car at all. Even changing the wheel. Just don't do anything to it. Keep it stock.
Look at it this way, by changing the wheel itself, you will make your car noisier since you will have lower profile tire. Driving your car too hard, will make everything loose and start to make noise. So basically, don't drive your car and don't do anything to it. No offense to you though Turbo WXman, i just hated when people complaining about small stuff from what they get by changing their car setup from street car to race car.

I think we need to ask Michael Schumacer if he has any complaint about his F1 Car's ride quality. I bet it is noisier and has stiffer suspension than what we do here. I bet you he is laughing our asses by complaining about this small things.

Anyway, for whoever still wants to fix up their cars, go to Steve Ganz at carson toyota. (he is giving me more discount by calling his name in the forum.. hehe... )

 

I am sorry but I just don't agree with some of your statements. I have Zeal Function B6 on my car and there is zero noise. It is as quiet as the stock suspension was. Granted Zeal are very expensive, but you get what you pay for.

 

No need to be apologetic, this is, after all, an open forum.

Yes Zeal suspension is excellent. I commend you on your choice of quality.

Although I have only been in an S14 with Zeal B6's, I must say it did creak ever so slightly.

The IS stuff may be different. In any case...in general...the cars that i have been in with full coil setups were quite noisy. It may have been the dampening setting. I must keep my dampening stiff in order to prevent rubbing of my wheels with the fenders. I run 18x9.5 +19, so it sticks out ever so slightly.

Is your dampening set to it's softest setting?

That could make a nite/day difference. Our 350Z and GS400 are on JIC's and yes...there is MUCH LESS noise than my car. They are all set very soft.

Again...my thoughts!
Chris

 

What's up Chris, it's Rishie from AutoRnD. How's it chillin? hehe.

With regards to the Endless vs. JIC thing, one of the main reasons the Zeals might be quieter is because they use a bushing in the uppermount. Something I did not see on the JIC's for the IS we had received. Might double check that.

Right there you will save gobs on road noise as well as the infamous creaks.

Peace, Rishie

The JIC's are good, it's just that their warranty sucks big time. Something they really need to change and catch up with all the other companies that offer a 1 year limited warranty.

Zeal/Endless 1 year warranty, great service, speak English very fluenty. No problems in communication. A genuine desire to please their clients. This is why I've sold my JIC's from my FC3S and will be receiving Zeal's next week. In fact the majority of my friends are selling their JIC's cause we're frankly kinda fedup.

The product is great, it's the management I guess. Like warranty, service, not getting stuff when promised. Things like that. Oh and we were a huge distributor for them. They were a big part of our business, but not worth going down with their captain ya know.

 

My friend Dave has an IS and offers parts:

www.tunedparts.com

SUPERB CUSTOMER SERVICE. Always available day or night. Dave always has his AIM on or provides his cell number if you have any questions. I know he's got some Hotchkis bars in stock and some other stuff. Oh ya, i think he's got some ZEal B6's also.

PEace, Rishie

 

I can get most J-spec parts from overseas....