Opinions on Lexus IS300?

[The BMW Guy]

I might trade my BMW + about $4000 for a 2001 Lexus is300.
I've been doing some research but also wanted some opinions.

So, what're your guy's opinions on the Lexus is300?
Good car? Bad car?

For those of you who own one, any problems/complaints?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Neil4Speed]

What kind of "bimmer" do you currently own?

[The BMW Guy]

Originally posted by Neil4Speed
What kind of "bimmer" do you currently own?

Ah, forgot to add that.
Its a 1999 323i (E46) sedan, but its nearly got 275xxx KMs
The Lexus has about 175xxx KMs.

The interior isn't as good as the BMW, but it does have less miles.
I'm just not sure if adding $4000 to the deal would be good on my end?

Everything in the BMW runs fine, I just always wanted an is300 ever since I saw one. I'm still researching though, not sure if i should go through or not.

[atgilchrist]

That seems like a large price premium, considering the IS300 still has relatively high mileage.

[B4tMan]

keep the BMW ...

[slinkie]

looks gross

[Weapon_R]

Glorified civic.

[Kardon]

Glorified Civic? Are you serious?? Is300 is an amazing car I'd do it, 2jz power+reliabilty. those cars are seriously overbuilt, its a great car. :hitit:

[cjmr34]

A high km BMW is still better than a lower mileage Lexus!

[Redlyne_mr2]

My 02 IS300 was one of the best cars I've ever owned. 5 speed with LSD, so much fun to drive. Car handled so well and was nice quiet and comfortable when you wanted it to be.

[mr2mike]

Like you, I've loved these cars since I saw one. Just picked one up. The '01 only comes as an automatic.
I've got a race-built automatic in mine so I can't really say what a stock auto is like. But driving it back 2,000 miles I got to know the car.
My only complaints were the straight pipe exhaust the PO had on it after 8hrs got annoying.
Could use some more power IMO but I'm willing to sacrafice to have my daily driver/winter car have the well known reliabilty of +300,000kms

From my research, Winter driving you need winter tires all around.

[atgilchrist]

Originally posted by mr2mike


From my research, Winter driving you need winter tires all around.

That's true for any car.

[mr2mike]

Depends. Some people like to try and all-season it around here.
Every car in my family has winter/summer tires. But I was just saying all-season tires makes these cars nearly impossible to drive in the winter from what I read. Snow mode or trac control mode doesn't make a difference.

[Team_Mclaren]

the car looks nice on the outside, the interior is pretty shitty imo. Its damn slow as well, i never understand whats so great about the old is300.

I dont know how much your BMW is worth, but adding 4k on top for an is300 doesnt seem logical to me...

[JAYMEZ]

I loved driving my friends IS300 , I say go for it.

[rc2002]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren
the car looks nice on the outside, the interior is pretty shitty imo. Its damn slow as well, i never understand whats so great about the old is300.


I thought the interior was just ok - the gauge cluster was pretty nice though. For the exterior, the taillights used to be really cool looking. As for the rest of the styling, it looks too much like a Hyundai - especially the front end.

The IS300 is pretty damn slow. But the 170hp 2.5L in the BMW 323 won't be much better. Even so, switching from a 323 to an IS300 will result in a worse driving experience. The ride quality in the IS300 is unlike any other Lexus I've been in - more harsh and loud than you'd expect.

Definitely not worth the $4k to upgrade.

[n1zm0]

^ but who came up with the 'hyundai front end look' first? hyundai or yota? lol

i wouldnt pay the extra 4k, but i like is300s personally and almost bought one a while back with big plans like R154 tranny and VVti 2jz swap, you couldn't go wrong with that, however i never budgeted a project like that out, from what i've seen, supra 2jz aftermarket material is quite pricey.

Also think about how your beamer has treated you for maintenance costs, i'm not sure about problems with the IS but from the few friends that own older model BMWs, it's not exactly the cheapest in that department.

[brown_guy]

Originally posted by atgilchrist


That's true for any car.

I Love my IS300 and yes get the winter tires it's great with the traction control that the car has Plus you got snow mode.

[daatguy]

is300 speedometer :hitit:

http://www.canadianautoreview.com/is300-gauges-high.jpg