2002 is300 questions

[ProchargeMe]

UPDATE: I bought the lexus!


So I scrapped the idea of going with the mk6 GTI, and started looking at these interesting little cars. I've been researching them for days and have learned a lot. I know about the 90k mile water pump and timing belt change, the car I'm looking at has had that. My question is, if I do decide to get this car, what else should I look for maintenance-wise? Control arms? Bushings? Etc.. the Lexus in question has 118k miles and from my understanding that is pretty low for these cars, and they run forever with proper maintenance ( it is a toyota ). Am I stupid for assuming this car will last me 3-4 years, or is that a reasonable assumption?

Car in question: http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/4127454008.html

 

[CraigRT]

I can't answer your questions because I have never owned one but I will say this.
That is one car I have always wanted. I am no Toyota fan but these cars are just excellent all around cars, good looks, good size, good reliability track record.

I can't imagine how that car could not last you a few years with regular TLC.

I'd love one myself, with a MT trans.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Am I stupid for assuming this car will last me 3-4 years, or is that a reasonable assumption?

Very reasonable. Extremely reliable cars from what I've read. I remember test driving these before buying a g35. Nice cars with excellent handling.

 

[ProchargeMe]

I can't answer your questions because I have never owned one but I will say this.
That is one car I have always wanted. I am no Toyota fan but these cars are just excellent all around cars, good looks, good size, good reliability track record.

I can't imagine how that car could not last you a few years with regular TLC.

I'd love one myself, with a MT trans.

I am by no means a toyota guy, but this car just cathes my eye and makes me want to drive it. I browsed the "my-is" forums and can't find anything negative about this car anywhere on the net. Honestly I prefer the automatic as I will not be thrashing this car too hard, and I don't want to replace a clutch in the future, I've had enough of that in the past. My commute is roughly 10 miles to and from work in nothing but stop and go traffic, and it just kills my leg and back to have to push in the clutch constantly.

 

[dbk]

Get a PPI on it. I do see some of these cars on the road. Gotta mean something right?

FWIW, my friend bought an 03 i think with 120k miles on it for $5k. It was owned by a mechanic. He sold off his s2000, though - what a shame

 

[halik]

So I scrapped the idea of going with the mk6 GTI, and started looking at these interesting little cars. I've been researching them for days and have learned a lot. I know about the 90k mile water pump and timing belt change, the car I'm looking at has had that. My question is, if I do decide to get this car, what else should I look for maintenance-wise? Control arms? Bushings? Etc.. the Lexus in question has 118k miles and from my understanding that is pretty low for these cars, and they run forever with proper maintenance ( it is a toyota ). Am I stupid for assuming this car will last me 3-4 years, or is that a reasonable assumption?

Car in question: http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/4127454008.html

$10K for a 10 year old lexus with 120K? That's absurd.

 

[ProchargeMe]

$10K for a 10 year old lexus with 120K? That's absurd.

I'm not going to pay 10k for it

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Can't speak on the IS300, but I have owned a IS250 and IS350, both fantastic cars, the IS250 went to 135k miles until I sold it, only needed basic maintenance. The IS350 is currently at 75k miles, knock on wood, no problems.

 

[smackababy]

I've only heard good things about Lexus and the IS line. I am actually probably going to get a IS350 when my lease is up.

If it wasn't driven into the ground (and just by the pictures it doesn't look to have been), it should easily last 3-4 years.

 

[XavierMace]

$10K for a 10 year old lexus with 120K? That's absurd.

They hold their value extremely well, better than the new ones I believe. I traded in my '04 (100k miles) towards the BRZ, still have the '01 project IS (212k mi) in the driveway. Any IS I see around here under like $7k has a salvage title.

I'm by no means mechanically inclined (ask JLee/exdeath) but I managed to do my timing belt/water pump in a driveway with some guidance. I found changing the oil filter to be more annoying simply because it was a PITA to reach.

MT's are much harder to find than auto's, but not impossible. I was perfectly happy with the AT on both of mine, save for not being able to put/hold the car in first. I know some people on here will disagree with that.

Does it look like he's done anything stupid with it? Shitty lowering job, ebay turbo kit, etc? Other items I would check before buying...

Since the "remote" isn't a separate piece, Lexus charges a small fortune for replacement keys. However, the key itself is just a small sliver at the bottom of that large "remote". Overtime, they have a habit of cracking into pieces.

Car has keyed lug nuts standard, I'd make sure he's got the special nut to remove them.

A few things to be aware of, if you've never been in one.

1) It is a very small (and light) sedan. While that's usually part of the appeal, it's not exactly spacious on the inside. Especially for anyone in the back seat. The second gen IS's are much larger.
2) It's not exactly a typical "Lexus" interior. Fit is typical Lexus standards, but it's not cushy like you might expect.
3) Stock head unit sucks, it was replaced in both of mine. Stock speakers are pretty decent.

 

[tweakmonkey]

My GF has a 2004 IS300, she's the original owner and it has 270,000 miles on it. I changed the radiator at about 250k, and a few suspension bushings. Other than that it's required almost no maintenance in the 10 years she's had it. Great cars...

 

[ProchargeMe]

They hold their value extremely well, better than the new ones I believe. I traded in my '04 (100k miles) towards the BRZ, still have the '01 project IS (212k mi) in the driveway. Any IS I see around here under like $7k has a salvage title.

I'm by no means mechanically inclined (ask JLee/exdeath) but I managed to do my timing belt/water pump in a driveway with some guidance. I found changing the oil filter to be more annoying simply because it was a PITA to reach.

MT's are much harder to find than auto's, but not impossible. I was perfectly happy with the AT on both of mine, save for not being able to put/hold the car in first. I know some people on here will disagree with that.

Does it look like he's done anything stupid with it? Shitty lowering job, ebay turbo kit, etc? Other items I would check before buying...

Since the "remote" isn't a separate piece, Lexus charges a small fortune for replacement keys. However, the key itself is just a small sliver at the bottom of that large "remote". Overtime, they have a habit of cracking into pieces.

Car has keyed lug nuts standard, I'd make sure he's got the special nut to remove them.

A few things to be aware of, if you've never been in one.

1) It is a very small (and light) sedan. While that's usually part of the appeal, it's not exactly spacious on the inside. Especially for anyone in the back seat. The second gen IS's are much larger.
2) It's not exactly a typical "Lexus" interior. Fit is typical Lexus standards, but it's not cushy like you might expect.
3) Stock head unit sucks, it was replaced in both of mine. Stock speakers are pretty decent.

The car looks clean and is bone stock, the Autocheck looks good, except the water pump and timing belt did not show up on it, and I wouldn't expect it to if it was a home job, but the last reported activity was at 56k miles, so I have no way of knowing what it has been through sonce then. As for it being small, that's perfect for me, im 5'10" and about 160 lbs, and no kids coming any time soon. Through my research I've discovered the remote cracking issue and also I've read and watched videos about the hard plastic dash, and that sometimes it can even start melting with enough exposure. Speakers and head unit are easily upgradable and will be in the budget if I bite.

 

[smackababy]

The car looks clean and is bone stock, the Autocheck looks good, except the water pump and timing belt did not show up on it, and I wouldn't expect it to if it was a home job, but the last reported activity was at 56k miles, so I have no way of knowing what it has been through sonce then. As for it being small, that's perfect for me, im 5'10" and about 160 lbs, and no kids coming any time soon. Through my research I've discovered the remote cracking issue and also I've read and watched videos about the hard plastic dash, and that sometimes it can even start melting with enough exposure. Speakers and head unit are easily upgradable and will be in the budget if I bite.

I don't think the remote cracking is strictly a Lexus issue though. My remote on my Eclipse cracked at around 75k and was like $300 for a new one. =(

If it looks in good condition, and checks out by a mechanic, it is a solid car.

 

[exdeath]

90s Toyota iron block straight 6 (2JZ) , eg will run forever.

 

[ProchargeMe]

I have another question. I'm selling a car for the first time this weekend and I'm wondering about this. When I bought my car I lived with my parents, I've had the car for 2 years and I have moved since. I still have my old address on the title to my car, is that okay or should I be going to the DMV?

 

[XavierMace]

I've read and watched videos about the hard plastic dash, and that sometimes it can even start melting with enough exposure.

Never heard that one before. Both of mine are AZ cars and a coworker has an identical '04 to mine. If they were going to melt anywhere, it would be here it seems.

 

[ProchargeMe]

Never heard that one before. Both of mine are AZ cars and a coworker has an identical '04 to mine. If they were going to melt anywhere, it would be here it seems.

I think it was only a problem from 01-02

 

[XavierMace]

Yeah the one sitting in the driveway is an '01. You can tell because they had a slightly different dash than the later ones (grey/silver trim instead of black).

 

[ProchargeMe]

Yeah the one sitting in the driveway is an '01. You can tell because they had a slightly different dash than the later ones (grey/silver trim instead of black).

The interior is the ONLY thing that turns me off about this car, it's a shame lexus couldn't do better than a corolla quality dashboard in such a neat car :/

 

[XavierMace]

Yeah, that's what I was saying about the interior. I mean everything fits well as you'd expect from a Lexus, but it's not "Lexus" materials. I know some of the dealers here felt the same way about it. They felt it should have been sold as a Toyota here just like it was everywhere else. I personally think the revised dash on the '02+ looks a little bit better, others disagree.

Keep in mind, the brand new IS300 was competing with the aging ES300 as their cheapest offering. While the ES might by a bit cushier, I think the IS was much better built overall on the inside.


Also, depending on where you live, the chrome shift knob will try to kill you in the summer. Replace it or get gloves. LOL.

 

[ProchargeMe]

Yeah, that's what I was saying about the interior. I mean everything fits well as you'd expect from a Lexus, but it's not "Lexus" materials. I know some of the dealers here felt the same way about it. They felt it should have been sold as a Toyota here just like it was everywhere else. I personally think the revised dash on the '02+ looks a little bit better, others disagree.

Keep in mind, the brand new IS300 was competing with the aging ES300 as their cheapest offering. While the ES might by a bit cushier, I think the IS was much better built overall on the inside.


Also, depending on where you live, the chrome shift knob will try to kill you in the summer. Replace it or get gloves. LOL.

My mach 1 actually has a chrome shift knob as well and it fries my hand in the south carolina greuling summer heat. Dark charcoal leather doesn't help either

 

[Alienwho]

My friend had an IS300 and I was always inanely jealous of that car. It's just a great vehicle. I haven't sat in one for over 5 years so maybe the nostalgia factor of it makes it nicer in my mind than it really is.

 

[ProchargeMe]

So I bought the Lexus! Got the car for $8800 cash. I'm already in love with it. It's easily the smoothest automatic I've ever driven, and using the manual mode with the steering wheel button shifters is pretty cool but I'm sad you can only go as low as 2nd gear the car is very sporty and hugs the road very well, and is just a blast to drive. This is the first non american car I've ever actually owned and I didn't know what to expect but I'm really enjoying it I only have a bad cell phone pic at the time but a pic is a pic :thumbup:

 

[XavierMace]

Congrats! They're great cars in my opinion.