Lexus IS300

[evident]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
i'm fairly sure that bose and sony audio systems are NOTHING to brag about.

my accord's speakers don't distort until around 90% of max volume.

Accord speakers are horrible...

<-- Drives an Accord

Bose sucks in home, but is better than OEM in a car for most..

I had Bose that came with my I30.... easily murders my Accord speakers

louiss man, as an accord driver myself your trolling ways really disappoints me.

the (7th gen) accord sound system is a POS. there was no excuse why the stock head unit that came in my 07 should not have an aux jack or mp3 cd capability. the speakers don't sound too bad for a stock system, but they aren't good either. try replacing them and see what i'm talking about. the stock head unit does provide clean enough audio though if you pair it with high efficiency speakers .


the 8G does have a much more capable head unit, and doing a simple speaker swap will leave you even more satisfied, probably better than some stock bose units if you match speakers correctly.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
i'm fairly sure that bose and sony audio systems are NOTHING to brag about.

my accord's speakers don't distort until around 90% of max volume.

Accord speakers are horrible...

<-- Drives an Accord

Bose sucks in home, but is better than OEM in a car for most..

I had Bose that came with my I30.... easily murders my Accord speakers

louiss man, as an accord driver myself your trolling ways really disappoints me.

the accord sound system is a POS. there was no excuse why the stock head unit that came in my 07 should not have an aux jack or mp3 cd capability. the speakers don't sound too bad for a stock system, but they aren't good either. try replacing them and see what i'm talking about. the stock head unit does provide clean enough audio though if you pair it with high efficiency speakers .


the 8G does have a much more capable head unit, and doing a simple speaker swap will leave you even more satisfied, probably better than some stock bose units if you match speakers correctly.

I always feel the need to point out things with respect to LOUISSS' posts, being an Accord owner myself. It dissapoints me the way he portrays things in an overly emphasized manner.

You have hit the nail on the head with your statements about the headunits. There is a reason most people replace the speakers (even with a low end aftermarket system) to sound better.

The reason the 07's didn't come with the Aux is due to the fact that its the same unit used since 2003 when it was not quite common. Today it is almost a basic feature (even in the Civic). I am not sure if the IS has this functionality... would not be hard to add anyways. I have added aux/ipod adaptor to my Accord.

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: m0mentary
Don't do it, my 2001 ES300 is starting to cost me. Since the timing Belt at 90K, I've had the mass airflow sensor fail, rear suspension replaced, water pump, and recently the check engine light came on again (all within a year and a half). The car has served me well, and I've been happy with it, but the car is showing its age.

Wow that sounds bad. 117,000 here on my 2001 ES and trouble free aside from my dad pwning my tire yesterday. I've had to replace a few lightbulbs thus far.

I change oil at interval along with all other maintence. I don't use cheap shit either, good synthetic oil each time.

I hope my car doesn't die out anytime soon, it's in mint shape. I've read you can easily get 200,000 + on these.

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: ballmode
That engine while super reliable gives out crappy gas millage for its power. I recommend the BMW 330, more hp and better gas millage. Both cars eat premium

Wrong, it goes on both grades, has knock sensors and will have lower performance on 87. As for fuel mileage you will get about the same on either grade.

Also the mileage on the highway is amazing, you will do 27-28 mpg easy.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

I feel like I'm in kindergarten after reading this thread.

I don't think you could go wrong with anything that Lexus puts out even if it is a little older. Have it checked out by an independent mechanic first though.

With regards to Honda stereo systems. Surprisingly, the stereo system in my 03 Element is pretty good. Aux input and an 8" sub, two tweets, and four midrange. Was hoping it was the 6 disc internal but only 1 disc. My neices' 08 Civic system is decent. Aux input I believe as well.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
I feel like I'm in kindergarten after reading this thread.

I don't think you could go wrong with anything that Lexus puts out even if it is a little older. Have it checked out by an independent mechanic first though.

With regards to Honda stereo systems. Surprisingly, the stereo system in my 03 Element is pretty good. Aux input and an 8" sub, two tweets, and four midrange. Was hoping it was the 6 disc internal but only 1 disc. My neices' 08 Civic system is decent. Aux input I believe as well.

Their top model sound systems are fine... such as the one in the SI and the one you say in your Element.

The one that was "premium" for 7G Accord sedan I think was only 6 speaker (this is the one I have).. The coupe may have had a subwoofer but I am not 100% on that.

 

[Abel007]

I love my IS300. I have an '03 though and cannot speak specifically for the 2001s. As others have said the engine will never be a problem. It is a little small, but I only carry 4 people on rare occasions and 4 adults can definitely fit in it for short trips.

As far as typical problems that will occur or issues that I have. The inside of the front tires will wear out rather quick especially on the OEM tires. You can get this corrected via a alignment/camber adjustment but Toyota/Lexus will say it is "In-spec." It will drink the gas. On a typical tank, driving around Atlanta I can get 340miles out of the 17.5g tank. I do have a 5 speed so might be a different in the autos. Insurance is rather high. The ISO Symbol for our cars is is a 23. A 93 Accord is a 14. Will almost double the premium for you.

For the year, it had adequate power. Now, not so much. I am out of the stage of my life where I care about how fast my car can go. If this does matter to you then look elsewhere or you can spend another $10k-$15k to make it "as fast" as the competition. Aftermarket is available for most anything you could need, but it is pricey. If you have any specific questions then feel free to PM me or ask here.

-Jason

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: DVad3r

Originally posted by: ballmode
That engine while super reliable gives out crappy gas millage for its power. I recommend the BMW 330, more hp and better gas millage. Both cars eat premium

Wrong, it goes on both grades, has knock sensors and will have lower performance on 87. As for fuel mileage you will get about the same on either grade.

Also the mileage on the highway is amazing, you will do 27-28 mpg easy.

That really is not amazing. I can do that in my Camaro and I have a larger (3.8L) engine that uses "old" pushrod tech. And it doesn't require anything but 87. And that is on my 4spd auto, if I had the 5spd manual I'd get even better.

 

[jtvang125]

I have a 98 GS400 and although they share no similarities both have pretty much bulletproof engines. Even though they're 8-10 year old cars the interior quality is still better than many of the cars made today.

Things I had to replace so far:
Lower ball joints @ 70k (common weak point among the GS)
Starter @ ~100k
Alternator @ ~120k
Replaced front rotors ~100k

Maintenance service:
Timing, water pump @ 110k
Brake fluid and transmission flush

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO

Originally posted by: DVad3r

Originally posted by: ballmode
That engine while super reliable gives out crappy gas millage for its power. I recommend the BMW 330, more hp and better gas millage. Both cars eat premium

Wrong, it goes on both grades, has knock sensors and will have lower performance on 87. As for fuel mileage you will get about the same on either grade.

Also the mileage on the highway is amazing, you will do 27-28 mpg easy.

That really is not amazing. I can do that in my Camaro and I have a larger (3.8L) engine that uses "old" pushrod tech. And it doesn't require anything but 87. And that is on my 4spd auto, if I had the 5spd manual I'd get even better.

Ok who cares. It's good mileage for an older car and I can do 700 km + on a tank easy going 120-130 the whole time. City driving I do 500 km per tank.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
I feel like I'm in kindergarten after reading this thread.

I don't think you could go wrong with anything that Lexus puts out even if it is a little older. Have it checked out by an independent mechanic first though.

With regards to Honda stereo systems. Surprisingly, the stereo system in my 03 Element is pretty good. Aux input and an 8" sub, two tweets, and four midrange. Was hoping it was the 6 disc internal but only 1 disc. My neices' 08 Civic system is decent. Aux input I believe as well.

Their top model sound systems are fine... such as the one in the SI and the one you say in your Element.

The one that was "premium" for 7G Accord sedan I think was only 6 speaker (this is the one I have).. The coupe may have had a subwoofer but I am not 100% on that.

6MT coupes had the "premium" audio for accord which had independent crossovers for the dash mounted tweeters (vs inline for non premium systems) and a subwoofer somewhere. never heard it but doubt its better than aftermarket speakers.

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: compguy786

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: compguy786

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

huh? bose?????????? i can't hear anything.

sit in a car, or at a house.

lol @ bose noob

i have bose speakers everywhere. i spent like $10k on them.but i still can't hear anything! whats going on?

proably because you are a troll......

bose speakers have a different sound, due to their marketing.

fixed...

This. Bose is NOT I repeat NOT a 'premium' brand. They're like Absolut vodka. Same as well vodka, but due to marketing they get retards to buy it up.


Also, has anyone asked how many miles on that IS?

 

[compguy786]

Originally posted by: MrMatt

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: compguy786

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: compguy786

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

huh? bose?????????? i can't hear anything.

sit in a car, or at a house.

lol @ bose noob

i have bose speakers everywhere. i spent like $10k on them.but i still can't hear anything! whats going on?

proably because you are a troll......

bose speakers have a different sound, due to their marketing.

fixed...

This. Bose is NOT I repeat NOT a 'premium' brand. They're like Absolut vodka. Same as well vodka, but due to marketing they get retards to buy it up.


Also, has anyone asked how many miles on that IS?

101k

 

[LOUISSSSS]

damn, gg 100k+ miles in 8 year old vehicle. parts be breakin!

have a blast, from the past. at least you got a toyota engine in there!

 

[compguy786]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
damn, gg 100k+ miles in 8 year old vehicle. parts be breakin!

have a blast, from the past. at least you got a toyota engine in there!

it should have 120k by now, average is 15k a year.

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: compguy786

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
damn, gg 100k+ miles in 8 year old vehicle. parts be breakin!

have a blast, from the past. at least you got a toyota engine in there!

it should have 120k by now, average is 15k a year.

testing

edit: yea it works now.

Anyways, that's quite a bit of miles on the car. You are getting a descent price but you are certainly not making any kind of "deal" on it. The choice is up to you.

Having said that, I did drive a 2004 IS 300 once and it was a nice fun ride, pretty sporty. I decided to go with an ES because it's smoother and more comfortable, but for my next car the IS series is def on my list.

 

[compguy786]

Originally posted by: DVad3r

Originally posted by: compguy786

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
damn, gg 100k+ miles in 8 year old vehicle. parts be breakin!

have a blast, from the past. at least you got a toyota engine in there!

it should have 120k by now, average is 15k a year.

testing

edit: yea it works now.

Anyways, that's quite a bit of miles on the car. You are getting a descent price but you are certainly not making any kind of "deal" on it. The choice is up to you.

Having said that, I did drive a 2004 IS 300 once and it was a nice fun ride, pretty sporty. I decided to go with an ES because it's smoother and more comfortable, but for my next car the IS series is def on my list.

101k is nothing for a car....especially when it is only 8 years old. My current car has 205k, dads 98 corolla has 179k.

cars are made to drive....miles are gonna get on em.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

120k is nothing for a car, but its 120,000miles more than new. okay lightbulbs are made to be on, but would you rather have a new one or one that has 1000 hours on it?

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
120k is nothing for a car, but its 120,000miles more than new. okay lightbulbs are made to be on, but would you rather have a new one or one that has 1000 hours on it?

Are you a politician?

You just said 120k is nothing then point out its something....?

Stop nagging him for trying to find a BETTER financially sound option.
Whether that includes an Accord or Honda shouldn't be any reason to get worked up.

120k is not a lot, but how much did you say its going to cost you?
As far as Japanese cars manufactured in NAM, they have been doing it for a long time and that is not why reliability has gone south. In fact reliability has not gone south for Japanese automakers, the rest of the world has just closed the gap more than ever before.
The 1993 Accord you drive was probably made in USA at Ohio

 

[T2urtle]

a 100k+ isn't a trouble car like others have posted but for the money an IS300 is not a smart buy unless you love that styling. my gf's 03 lancer resembles that IS300 when i went to test drive it on the outside. yea the interior and engine is completely diffrent. Engine is stout, shopped around and i found the g35 sedan to be a better buy then the IS300. Its a couple of bucks more but you get more with it. Overall things are equal. for 15k it was like a 03 IS300 with 80-110k or a 03-04 g35sedan with 40-60k. I ended up spending a little more and going with a AWD 05 model with 34k for a couple of more bucks.

that motor in the IS will be the last thing that gives out. Small interior items and suspension is what will give out first. its a prem compact car. so you are going to pay a prem for insurance/gas and maintenance. plan things out accordingly. like said 90-110k is when the t-belt and water pump should be done. thats about $500-1500 pending where you go. if you live in a snow state prepare to drop some $$ on tires for the winter. RWD and bad tires is not a good thing. either those 5 spoke OE wheels are 17 or 18. tires will run you about 100-150 each. you do those two and you should be good from then on.

as always the first year of owning a used car is more or less the expensive year. you fix what the prev. owner didn't fix or can live with. you get all the general maintenance done and not go by what the prev owner said. save some $$ if you can do things yourself.

an Es300 is no where close, nothing is shared its a V6 compared to a I6.

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: T2urtle
a 100k+ isn't a trouble car like others have posted but for the money an IS300 is not a smart buy unless you love that styling. my gf's 03 lancer resembles that IS300 when i went to test drive it on the outside. yea the interior and engine is completely diffrent. Engine is stout, shopped around and i found the g35 sedan to be a better buy then the IS300. Its a couple of bucks more but you get more with it. Overall things are equal. for 15k it was like a 03 IS300 with 80-110k or a 03-04 g35sedan with 40-60k. I ended up spending a little more and going with a AWD 05 model with 34k for a couple of more bucks.

that motor in the IS will be the last thing that gives out. Small interior items and suspension is what will give out first. its a prem compact car. so you are going to pay a prem for insurance/gas and maintenance. plan things out accordingly. like said 90-110k is when the t-belt and water pump should be done. thats about $500-1500 pending where you go. if you live in a snow state prepare to drop some $$ on tires for the winter. RWD and bad tires is not a good thing. either those 5 spoke OE wheels are 17 or 18. tires will run you about 100-150 each. you do those two and you should be good from then on.

as always the first year of owning a used car is more or less the expensive year. you fix what the prev. owner didn't fix or can live with. you get all the general maintenance done and not go by what the prev owner said. save some $$ if you can do things yourself.

an Es300 is no where close, nothing is shared its a V6 compared to a I6.

Haha the lancer doesn't even come close looks wise to an IS300.

As for mileage, yea it's not a lot, but like I said you aren't making any kind of "deal", even if you are buying from your friends dad.

My dad's 92 Camry wagon has 450,000 km and the I4 engine and still going strong.

 

[AMCRambler]

The IS is overpriced IMO. You look at what a 4 or 5 year old IS goes for and you could get a much newer Acura with lower miles. They're cool little cars but not worth the price for me.

 

[trevor0323]

compguy why not just go with the Accord. I know I posted before in your other post about the Accord and I had good things to say about the Ford Fusion. I still like the Fusion but realized I wanted a 4 cyl car. Well both Fusions I drove were SEL's with V6's (one awesome ass one with AWD). Yesterday I drove a leafblower 08 SE Fusion with the 4cyl and it sucks ass. The engine noise is horrendous even under light accel. Although there is no mention of interior changes between the SE and SEL you can definitely tell it looks cheaper as well. I went back to Honda and test drove an 08 Accord 4cyl and it was a world of difference. Just for kicks I drove around an 08 Altima as well but found the 4 cyl a little underwhelming as well. The Altima also was a pain to see out the rear view and I did not care for the CVT trans or smart push button gimicky crap. They did have a nice ass 08 Alti Coupe that I drove with the V6 and man does that thing haul. Had an even bigger problem with rear visibility though. It made me want to go look at the new G37 but I think thats a bit out of my price range.

About Car Audio: What sucks most is that in all these new cars I dont see any feasible way of installing an aftermarket HU. I have owned many cars over the years (mostly sports cars) and I have never had one that had a factory system that met my needs. It saddens me that If I do buy one of the cars I mentioned I have no option for upgrading. I was interested in sticking one of the new pioneer or eclipse GPS in dashes in there but it looks like auto manufactures have put the stop on that plan. Factory Bose stuff that comes in most upgraded audio systems in cars is still crap. The best of the best upgraded stocks systems are nothing in comparison that you could do with $1000 on your own. Sure they can play loud but the clarity is a world of difference.

Btw the only stock systems that I found somewhat impressive over the years were in a Mustang with the highest shaker system and in a Volks Phaeton which I believe was a Monsoon system.

 

[compguy786]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
120k is nothing for a car, but its 120,000miles more than new. okay lightbulbs are made to be on, but would you rather have a new one or one that has 1000 hours on it?

Are you a politician?

You just said 120k is nothing then point out its something....?

Stop nagging him for trying to find a BETTER financially sound option.
Whether that includes an Accord or Honda shouldn't be any reason to get worked up.

120k is not a lot, but how much did you say its going to cost you?
As far as Japanese cars manufactured in NAM, they have been doing it for a long time and that is not why reliability has gone south. In fact reliability has not gone south for Japanese automakers, the rest of the world has just closed the gap more than ever before.
The 1993 Accord you drive was probably made in USA at Ohio

yes sir. Made in Marysville,Ohio.

But, the quality is amazing...my dads corolla built in canada, and our sienna van in KY SUCK compared to my car. alot of the interior lights are out in the van.

every single light in my car works, all dash LEDs etc.

 

[compguy786]

Originally posted by: T2urtle
a 100k+ isn't a trouble car like others have posted but for the money an IS300 is not a smart buy unless you love that styling. my gf's 03 lancer resembles that IS300 when i went to test drive it on the outside. yea the interior and engine is completely diffrent. Engine is stout, shopped around and i found the g35 sedan to be a better buy then the IS300. Its a couple of bucks more but you get more with it. Overall things are equal. for 15k it was like a 03 IS300 with 80-110k or a 03-04 g35sedan with 40-60k. I ended up spending a little more and going with a AWD 05 model with 34k for a couple of more bucks.

that motor in the IS will be the last thing that gives out. Small interior items and suspension is what will give out first. its a prem compact car. so you are going to pay a prem for insurance/gas and maintenance. plan things out accordingly. like said 90-110k is when the t-belt and water pump should be done. thats about $500-1500 pending where you go. if you live in a snow state prepare to drop some $$ on tires for the winter. RWD and bad tires is not a good thing. either those 5 spoke OE wheels are 17 or 18. tires will run you about 100-150 each. you do those two and you should be good from then on.

as always the first year of owning a used car is more or less the expensive year. you fix what the prev. owner didn't fix or can live with. you get all the general maintenance done and not go by what the prev owner said. save some $$ if you can do things yourself.

an Es300 is no where close, nothing is shared its a V6 compared to a I6.

True. The timing belt is fairly easy to do on the 2JZ-GE engine...as long as the cams dont move =)