Lexus IS300?

[glen]

linkified

What do you all think of this thing?
Has anyone driven one?
It looks sweet.

Obviously there are more exotic cars, but in the mid priced sports sedan catagory, this thing looks good.

 

[urbantechie]

I can hear the American's comming already!

 

[SuperSix]

While I am a raging American car owner, I just got an Infinit i30 for the wife, amazing car for the $$$, nothing from Lexus or Acura was even close in the class.

 

[TuffGuy]

it's overrated. and looks like a developmentally challenged "real" lexus.

 

[glen]

<< nothing from Lexus or Acura was even close in the class. >>

But, did you look at the IS300 or the ES300?

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

yeah..the Lexus IS300 is sweet...and so is the Infiniti I30. SuperSix: I'm guessing you enjoy the engine in the I30?? =)

Too bad a Maxima 5spd (with a good driver) can outrun a IS300 in a straight line...however the IS300 will kill it in the curves..I just found that a little surprising..a 4-door-grocery-getter is faster than a more expensive sport sedan.

Still..the IS300 is a sweet car..but the tail lights only look good if the car has a dark silver finish.

On another note, the new BMW 3-Series is gonna have the IS300-style taillights..and it looks UGLY! I just saw it on MotorVision (on SpeedVision).

 

[mpg]

how much does this car run?

 

[SuperSix]

The Nissan 3000 is a good motor, I'm just not used to winding up a motor to get all the power out of it.

We just took our first long trip in the 96 i30, with a lot of stuff in the trunk. AMAZINGLY quiet, sumptious ride, nearly 0 wind noise, and ample power.

 

[glen]

hit the link i left and see the MSRP for youself based upon the options you pick

 

[TuffGuy]

Lexus IS300 - $30,805 base

 

[bigrash]

it is sweeeet!!!
that's the car i wanna get man.

hope this helps

 

[NFS4]

The IS300 is awesome...5-speed comes this year too Eat that 3-Series, you overpriced DOG!

 

[glen]

What is the scoop on the 5 speed?

 

[NFS4]

All I know is that Lexus is offering the 5-speed manual with a new sport package on the IS200. Should shave at least a second off the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

Along with the 5-speed comes a sports wagon variant of the IS300 which is downright HIDEOUS.

 

[Sluggo]

I finally saw one in person, and was amazed at how small it looked. From the commercials I had imagined it being larger.

 

[dawheat]

Nice car but oh so cheap inside. Lots of plastic and some ugly fabric on the door panels. Only failings of a fabulous vehicle.

But if I had the dough, I'd still pick up a 330i for the extra 5K.

 

[NFS4]

Yeah, the IS300 is about a foot shorter than an ES300 if I remember correctly.


<< Nice car but oh so cheap inside. Lots of plastic and some ugly fabric on the door panels. Only failings of a fabulous vehicle.

But if I had the dough, I'd still pick up a 330i for the extra 5K. >>


I wouldn't say that it's cheap...I'd say that the interior is more Toyota than Lexus. Afterall, this was the Japanese market Toyota Altezza and wasn't really a full-blown Lexus model; only a convert.

That being said, Toyota quality is nothing to scoff at. It's still better than one ANY of the American companies can muster up. And I still think that the 3-Series is wayyyy overpriced for what you get. A loaded IS300 makes the BMW look pitiful.

 

[Pocatello]

Yeah, it does have some cheap stuffs inside, but it's greatly priced for such a nice car. If you want a Bimmer, get a Bimmer, but if you like Lexus, this is a great car. Too bad I don't have the money to buy one.

 

[bUnMaNGo]

I've said this before in previous threads, and I'll say it again- the IS is a pretty nice car, but it lacks a few things: mainly, a manual transmission, and an armrest. However, at the Greater LA Auto Show, Lexus had a 5spd version of the IS300 AND an armrest. Looks like I'm gonna be test driving a new car this fall I test drove one when they first came out back in July or so, and was pretty impressed with the power and the handling. Really nice car for the price... I think it was about 33.5k nicely loaded. Can't beat that price, but for about 7k more, you could get an S4

 

[Doggiedog]

Funny thing about the IS300 is that it has worse mileage than my GS300 and the LS430.

 

[lupin]

It's a good sports sedan.
Although the BMW is still a little better in most areas, the Lexus is definitely better bang for the buck.

 

[The Stigenator]

is it only me.. but doesnt it look it was based on the corolla.
its about teh same size. Considering that the Avalon and the LS400/ES400 are on the same platform, same goes with the camry and the RX300.

personally I would prefer the BMW. Not because we have one but the IS300 looks too cheap especially with those clear tail lights. It looks like a riced up car.

 

[The LIdless Eye]

Not even worth considering until the 5-speed is available. Lexus was boneheaded not having the manual available from the beginning. I'll probably buy my next car (likely a used 328i) before I even see the is300.

 

[Emulex]

isn't the is 300 a camry in disguise?

 

[Mister T]

A-U-D-I

lets all say it together...