researching a used Lexus IS300

[Maximus96]

where and how did you get the 29,700 from?

 

[flot]

Wow, ok, if you can get a brand new one for $29k then I don't know why anybody would buy one with 40-60k miles for $22k - but then again these are ASKING prices, maybe the people end up caving and getting like $20k for them in the end...

 

[isekii]

I paid 30,300 for mine. Back last year.
What I suggest is fax several dealerships in the area with what you offer.
Also visit. www.is300.net and you can get much more information there.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: flot
Wow, ok, if you can get a brand new one for $29k then I don't know why anybody would buy one with 40-60k miles for $22k - but then again these are ASKING prices, maybe the people end up caving and getting like $20k for them in the end...

You can probably find a 01 with 60kish miles for like 20-21k.

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: isekii
I paid 30,300 for mine. Back last year.
What I suggest is fax several dealerships in the area with what you offer.
Also visit. www.is300.net and you can get much more information there.

yea i started reading on is300.net several days ago, a lot of info there. i'm just doing prelim. research right now, can't make a more definate decision until i hear back from those d!cks at AAA who are denying my vehicle damage claim from a rear-ender 3 months ago. they p!ss me off...

 

[bozack]

Sorry as this is off topic but IMHO you would be better served buying a used 325 or A4 as they are slightly less expensive with less mileage as well and IMHO a far nicer car than the Toyota from a looks and performance standpoint.....go german and forget the rice

 

[Maximus96]

i don't like the looks of the A4s, i would buy a BMW if the price is right, but from what i looked at, just this past weekend, they cost more than the lexus.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: bozack
Sorry as this is off topic but IMHO you would be better served buying a used 325 or A4 as they are slightly less expensive with less mileage as well and IMHO a far nicer car than the Toyota from a looks and performance standpoint.....go german and forget the rice

You must be smoking something if you think a used A4 or a 325 will have better performance than the IS300.
Plus you have to worry about Audi reliability. BMW ain't up there either.

 

[Maximus96]

and german parts cost more

 

[KEV1N]

My mom has a 2001 IS, bought in 00. She hasn't mentioned many problems.. the only thing was a bubble in a tire that came stock. I drove it a few times, feels very solid and solidly built. The only thing my mom complains about is gas mileage, requirement for premium gas, and expensive tires (stock 17" wheels).

 

[RagingBITCH]

You don't use "an" in front of "used".

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
You don't use "an" in front of "used".

what i was thinking. i kept on reading it and it was giving me a migraine. arrggh. heheh.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
You don't use "an" in front of "used".

You're always such a bitch

:lips:

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: KEV1N
My mom has a 2001 IS, bought in 00. She hasn't mentioned many problems.. the only thing was a bubble in a tire that came stock. I drove it a few times, feels very solid and solidly built. The only thing my mom complains about is gas mileage, requirement for premium gas, and expensive tires (stock 17" wheels).

He's in the sports sedan segment and they all require premium gas.
Tire prices are fairly high but not unreasonable. You can find 17"s for the IS300 for under 100 bucks.

What's expensive is the Bridgestones (OEM) wheels.
That bubble should have been taken care of with the warranty.
They had TSB or whatever out for that specific manufacturer's tires. It wasn't the bridgestones that came on the 02's. I think it might have been the good years.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I've test driven a 5-speed IS300 a few times.

Pros
nice, conservative exterior design
good steering feel and handling
limited slip differential
good brakes
lexus reliability
good value for price, considering competition

Cons
funky clutch
funky gear shift
where is the high-end power in that inline-6?
tire and wind noise at speed
compared to BMW's 3.0L I6, it gets bad gas mileage and nowhere near as smooth power delivery
funky interior dash design

Handling wise, the IS300 is > G35. Ride comfort wise, G35 is > IS300. The BMW 330i beats them hand-down in both categories. The BMW also has the best engine, resale value, but of course the highest sticker price.

 

[Maximus96]

what if you slow the timing back a little, can you use lower octane gas then? i drive about 100miles a day, premium gas will hurt a lot.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
You don't use "an" in front of "used".

You're always such a bitch

:lips:

You know proper grammer turns you on too Skoorb

zaku - what's your maximum price range? You might want to check out the TSX as well - it's only a 4 but it's peppy and handles pretty well. I wish to god Honda could have given us the Euro-spec Accord here :|

 

[Maximus96]

i do not like the looks of the tsx. and max price is probably around 23k, not sure yet

 

[flot]

You can probably find a 01 with 60kish miles for like 20-21k.

Well, it's just my opinion, but if you ask me as a buyer, a used car with 60k miles should sell for roughly 50-60% of its original cost.

And for those who think I'm just talking out my a--, the last 4 cars I bought had:

65k miles - paid $10,000 sticker was approx $21,000 (48%) [3 years old]
27k miles - paid $15,200 sticker was approx $34,000 (45%) [2 years old]
58k miles - paid $6,500 sticker was approx $17,000 (38%) [7 years old]
92k miles - paid $14,500 sticker was approx $35,000 (41%) [6 years old]

Obviously the cars age will play a big factor as well as manufacturer, condition, demand, etc, but I stand by my original statement - at 60k miles the car really IS "half used up" and should be priced accordingly. All the cars I bought were in VG condition and needed only minor work to bring them up to excellent condition. 3 of the 4 cars I bought were in moderately high demand, only one (the newest) counts for "just a regular vehicle."

Edit: Oh and one jetski, paid $4000 sticker was $8500, 72 hours on the engine.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: zaku
i don't like the looks of the A4s, i would buy a BMW if the price is right, but from what i looked at, just this past weekend, they cost more than the lexus.

interesting as around here the IS300 costs slightly more than most used BMWs of the same age with less milage and the Audis are even less....and with regards to parts I wonder just how much of a savings one would see with going from Lexus to a German brand, I am doubting anything much...from a styling standpoint alone I would be more inclined to go with something other than the IS 300, even the G35 looks better IMHO and that really isn't my type of car..but if you like it then that is all that counts.

 

[EXman]

Naa dawg, all the high rollas got em.

it is a camry with a credit card... older (40-60) lady car

 

[Mill]

The cool thing about the IS300 is that tons of people own them and most are chicks.

 

[Rent]

I'd buy a IS before a G35, but not before a 330 (if price were no option)

 

[Lifer]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Just remember it's a girly car, but goodluck

Riight... and every other 30+ women around here is driving a maxima. What does that say about a maxima ?

the IS300 is a fugly girly car. just STFU and admit it.

 

[Rent]

Originally posted by: Lifer

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Just remember it's a girly car, but goodluck

Riight... and every other 30+ women around here is driving a maxima. What does that say about a maxima ?

the IS300 is a fugly girly car. just STFU and admit it.

The IS has great lines. If you think the Maxima is a good looking car, you need to have your eyes checked. Its average at best.

Don't even get me started on the new Maximas.