Lexus IS 300

hoytwalsh · December 2001

I think the sportcross is a good-looking, practical, sporty automobile. I may look into getting one if I can get a REALLY good deal- i.e.,around invoice. Jmess, how good a deal did you get and where did you get it?

stanny1 · December 2001

If the Australian IS200 has a six-speed, we can assume that Toyota has built a six-speed (I doubt it is the Getrag as in the Supra). So why isn't this tranny in the IS300 ?

laithy_74 · December 2001

If the Australian IS200 has a six-speed, we can assume that Toyota has built a six-speed (I doubt it is the Getrag as in the Supra). So why isn't this tranny in the IS300 ?

Toyota's 6-speed manual could not handle 218 lb-ft of torque. It was apparently designed for lighter duty.

jmess · December 2001

You should be able to get real close to invoice. If you live in California you might want to check out Longo Lexus in southern Ca.. Longo has been reported as selling the cars at or a little below invoice. I didn't do enough research when I bought my car and didn't know what was possible. I was at $1000 over invoice minus my tradein and they gave me more than I thought I would get going in for my pickup; we reached an agreement in 15 minutes without any game playing. So $500 above or below invoice should be do able depending on how motivated the dealer is. The car is a good value if you can get it close to invoice. At MSRP I would still be sitting on the fence looking at several other cars.

kam66 · December 2001

After many months of test driving cars my wife and I have finally decided on the IS300 with a manual. We'd driven an auto this past summer, and while we liked the handling of the car the automatic transmission was a turn-off. I recently had some time on my hands so I went back and test drove the manual version, as well as a couple of other makes. From a fun to drive factor, the IS300 provided the most grins, with the Audi A4 3.0Q a close second.

IS300 Pluses
-Toyota/Lexus reliability and dealer satisfaction
-Smooth power train and "on rails" handling
-Excellent manual transmission (second only to RSX Type S in feel/precision)
-Surprisingly good headroom with sunroof for front seats
-Tight turning radius for parking lot maneuvers

Minuses
-Fuel economy could be better (needs 6th gear for HWY cruising)
-Smaller trunk with no fold-down option (Sport Cross doesn't come in manual version)
-Only one cup holder for front seats
-Center console not overly attractive
-Leather and leather/escaine packages pricey but necessary for electric/heated seats
-Tail lights (might grow on me - we'll see)

Of all the cars we drove (IS300, TLS, RSX, LS, A4, Passat, Maxima, Accord) this one fits my wife the best (along with the RSX Type-S). Since we're planning on starting a family soon, 4 doors with decent access for putting kids in child seats ruled out the RSX (after a bit of wavering on her part). If we can get a reasonable price on it with the options we want, we'll be buying the IS300. Might be a little bit of a problem as they don't seem to be making many manuals (only 14 allocated to region I'm in for January). We may need to order one instead to get what we want.

With that said, does anyone have the sales figures by month for 2001 for the IS300. I've tried searching around on the web and haven't been able to locate a good source. Toyota press releases seem to be hit or miss, although since I'm looking to use the stats to negotiate a better price I can understand why they might not release disapointing figures.

Thanks

riez · December 2001

The AutoSite Market Report at autosite.com is quite good. It shows November IS300 sales at 1,675. A decrease from Nov. 2000. But it also shows YTD sales up by almost 7,000 units (to 20,748).

jrct9454 · December 2001

...is distorted by the fact that the car was only on sale for part of calendar year 2000. Sales continue to slip, for reasons that have been documented here: They aimed the car at a part of the market that is very limited, and to get more of it, they are going to have to tone down the hot-rod, boy-racer, "edgy" marketing and focus on the people who really buy these cars. This year's interior mods are a down payment on that effort. Now all they have to do to get me interested is start offering cars with the standard 16" wheels and all-season tires on the West Coast. I refuse to buy the car and have to immediately replace the wheels and tires as part of the deal.

Toyota wanted to put distance between Lexus and its alleged "stodgy image" with this car. OK, it's worked. Now the question is, how many of us "stodgy" types will line up to buy it when the 3er remains such an attractive combination of ride and handling with no need to take the hard edge as standard equipment. I continue to sit on the sidelines with my checkbook waiting for Toyota to "get it" - I want a compact, rear-drive, comfortable, good-handling TOURING CAR...this could be it with just a couple of small changes, starting with those 17" wheels and Z-rated performance tires being forced on anyone who lives west of the Rockies.

stanny1 · December 2001

A bigger car with a Manual would be the 2002 Lincoln LS 5 speed with 220hp. Very competitive with the IS300 in 0-60 and cornering ability. Inside dimensions are larger than a 7 series. You could really steal one of these as they are only 2% of LS sales and no one knows about this car. The dealers rarely stock the manual and you should be able to get one for close to 30k. The suspension is much more sophisticated than the BMW, the tranny is the same (Getrag 221), and the level of luxury is higher. You can go to www.llsoc.com and learn a lot more.

hvan3 · December 2001

Why settle for a boy racer Corolla when the Infinit G35 is due out in early March? It may not have a manual during the first production year, but at least it'll have more power than the IS.

When I see IS300, it reminds me of my Honda days. Do you want your wife to be lump in with the Honda boys? LOL.

jmess · December 2001

Lets get juvenile. Lets call the G35 a pimped up Altima. Lets say IMHO the G35 is pretty stodgy looking. The backend looks like a Toyota Echo and the front end has big "boy racer" head lights; the rest of the car looks like an Altima. This is Nissan's me too car. So if you don't want to be noticed buy a G35. The IS300 shape makes a statement thats some may not like but it sure gets noticed. The G35 could prove to be a good car, depending on the quality and how well the whole cars works, but it has a really forgetable shape just like the I35. Buying a car based upon looks alone is as silly as buying car based upon 0-60 times. Way to go Honda boys, you have reinvented the 1955 Chevy with a 283 V8. Some of your cars looks as silly as my car did with baby moon hubcaps and a chrome exhaust tip.

riez · December 2001

If you are going to compete in the serious all around sport sedan market then you have to start with great performance AND ensure you have decent styling inside and out. IS300's styling seemed to promise more than it actually could deliver performance-wise. Without the manual the first year the IS300 couldn't deliver, but then the manual doesn't seem to have helped all that much. (Have any of the big 3 car magazines--R&T, MT, & C&D--long-term or comparison tested a manual IS300?) And then without the blistering performance, the styling seemed too aggressive. If a car is going to really standout styling-wise in the sedan market (and without going retro), then it had better back up its styling with great performance. Hoping Lexus gives the IS300 the right engine (3.5L or more? Supercharged? V-8?)and transmission (6-speed manual) to suit its looks!

vocus · December 2001

Every time I see an IS300, it turns my head. I just bought a 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8T. and never looked at the IS300 before I did. I didn't think I could wing the payments on it, so I just got the Jetta. Another thing, is there enough room in the cabin for someone 6'4 or so? I was just curious. Thanks.

kam66 · December 2001

We drove a 2001 LS 5-speed immediately before taking the IS300 out (only manual they had). I'd been referred to North Park Lincoln in San Antonio by the dealership about 5 blocks from my house in New Braunfels because they had a manual in stock (almost impossible to find in Texas). When I'd arrived earlier in the week the battery was dead on it and they couldn't jump it so I took a 2002 LS V6 automatic version out. I was impressed enough with it to schedule a test drive on Saturday so they could get the manual up and running and give my wife a chance to take it out for a spin.

The engine on the 2001 seemed slightly harsher and a little less powerful than the 2002 (makes sense as its rated slightly less on torque and hp). Suspension was very good on both although the brakes pedal felt slightly soft on the 2001 (2002 had a nice firm feel to it). Also one of the firehawk tires was out of round as the vehicle (2001) had been sitting for quite some time. Overall both my wife and I were impressed with the exterior looks and handling. She kept commenting the LS didnt feel big, but rather fairly athletic. The only real issue had to deal with her driving position. She is 53 with short legs and the Lincoln is built for larger drivers. To reach the pedals she had to move the seat fairly close to the dash and wasnt as comfortable as she felt in both the IS300 and the Acura TLS. Overall it is a car that Id recommend people drive before buying in this segment as Lincoln has clearly got the chassis down. Also, right now they've got some great deals going (I probably could've gotten a 2002 V6 manual around $30K with 0% financing for 3 years).

As for the G35 all I can say is Infiniti is making a mistake if they dont introduce it with a manual transmission right off the bat. Lexus went that route with the IS300 and it clearly cost them from a PR/marketing angle with the automotive press. On paper the G35 has a horsepower advantage over the IS300, but Im done buying vehicles based upon numbers. Were not looking for the latest and greatest but rather a vehicle we both feel comfortable in and will enjoy. The manual makes the IS300 a different vehicle for us and puts a grin on my wifes face as she reaches into the power band. While Im not a fan of the clear tail lights (even asked the salesperson if aftermarket normal ones are available), I dont get the Corolla cracks about the IS300. As long as the suspension isnt slammed with 18 wheels I find the IS300 to be fairly attractive vehicle, and not a copy/take off of European models. And I think my wife is comfortable enough with her own sense of identity not to worry about being lumped in with the Honda boys. Although it probably wouldn't bother her as she currently drives a '92 Civic hatchback.

jmess · December 2001

I have noticed in other forums that some folks appear to be trying to draw attention to the G35. The common method employed seems to follow the Corolla baiting statements; always recommending that potential car buyers wait for the G35. Since the G35 will compete in the same market segment as the IS, the fuzzy math would seem to indicate that these folks have some relationship with Nissan. Most likely they are salesreps trying to get buyers to line up and wait 4 months for a G35 at full sticker price or more. All they have to sell right now are numbers like HP. We all know there isn't any car, now or in the future, that is perfect and will fit every ones needs; the IS is no exception. So it goes.

kam66 · December 2001

Somehow my last post requesting info on IS300 wheel and tire choices doesn't seem to have made it to the board. Strange, but I'll ask again.

Can any IS300 owners comment on either the durability of the 17" rims with the 45 series summer tires, or the handling characteristic of the 16" wheels with all seasons tires? My wife and I really liked the way the summer tires handled, but I'm a little concerned given the number of posts on other boards regarding bent rims due to potholes or even crossing railroad tracks. While I've never bent a rim (even having grown up in downstate N.Y.), the 45 series tires don't have a lot of margin for error built in. Given the amount of road construction (or should I say road destruction) in the Austin/San Antonio corridor, I'd like to hear some feedback on the issue.

Thanks,

KAM

superman5 · December 2001

i just got my is300 2 days ago, OMG, what a beautiful car, i can't stop myself from driving it, its simply awesome, i got graphite gray with full leather/lsd/heated seats/nav. Its black inside, love the all black look. Anyhow i found one weird noise i hear sometimes i turn the wheels left or right, kinda like creeking noise, i thought it was cause i got 17in rims and its rubbing something , but all my friends is300's dont have that noise at all? has anyboyd had this problem? besides that car is awesome, fast and nimble!

kam66 · December 2001

Congrats on the new IS300. If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for it and where did you get it from? I'm going in tomorrow to negotiate for a new 2002 with manual transmission, leather/escaine, LSD and heated seats (may or may not get a sunroof) and would like a reference point.

KAM

superman5 · December 2001

it depends on where you are from but i think it will be hard for you to find lsd and heated seats without navi option in s.cal, most of cars on the lot have sunroof, leather/escaine and auto. I didnt see 1 5spd, and this was at LONGO Lexus. Anyhow they have some amazing deals, i believe you can easily get 800 to 10000 over invoice depending on what options you get, i figure nav equipped cars which are rare mite be little harder to deal but that i am not too sure.
Happy Shopping! I was also told they have some good lease deals on all the lexus since lexus is having year end "December to Remember Sales Event". I believe these sale numbers on 2002 models also since mine is 2002 with deep discounts. I believe heavy discounts are due to slow economy, it is probably the one of the best time to buy/lease cars right now. I purchased minte graphite gray, full leather, navigation, heated seats, lsd, auto, sunroof etc for about 1000 over invoice.

jmess · December 2001

I don't think the 17" wheels on the IS are any more prone to bending than any other car with 17" and low profile tires. I have bent steel wheels with 70 series tires before; hitting something hard enough will bend anything. So yes a 45 series tire may be more prone to bending a wheel than a 50 series tire but you still have to hit something pretty hard to bend the wheel.

I bought a set of Bridgestone LM-22s and some 16" alloys a couple of weeks ago for the winter driving and the ride is slightly better with the 50 series tires than the 45 series. The handling is better than I thought it would be with the LM-22s in the wet and dry but I still miss the feel of the 17" tires. Unless you push the car hard you probably wouldn't miss the 45 series tires if you had 16" wheels with good performing all season tires. The handling of the IS won't be as crisp with the 16" tires as you go faster though. In other terms it will be easier to drive the IS with the 17" summer tires at higher cornering speeds than the 16" with all season tires. There will be some small differences in braking and straight line traction also. So it appears your wife already noticed the difference between the 16" and 17" tires. My wife was driving around with a nearly flat tire on the back of her Honda for several days until a neighbor stopped her ;-)

jmess · December 2001

A groan when turning the steering wheel isn't normal. I didn't have it when I had the 17" wheels on my car; I now have 16" winter tires on. I don't recall seeing anyone reporting a sound like this on is300.net. I hear/feel the ABS test in the morning when I back up then pull forward; it really isn't a groan though and it only happens once. Take the car to your dealer it should be easy to resolve; it could be something as simple as a rubber boot on the steering rack not be aligned properly.

nyccarguy · December 2001

As the IS300 5 Speed is a car on my short list to replace my Saab in December 2002, I've built my own (on the lexus website), have been following this board for a few months, and ordered a brochure from Lexus. On page 19 there are a few photos of a black (or Graphite) IS300 and the chromed area around tail lights seem to be "blacked out." It definitely looks like it could be due to the lighting of where the car was shot, but I really like it! Does anybody know if this "Blackout" treatment is or will be an option? I think it makes the car look so sharp.

vocus · December 2001

On graphite colored IS300s, the taillamps are tinted. It says something about that in the road test of the IS300 right here at Edmunds.com. It was a change for 2002.

nyccarguy · December 2001

I must have skipped over that part! Tinted is the word I was looking for as well. I wish it would come as an option on all of the colors. Nice car you got there!

nyccarguy · December 2001

tail lamp lenses on darker colored cars...I assume that means Black, Graphite, Green, and maybe Blue. I'd get either a red or white. I think the smoked gray tail lamp lenses would look great on those colors. If I can't get them from the factory, I'd be willing to pay to have them installed upon delivery (or if they happen to fall off the back of a truck)! They make a great looking car look even better.

vocus · December 2001

Maybe you could talk the dealer into changing the taillamps or something. I hear Lexus dealers will bend over backwards to satisfy their customers.

nyccarguy · December 2001

for the info!

superman5 · December 2001

is it possible to have my is300 lock its door when i put it in drive and unlock when its in park? i was able to do with my old rx300. Does is300 have the same fuction?

kam66 · December 2001

Just finished negotiating with a local Lexus dealer on a 2002 IS300. Looks like it will require a factory order given the combination we were looking for; 5-speed manual, black leather/escaine, heated seats, LSD, and a sunroof (didn't necessarily want but was convinced might be practical latter for trade-in or resale). We were open to several colors (black, red, green, or blue) if they could locate a vehicle through a dealer search but none turned up anywhere nearby. The only difficult item was the heated seats as Lexus doesn't allocate any to the southern states region. Since we'll be moving to Colorado in late spring my wife decided she would appreciate them (she's grown used to the ones in my Saab 9000S, especially when we lived in Montana). I ended up ordering the black exterior (trade-off between conservative color choice and ability to hide some dirt).

Negotiations weren't especially enjoyable, but I managed to get a deal I could live with - ended up being about $900 under Edmunds' TMV price but not as good as some of the deals out of southern California. One of the common themes my wife and I picked up from our visits to two different Lexus dealers is a reluctance to talk price during the information gathering phase. While its probably part of their training, the inability to get "ballpark" numbers almost caused us to eliminate Lexus from consideration. Ended up having to close the deal with the sales manager, although no hardball tactics were used by either side.

I brought in a computer spreadsheet showing invoice, MSRP, and a column which would automatically calculate a negotiated price based on options chosen given dealer mark-up from invoice. Seemed to confuse the salesperson I was dealing with, and one item (sunroof) was significantly different from their MSRP sheet. Edmunds and KBB listed at $500 MSRP and the dealership had it as $1000. During my discussion with the sales manager he agreed all of my figures were correct for base invoice price and options, so I think you can trust Edmunds' or KBB figures (both matched). Towards the end he brought up the regional advertising fee but wasn't a sticking point on the sale.

I wanted to buy from this dealership as they're the closest to our home and my wife's place of work. In addition the salespersons assistant (is Lexus the only dealership with these?) was quite helpful during our test drives and forthcoming with pluses and minuses with his own IS300.

I look forward to the day our IS300 arrives (actually, its going to be my wife's). Now I just need to figure out a way to move three cars and two motorcycles to Colorado with only two drivers.

KAM

superman5 · December 2001

what is the exact size of the rim? is it 17x 7 all around or 17 x 7.5 in the back? in the manaul, it has two different types for 17" rims, type a n type b

jrct9454 · December 2001

The sedan uses one wheel all around; the SportCross wagon uses a wider wheel in back than in front, a really stupid decision, in my opinion. Would not be surprised if they go with different widths on the manual trans car, as well, since it is supposed to be more " sporty ".

superman5 · December 2001

thanks for the info
by the way two more questions

1. how many speakers are there in sedan, 6 or 8? i get mix information.

2. is it possible to program the car to lock and unlock automatically when the transmission is in park or drive?

teo · December 2001

Is this car roomy?

Is the IS300 a good choice for family duty?

vocus · December 2001

I would think not. The rear seat is smaller than in, say, a true family sedan (Taurus, Accord, Camry).

silverlex · December 2001

I go on vacation for a week and come back to 43 new messages. And that doesn't even included vtech or hvan!

stanny1 · December 2001

Try a Lincoln LS with 5 speed Manual. Bigger inside than a 7 series and they are giving them away. I got mine last year for about 32k. I bet you can do better now.

smartguy8514 · December 2001

the LS is bigger than the 5 series but not the 7.........definitely not the 7

ezaircon4jc · December 2001

I know this isn't the forum, but the 7-series is marginally larger than the LS:
Listed numbers on Edmunds:
7 LS
front shoulder room 59.3 57.7
rear shoulder room 58.7 57
front leg room 41.3 42.8

The LS is 4.1" shorter in length, 2.6" shorter in height, 1.7" narrower and has a 3.2" shorter wheelbase.

stanny1 · December 2001

Ok,I meant the 5 series. But almost as big as the 7, especially considering how much smaller the LS is. The LS has a disproportionately large occupant space for it's size. I might feel claustrophobic in an IS300 now.

hvan3 · December 2001

Well, if a family of four can fit in a Toyota Corolla, then a family of four can easily fit in this souped up "Corolla". LOL

Want more passenger room? You can buy two Corollas and fit a family of 8 for the price of one "souped up Corolla". Both of these Corollas will last just as long. LOL The only difference is "perception".

Sorry, I couldn't help it. It's my "recession" joke for the day. hehe

jmess · December 2001

I took my car on a pretty good road trip last week and caught up with a 3 or 4 year old BMW 740 on a two lane road. We started playing around passing each other along with passing slower cars; they all were slower until I met up with the 740. From 50->100 the IS would hang with the 740 pretty good; we both weren't interested in any form of speed contest so nothing stupid was going on. The IS seemed to have the handling advantage in the twisty bits even with LM-22 winter tires. The 740 is bigger heavier car and in the medium speed corners the IS appears to be more nimble.

riez · December 2001

jmess... Is your IS300 automatic or manual? IS300 can be nice on the twisties. Try it with the 5 Series, esp. the 530i 5-speed manual or 540i 6-speed manual. Or a 330i or 330Ci 5-speed and Sport Pkg manual. Would be a completely different story than with a 7 Series. If you want a bit more practicality and room than IS300, but still want a very serious sport sedan, you might consider a Certified Pre-Owned 528i or 540i. Cost would be similar to a decently-equipped new IS300.

jmess · December 2001

I have a SportCross which only comes with the E-shift. I think the IS compares pretty well to the 330 in performance, handling, solid construction, and creature features. The 5xx is probably more comparable to the GS400-GS430. I personally wasn't interested in CPO cars of any make; I wanted a new car. A loaded 330 has a little more power and a few luxury features you don't get on the IS but the IS is a much better value. Over the years I have driven 3 and 5 series cars at speed on a race track and I have some idea of what a BMW is and can do both on the track and cursing on the highway. Nice cars and always pleasant to drive. The whole SportCross package combined with the utility of the hatchback won me over; the street price for the car sealed the deal.

I have no interest in manual street cars any more. The E-shift is the way to go for a street car. If I can push a button and have the car behave reasonably well, then I am all for pushing the button. The Formula One cars seem to do well with E-shift. FYI, a friend had problems getting a fair price for his manual 528; he felt he could have sold the car a lot sooner and for a better price with an automatic.

superman5 · December 2001

i have just purchased TRD carbon fiber grill, i am trying to install it myself but however i am having a difficult time taking the stock grill out, i have taken the three bolts out on top but it still won't come out! Plz help!

jmess · January 2002

Go to is300.net and ask for help. Someone may have already been there and done that.

superman5 · January 2002

thank you for your help!

v_tech · January 2002

i just wanted to comment on the IS300's future market. anyone who thinks that this car has no future is ignorant beyond all belief. lots of folks complain about its sales and "boy racer" looks and that is totally silly. the audi A4 with AWD isn't lighting up the sales charts but nobody is calling for it to be DISCONTINUED. LOOKS WISE I WOULDN'T WANT THE A4 to be discontinued just because it looks like a damn volkswagon. PLEASE!!!!!

IT IS ALSO FUNNY TO ME HOW preposterous it is that you can buy two and a half honda civics for the price of a fully loaded 330i. how stupid can these bmw guys be??? i mean last time i checked that 3 series looked kinda like that civic don't ya'll think??? now that the 7 series looks like the 3 series you might as well buy 2 330i's for the price of one big car and haul around 8 people.

getting back to the IS300. this G35 talk is hysterical to me. do you want to cruise in a private jet or a jet fighter. whatever you want folks you can have its just that the IS300 would shoot down the altima or any infiniti in a dogfight. don't even talk slalom when it comes to the IS300.

what is this talk about putting a V8 into the IS300 and then it will be a real car??? this is absurd beyond belief. to the person who suggested this. how about a supercharger??? the IS300 will be available supercharged soon i hear. is that not good enough for you??? or take a look at the IS430 a few posts up. is that not good enough for you all??? or just 240 horses. at 215 horses this car can already reach speeds of 145mph (governor limited)with ease how much more do you want??? its slow automatic can hang with just about any 3 series on the planet except for the 330i. i would take the auto IS300 and dust anybody in a 325i stick any day unless you wanted to race for only 100 yards or something. then maybe the bimmer would have a chance.

the IS300's future market is solid. the kids are salivating i tell you. this car will be around long enough for generation X to get their clammies on it just you wait and see. and all the anti-lexus clowns will be spending their whole retirement years trying to yank their right foot out of their big mouths.

vtec/vvti/double voranos/ivtec

jrct9454 · January 2002

...lighten up....get a grip...relax, already. What brought this on?

teo · January 2002

The most recent comparision of these cars still puts the 330i as being the total package, the IS300 oddly is all about handling and not much else."

Well, it promises better reliability than any comparable German iron, for starters, but I agree to an extent that the Altezza platform already delivers the goods in the handling department but the overall package is still half-baked to justify its $30K to $35K price tag and hence become more appealing to a broader market audience.

I personally like the *understated* style of the car but I also find myself disliking the rear end treatment of the IS300 sedan that looks too much like a mid 1990's Honda Accord and Civic. The clear taillight treatment is a mixed bag. I think that the IS300 if marketed as a Lexus, should abandon this cosmetic trend. Red/Amber jeweled tailights as found on the Camry/Avalon sedans should look much better IMO. I think the only Lexus model were the clear tailight treatment was sucessfully and tastefully applied was the RX300.

In the realm of the IS300, I like the Sportcross better but it is also $2K more expensive, suffers from the same cramped rear seat legroom but offers 10cuft more of cargo space over the almost useless sedan trunk (With gooseneck hinges BTW).

The car has another problem...is too tiny. It is smaller inside than a VW jetta that costs almost $10K less. Front room accomodations are OK but the rear is tight....if I pay for a 4 door I want my rear passengers to enjoy a comfortable ride and not to develop body aches.

I personally like the controversial Chronograph instrumentation (Albeit I must admit it is hard to read at a quick glance) and the general layout of the cabin, but the materials are Toyota Echo/Corolla grade (Hard, hollow sounding dashboard plastics) which simply do not fit a car of this calibre and price bracket. This has long been a point of criticism ever since the IS300 was introduced to market.

I think in most other respects Lexus almost got it right with this car, but you heard that right, almost. The car still offers plenty of room for improvement before it becomes a truly worthy alternative to the benchmark 3 series. I hope the next generation IS300 will address the very few but significant shortcomings found on the current car.

I briefly drove a 2001 IS300 last year and I found the car's handling prowess to be better than the 3 series. But the engine/automatic combo felt somewhat lethargic from a standstill. I know this is the GS300 in line 6, but still, Toyota can do better to improve the low end grunt and add more HP from the get go.

Should have the IS300 be marketed as a Toyota since the beginning? I think so. The car in is current state fits much better the Toyota market fold than the Lexus market fold by a great margin. The IS300 is a great Toyota but a very crude Lexus. I think that the IS300 priced at around $25K to $27K and sold as a Toyota would have been a much bigger hit than trying so hard to pass it as a $30K+ Lexus automobile.

However, Toyota Motor Sales USA perhaps was faced with this dillemma...if buyers want to think of the IS300 as a true alternative to the 3 series, then the car must be badged as a Lexus. If it had been badged as a Toyota, US buyers might have not taking it so seriously. Americans are extremely hunged up into badges and name brands, but even the car marketed as a Lexus still has been kinda a marketing flop. Our 2 local Miami dealers are gicing them away with cheap $299 to $369 per month leases for 39 Months and inceptions ranging from $500 to $2000.

Another mistake Lexus made was to omit the manual transmission during introduction year. The 2002's have received some needed improvements, including the sedan only 5-speed tranny and the NAV system but still the 6-speed is no where in sight yet.

Lexus should also have offered along the IS300, the Euro/Asian IS200 model with less weight, better performance a 6-speed manual and perhaps a cheaper admission price. the IS200 would have been the perfect car to bring new young buyers into the Lexus fold...the IS200 could have been priced at around $25K and undercut the MB C-class coupe easily.

With all this said, as much as I like the current IS300's qualities and been tempted as of late to jump into one, I have decided to put away my checkbook and keep my super reliable Impala until the next generation IS300 comes our way in 2 or 3 years from now.

I am sure and I hope that Lexus will not abandon the persuit of making the ultimate 50/50 RWD sports sedan with the added benefit of long term reliability and quality.

nyccarguy · January 2002

I cannot speak from personal experience, but from what I've read, all of the auto journalists love the IS300 5 speed (they say a huge improvement over the E-Shift) and they say a 6 speed isn't necessary. I would think that a 6 speed would only improve fuel economy.

That being said, I'm not familiar with the Altezza/IS200 in Europe/Asia. What are the specs (Displacement/HP/Torque/transmission/weight) of the Altezza/IS200?

riez · January 2002

Drive an IS300 at highway speeds or higher and you'll immediately notice the high RPMs required by the boyracer gearing. And look at the window sticker and you'll see poor EPA mileage rating (given its size, weight, class, engine, and tranny). All due to poor gearing. A 6-speed manual would improve ratio choices and allow deeper overdrive. Could get better acceleration with more relaxed and economical cruising. Real win-win. (If you want to experience it, check out my 540i 6-speed. She has a 24 mpg highway rating. Turns over about 2,100 rpms at 74 mph. Compare to IS300. Doesn't the IS300 have only a 25 mpg rating?)

teo... Great comments. Couldn't have said it better. If you want to get a feel for the IS300 interior issues, just park one next to a new ES300. That has a classy interior. The IS300's seem to be Toyota Celica-derived. Think the existence of Celica prevented IS from being a Toyota. But I think your comment about a base IS200 manual at around $26,000 were right on.

Lexus IS 300

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