Here's the update! I've come down to heaven for a little while to chat! Been driving around trying to rack up the 1,000 miles - only got 848. Took my baby in on 4/23 for the first free checkup! Everything's okay! I felt like a parent waiting in the hospital worrying if the kid is going to make it! The "I like looking at your butt" count is still climbing. I've also noticed that I'm obsessed with parking far away (at the mall or restaurant) in hopes that no one will ding my car and trying to keep the car clean. Is this the "new car" ownership syndrome? The "fun factor" is definitely increasing! I consider the highway my playground! Well, not all of it (where the cops are lurking) just certain places! I thank God for my excellent brakes today! This dumb Volvo cut across three lanes on the freeway during rush hour traffic. Guess who was in the 3rd lane? In my lane tho' the Volvo just bearly had enough room to squeeze in to get to the off ramp! The ABS kicked in perfectly! I lost it tho' - gave that dude the finger & "hope he could read my lips"! Thanks to you and others I really made the best decision of my life in getting this car! Thanks again!!!
Also, after I left the dealership I realized that I did not do the "check it over before you leave" look. So, I pulled over in a parking lot for inspection. There were several scratches located on the front passenger side bumper near the fog light. One scratch exposes the dark foundation. I immediately brought the car back & showed the service consultant what I discovered. He insisted that the car was hand washed & didn't think that it was his people. I told him that I am the only person that cleans the car & when I do I use a stool & take my time in washing/waxing the car (just did it on Sunday). He didn't say what he could do but said that he would have to get is manager's approval. He called back an hour later said that his manager will approve fixing the bumper at an autobody shop & that I could have a loaner. Sorry for the long history but my question is - do you think that the autobody shop will have to sand the area down & spray paint or brush paint? Or sand the entire bumper & spray/brush paint? Do you think sanding is required at all? Do you think its possible to match the factory paint? I heard touchup paint makes it look worse! Can you clue me on this? I am afraid I am about to be taken.
You gotta test drive the IS again! I did the test 4 times before making a final decision. If you have a willing salesperson - rip the car on the freeway, change lanes, go offramp and onramp, drive to your familiar places, park (parallel too) in familiar places, go up/down hill, reverse in a stall, park head on to a sidewalk (low ground clearance). I think I did it all! The ride is very smooth - when the people on this site says "its buttery" they are not joking!!The "I wonder if 215 hp is enough" was my concern too! Try again & check if 215 hp is enough for you! Unless you decide to race everyone in your path - dude, 215 is plenty! Consumer Reports ranks this car as reliable & BMW as not! The brakes are listed as excellent not just good! Read anything & everything you can on this car. I researched on the internet & asked people (even strangers) & of course, "edmunds" discussion. The "edmunds" group (more than other sites) I found valuable because its real people talking!!
If you want a real sporty car get an RWD! No self-respecting sports car is without one! I'm sure others will agree on just this one aspect!
I test drove the following cars before making my decision on the IS300: ACURA TL (just a big sedan trying to be everything to ALL consumers-good try on the manufacturer's part-sporty car lovers know better), BMW 3 series (great car but I've just confirmed the "everytime you bring for service it costs $500" someone told me that $500 is just for the computer diagnostics - still gotta pay for repairing the problem, labor, parts. Maintenance on European cars is far to pricey), RAV4 (cute, sorta fun but no guts), CAMRY V6 (not bad, smooth riding, too baby boomership, actually boring), new COROLLA (Toyota made it bigger but forgot about more hp to carry the new weight, try getting onto a freeway!), ALTIMA (FWD-way too much torque, felt like the car was in control-not me, it veers too much to the right, too big, again a big sedan trying to capture all the market, base price is cheap but the options can run you close to $5,000 (V6 model), G35 (only rode-the driver wanted to give me a thrill at 80+ zigging across the freeway, interior was nice, options are expensive (Bose $900?), its trying be the 350Z, the butt needs to be redesigned, generally something missing).
Anyway, thats my 2 cents! Try the IS again - I promise its heavenly. You will fall in love, it will excite you & you will have a difficult time wiping that smile off your face! If you got any other questions let me know! Its 1:30 am & I'm sleeepppy.....
It is great that we all agree that IS is the winner. I actually think that it is a real thoroughbred of the Lexus stable. Lexus needs to produce more sport-oriented sedans and PLEASE ADD MANUAL TRANSMISSION to more cars in the lineup (GS300/430). I would most certainly buy a GS if it came with a stick. For me: no stick: no sale. I do not drive slush boxes, therefore a 5-speed IS is a God send. There is nothing, nothing like driving a close-ratio 5-speed (I do not like 6-speeds) in a car with a torquey inline 6.
I'm with rsr on gear ratios, based on speculation really, since I no longer row my own. Performance and control from five gears is plenty for me. Closer ratios, to me, would only mean more work, not substantially increased drivability. With less torque, perhaps, and peak power on tap at higer RPMs, as with a high-revving four (S2000 comes to mind), I think closer ratios might make a difference, but with a fat, torquey six?
I'd really like to replace my E-shift with something like the sequential from the MR2. I don't particulary care to do the leg and stick work anymore, but the control would be nice. The fact that E-shift is soft and will down-shift without driver's button input anyway, makes it kinda too cush for me. Again, I'm just daydreaming here; it's not like a major issue for me.
Zone: I don't think I would sweat the body shop touch up too much. Sending it to a decent body shop should work out fine. I believe they will spray and feather it in, or mask and paint an entire area (bumper). I'd bet on the latter, since it's a whole lot simpler than trying to find a gunner who knows how to feather properly.
I saw the cosmetic update for the GS on that same website, BTW, and I think they cleaned THAT one up just fine (it was getting a bit confused).
My latest point of satisfaction with my little mule?
The power lock "chirp". Nice and subtle. One little beep for locked, two little beeps for unlocked. My last three cars have all been wired to the horn, which is kind of annoying.
I'm going to have to go against the grain in regards to a couple of the most common Lexus IS300 complaints. First of all, I simply do not view my 2002 Lexus IS300's interior as looking too cheap. While it may not be the greatest sports sedan interior of all time, it's a far cry from being the sea of cheap plastic that some folks make it out to be. The coordination of the various components could be a little better--to some degree. But again, I just don't think it's all that bad. Secondly, I think that a stock Lexus IS300 is plenty peppy enough for legal highway driving. At least in the U.S.A. Who wants to shell out their hard-earned cash for lawyers and court costs anyway?!
Admittedly, there are a few areas that I wish my 2002 Lexus IS300 was better in. They are as follows:
-I wish that the door panels were recessed a bit to give the passengers a little more lateral room. It really doesn't take that much of a recess to create the desired effect.
-A slightly smoother ride would be nice--although I do view the current ride as being acceptable. And no, I don't expect a sports sedan to ride like a 1984 Lincoln Town Car. Again, I don't think the 2002 Lexus IS300 ride is terrible by any stretch of the imagination. But it could be improved upon to some degree.
-The center armrest should be more robust than it is in the 2002 Lexus IS300.
-The console's cupholders should be larger.
-There should be more leg room for the rear seat passengers.
Other than these five issues, I am *extremely* happy with my 2002 Lexus IS300!!! The initial build quality is the best that I've experienced out of the nine vehicles that I've owned since obtaining my driver's license in June of 1977. Also, the factory paint job is superb on this vehicle.
RON M: curious on your comment about a "slightly smoother ride". my salesguy offered either 16" tires or 17" tires. no extra charge just choose one he said. he also said that the 16s will give a smoother ride but I will lack (dunno to what degree) performance. the 17s will give a more sporty, stiffer suspension ride (although not has stiff as the SportCross). I opted for the 17s. Actually, I would like it stiffer but thats just me. as for the interior its okay & I'm particular. it could have a more "oh, so cool" look tho'. haven't really dwelled on it so can't tell you exactly what cool is. i initially thought the dash was a bit busy but now that I understand "what is what" its no longer busy looking. the armrest could be longer. if I had to do one change in the interior it would be more storage space. like for CDs, small stuff, etc. the nav system is not available here so the space is just empty. that could be redesigned. well, maybe Lexus is reading this & will take consumer comments seriously. the thing i like most about the car is the HANDLING!! its soooo sweet!! which model did you buy? i got the E-shift, 2003 SportDesign model.
WALE: i likey the "chirp" too! so refined & well thought out. the neighbors are connected to the horn. its annoying when they come home late! thanks for the autofiend website. did you see the IS200 article? Yes, 200. Limited edition, production of 100, numbered badge inside the car, light canary yellow. a friend said its rumoured to be 4 cylinder tho'.
ANYBODY: any websites out there selling Lexus stuff? like car mats, leather wrap for the chrome ball (it gets hot in the parking lot!), cool stuff, etc.?
...the problem is/was that in Calif, there was no option to take the 16" wheels. We were all set to buy when the IS came out, and even drove 300 miles to SoCal to a dealer who was willing to actually deal on a base car [virtually no options], but 10 miles on the Ventura freeway [wavy, typical SoCal concrete, not table-smooth asphalt] was enough to convince us that this was a mistake. There was just too much harshness on every break in the pavement - whereas the BMW 3er [WITHOUT the sport suspension] and the MB C simply didn't have this problem. We wound up with a 2002 C240 and are pleased with this choice.
I would have much preferred to have the IS - no comparing Toyota's reliability with anything the Germans make - but the IS' handling advantage simply doesn't make up for the ride penalty when the car is used every day for everyday kind of tasks.
Would the 16" tires make the difference? Maybe, but Toyota decided I wasn't going to have that choice in our market. Do I want a Buick? No, but I don't need track handling to be happy. I wanted rear-drive, small size, good power, and Japanese reliability. We also tried the G35, and its ride [again, WITHOUT the sport suspension] was slightly better - but we found the front seats to be too uncomfortable, and nowhere in the ballpark of the Germans.
So we all have different priorities and preferences - I would like to see the IS with a real "touring car" suspension as standard, and with a sport package that would satisfy the rest of you as optional. The GS is too expensive, and the ES is frontdrive and of no interest. Until this happens, we will stick with the Germans, and put up with the extra trips to the dealer to handle the problems.
Zone: Check out www.Lextasy.com. Don't blame me, I didn't come up with the name!! I had the dealer toss in the Lexus leather shift knob when I signed the deal, but it's a contoured thing that's a bit of a disappointment. I don't use use it. If you come across a leather cover for the ball, let me know; that's what I thought I was getting from Lexus in the first place!
The 200 is available in Europe. English critics have liked it, and yes, it's the 2.0L I4 Altezza with L badges.
jrct: It's definitely a case of diff'rent strokes Willis! I wouldn't have even considered the 325it without the sport package. I love the level of communication in this car, and smoothing it anymore than it already is would ruin it for me. But I hear what you're saying. It IS hard to find RWD in a compact package these days. That's why I was faced with really only two choices in the end.
BTW, every time I see a C rolling by, I'm extremely impressed with the styling. To float my boat though (along the lines of your comments), Benz would need to AMG a C-320 wagon!
Re size: I find this thing sized perfectly, and I'm not exactly small, and I haul two young'uns around, time to time. I'm 6' even, mostly leg, and about 185. I have zero issues with leg or head room, but if you ask me to carry adults in the rear, at least one will be hurting. I didn't buy this car to haul three full-size passengers though, just as most 3-series pilots don't buy theirs for carpool purposes either.
This toy is supposed to make you smile the miles away going fast or curvy or both. Utility is icing, not cake...
I was just "building my own" IS300 on the Lexus website and noticed there was nowhere in th options box to check for navigation. Are they not offering it for '03 anymore or is it just a regional thing? It seems that all the IS300s (with 17" wheels) in my area (NYC) come equipped with All Season Tires. Personally I'd like a set of Z rated suckers and then buy a set of dedicated winter wheels/tires (- 1).
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
The NAV is still available, it's just not listed as an option on the website (which is a little weird). I can't say for sure, but my theory is you'll find that there are essentially three packaged versions out there, and that the NAV is on most if not all the more or less loaded ones.
You can, I believe, order it separately if you factory-order the car.
On the tires, outside of certain regions, I think finding summer tired 17-inchers stock might be difficult, though when I bought my SportCross, they offered me any wheel/tire combo I wanted, no charge, no problem.
There's a plus for the Sport Design package. It has 17 inch wheels with summer tires, I believe. I wasn't aware that 17 inchers with summer tires was a rare combination.
I used the "Build you Lexus" function on the Lexus website and submitted it to a local dealer for a quote. I was quite surprised when the quote came back at about $800 UNDER invoice. I'm getting close here.
FCOL, Don, just do it! Buy some Nikes to go with it, too.
Fellow in a big blue Land Rover pulled up next to me yesterday at three successive stoplights. At the third, he rolls down his window to strike up a conversation. How do I like it? What did I cross-shop? Etc. He wants to dump his leviathan for a SportCross. What could I do but praise him for his good senses?!?
Took the mule on a little jaunt over to Stockton last week. She behaved flawlessly. Now my boss is considering replacing his '95 Passat wagon. He won't, because he's in MN and needs his FWD, but he'd like to. All those years of Tahoe trips in a RWD 1965 GM convertible, and I just can't see what the big deal with FWD and snow is myself.
Give me a break, it's only been 3 or 4 months and I have already narrowed it down to 3 cars! I figure 3-6 months and I'll be there. That would be fairly quick for me.
WALE: I checked out Lextasy but couldn't find anything. I discovered IS300.net tho'! That site has a new parts section now. I saw a JDM Altezza Leather Shift Knob for $65.00. Its a factory available option in Japan as an alternative to the chrome ball. It claims that all you have to do is unscrew the existing & replace with the leather knob. The pic of the knob is not really clear. Is this the one you purchased & did not like? Damn, that chrome gets hot!! I'm using a hand towel now - not stylish but cooler!
FELLOW ISers: Anybody having problems with all the glass water spotting? I wash the car at least once a week - usually twice. I wipe the glass with a microfiber cloth purchased from a car detailing shop. My car is parked in the garage. During a week of heavy rain I did not wash the car for 2 days. On the 3rd day, I washed & noted that water spots were everywhere. Just light spots & annoying. After my first checkup (1,000 miles) & free car wash at the dealers - I noticed that the spots seemed worse. I brought the car in for the service manager to have a look. He suggested a "home remedy" (taught to him at a recent car care seminar) of using a raw potato (will try tomorrow). Also he suggested "Bruce's Water Spot Remover". I took delivery of the car on March 22, 2003. My question is: can this happen to a brand new car? I thought spotting only occurred where the windshield wiper blades do not wipe? I'm not sure if I should attempt anything with abrasives. Seems like the dealer could say tough luck. Is it possible that the glass is defective? Do you think going to an auto glass shop for a second opinion is prudent? Any suggestions would be welcomed!
Yup, that's the knob I got. After a couple of weeks with it, I switched back to the great ball of chrome. Possibly this summer, I'll change back, but right now I'm comfy! What I really want is a leather cover (baseball stitched?) for it!
On spots: I have used Soft Scrub (NO bleach) on every car I've had since 1987. It was recommended in my Acura Legend's factory repair manual specifically for spots. Get a second opinion, but I've never had any issues with it, and always had great results.
rsr: Glad they're taking care of you! Sorry you have to go through it at all. That's a pisser and no two ways.
Thanks for the tip on the 2.0. I had to go back and re-read! That's a small six all right!! Given the inherent smoothness of an inline six, though, I can understand why it might be offered on a "luxury" marque in a European market.
After getting all worked-up over the debut of the IS 300, I was totally disappointed in looks of the car. It looks way to "boy-racerish" IMHO. It simply does not have the graceful lines of the 3 series. Is this the best Toyota/Lexus can do??
I am a Toyota owner, Tundra Limited 4x4 & Land Cruiser, and I am hoping that the next model will be more enticing because I believe Toyota/Lexus is on to something, but they HAVE to change that God-awful body style!!
No offense, but why not just go buy a 3 before Bangle screws that one up too! The current models are frankly the best looking 3ers I've ever seen, especially the M coupe. And the lease deals are actually pretty sweet.
IS styling was a part of the attraction for me, so I can't really commiserate, but if you want to see a shot of the alledged next generation Altezza/IS, skip on back a few posts and you'll find a link. I don't care for it personally, but it might work for you.
There's a blurb on the new Supra in the 6/03 issue of AUTOMOBILE that talks about the car being due on sale as a 2004 model based on the second-generation Lexus IS platform. We already knew this. "Engines are set to be 3.0- and 3.5-liter normally aspirated V-6s matched to a six-speed close-ratio transmission."
I can't imagine the bean counters at Toyota letting 2 completely different engines (the V6 & I6) fit into the same platform. Enjoy you're Inline sixes while you can. I hope I'm wrong:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Sounds like they are trying to come up with the Toyota equivalent of the VQ engine. I guess I can live with that as long as they don't screw up the handling and responsivesness. Muting the styling to the point of being just another boring Japanese sedan would be bad, too.
If they are able to retain the current handling, while improving the styling (removing all that boyracer BS) and increasing the interior room a tad, it would be perfect. That would make the IS a legitimate competitor to the 3-series, while having the aura of Lexus reliability. Currently, the IS has challenged the 3-series but while the 3-series sells for close to MSRP, the IS is supported by low APR financing to be moved out....all of which are attributable to the boyracer touches in a 30K+ car.
I believe the redesigned 3-series is growing in length by around 4 inches or so, with a slight increase in width, so the IS can grow a bit too, while competing with it directly.
A V6 by itself is not going to mess up anything, if it is implemented appropriately and integrates with the rest of the parts well. This time around, they should come out with a 6-speed manual, right off the bat, along with the Automatics.
Oh, I don't think they'll make the same manual mistake twice (touch wood).
I suppose all y'all could be right about updating, but I find the thing so close to perfect now that if they just freshened the interior and added a 5-speed SMG, I'd be good to go again. This is the most fun I can remember having fully clothed, so I just don't want them to STP on this car!
When people are referring to "all that boy racer stuff", to exactly what are they referring? I can see the taillights being an issue but what else is so "boy racerish"?
If you surf back in time through this board you will see that the dash and taillights seem to challenge some folks sense of age identity. I wonder what these same folks think about large 4X4 decals?
In the same issue of automobile at the top of the page where I read about the new Supra (it helps to look) there is a section on the new IS300. Here's what it says:
"LEXUS IS, FALL 2005 As with the Lexus GS300, the IS300's in-line six-cylinder powerplant will be replaced by a similarly sized V-6. A larger-displacement engine (3.4 to 3.5 liters) also is expected in the new IS. Toyota has been considering V-8-powered versions of the current IS to bolster the car's image until the new model arrives."
I think it is also safe to assume that the next generation IS will have somewaht more subdued styling compared to the current IS300.
The IS is a great car with a smooth and powerful Inline 6 and sharply tuned chassis. Unfortunately they're not selling well. That's wht Toyota builds 'em, to sell 'em and make money. At least they see the potential to continue on with the IS. Even with a V6 (or 2) and not the Inline 6 and racy styling that we all like so much, it is better than no IS at all (Like there is no more of my beloved Prelude).
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Volume is the key factor for the big T, but this is supposed to be the anti-3, and I don't think you steal a niche by moving to the left or right of the benchmark. Maybe a new niche? Still, as has been offered here, if the performance and handling can meet or in some cases, exceed the bench, and the styling does not dip to Camry, or flop to Celica, levels, there may be hope. Pretty big "if".
Humble case in point: Eclipse. The changes for 2000, including more room, more power, bigger paws, less adolescent styling, etc. all added up to more sales. It also shifted the demographic upward, and according to the press and most every enthusiast ruined the agile, nimble, FUN feeling of the car. This is not to say the car doesn't handle, it does, and posts some pretty good numbers all the way 'round. But it no longer FEELS the way it did. It went from feeling like a sports car to feeling like a boulevard cruiser, and though the numbers look fine, the feeling is what it was really all about.
if many people hate the IS300's rear lights, " the boy racer style", why are there so many nasty cars with IS300 copied lights, I see so many suburans, cavaliers, neons, etc, you name it, these people put these IS300's wannabe lights on their cars, and most of them are not young "boyracer" kids, they are old grown men.
superman5 - I think you have it backwards. Adding those style lights as an aftermarket item was actually a well established trend before the IS300 came along, so the IS actually mimicked the existing aftermarket trend, not the other way around.
The clear-lense type of rear lights is actually called "Altezza-style" in the aftermarket. Why? Because they originated on a car called Toyota Altezza, a.k.a. IS300. So, if you want to know the truth, it all started with the IS300 and then was copied by all the slammed Civic types. If copying is the most sincere type of flattery, we won: our style is the envy and the trend. Look at Mitsu Evolution, Altima, etc.
Interesting history lesson, rsr. I had never heard the "Altezza Style" moniker associated with that style. Sounds like we're getting into a chicken and egg thing here, though I still maintain that in the US, the aftermarket lenses on other cars came before the IS300 which is why the perception here is that Toyota copied the style of the "boy racer" set. Turns out that may not be fair but if that's what everyone thinks, there's not much you can do about it.
I know there are a couple of Sportcross owners on here. Sportcrosses are so rare I haven't had a chance top check one out. Do you owners think that a fairly small (65 lb) Golden Retreiver would fit in the hatch area?
IS300's may be fairly new here in US ( 2 years?) but it has been out 4 to 5 years in japan and other countries. The light style itself came from altezza. It is not a chicken and egg issue.
I've test driven two of these now and have been quite impressed. There seems to be some disparity in reported mpg, from 28 to 21 with hiway driving. I do 50 miles/day commute with 48 of those @70mph on the interstate. Any real life experiance numbers out there?
wale - I figured dog nails would tear up leather seats pretty quickly. Do you cover the seats with something to prevent this? Don't torture the dog on my account, I'll take your word for it if you think there's enough room for her back there.
I drive my automatic SportCross without any attempt at conserving fuel. I don't stomp on the gas all the time but I tend to work the pedal alot. I have measured 21 MPG on the highway several times with speeds all over 60-99 range. The best I have ever got was 24 which was a very boring trip, far too boring to make it worth the gas I saved :-) The power band of the inline 6 in 50-90 range is pretty sweet IMHO.
my best mpg so far has been about 21 with 50/50 city/highway, that is driving not too aggressive but not to "granny". I know IS don't get good gas mileage ,I love hearing the inline 6 motor sound
what is is300's stock tires treadwear rating? i heard somewhere around 180? is that true? also how do i tell if my tires need to be changed, i can't really tell if it is worn out or not but mileage wise, it should be the time to change, is it the penny test? how does that work.
Comments
Also, after I left the dealership I realized that I did not do the "check it over before you leave" look. So, I pulled over in a parking lot for inspection. There were several scratches located on the front passenger side bumper near the fog light. One scratch exposes the dark foundation. I immediately brought the car back & showed the service consultant what I discovered. He insisted that the car was hand washed & didn't think that it was his people. I told him that I am the only person that cleans the car & when I do I use a stool & take my time in washing/waxing the car (just did it on Sunday). He didn't say what he could do but said that he would have to get is manager's approval. He called back an hour later said that his manager will approve fixing the bumper at an autobody shop & that I could have a loaner. Sorry for the long history but my question is - do you think that the autobody shop will have to sand the area down & spray paint or brush paint? Or sand the entire bumper & spray/brush paint? Do you think sanding is required at all? Do you think its possible to match the factory paint? I heard touchup paint makes it look worse! Can you clue me on this? I am afraid I am about to be taken.
If you want a real sporty car get an RWD! No self-respecting sports car is without one! I'm sure others will agree on just this one aspect!
I test drove the following cars before making my decision on the IS300: ACURA TL (just a big sedan trying to be everything to ALL consumers-good try on the manufacturer's part-sporty car lovers know better), BMW 3 series (great car but I've just confirmed the "everytime you bring for service it costs $500" someone told me that $500 is just for the computer diagnostics - still gotta pay for repairing the problem, labor, parts. Maintenance on European cars is far to pricey), RAV4 (cute, sorta fun but no guts), CAMRY V6 (not bad, smooth riding, too baby boomership, actually boring), new COROLLA (Toyota made it bigger but forgot about more hp to carry the new weight, try getting onto a freeway!), ALTIMA (FWD-way too much torque, felt like the car was in control-not me, it veers too much to the right, too big, again a big sedan trying to capture all the market, base price is cheap but the options can run you close to $5,000 (V6 model), G35 (only rode-the driver wanted to give me a thrill at 80+ zigging across the freeway, interior was nice, options are expensive (Bose $900?), its trying be the 350Z, the butt needs to be redesigned, generally something missing).
Anyway, thats my 2 cents! Try the IS again - I promise its heavenly. You will fall in love, it will excite you & you will have a difficult time wiping that smile off your face! If you got any other questions let me know! Its 1:30 am & I'm sleeepppy.....
(GS300/430). I would most certainly buy a GS if it came with a stick. For me: no stick: no sale. I do not drive slush boxes, therefore a 5-speed IS is a God send. There is nothing, nothing like driving a close-ratio 5-speed (I do not like 6-speeds) in a car with a torquey inline 6.
I'd really like to replace my E-shift with something like the sequential from the MR2. I don't particulary care to do the leg and stick work anymore, but the control would be nice. The fact that E-shift is soft and will down-shift without driver's button input anyway, makes it kinda too cush for me. Again, I'm just daydreaming here; it's not like a major issue for me.
Zone: I don't think I would sweat the body shop touch up too much. Sending it to a decent body shop should work out fine. I believe they will spray and feather it in, or mask and paint an entire area (bumper). I'd bet on the latter, since it's a whole lot simpler than trying to find a gunner who knows how to feather properly.
I saw the cosmetic update for the GS on that same website, BTW, and I think they cleaned THAT one up just fine (it was getting a bit confused).
http://www.autofiend.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&a- mp;sid=49
Slightly mundane, but definitely cleaner than the Benz-wannabe hodge podge it currently is, IMO.
Mercedes Hodge Podge on the IS300? Please....
Benz-ene hodge podge is the current GS!
Me likey current IS. Big time. Hate the alledged update, though.
The power lock "chirp". Nice and subtle. One little beep for locked, two little beeps for unlocked. My last three cars have all been wired to the horn, which is kind of annoying.
It's not a watershed, but it's a nice detail...
Happy Friday, all!
Admittedly, there are a few areas that I wish my 2002 Lexus IS300 was better in. They are as follows:
-I wish that the door panels were recessed a bit to give the passengers a little more lateral room.
It really doesn't take that much of a recess to create the desired effect.
-A slightly smoother ride would be nice--although I do view the current ride as being acceptable. And no, I don't expect a sports sedan to ride like a 1984 Lincoln Town Car. Again, I don't think the 2002 Lexus IS300 ride is terrible by any stretch of the imagination. But it could be improved upon to some degree.
-The center armrest should be more robust than it is in the 2002 Lexus IS300.
-The console's cupholders should be larger.
-There should be more leg room for the rear seat passengers.
Other than these five issues, I am *extremely* happy with my 2002 Lexus IS300!!! The initial build quality is the best that I've experienced out of the nine vehicles that I've owned since obtaining my driver's license in June of 1977. Also, the factory paint job is superb on this vehicle.
Ron M.
WALE: i likey the "chirp" too! so refined & well thought out. the neighbors are connected to the horn. its annoying when they come home late! thanks for the autofiend website. did you see the IS200 article? Yes, 200. Limited edition, production of 100, numbered badge inside the car, light canary yellow. a friend said its rumoured to be 4 cylinder tho'.
ANYBODY: any websites out there selling Lexus stuff? like car mats, leather wrap for the chrome ball (it gets hot in the parking lot!), cool stuff, etc.?
I would have much preferred to have the IS - no comparing Toyota's reliability with anything the Germans make - but the IS' handling advantage simply doesn't make up for the ride penalty when the car is used every day for everyday kind of tasks.
Would the 16" tires make the difference? Maybe, but Toyota decided I wasn't going to have that choice in our market. Do I want a Buick? No, but I don't need track handling to be happy. I wanted rear-drive, small size, good power, and Japanese reliability. We also tried the G35, and its ride [again, WITHOUT the sport suspension] was slightly better - but we found the front seats to be too uncomfortable, and nowhere in the ballpark of the Germans.
So we all have different priorities and preferences - I would like to see the IS with a real "touring car" suspension as standard, and with a sport package that would satisfy the rest of you as optional. The GS is too expensive, and the ES is frontdrive and of no interest. Until this happens, we will stick with the Germans, and put up with the extra trips to the dealer to handle the problems.
The 200 is available in Europe. English critics have liked it, and yes, it's the 2.0L I4 Altezza with L badges.
jrct: It's definitely a case of diff'rent strokes Willis!
BTW, every time I see a C rolling by, I'm extremely impressed with the styling. To float my boat though (along the lines of your comments), Benz would need to AMG a C-320 wagon!
Re size: I find this thing sized perfectly, and I'm not exactly small, and I haul two young'uns around, time to time. I'm 6' even, mostly leg, and about 185. I have zero issues with leg or head room, but if you ask me to carry adults in the rear, at least one will be hurting. I didn't buy this car to haul three full-size passengers though, just as most 3-series pilots don't buy theirs for carpool purposes either.
This toy is supposed to make you smile the miles away going fast or curvy or both. Utility is icing, not cake...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
You can, I believe, order it separately if you factory-order the car.
On the tires, outside of certain regions, I think finding summer tired 17-inchers stock might be difficult, though when I bought my SportCross, they offered me any wheel/tire combo I wanted, no charge, no problem.
But that's just a theory.
Consider well the source...
[sigh]
I used the "Build you Lexus" function on the Lexus website and submitted it to a local dealer for a quote. I was quite surprised when the quote came back at about $800 UNDER invoice. I'm getting close here.
Fellow in a big blue Land Rover pulled up next to me yesterday at three successive stoplights. At the third, he rolls down his window to strike up a conversation. How do I like it? What did I cross-shop? Etc. He wants to dump his leviathan for a SportCross. What could I do but praise him for his good senses?!?
Took the mule on a little jaunt over to Stockton last week. She behaved flawlessly. Now my boss is considering replacing his '95 Passat wagon. He won't, because he's in MN and needs his FWD, but he'd like to. All those years of Tahoe trips in a RWD 1965 GM convertible, and I just can't see what the big deal with FWD and snow is myself.
Curiously, a small 6-cylinder.
My dealer sctratched my car but is kindly handling
the repair at his own expense.
Later...AH
FELLOW ISers: Anybody having problems with all the glass water spotting? I wash the car at least once a week - usually twice. I wipe the glass with a microfiber cloth purchased from a car detailing shop. My car is parked in the garage. During a week of heavy rain I did not wash the car for 2 days. On the 3rd day, I washed & noted that water spots were everywhere. Just light spots & annoying. After my first checkup (1,000 miles) & free car wash at the dealers - I noticed that the spots seemed worse. I brought the car in for the service manager to have a look. He suggested a "home remedy" (taught to him at a recent car care seminar) of using a raw potato (will try tomorrow). Also he suggested "Bruce's Water Spot Remover". I took delivery of the car on March 22, 2003. My question is: can this happen to a brand new car? I thought spotting only occurred where the windshield wiper blades do not wipe? I'm not sure if I should attempt anything with abrasives. Seems like the dealer could say tough luck. Is it possible that the glass is defective? Do you think going to an auto glass shop for a second opinion is prudent? Any suggestions would be welcomed!
On spots: I have used Soft Scrub (NO bleach) on every car I've had since 1987. It was recommended in my Acura Legend's factory repair manual specifically for spots. Get a second opinion, but I've never had any issues with it, and always had great results.
rsr: Glad they're taking care of you! Sorry you have to go through it at all. That's a pisser and no two ways.
Thanks for the tip on the 2.0. I had to go back and re-read! That's a small six all right!! Given the inherent smoothness of an inline six, though, I can understand why it might be offered on a "luxury" marque in a European market.
I am a Toyota owner, Tundra Limited 4x4 & Land Cruiser, and I am hoping that the next model will be more enticing because I believe Toyota/Lexus is on to something, but they HAVE to change that God-awful body style!!
No offense, but why not just go buy a 3 before Bangle screws that one up too! The current models are frankly the best looking 3ers I've ever seen, especially the M coupe. And the lease deals are actually pretty sweet.
IS styling was a part of the attraction for me, so I can't really commiserate, but if you want to see a shot of the alledged next generation Altezza/IS, skip on back a few posts and you'll find a link. I don't care for it personally, but it might work for you.
I can't imagine the bean counters at Toyota letting 2 completely different engines (the V6 & I6) fit into the same platform. Enjoy you're Inline sixes while you can. I hope I'm wrong:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I believe the redesigned 3-series is growing in length by around 4 inches or so, with a slight increase in width, so the IS can grow a bit too, while competing with it directly.
A V6 by itself is not going to mess up anything, if it is implemented appropriately and integrates with the rest of the parts well. This time around, they should come out with a 6-speed manual, right off the bat, along with the Automatics.
Later...AH
I suppose all y'all could be right about updating, but I find the thing so close to perfect now that if they just freshened the interior and added a 5-speed SMG, I'd be good to go again. This is the most fun I can remember having fully clothed, so I just don't want them to STP on this car!
Ah well, we shall see, we shall see...
I understand the aversion to the clear lenses (not my favorite), but on an RX300, nobody seems to bat an eye.
It's not like there are wings, ground effects, grapefuit launcher, etc.
BTW, anyone know where I can get a "Powered by YOYODYNE PROPULSIONS SYSTEMS" windshield banner for mine?
"LEXUS IS, FALL 2005 As with the Lexus GS300, the IS300's in-line six-cylinder powerplant will be replaced by a similarly sized V-6. A larger-displacement engine (3.4 to 3.5 liters) also is expected in the new IS. Toyota has been considering V-8-powered versions of the current IS to bolster the car's image until the new model arrives."
I think it is also safe to assume that the next generation IS will have somewaht more subdued styling compared to the current IS300.
The IS is a great car with a smooth and powerful Inline 6 and sharply tuned chassis. Unfortunately they're not selling well. That's wht Toyota builds 'em, to sell 'em and make money. At least they see the potential to continue on with the IS. Even with a V6 (or 2) and not the Inline 6 and racy styling that we all like so much, it is better than no IS at all (Like there is no more of my beloved Prelude).
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Humble case in point: Eclipse. The changes for 2000, including more room, more power, bigger paws, less adolescent styling, etc. all added up to more sales. It also shifted the demographic upward, and according to the press and most every enthusiast ruined the agile, nimble, FUN feeling of the car. This is not to say the car doesn't handle, it does, and posts some pretty good numbers all the way 'round. But it no longer FEELS the way it did. It went from feeling like a sports car to feeling like a boulevard cruiser, and though the numbers look fine, the feeling is what it was really all about.
[sigh]
called "Altezza-style" in the aftermarket.
Why? Because they originated on a car called
Toyota Altezza, a.k.a. IS300. So, if you want to know the truth, it all started with the IS300 and then was copied by all the slammed Civic types. If copying is the most sincere type of flattery, we won: our style is the envy and the trend. Look at Mitsu Evolution, Altima, etc.
Here is a link (among many).
http://fmvss108.tripod.com/taillamps_altezza.htm
She's a Husky/Malamut/Shepherd mix at about 75 lbs., so that might be a gauge...
She sits up front whn I take her anywhere. Gets carsick, don't ya know...[-(
Better is I let the Mrs. take her in the T&C! [evil grin}
also how do i tell if my tires need to be changed, i can't really tell if it is worn out or not but mileage wise, it should be the time to change, is it the penny test? how does that work.