By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Also, does anybody know the money factor and residuals for the lease specials that lexus is promoting? If not, where can I get this kind of info.
Thanks for the help.
Just ask a dealer if it can be ordered. Does the brochure or anything else you've seen indicate in writing that the 5-speed manual can't be had with navigation system? My '04 IS300 5-speed manual does not have it but I didn't want it. (Way too expensive for what little you get. I can use a map and a compass. And I like the storage space on the dash; it now has a lid.)
I am getting a 2004 IS300 5 Speed Stick Shift.
MSRP $32469
Quote $28022+Tax,License
Is that a good price or I should get a better price than this?
Thanks
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
LSD
Spoiler
Nets and Mats
How's that?
I am pretty much finish the deal.
Anyone has any suggestion please?
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Based upon experience here, are those ratings significant? Thanks!
What Edmund's reliability rating are you talking about?
I'm aware of CR, JD Powers, Intelichoice, and others.
The manuals are supposed to have a slightly different and more aggressive set up, but Lexus won't provide details.
The new package for the manuals reportedly has a different, more "European" tuned suspension setting. Don't think Lexus has provided any details.
Is said Lexus won't provide the necessary technical details. What are they changing, if anything? Springs? Shocks? Bushings? Anti-roll bars? Tires?
Do keep in mind that any two cars of the same year, make and model can perform and handle differently. Unlikely to be huge, but can be noticeable to the experienced person.
The electronic throttle resonse does feel different than what we are used to. Not just Lexus. Seen other reports from magazines discussing this issue for many marques and makes. Does seem like there is a bit of a lag. Feel this way with my wife's '03 automatic and my '04 manual.
IMHO the source of the comments about the suspension are mainly caused by the shock valving. being a little soft on compression/bump. This gives you a better ride but takes some of the edge off the car at the upper limits of the cornering envelop.
"So when's the next party? 'We'll reintroduce the car in the Spring of 2002. Probably with a supercharger. We've got TRD working on one right now,' says McLaughlin. A TRD supercharged IS300 currently serves CART as a pace car, and if that installation is any yardstick, expect about 50 percent more power and torque (304 hp and 278 lb/ft) than the stock motor's. If you happen to miss the L-Tuned party this fall, start primping now for the next blast, come spring."
And what ended up happening? NOTHING! The IS430 pipe dream?
"Wondering why this 'street stock' racer is allowed one more cog [gear] than the production car? At the time [Sports Touring Racer Chuck] Goldsborough started up the IS300 program, a manual transmission was not available in the U.S. It had not yet been decided whether the U.S. market would get a 5- or 6-speed, so Team Lexus went with six."
And too bad Toyota/Lexus failed to go with the six in the production IS300!
This is my first car ever. Please advise how to break it in.
Should I do some treatment on my leather?
SHould I wax the car asap and which one is the best wax to use?
Will lexus change my oil on the 1000 miles service? should I change the oil at that time?
thanks
Lexus doesn't change the oil at 1,000 miles. This is just an inspection. First oil change is at 5,000 miles. When I had my 5K service done recently, I ensured they used synthetic oil.
- Recommended purchased with highest reliability rating (only average satisfaction and depreciation ratings).
- Tied (out of 15 cars) for Best '04 projected reliability in their Upscale Cars category (ties Infiniti I35).
- Highest CR Safety Assessment in their Upscale and Large Sedans Category (18 cars).
- Rated 3rd (out of 14) in their Upscale Sedan category--rated "Excellent, barely behind TL and 330i.
- Rated better than average reliability in used cars, with '01, '02, and '03 IS300s all considered in their respective price categories.
- Reliability ratings for '01 and '02 IS300 better than average. (Insufficient data for '03.)
www.ConsumerReports.org
I forgot to mention that CR even rated the IS300 "Very Good" for its "Family-friendly features score" and an overall "Excellent" for their "Best Cars for Kids" rating.
phaworth - sometimes www.lexus.com has details on special lease deals but often, it just says to see your dealer for details.
Thank You.
And combined with the annual maintenance, it's gonna cost a fortune. Is it worth it? The Bimmer MSRP=$33,520 and the Lexus=$33,255.
HELP!!
The Lexus has better acceleration, and is probably a little better equipped at the same price point. Actual selling price is probably lower for the Lexus as well.
If you are leasing, the lease deals are really good on the BMW right now. That might make it cheaper monthly than the Lexus.
I myself prefer the looks and the handling of the BMW, but thats just me. If the numbers worked out cheaper for the BMW including insurance and maintenance, that is definitely the way I would go.
regards,
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Do keep in mind that the first oil change is free. Too bad Lexus doesn't offer "free" maintenance like BMW and others. But as we all know, there is nothing "free".
Don't price MSRP to MSRP. You have to negotiate price. Lexus dealers likely more willing to move on price and likely still offering good finance rates. (I got 3.64% for 60 months on my '04 IS300 in September 2003.) Despite trying to buy a new BMW from my local dealer about 6 times since 1997, I've never been able to. They either offered nothing in trade or stuck close to MSRP.
Don't forget to adjust pricing for the better standard equipment in the IS300. Things like HID and metallic paint are standard on IS300 but VSC is optional. IS300 also can be had with optional LSD.
Are you looking for manual or automatic transmission? LSD optional for both IS300s, but VSC only available for automatic.
How much should I expect maintenance to be the first few years? Why doesn't Lexus include this?
And, gas mileage . . .
Also, why are there so many Bimmers on the road? This is big reason I prefer the IS300 (and I look cuter in the IS300)!
It seems like you save a couple of grand up front, but have to pay in the back end.
Are your dealer quotes taking into account the trade? How firm are the quotes? (They ain't firm if they ain't in writing.)
Are you buying outright or financing? Have you compared Lexus Financial and BMW Financial rates? (Bet both can beat local banks and credit union, but thinking Lexus might have a lower financing rate than BMW.)
You have to take into account all costs over the expected lifecycle of your ownership. And you really should time discount money (i.e., money spent today is worth more than money spent or lost 5 years from now).
- Initial cost of car, taking into account any trade in
- Cost of financing
- Taxes, title, registration
- Depreciation or future resale value
- Insurance
- Gasoline
- Maintenance
- Repairs
Unless you drive 50,000 miles a year, gasoline cost is normally a very small percentage of overall ownership costs. (Both 325i and IS300 use premium fuel.)
Depreciation is the most expensive cost, but the initial out of pocket expenses have the highest time value of money. If you own the car for more than say 7 years or 100,000 miles, then depreciation isn't much of a factor as the car won't be worth too much (in future dollars discounted back to today).
Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura chose not to provide much "free" maintenance. BMW, MB, Jag, etc.--do likely because potential buyers worry about the costs in the first 50K or 4 years. The Japanese cars historically have less maintenance costs, though not sure the differential is that much. (You'd be surprised how many BMWs have brake work done in the first 50K. New rotors, etc.)
Think Lincoln did for a while but cut back. Anyone know if Cadillac provides much "free" maintenance?
Five schedule services. Zero unscheduled. Service cost $708. Normal wear cost $1,016 (mainly tires-at about 30,000 miles). Repairs equal $0. Gasoline cost $2,741 (at $1.54 per gallon). They observed 22 mpg overall.
30,000 work most expensive. $326.
2. R&T, April 2002 issue. 50,430 miles.
Depreciation estimated at $3,196 plus high mileage deduction of $6,453. Gasoline cost $4,413 (2,335 gallons). Averaged 21.6 mpg. Routine maintenance cost $1,000. Other item: $586 for tires. Total cost per mile of $.31.
3. Motor Trend, August 2002: 11,316 miles
Averaged 17.5 mpg. No problem areas. No non-warranty costs.
Why don't you just get the crack filled by a professional auto window repair place?
Try Novus.com or safelite.com.
I recently had my windshield repaired by safelite.
I had a small spider web crack in my windshield from a rock. After the repair you can still see some very fine cracks but the windshield will be smooth inside and out. And it only cost me $59.
The local shop declined to fill the chip since the chip is in the line of vision, they told me this is to avoid legal trouble later should the fix affect my vision and caused an accident.
The local shop declined to fill the chip since the chip is in the line of vision, they told me this is to avoid legal trouble later should the fix affect my vision and caused an accident.
Did you check with the shop if the $200 windhield is a Toyota window?
Also, if you get one from safelite or other big companies they may offer satisfaction/quality guarantees against warpage, creases in the glass.
I called safelite and they come by and fixed the chip - no need for replacement, excellent service! Thanks for your advice.
Did they say your car would pass inspection even with the chip in the line of vision?
Though Washington D.C. winters are not normally that bad, I am most concerned about the Lexus's RWD. Thus, any experiences with the IS 300 in the ice and/or snow would be helpful. Thanks in advance.