Buying a Lexus IS300 - Any feedback welcome
I'm looking at a couple different early IS300s. I have had a crush on them since they came out, and the old ones are finally affordable enough for me to get one.
I love the 2JZGE engine big time, but I don't have any personal experience. Can anyone give me a heads up on potential problems that are common in these cars or any other input I should take into consideration when getting one? Thanks in advance. |
That engine can handle a good amount of power in stock form. A friend of mine has an 04 manual and one of the big problems with the manual versions is premature clutch wear. They have a clutch damping spring that allows the clutch to slip a little when engaging so that pretty much anyone could drive it smoothly. This causes a typical average of 35,000-50,000 mile clutch life. The flywheel is also a two piece sprung unit that can't be resurfaced and has to be replaced (to the tune of $1100) if taken to the dealership and most other places we have found, for a clutch replacement.
Now there is some specialtion that the normal unsprung flywheel and sprung clutch setup would work from a supra, but i haven't seen any evidence to say for sure it would. We are about to pull his transmission and find out. No reason for it not too. Remember that it is still a lexus, so it is not going to be really that sporty. If you are just looking for a daily driver, then it is a great car. Highway driving is very smooth. |
Ya, this is replacing a 2000 Altima as my daily. Unfortunately the wife forbids me to have a manual tranny since she has to drive them - but the Miata is a manual and she just doesn't drive it.
I'm not looking to mod it, just looking for a nice ride for the next 5-6 years. |
Other than that complaint, it is a great car and i know he hasn't had any real trouble with it. The only other thing was the paint inside one of the tail lights started to flake a little, but the dealership replaced that under warranty.
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I think the IS kicksass. I loved my 02 manual with lsd. I'll second the clutch wear, though mine had more miles than that. There are aftermarket companies making standard clutch/flywheel/pp setups for the car that are way less dough than anything OE... though not Miata cheap. Here's a little inspirational video of my luxury IS300 roughing up the sporty cars. :D
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Originally Posted by Cpt_Slow
(Post 415304)
Unfortunately the wife forbids me to have a manual tranny.
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My friend has an manual 04 sport design and half way through the year they stopped putting the LSD in it. He was pissed. It is a fun car, but after driving a couple 330i, it didn't feel as sporty as it did before.
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No doubt - it's softer than the 3 series. When I was shopping a similar 330 was $8k more than the IS. The IS had more backseat space (lateral and longitudinal) - needed for car seats, and was the softer ride, preferred for a city car IMO (especially since I already had a Miata for a sporty car).
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my friend john has one and loves it, I drive his car around sometimes and wish i had one myself....awesome sports sedan. takes very well to mods, i think they said it can handle 500 stock block?
His is the manual too, on an 05 i'll warn him about the premature clutch wear thingy |
It's not fast unless you SC or turbo it. Most common upgrade path is an SAFC, cam/cam gear, intake and exhaust. With that..expect around 205 rwhp which is a bit peppier. With an auto tranny, you will need to do a transmission valve body upgrade if you plan on throwing any power down. Turbo kits start at around 6-7k+ new if I remember, and put you anywhere from 300-700 hp (with supra bottom).
Your vendors are : SRT, PFS, and TurboEast On the plus side, its comfortable, good looking and stupid reliable. One complaint I had... you have to remove the part of the intake manifold to change your plugs ;) Owned one from 30k->90k with only fluid changes |
Thanks guys. I'm feeling pretty good about doing it. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything that would surprise me in a couple years that I wish I had known about.
That's interesting that you would have to remove part of the IM to get to plugs on a L6 engine... |
Originally Posted by rharris19
(Post 415309)
Well atleast she still lets you use the computer. You still have something buddy. Hold on to it! J/K I had to
I used to have problems with her not wanting a manual, especially when I was shopping for a Prelude a few years ago - she finally just said that I could get whatever I wanted and if it had a manual I should just expect her to crash it. I got an auto. |
Originally Posted by m2cupcar
(Post 415315)
No doubt - it's softer than the 3 series. When I was shopping a similar 330 was $8k more than the IS. The IS had more backseat space (lateral and longitudinal) - needed for car seats, and was the softer ride, preferred for a city car IMO (especially since I already had a Miata for a sporty car).
For what you want man, this car is perfect. Just don't get one of the yellow ones they made in the first year. |
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Picked her up on Saturday. It's a 2002, just had the 90k service done (new TB, Tensioner, WP, and all fluids, iridium plugs) Has a couple little dings and some cigarette burns on the A-pillar, and the steering wheel has a tear, but for what I paid I am very pleased with the condition. This thing purrs like a kitten. Thanks for everyone's feedback to help me solidify that I wanted to buy one. |
congrats
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