How do we feel about the IS300?

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon) 09/01/2015 at 17:12 • Filed to: None

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A friend of mine is advocating heavily for my trading the hateful Honda CRV for a 1st gen IS, preferring the ‘03-’05 model years. I’ve never driven one, but he says it’s close to a 3-series in terms of handling and general performance, but far cheaper to run daily, especially considering the age. He has a an ‘03 (I think) SportCross.

What say ye? I’ve never driven one, and while there are some in the area for sale at not eye-watering prices (unlike every Legacy GT I’ve found), I don’t want to waste my time or theirs if the car is bunk.

Again, I don’t so much want a canyon carver as I do a relatively fun, comfortable, reliable, interesting car that I can drive every day and not get bored with in 2 years.

Still looking at the e39 wagons though, although the V8’s reliability is scaring me.

Megamullin > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:17

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Megamullin likey.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:18

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I’ve been looking at them as well. Most of the ones in my area have the dreaded “Salvage/Rebuilt” title issue which sucks. I’ve got my eye on a really nice SC300 factory 5 speed, but I can’t get a response back from the owner (although, my cell reception is wonky out here near the fires). The way I look at it, JZ motor + Lexus styling = nice. I’d like to hold out for a factory 5 speed IS300, but those are like hen’s teeth.

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:23

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They are cool, but around me they tend to all be owned by the Hella flush crowd. If GT5 is to be believed, the IS200 is one of the best handling sedans of that Era.

EL_ULY > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:23

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it’s like a E46 without the bad E46 habits

HammerheadFistpunch > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:23

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love it. irrationally so.

Textured Soy Protein > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:23

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I like them but they’re often beat to hell by mad tyte JDM y0 tunerz.

Also one of the stupidest people I’ve ever had the displeasure of working with had one, but hey they can’t all be winners.

Ash78, voting early and often > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:24

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I like them...I feel the same way about the Infiniti G — they’re like 90% as good as a 3-series to drive, but the reputably reduced headaches should make up for it.

2-year ownership horizon, though? Why not just go BMW? And if you’re shopping for a 5 wagon, the Lexus IS is going to feel tiny in comparison.

Shark-Attack > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:29

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Is300s have a higher chance than bmws of being beat to hell and treated like shit.

Chairman Kaga > Ash78, voting early and often 09/01/2015 at 17:32

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No, I’m planning on keeping it for a while. I’m just saying I don’t want to get something that I’m excited for today but bored of within 2 years.

I’m also not necessarily shopping for size, just something I like. Taste range from autobahn tourers to Tokyo bubble bursters.

Bytemite > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:54

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I’ve said it once, and I’ve said it a million times. There is no better value for money at the $5-7k price range than the IS300. This is a dream Opponaut daily driver. It has everything enthusiasts care about, with everything normal people want in a DD. I am saving up right NOW to get one.

Rwd, 4 corner dual control arm suspension, tight ratio steering rack, LSD option, nimbler, lighter and smaller than 3-series, and most importantly Toyota Inline 6 engine. Couple all this nautiness with plush suede and leather interior, 4 doors with ability to haul 5, and all the Toyota quality electronic auto doodads.

There is no other car that would better fulfill an enthusiast’s needs for a do-everything-while-being-fun vehicle.

ZoopZoopLoops > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:54

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It’s great that it’s a small rwd luxury-ish sedan with and inline 6 and Toyota reliability. That is an excellent setup for a car. It’s surprising that there aren’t more like it. It looks good too, and can even come in wagon form.

The downsides are that the inline 6 in this car is dated nowadays. It makes modest power with underwhelming (but not bad) fuel economy. You’ll just hunger for the turbo version (Supra). It’s hard to find in manual. The interior is small, and in some ways it’s a chick-car, complete with passthrough compartment with lock from cabin to trunk for your purse. Handling out of the box is good but isn’t spectacular at the limit, though it can benefit nicely from some correct tuning. Most of the tuning on the forums is incorrect because needz moar low community. The community who was actually helpful has moved on newer-generation IS’s. It’s sort of forgotten in the Japanese tuner culture, nobody over there cares about them anymore.

My good friend loves his and has it set up to handle pretty well while looking good. But it is showing its age with some creaks and loose interior trim plastics.

It’s a good all-around choice of car that looks good and drives well. I’m surprised it isn’t talked about more often. It does a lot of things well if you find it for a good price, but for a driver’s car, it lacks the drama that I would crave in other small rear wheel drives.

FerioDreams > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 17:56

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I’ve been looking for an IS Sportcross myself - I really like the styling of these. Surprising how few sportcrosses I’ve been able to find though. Didn’t know they existed ‘til a trip back home to LA last year.

Chairman Kaga > Bytemite 09/01/2015 at 17:59

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http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Chairman Kaga > ZoopZoopLoops 09/01/2015 at 18:01

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But for a 40-year old who just wants a reasonably entertaining daily driver, and has a “high drama” GT car already in the garage (even though it rarely runs)? I dunno. I’m thinkin’ about it!

Bytemite > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 18:05

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I would get it in a not so bland and pedestrian color, but yeah at least the mileage is extremely low for a Lexus and it is 1 owner. I’m trying to find the 5-speed manuals with the LSD...in blue.

revrseat70 > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 18:13

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I miss mine quite dearly. I had it for almost 8 years and sold it as well as my miata to get my one dream car to do all things with. I drove that car through minnesota winters and texas summers, on several road trips and on the daily grind. I met my wife driving that car. For some reason I didn’t like it half the time I owned it, mainly because I was too young and ignorant to realize what a great companion it had been to me. Only one thing went wrong mechanically that entire ownership, and it was a simple fix once it was diagnosed properly. If you find one as clean as the one I sold, buy it.

Zohaibman72 > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 18:15

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2jz

that is all

Chairman Kaga > revrseat70 09/01/2015 at 18:17

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Any particular years better than others? I hear the final iteration (03-05) was the most refined without adding much weight or complexity. Early build quality/materials was sort of spotty?

revrseat70 > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 18:36

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I know the engine in the first year was the best because they had not changed the internals from the supra’s stronger materials to the new more economical stuff. Mine was an ‘03 Sport Edition. The only thing as far as quality I disliked was their choice of dash board material. It mars super easily, and nothing short of painting it or wrapping it will fix it. Other than that, the materials held up extremely well without any creeks or rattles. The O2 sensors need to be replaced more often in these than most other cars. But again, that’s nothing concerning the reliability these things typically maintain. And if I had known I would have kept the car that long, I would have purchased an oil filter relocation kit day one. These two pictures are the day before I sold it by the way (119,000 miles: will probably last double that). I hope that tells you what you need to know about the material quality.

ZoopZoopLoops > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 18:41

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Yep I think in that case it fits the bill. On paper, this car ticks all the right boxes. I was just suggesting that it may not keep you engaged/entertained for the long run, noting that most of the IS300 enthusiasts have since moved on to other cars. Doing some mods would help, but if you’ve got your project car to fulfill the hunger, then you’re set! It would just depend on price.

Tapas > Chairman Kaga 09/01/2015 at 18:57

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I have one. I love it!

I wish I could keep it longer :( I have to move soon so I’ll have to sell it :(

If anyone is interested in buying one, let me know...

Bytemite > revrseat70 09/01/2015 at 19:05

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Wait, why do you have to relocate the oil filter? And how did your young self not appreciate such a nice car?

staymello > Bytemite 09/01/2015 at 20:35

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I just changed the oil in my is300 yesterday and understand the want of changing the oil filter location. The oil filter won’t fit out the top without taking off the transmission oil dipstick holder (only one bolt to remove) but still annoying. Other than that I love my is. I just wish it was a manual .

Chairman Kaga > Tapas 09/02/2015 at 10:20

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Tell me about your car!

Tapas > Chairman Kaga 09/02/2015 at 10:40

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Its a white automatic 2003 IS300.

Its has close to 172k miles and its had many wear items replaced in 2014 (I can give you a complete list, if you like). It also has an aftermarket sound system with GPS and Bluetooth. I still have the stock sound system and a full set of records.

I have enjoyed it quite a bit and taken it on road trips. If you haven’t driven an IS300, its quicker than you think and handles speed well and sounds good. It pulls at 80mph, if you put your foot down lol. The steering rack is a dream at low speeds, and its sensitive at high speeds (so no sudden movements).

I am the 3rd owner and I bought it 3 months ago when it had 168k miles. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a visa to extend my stay in the US, so I will have to leave in the next month or so. If you are interested in buying it, let me know...

Tapas > Bytemite 09/02/2015 at 11:00

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When I was in the market for one, I tried to do the same.

It was hard for me to find exactly that in the 3 weeks of craigslist searching in Houston.

If you are dedicated to finding one, you will. But expect to pay around $8k, because people who have that combination know thats what people want.

revrseat70 > Bytemite 09/04/2015 at 10:31

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The oil filter is in a really hard to reach spot. (under the intake manifold, butted up against the wall of the engine bay) I’m just saying after several years of changing the oil on that thing, I would have convinced myself to relocate it to an easier to reach spot.

I didn’t appreciate it basically because I thought the grass was greener somewhere else. (Something manual with more power) I had wanted an Evo or e46 my whole teen years, so once I got married, got done paying off my wife’s volvo, and had two incomes with money in the bank it was time to pull the trigger on my quarter life crises dream car. Only by that time I had shifted from Evo/M3 to STi. So I sold my IS300 and Miata to get it. I’m very happy with my decision, but every once in a while I’m in traffic or going over some awful Texas roads and missing what it brought to the table.