Lexus IS300 Enthusiast Review and Test Drive
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 гру 2024
- The IS300 is a great choice on the used car market if you are looking for a fun, good looking and reliable 4 door sedan. The hard to find manual and optional limited slip differential is recommended
hands down the best IS300 review ever!!!
Wow! Thank you very much!
+James Elterman I have been looking for it for a while, all the car review channels that I follow for example subaruwrxfan, motortrend, regularcarreviews and thatguyinblue haven't reviewed it yet. The other channels that have "reviewed" the car have no idea what a real review is like. so after watching your review when I say its the best I really mean it. Honestly based on your detailed oriented review, you have all the qualities to start up your own car review channel.
+Sohaib Younus, that is very kind. I'm sure I couldn't review any car as well as the car I drive everyday. But I'd love to try! Cheers. Thanks again.
Doesnt age. Lexus luxury. Easy to work on. Lexus reliability. 4 doors. Good power and good handling. Well built. HUGE aftermarket support
hi....im from Australia and I loved your review of your IS 300....I want one of these and I will find one soon.....I loved your enthusiasm abt your car....im an old guy but I love driving as you do.....never lose your desire for something you love...I admireyour zest for your motoring love....good luck mate....one thought tho is this.....""wife happy,life happy""....lol
:O This review just sold me on this car! I was considering a Honda S2000, but I really want 4 seats. Wasn't really sure if I should go for this or a 98' M3. But this car is awesome! Plus, Toyota reliability! Thanks for being so thorough! You answered the doubts I had with the car!
Great! I’m glad it was helpful. Find a well cared for IS300 and it will be reliable and you will enjoy it. A ’98 M3 is a fantastic car as well but not nearly as reliable or easy to work on as the IS300.
Great video James. Very informative and well presented. Thanks :)
is everyone going to ignore the brain laps that just happened
Sorry I forgot to edit that out before uploading.
going out of state to pick up my first Lexus an is300 5 speed with 174k miles but very clean and this review sold me on the car thanks dude.
and getting it for 4500
Oh man, you made really hard for me. I'm a Subie guy and was lookin for Legacy GT. I found a Lexus IS 300'for 7k and was about jumping on it. I really want a Legacy GT, but I've always wanted an IS 300 since Gran Turismo. Thanks for your honest review on the vehicle.
I am also a Subie guy. I've owned four and have done a lot of racing behind the wheel of some very fast Subarus in Time Attack. Check my channel for videos. I too might have bought a Legacy Turbo but they were a little out of my price range. Here's what I can tell you, if you value highly the ability to go fast in all conditions then the Subaru is the best choice. On the track I'll take RWD any day but in real world conditions on the street there is just no beating AWD. On the other hand if you value fun, letting the tail hang out a bit, and a pure driver experience then choose the IS. Finally the Lexus/Toyota reliability trumps Subaru hands down. Subarus are reasonably reliable and not terribly difficult to work on so if you are handy with cars then I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor.
Probably the best review on is300. U convinced me to buy ANOTHER is300 over is350. I was look at 08 and 06 is350 but the interior space seems smaller than my old is300. 100hp more seems nicer but the cost to maintenance is a lot. Same with cluttered engine space on is250/350. Not to mention after market parts availability. Mine might be same as your but black.
plus the 2nd gen IS250 have carbon build up issues. The 2jzge engine might be toyota's best engine ever.
Great video, just bought mine 2 days ago. Mine has 170xxx miles 2 owners and it feels like new, am in love with this car.
I was fortunate enough to be given a solar yellow IS300 for my first car this past year! I love it so much and that white is just beautiful!
Nice video! I'm at 258,000 on my 2002 M/T! Engine still runs great! I did recently replace the clutch though, made it 255K before it started to slip.
Very timeless design, it has aged very well and I don't think most people would realize it is a 10 year old car
I have a 2005 Lexus is300 and my sister has a 2004 BMW 325i. Her BMW reminds me of my Lexus so much, including they were pretty much in the same time period, the look of the cars kinda and the way they drive. Both great cars that are both luxury sedans and i would say are kinda equal to each other, but of course the Lexus IS300 with the same engine as a Toyota supra it would kill the BMW in a race :D (we both have our cars white)
Ive been driving the manual IS300 for the past 8 years and I agree with everything you covered in your review. To get slightly better throttle response IS owners can google "is300 throttle spacer mod". I used a thick zip tie as my spacer. Quick and easy.
I love my is 300 awesome car!!
Awesome review thanks!
On my list for my next main car, Best review on YT. Good work, I love your white IS with the manual.
I have a 04 is300 completely stock except for a new exhaust. Fantastic car. It does not drive like it’s 15 years old or have 170k miles. It’s very tight.
Looks like a really nice commute home. Hoping to get one of these in the spring.
I love my 04 IS300. Only 49,400 miles on it. :)
Angel R. Automatic?
Finally another is300 with a v1 nice video man
Thanks! I've since remounted it under my mirror with a wire tuck. Even drilled a hole through the mirror hanger to keep the wire almost completely hidden.
It was interesting to see 141 on You Tube in this video. I go that way a lot of times when I'm leaving Manchester going home. So many people on here live and film elsewhere. It was good to see an area closer to home. I used to have a 2008 Lexus IS250 AWD. I loved the car, and it was always trouble free. I sadly had to give it up for something more practical. My next purchase will be another Lexus or a Mercedes..Your Lexus looks like its still in great shape!
Thats one clean looking engine for a car thats more than 10 years old. I want this as my first car cuz i like the way it looks and because i want a car i can tinker and get familiar with. And its a japanese car so parts are common, cheap, and reliable. And plus most japanese cars are bullet proof.
Omg I've been looking for a white 5spd is300 for little over a year...when I do they are away over priced, you are a lucky man
Awesome Review, Thumbs Up!!
Been looking into getting a 5-speed model myself.
Learned a few things about these cars i was not aware of prior to watching, like the dampener for the clutch/throttle and how to turn off the traction control., i prefer the Japanese cluster as well!
Gained a lot of insight,
Thanks!
I like the exhaust note, it sounds like a BMW.. Nice car !
Is this iteration of the 2JZ-GE drive-by-wire throttle? If so, it just needs modification to the way the pedal delivers the signal to the throttle controller. Thanks for uploading, I sometimes forget about the gem that is the old IS300 with the LSD and manual transmission. Shame the straight-6 and manual transmission have gone away with newer Lexus IS models :(
The throttle lag is due to a mechanical dampener at the throttle pedal. It is easily defeated. Now that I've eliminated the clutch dampener I'll go for the throttle dampener next.
The IS300 is certainly a special car. There may not be another car built from Toyota quite like it.
James Elterman Oh, I see. With the "upmarket" image Lexus has, I'm not too surprised Toyota did that.
As for another RWD, straight-6 vehicle, rumors suggest there may be a Supra successor, with the possibility of a BMW straight-6 engine. However, I have strong doubts that Toyota will sell it with a manual transmission...
Great review! Thinking strongly about an IS300 for my next car.
Good to see new videos from you.
Good info on the Lexus.
Thanks. It's too bad I haven't been racing lately. Eventually I'll get back to the track!
***** Both interesting points Mike. Any idea how the AC is different? Are the switches physically different or just the logic?
I think mine works the same but I set mine to off when I turn the car off. So I have to click through auto to get to the manual fan speeds.
***** Thanks for the compliment. I have other IS300 videos in mind so thanks for the motivation. Regarding the SRT intake your best bet is to consult the forums at MY.IS. I suspect that the new ECU compensates sufficiently and you will not get a check engine light. The SRT intake seems to be the top choice so you made a good selection.
Whoa! Over 200K miles? I've been thinking about buying one of these. I'm cross shopping either a 2008 Civic Si Coupe, or this. I like the Si Coupe for it's moderns and looks and of course i-VTEC; but I want this Lexus as well for its looks (it's still a very good looking car) and of course THE ENGINE!!! Huge fan of Toyota's I6 and was sad to see it go. This car brings back nostalgia... You have a great car and this video has definitely pushed me more towards the Lexus side regarding my next purchase.
Madison Nosidam I'm glad the video was a help. Yes I have over 200k miles and it runs great! Check my other videos and you can see that I take great care my car but I also ask a lot out of it. Redline and wheel spin is a daily affair. I've seen some owners with 300k miles on the engine. There doesn't seem to be a finite life if you maintain it well.
I just bought an 02 just to play with with a manual. I love it.
I want one badly, make a sleeper with a turbo. Nice car, man.
Awesome car bro, im actually pretty jealous that you have a manual in this car!
Now I just gotta find an Is300 with a manual lol wish me luck guys its gonna be hard
***** Ive seen a few selling here in NYC, they are extremely rare and im so mad i dont have the cash for one. They are selling in the 6ks to 8ks from 60-160k miles on them, they are pretty cheap imo, cant wait to save around 7k to buy me this baby!
I'm also looking for one. People are asking way too much lol.
1nvd Don't be afraid to look at the high mileage cars. Mine has 217,000 miles and I’ve seen many with closer to 300k. These cars are as easy to work on as a Toyota Camry and with proper maintenance the engine is very reliable.
Come on man this is Toyota, as James Elterman said, these engines are very very reliable.
1:20 system crash, rebooting, please wait....
An absolutely fantastic car. Home run by Toyota. A bit of a secret nowadays. Manual is a must. W/a slight drop, an intake/exhaust system, LSD swap from an IS300 e-shift, & lightweight flywheel/street clutch upgrade the car becomes a true 4-door sportscar while remaining comfortable to drive. Mine has 300K+ trouble-free miles & still puts a big grin on my face whenever I drive it.
You just described my car precisely! I have a few more mods and miles since I made this video. 285k miles and I still love it.
Nicely done!! FYI, oem IS300 Sportcross rear wheels with 245/45/17 tires perform quite well and fill out the wheel well perfectly. Great holeshots too. Even tho you're happy with the shifter, if you can find a used PLP (Pro Lexus Performance) short shifter, buy it. It's the ideal shifter - lower height with slightly shorter throws. I did have to have my leather shifter boot cut a bit shorter & restitched to make it all look factory. BTW, typically not a fan of white cars, but boy do IS300s look good in white!
I'm between an IS300 and an LS400. I love them both for complete opposite reasons! I love the looks of both, the sportiness of the IS, and the luxury and power of the LS. Tough choice.
mikes1929 buy an is, do a supra 2jz swap, or any of the 2jz-gte swap, they are all almost the same anyway, then build up from there and you will have a jet, not a car.
I own an LS and I love it. It has plenty of power and amenities but it is not a "handler" by any means. The LS is a handles great around town and is great for road trips but it does not take corners well, so don't plan to do any spirited driving. It has all the power for it, but is too heavy. The IS will be more well rounded, as the suspension will be comfortable but not floaty like the LS.
I'm in the process of buying one right now, I ended up finding a 2002 5spd with 79k miles on it. Silver exterior tan interior. Great review, I will need to do the antenna and figure out something for the sticky dash as well.
The FM radio reception I get with the Perrin antenna is not nearly as good as the factory antenna. If you value your reception signal stick with the factory antenna. For sticky dash you can find good how-to's at MY.IS forums.
engine oil filter is a bit hard to reach, remove and install, I have the same since 2009 as a second hand car, still have it and loving it :)
Hi James great review. BMW is nice but cost more to maintain. I think IS300 is a great fun/practical car, only downside is the mpg. Where did you get the Joe Z website?(is this really worth it) Also, r u having small oil leaks since the car has over 200K? Also is your front headlight yellow? do you clean it(with special cleaner) or should I go buy a new set(recommendations on where I could get them? Thanks so much. Bry
Really Good review man.. Thanks!
I'm wanting this car more and more but wish I could find a manual for under 10k in the Dallas area.
vicbjr Ironically my IS300 came from Dallas. I found it on Craigslist, bought it sight unseen and had it shipped to St. Louis. I was pleased to find a rust free manual. Set a Craigslist alert and you will find one in due time.
Thanks!
I'm thinking of buying one!
What is the maintenance like on this car?
How often do you have to change the tires?
Is it expensive to maintain?
I'd really appreciate a detailed description of the maintenance on the car. Thank you
Awesome review, I'm looking at purchasing an all black 2001 automatic version. Quick question, I live in Connecticut so I'm sure that I'll be needing snow tires as well, I've previously owned Awd 2000 Subaru outback sedan and 2007 Subaru legacy both were unstoppable during heavy snow. Being that your from the Midwest, have you had to drive in any snowy weather and if so are snow tires a necessity
Last year was my first winter with the IS and I braved it with only Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires. Combined with the rear LSD I was surprised with the capability of the car in the snow. From a dead start going up a slight grade in a couple inches of slush it is able to claw to build momentum. This wouldn’t be possible without an LSD. Also traction control must be turned off. In my part of the Midwest we only get a few snowfalls a year it is perfectly manageable with All Season tires and LSD. This year I upgraded to snow tires and have been thoroughly disappointed with the lack of snow so far this season. Instead we have had quite a bit of ice and even the snow tires are challenged by ice. If you experience regular snow fall during winter and can’t wait for roads to be cleared then snow tires is probably a good investment.
Final comment is about the snow button in the IS300. The snow button puts a dampener on the throttle and possibly restricts throttle position from opening completely. Until recently I had found no good use for it. In snow I feel I have more control with traction control and snow mode off, but recently in icy conditions I found the snow mode useful. Unlike snow where you can use throttle to power and claw your way through, on ice there is no grip to be found so power doesn’t help. Using the snow mode on ice makes the transitions from grip to slip surfaces less likely to upset the car. For drivers with limited experience driving on ice I could see the snow mode being a benefit.
Hey man i have a clean all black 01 IS300 and its amazing. I absolutely love it and I'm a mustang guy buy I am into turners and I truly admire Toyota and their reliability! Now its my daily and my baby. I might actually start putting more attention into this haha but man i just wanted to ask where dod you get the stuff for your dashboard and howd the gas mileage for yours? Does or drinks like a av8?
did your IS 300 have heating problems??? I have the same exact car a Lexus IS 300 year 2004 and it over heats on me my fans don't turn on automatically when the tempt.. is rising they turn on when I turn my AC on then the tempt starts going down would help if you please help me out
This is not a common issue with the cars that I am aware of. I would check for blown fuses or loose or damaged wires first. Since this is not a common failure I suspect something simple.
+James Elterman I checked the fuses they work the wires on the fans when I was checking them no light came on with the tester thank you for your video
Just bought a 03 sport design lexus is300 with 140k+ miles. Few things on it like the traction control light is flashing and pushing on the button doesn't turn it off. The car feels slightly slippery on normal cruising speeds. Took it my local auto shop they ran codes and showed something with the abs. Could that be related? Also while braking on higher speeds the steering wheel shakes. Possible rotor replacement?
good review, thanks man
Can you please post a picture of the more frisky clutch dampener. I tried to find this and it seems that they are unavailable? Is there bleeding of the hydraulic fluid that has to happen? Or just take the OEM off and put the aftermarket dampener on? Also can you please post a pic of the air intake upgrade that you put on as well? Thanks.
Nice review..... Q: where is the location (CITY) at 2:40-2:20 ....? Looks very beautiful and peaceful thanks
+cm07ca a church parking lot in Valley Park, MO.
I have one. One of my friends found one with 100k for 4,000 and it runs very well.
Nice car I love it. Nice video
My navi doesnt open but i can hear the motor working when i press open and tilt button could it be the gearing inside the navi?
i was curious on how you purchased the vehicle without seeing it, ive been looking at getting one and ive been talking to someone in texas as well. im just not sure how to go about purchasing without having cash in hand and signing the title over right there and then, how did paperwork and payment work? please get back to me if possible thank you and excellent review
+Jade Frult The safest way is to use an escrow service. With an escrow service a third party will collect your money and the seller's title and only exchanges them after both parties are satisfied. Typically escrow service costs only a couple hundred dollars so split between the buyer and seller it is easy live with.
The BMW e46 is much easier to do an oil change than the is300 :)
How many miles did it have upon your purchase? and how many does it have now? I'm curious because I just got an '03 IS300 with 177k miles and I'm trying to see if it's worth my while with all those miles. Please Respond!
hmm I got further into your review and I was wondering if you could possibly do a follow up on the dash repair you said you'd probably do? The dash on mine above the glove compartment is very scratched up and peeling apart. the only thing that I dislike about the interiors appearance in mine. If there's something I could do to improve its look I'd really like to know. thanks for any help in advanced
Kevin Dominguez I bought it with about 190k miles and it has 217k now. I have given my car a refresh through maintenance and new wear items, but nothing out of the ordinary. My upkeep has included new chassis components, brakes, tires, fluids, filters, etc. All typical maintenance on an older car. I have only had one repair so far and it was a simple sensor. These cars can last a long time if you are willing to spend a little time and money to maintain them.
Kevin Dominguez I haven't done the dash repair yet myself but I'm planning to tackle it soon. I'll try to do a video. In the meantime try a search for "sticky dash" at my.is forums. There are a few methods listed there. I will be removing my dash completely for the best result but some people do it without removing it.
James Elterman Thanks for your quick response. I'll keep a lookout for the next video. I also checked out some of your other videos. Thumbs up!
excellent!!
hello so i gotta ask if you are in the market for one is it possible to manual swap the manual trans in to a is300 or is it a horrid headache let me know! thanks!
colessk8house I've heard of plenty of people doing it. Personally I would rather find a factory manual half way across the country than try to swap one. That's what I did. Found it in Texas and had it shipped to Missouri. For more details on the swap route check My.is forums.
1:15 ???
A video technique. You usually edit a cut there but he forgot too
Do you know if the GS series from the same period are the same in ride or are they smoother? I got a Audi A4 03 and I think it's more softer on the ride, but want some more HP like the IS has so.
SacreDro The GS has a softer ride. The IS is more sporty.
What's your MPG in the city?
SacreDro 21mpg typical. I drive a good mix of city highway and rural.
Nice, thanks for your input. They are cheap now from what I've seen and have good specs for the price, not th mention the reliability.
Any problems with the brakes or something specific?
SacreDro No. The only problems I've experienced are typical considering age and miles. Typical Toyota reliability!
James how the ac under hot temperatures I heard the compressor usually broke down during summer ? is this true
The AC on mine has been great. Even on 90+ degree days mine blows so cold I have to turn it down after a while.
+James Elterman thanks
Cant believe you found a white 5spd with black interior. I hate you haha.
It might be wasted on me because white is not my first choice. Generally I'm a fan of white cars but I think the IS300 looks best in silver and graphite. It's too bad they never made a factory brown because I would really dig that.
James Elterman Oh man you have to see the blue IS (Something a bit darker than the blue on the R34 Skylines) Or black. Cant lie tho the graphite looks great too!
How can you tell if it has a lsd on it or not?
+Alonzo Aguilar
Originally Posted by LXS4Ross on my.is forums.
Open the the drivers door and look at the factory door jamb sticker. Look for the area that reads "A/TM"
You'll see numbers such as B02A, B02B, B02C
if the last letter is "C" then you have an lsd
if the last letter is "A" or "B", no LSD. To clarify, my answer only applies to 01 auto
Why do you recommend the 5 speed?
+Matthew S. Casillas
Benefits of Manual Transmission
1. Engaging driving experience
2. Faster launches with wheel spin
3. Faster overall acceleration
4. Hold gears while drifting
5. Hold gears while driving in snow
6. Hold gears for decent control
7. Hold gears while doing ricer fly-bys
8. Clutch kick drift initiation
9. Better fuel economy
10. Theft deterrent (Many people can't drive manual)
Benefits of Automatic Transmission
1. Eat a hamburger while you drive
2. Talk on the phone while you drive
3. Easy hill starts
4. Your friends, parents and neighbor can borrow your car
+James Elterman Agreed!
Ah, great car. I've got a second generation gs300 with the same engine, bulletproof engine and transmission
Well it's still a reliable transmission, I've got 215k and it still shifts smooth as silk, of course a Manual would be more fun though
How do you have your phone mounted?
For the in-car video I used a GoPro camera mounted to the passenger side head rest post. GoPro sells various mounts for their cameras. The one I used is for mounting to poles or bars. Out-of-car video was shot using a HTC One M7.
Sorry I just realized you were referring to how the phone is mounted on the dash. The phone mount is by Panavise. It mounts to a custom PanaVise mount that bolts to the side of the radio. No new holes on your dash and nothing permanent. You can find these parts on Amazon. 1. Panavise Custom InDash Mount 2. PanaVise 685-PM AMPS Tipper and 3. PanaVise PortaGrip Phone Holder with AMPS Adapter Plate.
03 is3000 at 8,500 stock manual good deal for 125k mileage ?
Slightly high price but if it is clean and well maintained I would buy it.
+James Elterman i saw a 02 IS300 72k miles, clean, for $12k. I think that's crazy high but when looking at truecar.com, it seems that the current market value for that car is around that ball park. What are your thoughts. And GREAT VIDEO!
might i add, 5 speed manual!
I've had a hard time believing that the manual is THAT hard to find. I've owned 2 of them and both had LSD. Maybe I was just lucky to find them? Idk.
Gohanburner its hard to find in my place 😭😭😭
what year is this is300?
2002
+nick carbo same engine that year. As they say "YMMV.. Your mileage may vary.
+Absent IN No. 2001 was automatic only. 2002 to 2005 is auto or manual.
not a w58. it's a w55
#IS3004LIFE
Thanks for the review! Sell me you IS300 please. ;)
Needs a turbo to wake it up!
Sell me that Joe-Z intake!
Not for sale. Still loving it. 😁
James Elterman - Hahaha! Can’t blame you honestly. They’re not very common, and they’re not produced anymore which adds to their scarcity. How many miles are you up to now?
@@drivedb7 278,000 miles
James Elterman - Holy smokes! Sounds like it’s time for an update video. Maybe if you get lucky, these cars are like old Volkswagens. You know, where the odometer resets to zero after hitting 300k? 😂
In all seriousness, I’d be curious to see how the car looks and has held up all these years later. Did you ever fix the sticky dash?