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Thank you Mr. Regular for reviewing my car! It was a lot of fun, and I love the video! Kutztown is a great school. After all, the sons and daughters of the tough, mean Appalachia coal miners need to go get a liberal arts degree somewhere, and why not in the middle of nowhere?
my friend rented one of these when they were new, we were stationed in germany. we ended up using it for an improvised road trip after his original plans for renting the car fell through, meaning we tossed blankets, beer, and brats into the boot and drove to switzerland "because we'd never been there before" and it turned out to be one of my best memories. 4 guys stuffed in the car, 120mph on the autobahn heading south, camping by a huge waterfall in the Alps, cooking brats on a hot rock over a camp fire. an experience ill never forget, so the 300 will be part of my memories til im dead!
One of the biggest jerks I knew in high school drove one of these lmao. He was always telling girls “Yeah it’s got the same engine as Paul Walker’s car from Fast and Furious” and of course they never cared and would just walk away so he would just come make fun of me for my Eclipse being front wheel drive. Thank you for reminding me of all that lol.
I had one of these (albeit heavily modified/engine swap etc), and I have to say, this is the ONLY car where these rear lights are even moderately acceptable. The cars that followed in the mid 2000s... the SUVs, the vans, the sedans, everything that had these type of lights looks so unbelievably ugly and dated that it hurts.
its always refreshing coming back to these regular cars. Thats what i love about this channel demonstrating the specialness from a seemingly un-special car
This was my first “cool car” in 2001. Those gauges, the hids, factory 17s, so hot. I couldn’t afford it due to a developing coke habit. So it got stolen.
That’s real I always wanted a poor man Supra also this or da sc300 never got one ended up later on in life with a is250 and a es330 I’m proud to own now
The Japanese C-Class... I remember seeing a lot of this in the early 2000s racing games, notably being one of the starting cars in NFS Most Wanted and the best D-Class Tuner in Midnight Club 3.
I seriously played and beat midnight club with this car and only.using other for club races I needed to. This was used for every story race. Hardest playthrough ever.
Those headers aren’t OEM; the stock ones are way more restrictive and don’t have runners that look like that. Believe me, I’ve owned three of these things lol
As somebody who has owned 3 sedans and 1 SX i can confirm those are not stock headers either and due to the cats breaking down over the years and millage its common to see those magnaflow oem+ style headers.
Also they most definitely don't handle like any other Toyota - they handle incredibly well - not as good as the contemporary 3 series, but not much behind either.
my friend rented one of these when they were new, we were stationed in germany. we ended up using it for an improvised road trip after his original plans for renting the car fell through, meaning we tossed blankets, beer, and brats into the boot and drove to switzerland "because we'd never been there before" and it turned out to be one of my best memories. 4 guys stuffed in the car, 120mph on the autobahn heading south, camping by a huge waterfall in the Alps, cooking brats on a hot rock over a camp fire. an experience ill never forget, so the 300 will be part of my memories til im dead!
I think comparing it to a 330i e46 would be better (almost a perfect comparison in terms of size, engine, overall layout etc) The 7 series has a different purpose
I think they were comparing it to a 7 series because they reviewed one recently. I’m sure they should have been able to remember that 330ci e46 they reviewed like 6 years or so ago.
These were really popular in the UK. First as company cars you'd give sales reps who cant be trusted with a 3 series then as mini cabs. Sadly 99% of ours are 1G-FE powered so less grunt. We did get the IS300 sport cross but meh they were rare and auto only. The Altezza RS200 did see a lot of imports but like anything rwd and JDM their values are spiking now so it's not quite the budget sleeper any more.
I'm confused. Not a single IS300 came with the 1g-fe, they were ALL 2jz-ge vvti powered and also had a proper LSD. They were all also automatic, we got the saloon and the sportcross, the automatic is also pretty good and shifts fast for what it was. Only the is200 came with the 1G-FE, we got manual and auto versions of those but they are both shit.
My dad told me when these debuted in the US in ‘01 that he saw one on a transporter (he worked at the Toyota dealer, sister to the Lexus dealer) and told his coworker he’d have one in a year. Fast forward, my parents bought one brand new in 2002 at said (and at the time only) Lexus dealership here in Vegas. The car was front and center in the showroom on those period 00’s Lexus dealer turntables. It was silver with the optional all chrome 17’s. My parents always tell me about how when we first saw the car I (at the time 2 years old) hopped inside and starting jumping in the seat changing and calling it “Papa’s car!” The next day, my dad traded in his Milano Red ‘98 Integra GS-R for it and took it home. Fast forward nearly 20 years and 130,000 miles, I’m now 21, and it’s my baby now, has been since about 2018. Easily the best first car I could’ve ever had, nothing but dependable. I could say this about any of the other 5 cars I’ve owned, but this IS300 is truly a forever car.
That was a cool car when it came out. The chrono dash was crazy upscale for a 23 year old kid with no money. Oh how I would have stretched my budget to own one then
I guess I'm in the Mr. Regular camp because I DESPISE that cluster for that reason. Why does it need to look like a watch? Because it's fancy?! Ugh. (My comments are in jest and not meant to be hateful)
@@ETHAN2019 They did that to the G35 too? I had a 2005 Q45 and it only had an analog clock, but I figured it was because that was a full-size luxury car and Nissan was trying to class things up
@@flurpoid Oh, man. Junkman parts made every car so overpowered. It was so fun to go through the entire game with something as underpowered as the Fiat Punto and then smoke Razor with a starter car.
Oh it's finally here! You have no idea how much I was hoping you would review one over the past few years of me watching your content. Unfortunately I live up in Ontario, so providing you my is300 would not have been feasible. Can't wait to see more videos!
Watching RCR at work is one of the reasons I disabled my PC's internal speaker in the BIOS (in case my headphones ever get unplugged during one of Mr. Regular's "ball tightness" tirades).
At first I thought you were talking about a PC beeper speaker like PCs in the 90s used to try to play game music out of, and I wondered what speech would sound like out of a PC beeper
I bought a 2002 5spd manual in 2006. Fast forward today still daily it, best thing I ever spent money on. Never let me down, dependable, fun to drive, I can't ask for more of a daily.
I love the Sportcross as well. No manual option on that though, at least here in the US. Only would get a Sportcross if I could afford a transmission swap to go with it.
You shoulda thought “I really want a million dollars in cash, small bills, unmarked.” You had ONE chance, Fance. ONE. Still, I thank you, ‘cause this was pretty cool.
The red car is a 2nd gen (BL) Mazda 3. Instrument cluster and the little triangular window before the c pillar;) Hopefully a Mazdaspeed 3...or MPS for us europeans
I’m on my second manual transmission of these. These cars are timeless and still drive amazing if you get one that isn’t owned by some kid that wants to go slideways..
I lived in Seattle for a few years. Reading PA was home turf. Your videos kept me sane when I was out there. You're videos of Rt 61 and 183 called me home. It's good to be back. The SeaTac reference was funny since Im back now, it's like you know me.
Hilarious. A kid I graduated High School with got one of these in 02. His last name was "Lange" and his custom license plate was "Langer". Of course his rich Dad bought him one brand new for his first car. The Dad is doing 25 years for offering bad loans to groups looking to build in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. His company took ten percent up front and of course didn't have the funds to make good on the loans. His kid the car owner was in on it as well. So, you see who got this kind of car brand new as a 18 year old. Thanks RCR. Cheers
I always wanted one of these as a first car, but in London they're more expensive to insure than the car's worth. I guess thats what happens to a car when it gets *the drift tax*
@@AidanTEric it's not a literal tax😑. The "drift tax" is a term used internationally to describe the rapid increase of purchase and subsequently running costs of a formerly cheap to buy and run rear wheel drive car. The UK government doesn't actually charge a tax for owning a car capable of drifting, although I wouldn't put it past them considering how eager they have been over the past decade to run the country into the ground.
@@CheapskateMotorsports For some reason this video seems to have masses of British commentators - it feels odd being part of the majority for a change.
This is still my alltime favourite Lexus. Fell in love with it when i was a kid playing Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition. If i were to have a wife and a kid, this would be the family car for me
I’d argue it’s the best looking cars ever made(along with the lc500). If you install wide fenders, the front skirt and some wide wheels for a flush figment look you’re creating the best cars to ever exist. E46 coupe was also an extremely attractive car so it had big shoes to fill at the time.
So the mystery car is definitely a Mazda, or a Mazda re-badge (you can tell by the door handles, and the red colour supports that). I just can't find a Mazda which has that triangle shape rear window (between the c and d pillar), which you can see in the last intro shot. EDIT: I got it! It's definitely a 2008-2013 Mazda 3 hatchback.
Finally!! I love my is300, been nothing but reliable with only regular maintenance for a car with 150k miles, fun to drive tons of aftermarket support, overall amazing car I love it
My ex years ago had one of these and it went and went and went, that thing went lol. She wasn’t the best at on time oil changes and maintenance in general but that car was reliable. I always liked the instrument cluster
This is my favorite car I’ve ever owned and I currently drive an air cooled 911. Handled lighter than it was but smoothed out city bumps very well. Rear drive fun from when I was young and back was good to switch between summer and Blizzak’s twice a year just using the spare tire jack.
I currently own one and it's amazing. You know how cars this old have that old plastic noise that creaks and cracks, looking at you Mercedes slk, well this car doesn't have that problem at all. It is definitely a nice touring car. It's smooth.
The era when each model in the lexus line up had its own design. Now they all look the same. "Is that an ES or an IS? Wait, it's a GS... no an LS right? Oh... it's an RX" 🤦♂️
@@fizzyman1224 Interesting. I'd like to drive one, because to me if a car looks good, sounds good, has a stick and is rear wheel drive, that's about all that's needed for a fun time.
@@Vge21x unfortunately they only came auto which kills it pretty hard. They’re honestly slow as can be too. They do handle pretty decent but performance wise they just make a decent daily
I don’t understand the comparison to the seven series - I have a hard time believing this is anywhere near as plush. Wouldn’t the benchmark be the three?
That’s is correct. This was the same class as the bmw 3 series. Where the 5 series was the same class as the GS and the 7 series was the same class as the LS. Comparing the is300 to a 7 series is like comparing apples to oranges.
@@AhmedAhmed-dh7yd yepp. Lexus IS, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3series. One class. Lexus GS, Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5series. One class. Lexus LS, Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7series. One class. I don't understand how anyone could get these mixed up. These classes are so different in size and the level of comfort, build quality, etc.
I wanted one of these when I was in college back in 2004. I did end up getting an IS but in 2010 after college and when I had my foot set in my career and ready to get a car on my own. I ended up getting a 2009 Lexus IS250. Entirely different body style but I think the second gen IS has aged more gracefully. I still have my IS and it still looks pretty fresh in 2021.
I never really paid attention to Lexus until my sister got a ‘06 IS350 in 2010. Man that car was sweet; I ended up getting bit by the luxury car bug and bought a e46 330i and that thing stayed in the repair shop. Lexus territory belonged to my sister so naturally I went BMW due to its sportier nature, but in retrospect I should’ve just gotten one of these. Engine was bulletproof, you got a straight 6 with decent horsepower, standard HIDS, yellow fogs, 17in staggered rims and a unique design for around 30k new that would run forever if you took care of it. I’m a Chevy man nowadays, but I’d still buy a low mileage example of these if I ever came across one. Don’t know how that’ll happen almost 20 years later but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Cars were much simpler back then
@@dougedoug2105 I like my 2008 IS250 for many reasons but the last reason you mentioned is so true. Cars were a lot more simple then. I can attest to that as my 2008 doesn’t have too many features that are bound to break. It’s not stuffed with tech that is destined to just stop working. That being said, the second gen IS I have still looks very good exterior wise. What a beautiful car. I just like the overall shape and the sporty look to it. It screams “I’m better than you , look at Me!” Haha just kidding. But it’s a really nice car and the reliability is rock solid. It’s to be expected as Lexus is basically a luxury Toyota, and like Toyotas, Lexus will last forever if you maintain it.
@@KingDrewPhilip I still see these on the road nowadays in Dallas and I always stop to admire them. I’d have to say that my favorite part of this car would have to be the front end. I am also still seeing 2gen IS’s with temporary tags in 2021 too. Even though they’re probably on their 3 or 4th owner by now, I always think to myself that the person bought a great car and they better take good care of it. I’m very protective over these cars for some reason, and I think it’s because they’re just so dam reliable. Good Car you have there man, take care of it. You appear to be Asian so you’re bringing me back to my college days when the campus parking lot had about 20 of these 2gen IS’s in them at any given point in time, mostly for the Asians. These things were so popular and everyone knew your parents had money if you were pushing one 😂😅🤣
@@dougedoug2105 yep Asian. I have a few of videos of my IS in my channel. So, as the reviewer said here… IS … rich kid car. I wish I had a car like this at 17 but my parents wouldn’t get it even if they were rich because they feel I should work hard for the things I want. Strive for my goals. Anyhow, whenever I see a first gen IS, I still think they’re kinda stylish. They didn’t age as good as the 2is but they’re still nice.
At least in Australia these things were kind of invisible really, a mid-size buried in a fairly wide swathe of mid-large sized sedans (along with grey-import Aristos) and it wasn't really held to any kind of 'wealth' associations. It was much like the IS200, sort of a relatively common car. Got a later model IS350 and its been a phenomenally reliable car
I love my IS, though it is manual and with LSD. They still feel super tight 20 years later and with some small modifications they actually handle very well thanks to the double wishbone front and rear and pretty high caster. They also benefit from the JZX chassis aftermarket as they share the same components underneath, so lots of coilovers, sway bars, chassis bracing etc available. It's my forever car!
@@brandonsever2576 stock manual versions that come with the W58 trans fetch for double the price and sometimes triple the price of the auto IS300s nowadays. Cherish and do not crash it.
@@Blakezilla594 And yet its so stupid that that's the case, the w58 is a dogshit gearbox and the a650e auto can be swapped so easily for a number of solid gearboxes saving you all that cash.
Love the styling of the front end, simple but perfect. It does really remind me of a 7 series as well. I drive a e38 and raced a IS300, i beat the guy but that little thing was no slow poke. Would love to own one sometime in my life. Good video
I don't see the reason for comparing it to a 7 series, the ls400 existed for that, the Gs300 was the 5 series equivalent and this the 3 series equivalent
My father graciously passed his gray one down to me in the late-2000s. Intake noise with a stupid long-pipe pod filter was glorious. He just bought another one last week @ 300k miles, simply because he loved that chronograph speedo so much - good catch.
I had a 2003 with the SportDesign package, which included some very sharp 10-spoke wheels. Such a good car. I loved how smooth the straight six was, and it felt like it had endless torque. I always wished I had a manual though.
I have this exact car in manual. I had 5 autos 1 still remaining and manual just adds to the experience/smooth ride. They are actually 11-spoke wheels.
So true. I remember back in '03 I was 17 and this rich kid who lived across the street during the summer (his parents were divorced, so he spent the school year with his mom in another town) got one of these as a graduation present. He insisted on getting the manual, even though he had no idea how to drive a stick. I'd been driving a manual transmission since having my learners permit so naturally I talked my way into taking it for a spin with exactly 20 miles on the odometer. I still think back to that day, banging the brand new Lexus off the rev limiter, man handling the chrome shift knob as ferociously as a teenager driving a car that wasn't his can. "It's got the Supra engine" the neighbor kid reminded me as often as he could. Yet, it wasn't the engine that impressed me. Something about the sleekness of the tach that reminded me of a fancy wrist watch, and the way it would chirp the rear tires in second gear. Coming from a fwd Honda it was truly something to behold.
Had a 3sge manual Altezza for about 3 years a reliable, fun, high revving car! Sadly all the ones left in NZ are now being used for skids since RBs are too expensive now
These things have ages well in my eye. Up until I went back to nightshift this year I used to see a yellow wagon version of one of these that sounded quite angry.
Why'd you keep comparing it to the 7 series? It was much more of a3 series competitor. Lexus had the LS to compete with the 7 series and the GS to compete with the 5 series.
So Mr. Regular, since you are talking about Rosemont Illinois this particular weekend, i am assuming you are asuming that they attended Midwest Furfest since that is the only convention going on at rosemont this weekend.
I got a free set of those wheels and put them on my Toyota Avalon. Bolt pattern and hub bore are the same, gotta love Toyota. The whole watch inspired gauge cluster thing was pretty cool. I'm surprised more cars didnt have it.
My two favorite cars are the 5th gen Honda Prelude and this IS300. I currently own the Prelude because the is300 seemed even more rare to find, especially as a stick shift, even 5 years ago when I was shopping for either.
These were cool tuner cars in the eyes of young gamers in the 2000s. I have many memories of driving these on games like Midnight Club 3, Need for Speed Underground and Forza Motorsport as a young kid
Got the '05 3 years ago and love this thing and a blast to drive, mines the AUTO and changed out the steering wheel from the IS350 model to obtain the paddle shifters, bluetooth and stereo control options.... FRIKIN LOVE this upgrade.... Also, swapped out the one legger rear end and found the AUTOMATIC LSD DIFF from a salvage yard in Sacramento CA. Cars super fun in the twistys even more then when I bought it. Check off one on my bucket list of cars, lol.
Drove a manual LS200 of a friend some years ago. The fuel economy was awfull but it sounded awesome with an aftermarket exhaust. When it‘s OEM I just really like it. 👍
This the "perfectly balanced starter car" or "the highest performing car in the lowest tier" in mid 2000s racing games.
I just saw ya comment n mine is basically same thing lol 😆 this or a damn alto works be da starter cars
I think I had one of these on Need for Speed on my GameCube.
In MC3 Dub Edition it's given as the prize for winning the first tournament. Yeah, it's nothing special.
it's one of the worst cars in NFS most wanted if you leave its stock suspension, brakes, and tires on
The Altezza was the cover car for the Toyota Store in Gran Turismo 2 so naturally I thought it was very important
spot on, my uncle bought a IS300 new back in the early 2000's and it felt like a rocketsip. he now owns a Model S and his son is investing in crypto
Send this to him, he'll be a fan in no time
how... contemporary.
Seems about right for the son to become a crypto bro.
The bad end
Sorry for you, part of your family sucks
Thank you Mr. Regular for reviewing my car! It was a lot of fun, and I love the video!
Kutztown is a great school. After all, the sons and daughters of the tough, mean Appalachia coal miners need to go get a liberal arts degree somewhere, and why not in the middle of nowhere?
Nice car! Hope it treats you well. Heck, Kutztown is Duke compared to some of the PA state schools.
Appalachia stand up!!! Welcome to the trashno state
Enjoy my wife loves her’s and these cars are getting rarer by the day.
Btw get an S2K OEM antenna on the rear it’ll look amazing.
my friend rented one of these when they were new, we were stationed in germany. we ended up using it for an improvised road trip after his original plans for renting the car fell through, meaning we tossed blankets, beer, and brats into the boot and drove to switzerland "because we'd never been there before" and it turned out to be one of my best memories. 4 guys stuffed in the car, 120mph on the autobahn heading south, camping by a huge waterfall in the Alps, cooking brats on a hot rock over a camp fire. an experience ill never forget, so the 300 will be part of my memories til im dead!
That is a cool story keep that memory close
I don’t think that car can do 120 bro
@UCCVapFVhE3eYgbQqtDndMLg you're incorrect
@@johnconnor7501 I’ve done 130
@@enricod2061 in the autobahn ?
One of the biggest jerks I knew in high school drove one of these lmao. He was always telling girls “Yeah it’s got the same engine as Paul Walker’s car from Fast and Furious” and of course they never cared and would just walk away so he would just come make fun of me for my Eclipse being front wheel drive. Thank you for reminding me of all that lol.
he wasn't wrong tho
Lmfao what a sequence of events, couldn’t script the behavior of high schoolers
Lol but wasn't Paul Walker's Eclipse also FWD in the same movie? Haha
@@nthgth referring to the orange Supra
@@tessleuthLive technically he isnt.That Supra had the 2JZ GTE. These came with the 2JZ GE. If we are going off the specific engine he was wrong
Lexus IS 300 the official car of 250,000 miles asking $12000,00 needs nothing CEL on for O2 sensor.
I- my 04 Sport Design 5MT LSD has 245k mi i purchased from original owner and only CEL is for O2 😂
bought my is200 245 000km needs nothing CEL on for O2, haha
Finally some one who buys cars
@@vartsn same bought an is300 2003 broken engine for 4. 8k oem manuel transmission
Lmao accurate. I just seen one with 300k miles and CEL on due to O2 sensor. They’re asking 3300.
I had one of these (albeit heavily modified/engine swap etc), and I have to say, this is the ONLY car where these rear lights are even moderately acceptable. The cars that followed in the mid 2000s... the SUVs, the vans, the sedans, everything that had these type of lights looks so unbelievably ugly and dated that it hurts.
Great to run into you here C-milk!
is that the one which was stolen from you?
They sure look good on a late 90s Burgundy GMC Yukon. /s
They look good on forester
Mr Milk! What a pleasure! :)
its always refreshing coming back to these regular cars. Thats what i love about this channel demonstrating the specialness from a seemingly un-special car
Mm idk about that. These have huge enthusiast following
@@Che1seabluesdrogba11 he means in how it's not some exotic supercar or ultra luxury car that are reviewed by most other channels online
This was my first “cool car” in 2001. Those gauges, the hids, factory 17s, so hot. I couldn’t afford it due to a developing coke habit. So it got stolen.
That’s real I always wanted a poor man Supra also this or da sc300 never got one ended up later on in life with a is250 and a es330 I’m proud to own now
Did it get stolen or did your dealer take it?
@@G-Mastah-Fash 😏
“stolen” lol
Cocaine’s a helluva drug
@@toothbras he sold it lol claiming stolen lol
The official car of being largely unaffected by the 2008 recession
They had to downsize from an LS430 after the dot com bubble
@@Seethenhagen Nah my dad did that, was a Lexus GS.. ES if they had a bad back.
Mine got repod in 2008, does that count?
@@josephk6136 Only on your credit report
The Japanese C-Class... I remember seeing a lot of this in the early 2000s racing games, notably being one of the starting cars in NFS Most Wanted and the best D-Class Tuner in Midnight Club 3.
Yeah that's what these really are. Not a bad thing at all but not exactly a novel segment
I seriously played and beat midnight club with this car and only.using other for club races I needed to. This was used for every story race. Hardest playthrough ever.
Also in Juiced 2
Yes
That dash was a work of art when it came out. The chronograph look, was at least different to a BMW dash. Baller on a budget.
love that watch speedometer.
Those headers aren’t OEM; the stock ones are way more restrictive and don’t have runners that look like that. Believe me, I’ve owned three of these things lol
They’re the magnaflow OEM replacement. I had them on mine
Was about to comment but you beat me to it lol. I’ve owned 2.
As somebody who has owned 3 sedans and 1 SX i can confirm those are not stock headers either and due to the cats breaking down over the years and millage its common to see those magnaflow oem+ style headers.
@@JessePoage I’ve been BAMBOOZLED
Also they most definitely don't handle like any other Toyota - they handle incredibly well - not as good as the contemporary 3 series, but not much behind either.
Ah yes, the Monday morning ritual of tuning into RCR.
Been looking for an auto IS300 for a daily tbh.
I bought mine earlier this year and I love it so much
my friend rented one of these when they were new, we were stationed in germany. we ended up using it for an improvised road trip after his original plans for renting the car fell through, meaning we tossed blankets, beer, and brats into the boot and drove to switzerland "because we'd never been there before" and it turned out to be one of my best memories. 4 guys stuffed in the car, 120mph on the autobahn heading south, camping by a huge waterfall in the Alps, cooking brats on a hot rock over a camp fire. an experience ill never forget, so the 300 will be part of my memories til im dead!
Hopefully before rubbed one out... who the fuck sets there alarm clock too rcr?
I want my grandma's ls400 so bad
Not worth the price of 91aki fuel.
Rides okay, but it's still a short wheelbase, and really small on the inside.
I think comparing it to a 330i e46 would be better (almost a perfect comparison in terms of size, engine, overall layout etc)
The 7 series has a different purpose
yeah its not even priced or sied like a 7 series
at first I thought it was a mistake and he meant 3 or MAYBE 5 series
@@jOoomOooo I was thinking the same
I think they were comparing it to a 7 series because they reviewed one recently. I’m sure they should have been able to remember that 330ci e46 they reviewed like 6 years or so ago.
yeah exactly this a compact sedan a few inches bigger than my 03 civic. hes totally off base
Spot on. It's like comparing a Ford Focus to an S Class.
Mr. Regular pulling the curtain back on his younger years is always enlightening...
These were really popular in the UK. First as company cars you'd give sales reps who cant be trusted with a 3 series then as mini cabs. Sadly 99% of ours are 1G-FE powered so less grunt. We did get the IS300 sport cross but meh they were rare and auto only. The Altezza RS200 did see a lot of imports but like anything rwd and JDM their values are spiking now so it's not quite the budget sleeper any more.
i had lusted for a IS300 when it debuted, but second hand they were all clapped out and hooned to an inch of their life.
I'm confused. Not a single IS300 came with the 1g-fe, they were ALL 2jz-ge vvti powered and also had a proper LSD. They were all also automatic, we got the saloon and the sportcross, the automatic is also pretty good and shifts fast for what it was. Only the is200 came with the 1G-FE, we got manual and auto versions of those but they are both shit.
Values on clean ones might be climbing because of all the rust of most of them from UK roads. 🤣 Especially the ones imported from Japan.
@@Beansswtf I think he's referring to the IS/Altezza platform in general as he's in the UK, not specifically a 300
Shit here in America it's stupid cheap. Nobody wants them
That intro was golden, if you know you know lol
I felt seen immediately lol
At least there wasn't a pizza involved this time.
If you know, I'm so sorry
OOF, im a good boi, dont call me out
@@wrifraff lmao 🤣 my room was just down the hall from that party I remember hearing about it a few hours after it happened
That intro....RCR knows his audience very well
😅
My dad told me when these debuted in the US in ‘01 that he saw one on a transporter (he worked at the Toyota dealer, sister to the Lexus dealer) and told his coworker he’d have one in a year. Fast forward, my parents bought one brand new in 2002 at said (and at the time only) Lexus dealership here in Vegas. The car was front and center in the showroom on those period 00’s Lexus dealer turntables. It was silver with the optional all chrome 17’s. My parents always tell me about how when we first saw the car I (at the time 2 years old) hopped inside and starting jumping in the seat changing and calling it “Papa’s car!” The next day, my dad traded in his Milano Red ‘98 Integra GS-R for it and took it home. Fast forward nearly 20 years and 130,000 miles, I’m now 21, and it’s my baby now, has been since about 2018. Easily the best first car I could’ve ever had, nothing but dependable. I could say this about any of the other 5 cars I’ve owned, but this IS300 is truly a forever car.
My favourite starter in NFS Most Wanted
I've driven a well-used IS300 (around 100k miles) in California back in 2016. Still felt very tight and that straight-six was a delight.
100k miles is basically new for a Lexus/Toyota
100k miles isn't well used lol
100k is the break in period for a Lexus lol
I had one with 200k on block still made over stock hp
The torque comes on so smooth. I loved mine.
That was the best intro. Felt directly attacked.
So where do you live? Capitol Hill, Belltown or the U-District? 😂
@@ScubaSteveM45 Northgate near U-District 😂
Yeah, immediately felt called out. My first car was a Lexus LS.
Was a great car, had it for almost ten years.
Oh God, I felt pointed out just without the autofellatio. Eastside here.
In his intro, he got the fact that:
1/ I'm into men
2/ I'm from Seattle
3/ I was up late last night watching things my mom wouldn't approve of
Scary!
That was a cool car when it came out. The chrono dash was crazy upscale for a 23 year old kid with no money. Oh how I would have stretched my budget to own one then
I guess I'm in the Mr. Regular camp because I DESPISE that cluster for that reason. Why does it need to look like a watch? Because it's fancy?! Ugh. (My comments are in jest and not meant to be hateful)
@@stw9495 don’t worry I feel the same about my g35, I have an extravagantly fancy plastic clock with no digital option…..
@@ETHAN2019 They did that to the G35 too? I had a 2005 Q45 and it only had an analog clock, but I figured it was because that was a full-size luxury car and Nissan was trying to class things up
@@goldengod5915 yup both my Brothers g35 had a clock with no digital option. The sedan and coupe.
@@mevans4408 be happy! Analog clusters are rare and will be worth a lot of money in the future
Mr. Regular you didn't have to call me out like that in the beginning
This car gives me a lot of Need For Speed Most Wanted nostalgia. Being that it was my main starter car for many playthroughs.
Omg yes! The memories! 😂
@@flurpoid Oh, man. Junkman parts made every car so overpowered. It was so fun to go through the entire game with something as underpowered as the Fiat Punto and then smoke Razor with a starter car.
That intro was every reason I started watching RCR years ago.
I chose this as my starter car in need for speed:most wanted.
good times.
Me too lol wit a big ass wing and loud paint decals on side of it
My Most Wanted starter car is also my IRL starter car...
...the Fiat Grande Punto.
It was my main car in nfs underground 2 and midnight club 3
Oh it's finally here! You have no idea how much I was hoping you would review one over the past few years of me watching your content. Unfortunately I live up in Ontario, so providing you my is300 would not have been feasible. Can't wait to see more videos!
Watching RCR at work is one of the reasons I disabled my PC's internal speaker in the BIOS (in case my headphones ever get unplugged during one of Mr. Regular's "ball tightness" tirades).
At first I thought you were talking about a PC beeper speaker like PCs in the 90s used to try to play game music out of, and I wondered what speech would sound like out of a PC beeper
I bought a 2002 5spd manual in 2006. Fast forward today still daily it, best thing I ever spent money on. Never let me down, dependable, fun to drive, I can't ask for more of a daily.
These were available with a 2.0 straight six here in Europe too (IS 200). I prefer the SportCross
No Roman🤔
2001 IS200 owner here, painting it metallic red with clear coat, and will do a V8 manual swap soon.
I would love a IS300 but yeah I was never sold on the 2l we got.
I was never a fan of the sportcross
I love the Sportcross as well. No manual option on that though, at least here in the US. Only would get a Sportcross if I could afford a transmission swap to go with it.
I was literally thinking today "I really want RCR to review the Lexus IS300" damn
You shoulda thought “I really want a million dollars in cash, small bills, unmarked.” You had ONE chance, Fance. ONE.
Still, I thank you, ‘cause this was pretty cool.
^ This made me chuckle
Love the pathos in this one.. and the heavy application of class critique. Keep it up 👍
Had one 20 years ago. So much fun to drive, smooth motor, and SO easy to break the rear tires loose.
The red car is a 2nd gen (BL) Mazda 3. Instrument cluster and the little triangular window before the c pillar;) Hopefully a Mazdaspeed 3...or MPS for us europeans
the paint-fleck was the giveaway. It's an MPS.
Bingo! Probably a MS3, as well.
Yep the side mirror and the door unlocked button gave it away for me.
Good eye
Buying a mug for this one for sure!
I actually had the Lexus chronograph watch made to resemble this car's speedo.
Dope
I’m on my second manual transmission of these. These cars are timeless and still drive amazing if you get one that isn’t owned by some kid that wants to go slideways..
I lived in Seattle for a few years. Reading PA was home turf. Your videos kept me sane when I was out there. You're videos of Rt 61 and 183 called me home. It's good to be back. The SeaTac reference was funny since Im back now, it's like you know me.
These are reasonably common as the Altezza here in New Zealand due to lax import laws and there's not an Altezza that isn't an absolute shitbox.
I’ve yet to hear an altezza that doesn’t sound absolutely awful
@@barnesrefrig BEAMS
Basically in the similar class of owner to the RB cars.
My mate in chch has the 4cyl one and although it’s not exactly refined; it’s a manual and the first tasteful one I’ve seen! 😂
@@cra83 oof my friend has one too 3s-ge are strong engines
I OWN ONE OF THESE WITH A 5 SPEED AN LSD THANK YOU DADDY FOR REVIEWING THIS I LOVE YOU
Someone get this show-off a caps lock button.
@@dannymac6368 nah shut up
I've been watching you guys since 2014. Just genuinely great content 👌
Hilarious. A kid I graduated High School with got one of these in 02. His last name was "Lange" and his custom license plate was "Langer". Of course his rich Dad bought him one brand new for his first car. The Dad is doing 25 years for offering bad loans to groups looking to build in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. His company took ten percent up front and of course didn't have the funds to make good on the loans. His kid the car owner was in on it as well. So, you see who got this kind of car brand new as a 18 year old. Thanks RCR. Cheers
I always wanted one of these as a first car, but in London they're more expensive to insure than the car's worth. I guess thats what happens to a car when it gets *the drift tax*
I got a 200 in London, I found insurance was a lot cheaper on the sportcross than the saloon
lmfao imagine living in a country where they tax everything
@@AidanTEric it's not a literal tax😑. The "drift tax" is a term used internationally to describe the rapid increase of purchase and subsequently running costs of a formerly cheap to buy and run rear wheel drive car. The UK government doesn't actually charge a tax for owning a car capable of drifting, although I wouldn't put it past them considering how eager they have been over the past decade to run the country into the ground.
@@CheapskateMotorsports For some reason this video seems to have masses of British commentators - it feels odd being part of the majority for a change.
@@AshleyPomeroy apparently we're one of the places Lexus sold the most IS2/300's
Digging the MFF references lmao
This is still my alltime favourite Lexus. Fell in love with it when i was a kid playing Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition. If i were to have a wife and a kid, this would be the family car for me
That Midwest Furfest callout is… incredible 🤣
This has been a dream car since I was a kid, I have never been able to explain why, but still to this day every time I see one I go ooh.
I’d argue it’s the best looking cars ever made(along with the lc500). If you install wide fenders, the front skirt and some wide wheels for a flush figment look you’re creating the best cars to ever exist. E46 coupe was also an extremely attractive car so it had big shoes to fill at the time.
Every time I watch this channel I'm surprised at how bad the roads are there.
and that’s the “good roads” side of Pennsylvania. it’s a war zone near Pittsburgh
penndot is fucking garbage. i may think our roads in ohio are bad, but pa has it way worse
@@dblrightclick oh yeah.
The taxes for our roads go to bloated police departments' military equipment for... reasons.
So the mystery car is definitely a Mazda, or a Mazda re-badge (you can tell by the door handles, and the red colour supports that). I just can't find a Mazda which has that triangle shape rear window (between the c and d pillar), which you can see in the last intro shot.
EDIT: I got it! It's definitely a 2008-2013 Mazda 3 hatchback.
Ooh, maybe a Mazdaspeed 3? Did they make them in that red?
Thank you! I'll be able to sleep tonight knowing what car it is. XD
Finally!! I love my is300, been nothing but reliable with only regular maintenance for a car with 150k miles, fun to drive tons of aftermarket support, overall amazing car I love it
My ex years ago had one of these and it went and went and went, that thing went lol. She wasn’t the best at on time oil changes and maintenance in general but that car was reliable. I always liked the instrument cluster
Instrument cluster was designed to be a watch face
I thought that these were brilliant looking cars when they were first launched in the UK (as the IS 200).
They still are brilliant cars
Lexus lights yuk .
This is my favorite car I’ve ever owned and I currently drive an air cooled 911. Handled lighter than it was but smoothed out city bumps very well. Rear drive fun from when I was young and back was good to switch between summer and Blizzak’s twice a year just using the spare tire jack.
I currently own one and it's amazing. You know how cars this old have that old plastic noise that creaks and cracks, looking at you Mercedes slk, well this car doesn't have that problem at all. It is definitely a nice touring car. It's smooth.
I own a GS300, which is the IS’s mechanically identical sister, beautiful car, if you can get your hands on one, don’t hesitate!
The GS300 is my planned long-term build for the future. What a great car.
It’s definitely bigger than the IS
it’s essentially a beefier sporty ES that had an optional V8
And that's why I love it. All the space to bring my friends along for long trips, and a meaty 4.0/4.3l Toyota V8 to enjoy on the way there. 😏
wait the GS300 is the same as the IS300? :O
@@badass6300 yea same drivetrain
Get to watch this before my drive to the office, thanks RCR!
The era when each model in the lexus line up had its own design. Now they all look the same.
"Is that an ES or an IS? Wait, it's a GS... no an LS right? Oh... it's an RX" 🤦♂️
Oh man, I had an IS200 right hand drive 6spd and I freaking loved it! One of my top faves.
If this wasn't your starter car in NFS most wanted, don't talk to me
I was a cobalt guy, and that got me through most of the game
Cobalt G🅰️🆖
Miata in NFSU got us through the drifts and circuits until unlocking the 34
@@fromach yeah but its too boring at the start
GOLF GOLF GOLLLFFF
A manual 300 SportCross is up there on my dream list.
I own one. Good looking cars but meh at anything else
@@fizzyman1224 Interesting. I'd like to drive one, because to me if a car looks good, sounds good, has a stick and is rear wheel drive, that's about all that's needed for a fun time.
@@Vge21x unfortunately they only came auto which kills it pretty hard. They’re honestly slow as can be too. They do handle pretty decent but performance wise they just make a decent daily
Finally, literally been waiting years for this yay
Incredibly accurate description of what usually happens in Rosemont IL
I don’t understand the comparison to the seven series - I have a hard time believing this is anywhere near as plush. Wouldn’t the benchmark be the three?
It's not even remotely the same size or price either, the ls400 was the 7 series rival, this is a 2jz 3 series
I feel you bro on the 3
That’s is correct. This was the same class as the bmw 3 series. Where the 5 series was the same class as the GS and the 7 series was the same class as the LS. Comparing the is300 to a 7 series is like comparing apples to oranges.
@@AhmedAhmed-dh7yd yepp.
Lexus IS, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3series. One class.
Lexus GS, Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5series. One class.
Lexus LS, Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7series. One class.
I don't understand how anyone could get these mixed up.
These classes are so different in size and the level of comfort, build quality, etc.
I wanted one of these when I was in college back in 2004. I did end up getting an IS but in 2010 after college and when I had my foot set in my career and ready to get a car on my own. I ended up getting a 2009 Lexus IS250. Entirely different body style but I think the second gen IS has aged more gracefully. I still have my IS and it still looks pretty fresh in 2021.
I never really paid attention to Lexus until my sister got a ‘06 IS350 in 2010. Man that car was sweet; I ended up getting bit by the luxury car bug and bought a e46 330i and that thing stayed in the repair shop. Lexus territory belonged to my sister so naturally I went BMW due to its sportier nature, but in retrospect I should’ve just gotten one of these. Engine was bulletproof, you got a straight 6 with decent horsepower, standard HIDS, yellow fogs, 17in staggered rims and a unique design for around 30k new that would run forever if you took care of it. I’m a Chevy man nowadays, but I’d still buy a low mileage example of these if I ever came across one. Don’t know how that’ll happen almost 20 years later but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Cars were much simpler back then
@@dougedoug2105 I like my 2008 IS250 for many reasons but the last reason you mentioned is so true. Cars were a lot more simple then. I can attest to that as my 2008 doesn’t have too many features that are bound to break. It’s not stuffed with tech that is destined to just stop working. That being said, the second gen IS I have still looks very good exterior wise. What a beautiful car. I just like the overall shape and the sporty look to it. It screams “I’m better than you , look at Me!” Haha just kidding. But it’s a really nice car and the reliability is rock solid. It’s to be expected as Lexus is basically a luxury Toyota, and like Toyotas, Lexus will last forever if you maintain it.
@@KingDrewPhilip I still see these on the road nowadays in Dallas and I always stop to admire them. I’d have to say that my favorite part of this car would have to be the front end. I am also still seeing 2gen IS’s with temporary tags in 2021 too. Even though they’re probably on their 3 or 4th owner by now, I always think to myself that the person bought a great car and they better take good care of it.
I’m very protective over these cars for some reason, and I think it’s because they’re just so dam reliable. Good Car you have there man, take care of it. You appear to be Asian so you’re bringing me back to my college days when the campus parking lot had about 20 of these 2gen IS’s in them at any given point in time, mostly for the Asians. These things were so popular and everyone knew your parents had money if you were pushing one 😂😅🤣
@@dougedoug2105 yep Asian. I have a few of videos of my IS in my channel. So, as the reviewer said here… IS … rich kid car. I wish I had a car like this at 17 but my parents wouldn’t get it even if they were rich because they feel I should work hard for the things I want. Strive for my goals. Anyhow, whenever I see a first gen IS, I still think they’re kinda stylish. They didn’t age as good as the 2is but they’re still nice.
At least in Australia these things were kind of invisible really, a mid-size buried in a fairly wide swathe of mid-large sized sedans (along with grey-import Aristos) and it wasn't really held to any kind of 'wealth' associations. It was much like the IS200, sort of a relatively common car. Got a later model IS350 and its been a phenomenally reliable car
Had one, loved it. It’s good looking, we’ll built and comfy, and drives well.
RCR really coming out of the closet in this one
Haha, yea, that's what it sounded like to me.
I love my IS, though it is manual and with LSD. They still feel super tight 20 years later and with some small modifications they actually handle very well thanks to the double wishbone front and rear and pretty high caster. They also benefit from the JZX chassis aftermarket as they share the same components underneath, so lots of coilovers, sway bars, chassis bracing etc available. It's my forever car!
Did they come factory with a manual trans and LSD? That's badass, I couldn't find a single one with a manual
@@brandonsever2576 stock manual versions that come with the W58 trans fetch for double the price and sometimes triple the price of the auto IS300s nowadays. Cherish and do not crash it.
@@Blakezilla594 And yet its so stupid that that's the case, the w58 is a dogshit gearbox and the a650e auto can be swapped so easily for a number of solid gearboxes saving you all that cash.
@@Beansswtf some people want stock manual transmission and rarity just bumps up the prices.
Blake Wilson It came with the W55, not the W58.
You nailed this Mr. Regular!
I just bought one of these, it has exactly 131,529 miles. It runs like a champ. It’s literally my favorite car
"And you're still hanging around the Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois": *Internal screaming*
Love the styling of the front end, simple but perfect. It does really remind me of a 7 series as well. I drive a e38 and raced a IS300, i beat the guy but that little thing was no slow poke. Would love to own one sometime in my life. Good video
I don't see the reason for comparing it to a 7 series, the ls400 existed for that, the Gs300 was the 5 series equivalent and this the 3 series equivalent
@@E9X330
That people nowadays. Brag about beat a certain car on a race, but didn't realize about the series hence why they would.
No shit, you're in a 7 series lol the IS300 is the 3 series of Lexus.
My father graciously passed his gray one down to me in the late-2000s. Intake noise with a stupid long-pipe pod filter was glorious. He just bought another one last week @ 300k miles, simply because he loved that chronograph speedo so much - good catch.
I had a 2003 with the SportDesign package, which included some very sharp 10-spoke wheels. Such a good car. I loved how smooth the straight six was, and it felt like it had endless torque. I always wished I had a manual though.
I have this exact car in manual. I had 5 autos 1 still remaining and manual just adds to the experience/smooth ride. They are actually 11-spoke wheels.
The Corolla. Its seaux fancy!
fAUNSEH!
The damn intro caught me WAY off guard. If you know you know, and to Mr. Regular I say well played sir. 👌🏼
So true. I remember back in '03 I was 17 and this rich kid who lived across the street during the summer (his parents were divorced, so he spent the school year with his mom in another town) got one of these as a graduation present. He insisted on getting the manual, even though he had no idea how to drive a stick. I'd been driving a manual transmission since having my learners permit so naturally I talked my way into taking it for a spin with exactly 20 miles on the odometer. I still think back to that day, banging the brand new Lexus off the rev limiter, man handling the chrome shift knob as ferociously as a teenager driving a car that wasn't his can. "It's got the Supra engine" the neighbor kid reminded me as often as he could. Yet, it wasn't the engine that impressed me. Something about the sleekness of the tach that reminded me of a fancy wrist watch, and the way it would chirp the rear tires in second gear. Coming from a fwd Honda it was truly something to behold.
Oh man, I think Mr Regular wrote that whole intro from personal experience lol.
Had a 3sge manual Altezza for about 3 years a reliable, fun, high revving car! Sadly all the ones left in NZ are now being used for skids since RBs are too expensive now
These things have ages well in my eye. Up until I went back to nightshift this year I used to see a yellow wagon version of one of these that sounded quite angry.
Why'd you keep comparing it to the 7 series? It was much more of a3 series competitor. Lexus had the LS to compete with the 7 series and the GS to compete with the 5 series.
Indeed
WOOO! Rosemont illinois gets some love! Thank you Mr. Regular.
Felatio rhymes with ratio.
So Mr. Regular, since you are talking about Rosemont Illinois this particular weekend, i am assuming you are asuming that they attended Midwest Furfest since that is the only convention going on at rosemont this weekend.
Your college rants are spot on.
Always loved the way these look. Just wondering why you are keep comparing this to a 7 series? Aren't they more comparable to a 3 series?
Correct
The Lexus IS is pretty much a Japanese 3 series/C-Class/A4 type car. 6 cylinders, RWD, 4 doors, luxurious yet agile
I got a free set of those wheels and put them on my Toyota Avalon. Bolt pattern and hub bore are the same, gotta love Toyota. The whole watch inspired gauge cluster thing was pretty cool. I'm surprised more cars didnt have it.
The Dunkleousteus was a seven meter long armored predatory placoderm fish from the late Devonian Period (approx 380-359 million years ago).
They were one of my favorites in Ark
Damn Mr.Regular knows my weekend too well, I feel like I saw him there.
you have done it again good sir- and with that, sheer genius!
My two favorite cars are the 5th gen Honda Prelude and this IS300. I currently own the Prelude because the is300 seemed even more rare to find, especially as a stick shift, even 5 years ago when I was shopping for either.
My first car was a stupid nice 5th gen prelude. And now I own a is300 wagon (rarest is300) kinda funny
I respect your dream choices
Ha I had the Type S 5th gen Prelude and then a Gita and now an IS300
I can't believe you'd just make that your introduction. I mean YOU'RE RIGHT, but that doesn't mean I had to hear it. LMAO
These were cool tuner cars in the eyes of young gamers in the 2000s. I have many memories of driving these on games like Midnight Club 3, Need for Speed Underground and Forza Motorsport as a young kid
Got the '05 3 years ago and love this thing and a blast to drive, mines the AUTO and changed out the steering wheel from the IS350 model to obtain the paddle shifters, bluetooth and stereo control options.... FRIKIN LOVE this upgrade.... Also, swapped out the one legger rear end and found the AUTOMATIC LSD DIFF from a salvage yard in Sacramento CA. Cars super fun in the twistys even more then when I bought it. Check off one on my bucket list of cars, lol.
The high school experience was spot on for me, but the rich boys had Porsches and Audis. I haven't laughed this hard in a while. 🤣
BMW 3 series.. 7 is a whooooole other league 🙏🏾
Yeah, I'm not sure where he was going with that.
That outtro is absolutely spot on
Drove a manual LS200 of a friend some years ago. The fuel economy was awfull but it sounded awesome with an aftermarket exhaust. When it‘s OEM I just really like it. 👍