Lexus IS300, know anything?
 

I'll be getting a new vehicle in another year or so, and have always liked the IS300. The coolest thing I found out is that they are actually available with Escaine seats (well leather with Escaine)! All the reviews I've read have been favorable, but I was wondering if anyone had any firsthand experience they'd like to share.

my boy dave has one....its RWD so he doesnt drive it in the rain or the snow. Looks pretty cool...something about how you have to remove the front bumper to change the headlights but somehow i find that hard to believe.

I can understand not driving it in the snow to some degree if you don't want to shell out the cash for snow tires, but not driving it in the rain due to RWD?

I think he's either a) scared to get it dirty, b) misinformed about RWD
Since I too find it hard to believe that you need to remove the bumper to change the headlights, I'll go with b

foglights? you have to remove the bumper cover in the Legacy to change the foglight bulbs (but its actually very easy.) i can't imagine the headlight bulbs would be like that.

oh BTW, get a LGT instead of the IS300. :D

Steve you could always join the IS forums and ask them for their first hand experience

That's another possibility, but I know plenty about them already :)

i better unload it before teh bulbs burn out!

OMG, you'd better sell it before you have to undo some plastic clips!!! :eek:

plastic clips?!? oh noEs!!!!!!!!!!111!!11!!!!!!11!!!!

Why are people so scared of RWD? I would take a RWD car in the snow over FWD any day of the week. Give me a decent set of snow tires and I am good to go.

I don't know much about the IS300, but it is a Toyota. I have pretty much never heard anyone speak poorly about a Toyota. Make sure you get the 5-speed though. IIRC the first couple of years were automatic only.

The 2001s came only with a 5spd auto with e-shift, 2002 introduced the standard 5sp. However, I'm not a fan of sticks and would be going with the e-shift.

i just read up on the IS300, and, wow - i guess they hold their value well, because used '01's and '02's are going for like $18k-$25k on Autotrader around here. 215hp/218 ft-lbs, kinda weak.

unless you really like the styling of the IS300, you can get a *brand new* LegGT with AWD, more power (and easily increased, too :) ), and a PRODRIVE-designed 5EAT Sportshift for not much more. there's no HID, but you can add that for around $500.

they are nice looking cars, but it seems like you're paying for the Lexus nameplate more than anything.

Yep!... true.... i agree

I'll admit the Lexus name is part of the price. But when you concider that it was designed to compete with the 3series costing $10k+ more (which it does quite well), and it won't be in the shop every other week, it's actually a bargain. They're getting redesigned for 06, so I figure the 1st gens will probably drop in price.

I'll also admit the Lexus name is part of the reason I want it...tell a girl you drive a Legacy and I doubt she'll be impressed, tell her you drive a Lexus and she'll be more inclined to take a tour of your back seat ;)

But with a LGT you COULD say you drive a Lexus killer...with turbo! :D