speedracer

ya...i am sick of the tails....they were soo sweet when they came on th escene..but then since everyone started to mimik and try to give their honda euro styling, the tails on teh is300 make me sick....and plus the *** of the car is too high, and the trunk lid looks unfinished ....however the front is damn sexy...

i wish the is300 had the new accords ***...that would be a sweet ryde

diesel

it's more a luxurious sport car, it's cool, as for the altezza lights issue.. that is the altezza, so the tail still look good on it. just not on other cars who want to imitate it... imo

Nova_Dust

Anyway, all I can say is, if you can afford it, then buy it. For me, a Civic is good enough for both styling, and a good project starting car. I am gonna keep upgrading it but later on, I might buy another family car depending on the needs.

Gin&ClubSoda

I think all toyotas are made in US. All pre-2003 lexus (lexi?) were made in JAPAN. I think recently the es300 and the rx330 are being made in north america. The is300 is and has always been made in the good'ol Nippon.

The IS300 uses an INLINE SIX --> I6 not a V6. Same engine that is used in the GS300. This engine is almost identical to what the Supra used. In otherwords after a few thousand dollars in upgrades you can run with corvertre Z-06's and even most exotic cars. there.
Or you can save all that money and enjoy a VERY reliable car.

Check out
www.is300.net
You'll get more FIRST HAND info

EK7_DriftMania

Gin&ClubSoda - no need to upgrade anything to make less reliable. IS450 is coming out... I think they have a proto - type with 400+hp. Not sure...

Nova_Dust - don't get me worry, the Civic is legendary and sweet and it can run with any car. IS300 is a PIMP-mobile... I just don't want it to break down and leaving me in the middle of nowhere.

Nova_Dust

EK7, have you considered Subaru? I think 4WD has its advantage and for a 4 door car, it is sexy as hell.

EK7_DriftMania

I love Subaru, but I don't think it is efficient, 4WD = twice the maintainance. I love the old Impreza it's really nice, I was going to get that car, but some body convinced me otherwise.

To get the Lexus, I have to sell all my cars, that is why I need it to be reliable.

SilverCRXSi

Not all Toyotas are made in the US.
The Corrolla and Matrix are made here in Cambridge as is the LExus SUV(forget the name)

I agree IS300 is pimpin!

SpikeyLee

I don't think that you'd have to worry about reliability with a Lexus, they're (Toyota and Lexus, I mean) are probably in the top 5 most reliable cars in the world!!

EL_Sport

Lexus was actually #1 in some of the most recent N. America reliability surveys I have seen.

Gin&ClubSoda

Its all rumors. There's been talk about it but its all wishful thinking. In the current lexus line-up (maybe even the JDM) there is no existing V6 ir I6 engine that puts out that kind of power (normally aspirated). Perhaps a V8? Yeah right! Probably wouldn't fit. Unless they build a whole new engine from the ground up specifically made to fit the IS300. Too costly for such a low volume selling car. Weight and balance could also be an issue.

What they might do is drop in an aluminum V6. Lighter than the current engine, better gas mileage, and power around 230-280 depending on engine displacement.

Regarding turbocharging: what I was saying is whether or not you turn the car into a 400whp monster, you can enjoy a good sports sedan that has an excellent reliability record.

EK7_DriftMania

Lexus for sure.... thanks.

SpikeyLee

A guy I used to know drove a Lexus ES300 and praised that thing to everybody. Practically everything I've heard/read about Lexus is positive; I don't think that it'll be a decision you'll regret. Although if you do regret it, there'll always be a Honda Civic with your name written on it waiting for you to come back to "our side."