Test drove an IS 300 today!!!

[PROJECT N00b]

So today my brother and I went to Longo Toyota to find cars to drive around.

I first went to the used car building and asked them if they had any MR-S's but they said they didnt...so we went over to the lexus building and asked if they had any IS 300's with the 2J and they had one! I spent about 5 minutes talking to the sales man about a car im looking for with luxury and more power than my 87 and he was talking to my brother...

I asked him what it took to take it for a test drive and he told me "Hold on, let me get the keys" so we took it for a drive and i have to say...my supra feels like it has more power than the IS does, it doesnt pick up like the supra does and the roof line is too low for me. The 2j it has didnt feel sporty enough to me. The steering wheel was stiff like a mother.

So, for those of you with IS 300's and those who have taken one for a test drive, lets hear your thoughts!

 

[tissimo]

They aren't fast but they are decently peppy. For a daily driver they'd be awesome, but there isn't much fun to drive factor with it. They're ment for comfort and luxury with a hint of sport.. Quiet different from the supras Sport with a hint of luxury.. lol

 

[PROJECT N00b]

haha seriously. i feel that the supra picks up better than the IS

 

[EvoLuTioN]

lol thats because it's a non-turbo FTL

 

[tissimo]

fwiw the IS has a very smooth powerband and transmission shifts, and it doesn't give you the SOTP fast feeling that the supra would. But in no time can easily reach 100 mph. Of course it wont get there in 10 seconds, but its moving faster then it feels.

 

[AF1JZ]

Here are my thoughts on my 01' IS300 auto....

I love it for a DD. The 5 speed auto tranny shifts really fast and smooth. The powerband is nice and smooth as well. The handling is awesome for being stock. I'm 6'1'' 220lbs and I fit in there very comfortably. I don't even have the seat all the way back. It's obvious that it isn't as fast at my 1jz Supra. But, with 215hp 218 tq it will definitely get up and go. I added an intake to mine and it really breathes now. I would get header and exhaust, but I love how quiet it is. I have the Supra to be loud and fast. I can't really think of anything else right now. But, I'll be keeping this car for a while.

 

[starscream5000]

Can we say, IS 300 NA-T :naughty:

There's plenty of aftermarket support for it to be as fast as you'll want it to be.

 

[MKIIINA]

Here are my thoughts on my 01' IS300 auto....

I love it for a DD. The 5 speed auto tranny shifts really fast and smooth. The powerband is nice and smooth as well. The handling is awesome for being stock. I'm 6'1'' 220lbs and I fit in there very comfortably. I don't even have the seat all the way back. It's obvious that it isn't as fast at my 1jz Supra. But, with 215hp 218 tq it will definitely get up and go. I added an intake to mine and it really breathes now. I would get header and exhaust, but I love how quiet it is. I have the Supra to be loud and fast. I can't really think of anything else right now. But, I'll be keeping this car for a while.

/\agreed

having an 02 sportx is300 i must say its a far cry from the supra for power but it does make a fun-to-drive DD. Add to that the ability to carry 4/5 people in some comfort and still have a good storage space in the rear (the sportx at least). add in that it gets alot better gas mileage than my supra and i can run it on regular and that is why the supra sits during the week.

the is300 isnt a supra but it does make for a fun dd... and its pretty competative in SCCA also

 

[trydrew]

Drove an IS350 for a week and never looked back at the 300s again. *

And yes, I've driven a few 300s.



* Not to say I would never buy one.