Hello all, I am actually thinking about trading my GS300 for an IS300, but couple of questions I wanted to ask you all that have sat AND drove in both of them.

These are the main concerns about the IS300.
1. Are the IS300's suspension as soft and cushiony as the GS300/400/430's? Does anyone happen to know the spring rates for the GS and the IS300?
2. Is the steering wheel as stiff as the GS's?
3.As for the seats in the IS300, Do they actually hug/hold you better at turns than the GS's?(The only thing I hate about my GS)
4. Is there enough headroom like the GS in the IS300's?(I am 5'11", and I actually sit upright, so headroom is important)

I am thinking about trading, because I find it easier to go turbo and benefit more than the GS due to it's lighter weight. Even before I test-drive an IS300, I wanted to ask those four questions to you all so I don't waste my time test driving if it's not the right car for me.

Thanks in advance you all
JP

 

1. go to a meet and ask a member to drive their IS
2. the IS headroom, i believe is shorter than the GS
3. IS suspension is tighter than the GS, its a sports sedan compared to a luxury sedan

 

Just keep in mind that the IS was designed to compete with the 3-series.

 

Keep the GS and do a 2JZ swap.

 

1. the GS300 is cushier. the IS300 was soft too, but it wasn't as floaty. On longer cruise, it's probably comfortable as well. Not bone jarring at all.

2. The IS300 steering was about as stiff as the GS. But one thing i noticed was that the steering on the IS was a lot tighter. I wouldn't classify it as stiff anyways. stiff would be BMW.

3. YES YES YES. The seats are a lot better in the GS. But it's still no real sport seat. It has better support though. I made a sharp turn and I didn't really slide off the seat like I do in my GS. then again, parts of the IS seat isn't leather.

4. I'm 5'7 and the IS just felt like a small car to me. Headroom wasn't a major issue for me, but it might bother you. it's been a few months since I drove an iS300.

 

Keep the GS

 

Way to small of a car for me. I like the room in the gs not to mention the interior has to much cheap plastic in it for me. If you like your gs you dnt even want to test drive an is300. To much like a honda civic for me.

 

IS handles better than a stock GS for sure. when i drove my girls IS before I installed my coilovers, I wished my GS would handle like the IS. Now; if you really want a monster, swap out to a GTE and you will have a bullet on wheels.
However; i do agree with some of the post here. The IS could never be a d/d for me. I love my GS, but i would also love to have a built IS to play with on weekends. Can't wait for my girl to get tired of her car, so i can start messing with it.

 

from my experience of owning 2 IS300 before my GS4

1 & 2. steering wheel is about as stiff, but IS handles much better. after all, it is supposed to be sports sedan. GS puts you "on the cloud" feeling more, IS suspension is not as soft.
3. I like the seats in IS better, it hugs/hold you more, esp on sharp turns. i like the leather in IS better too, and the suede, not as luxury, but i just like them better...
4. headroom will not be so comfortable for you since you're 5'11".

overall, i love both of my IS more than the GS when it comes to handling and having the sports sedan feeling, but i feel more VIP in the GS and much more comfortable in it. IS is better when it comes down to trying to get to work on time when you are already late, and GS is the better ride home after a long day at work. wish i could have both...... conclusion: GS>IS hope you make the right choice. either way, you cant go wrong bc it'll still be a lexus

 

when i read the title, i thought a 2GS raced a 1IS.. i agree with above comment.. although i never owned or driven an IS, i knew that the IS was much more sporty.. i wouldn't trade a GS for an IS because the GS holds value better than the IS

 

I have both GS and IS.

1. The IS suspension feels a little more sporty. The IS is more fun to toss around and more nimble.
2. I think the steering in IS is also a little stiffer/tighter than GS.
3. Yes, the IS seats hug you better than the GS. The GS is more plush. Both are comfortable in long trips.
4. Headroom is not a problem for me in the IS (i'm short. lol)

I love them both!

 

I can compare my 02 430 vs. my son's IS300. 1st power= GS hands down but that is with the 430 not the 300. The IS makes you feel like you are a part of a smaller car and is sportier in turns and has the paddle shifters. You will slide around if you don't get the swede inserts in the seats. Getting in and out is harder in the IS. Interior wise the GS is much more upscale and might hold up better due to better materials. Arm rest would be a madatory option in the IS for comfort for me but my son's does not have a useable one unless you are 3 foot tall. Dashboard is made of better materials in GS. Too much plastic look in IS. At night the IS looks cooler with the colors on the dash but would take some getting used to. 5 in GS would be close while 5 in IS would get to know each other very well. Trunk is smaller in IS. Nav in IS pops up out of dash according to salesman. Don't know. In short IS is entry level(prop for hood vs. struts) and sportier for 1 person and gives you a younger feel. If you see yourself in the twistees and back roads more often then not then go for it. It also has a ski pass thru. However, for a high speed highway cruiser(300 is not that much slower) that you put alot of miles on for 2 or more and if you like people to say that you have arrived, the GS gets my vote.

 

I had an IS briefly as well, its a hoot to drive, very nimble compared to the GS. You will miss some of the power of the GS 400 vs the IS 300. I loved the IS seats and IMO it was actually roomier with legroom.

I didn't notice much of a difference in headroom but its a much thinner car, 67inches wide vs the GS 70 inches so it felt much more compact.