Advice on buying a used is300
08-03-04, 11:04 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Advice on buying a used is300
I'm currently the owner of an SC400 and will likely be selling it to get an is300 within the next 2-3 months. The main reasons for gettting the is300 are:
1) I need a car big enough to take a client or two on occassion. The 4 door works well.
2) I work in an industry where one is expected to be somewhat of a car enthusiast. The is300 fulfills this need.
3) For the next 10 months, I will be commuting about 114 miles a day for work. The V8 in the SC seems a bit thirsty over the long run compared to the is300's 6 banger.
4) I just love the styling of the car.
5) It's a Lexus.... need I say more?
6) Fast, comfortable, luxurious, sporty, and reliable.
As I've always been against buying a brand new car, I will be looking for an is300 that's 1-2 years old. Are there any particular areas of concern when shopping for a used is300? What are the common weakspots on these cars? What about maintenance schedules? Thanks in advance folks.
1) I need a car big enough to take a client or two on occassion. The 4 door works well.
2) I work in an industry where one is expected to be somewhat of a car enthusiast. The is300 fulfills this need.
3) For the next 10 months, I will be commuting about 114 miles a day for work. The V8 in the SC seems a bit thirsty over the long run compared to the is300's 6 banger.
4) I just love the styling of the car.
5) It's a Lexus.... need I say more?
6) Fast, comfortable, luxurious, sporty, and reliable.
As I've always been against buying a brand new car, I will be looking for an is300 that's 1-2 years old. Are there any particular areas of concern when shopping for a used is300? What are the common weakspots on these cars? What about maintenance schedules? Thanks in advance folks.
08-03-04, 11:48 PM
#2
ok there are just couple of things i think you should keep in mind about the is3 (read, i have the is3, so i am not bashing it)
1. the is3 isn't really big at all. personally i think it's small. specially sitting in the back isn't the most comfortable. not sure how clients would feel. definitely better than the coupe, though
2. the v8 seems a bit thirty over long run?! the gas mileage of the v8 and the i6 are the same.... 18/24. the i6 on the is300 eats up gas just as bad as the v8 man.
in terms of yrs, i say get at least 2002, 2001 was the first yr and a lot of goodies were missing. starting 2002 it has been a lot better. the car of course is strongly build, i havent heard of any major problems on the car yet
1. the is3 isn't really big at all. personally i think it's small. specially sitting in the back isn't the most comfortable. not sure how clients would feel. definitely better than the coupe, though
2. the v8 seems a bit thirty over long run?! the gas mileage of the v8 and the i6 are the same.... 18/24. the i6 on the is300 eats up gas just as bad as the v8 man.
in terms of yrs, i say get at least 2002, 2001 was the first yr and a lot of goodies were missing. starting 2002 it has been a lot better. the car of course is strongly build, i havent heard of any major problems on the car yet
08-04-04, 06:00 AM
#3
Lexus Connoisseur
Re: Advice on buying a used is300
Hi David here's what I can answer for you:
1) Like Rominl said, the rear seating is a little tight for clients if you plan to carry them in the back. Maybe front okay...but if you have 3 or more passengers, it gets a little tight.
2) IS300 is a great car enthusiast platform.
3) My commute is 105 miles a day round trip. The mileage is okay as long as you spend 95% of it on the freeway. If you have traffic and and local driving, the IS does drink fuel close to a V8. I get an average of 21-22mpg avg on my mixed city/highway traffic driving. And with only a 17.5 gal tank, my fuel light tends to turn on after 300-330 miles of driving. Then you have about 2.5 gals or less left in the tank.
4) I can't agree with you more
5) I highly agree
6) Yes. Fast to a certain extent, but a well rounded package that's for sure.
I suggest getting a 2002 or newer IS. Lots of small issues that were found in the 2001. Maintenance schedule is pretty conventional like any other Lexus. Other than that, it's a great car...which is why I have 28,500 on my 11 month old 04 IS.
1) Like Rominl said, the rear seating is a little tight for clients if you plan to carry them in the back. Maybe front okay...but if you have 3 or more passengers, it gets a little tight.
2) IS300 is a great car enthusiast platform.
3) My commute is 105 miles a day round trip. The mileage is okay as long as you spend 95% of it on the freeway. If you have traffic and and local driving, the IS does drink fuel close to a V8. I get an average of 21-22mpg avg on my mixed city/highway traffic driving. And with only a 17.5 gal tank, my fuel light tends to turn on after 300-330 miles of driving. Then you have about 2.5 gals or less left in the tank.
4) I can't agree with you more
5) I highly agree
6) Yes. Fast to a certain extent, but a well rounded package that's for sure.
I suggest getting a 2002 or newer IS. Lots of small issues that were found in the 2001. Maintenance schedule is pretty conventional like any other Lexus. Other than that, it's a great car...which is why I have 28,500 on my 11 month old 04 IS.
08-04-04, 07:32 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
What weaknesses?
Perhaps the weakest point on used IS300's will be tire wear....especially on the 17-inch high-performance tires. These tires have a soft tread compound designed for maximum grip on dry pavement. Their average tread life with normal use is not much more than 20,000 miles....and Lexus prints a disclaimer in their brochures not to expect more than 15,000 because they know a lot of IS300's will be driven hard.
If the car you're looking at has the 16" all-seasons or the later 17" all-seasons you will probably be better off...they usually get 40,000 miles or more.
if you don't have any other means available of inspecting the tire, just stick a Lincoln penny in the tread, both in the center tread and on the edge...tires often wear unevenly. If you see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time for a trip to the tire shop. Any reputable Lexus dealer, though, will inspect the tires on a used car and replace them if needed....especially on a Certified Used Lexus.
If the car you're looking at has the 16" all-seasons or the later 17" all-seasons you will probably be better off...they usually get 40,000 miles or more.
if you don't have any other means available of inspecting the tire, just stick a Lincoln penny in the tread, both in the center tread and on the edge...tires often wear unevenly. If you see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time for a trip to the tire shop. Any reputable Lexus dealer, though, will inspect the tires on a used car and replace them if needed....especially on a Certified Used Lexus.
08-04-04, 08:55 AM
#5
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks everybody for the swift replies. I wasn't aware of the fuel mileage of the is300. It's shocking, but if that's the worse thing that can be said of the car, then it's still a winner. As far as the backseat room, I plan on using that very rarely. But either way, it would be for short distances. Fortunately, my commute is almost entirely freeway driving going against rush hour so I'll be able to sail along.
My other choices are the Audi A4 and the Volvo S4, both good looking cars that meet my needs, but questionable reliability.
My other choices are the Audi A4 and the Volvo S4, both good looking cars that meet my needs, but questionable reliability.
08-04-04, 11:26 AM
#6
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If you get an IS with the 5 speed you may see an increase in MPG, I average 24 with a 40 mile commute. As for your other choices, the Audi is a great choice if you need something with all wheel drive and I've driven the new Volvo S40, you'd need to get the bigger engine option in either the Volvo or Audi to get close to the IS level of performance. Audi base engine is the 1.8T = 170HP(3.0 offered with 220 hp), Volvo has an inline 5 cyl - 168 HP ( Turbo offered with 218 hp)
08-04-04, 12:26 PM
#7
Re: Re: Advice on buying a used is300
Originally posted by flipside909
Hi David here's what I can answer for you:
1) Like Rominl said, the rear seating is a little tight for clients if you plan to carry them in the back. Maybe front okay...but if you have 3 or more passengers, it gets a little tight.
2) IS300 is a great car enthusiast platform.
3) My commute is 105 miles a day round trip. The mileage is okay as long as you spend 95% of it on the freeway. If you have traffic and and local driving, the IS does drink fuel close to a V8. I get an average of 21-22mpg avg on my mixed city/highway traffic driving. And with only a 17.5 gal tank, my fuel light tends to turn on after 300-330 miles of driving. Then you have about 2.5 gals or less left in the tank.
4) I can't agree with you more
5) I highly agree
6) Yes. Fast to a certain extent, but a well rounded package that's for sure.
I suggest getting a 2002 or newer IS. Lots of small issues that were found in the 2001. Maintenance schedule is pretty conventional like any other Lexus. Other than that, it's a great car...which is why I have 28,500 on my 11 month old 04 IS.
Hi David here's what I can answer for you:
1) Like Rominl said, the rear seating is a little tight for clients if you plan to carry them in the back. Maybe front okay...but if you have 3 or more passengers, it gets a little tight.
2) IS300 is a great car enthusiast platform.
3) My commute is 105 miles a day round trip. The mileage is okay as long as you spend 95% of it on the freeway. If you have traffic and and local driving, the IS does drink fuel close to a V8. I get an average of 21-22mpg avg on my mixed city/highway traffic driving. And with only a 17.5 gal tank, my fuel light tends to turn on after 300-330 miles of driving. Then you have about 2.5 gals or less left in the tank.
4) I can't agree with you more
5) I highly agree
6) Yes. Fast to a certain extent, but a well rounded package that's for sure.
I suggest getting a 2002 or newer IS. Lots of small issues that were found in the 2001. Maintenance schedule is pretty conventional like any other Lexus. Other than that, it's a great car...which is why I have 28,500 on my 11 month old 04 IS.
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08-04-04, 12:26 PM
#8
Originally posted by RealRide
Thanks everybody for the swift replies. I wasn't aware of the fuel mileage of the is300. It's shocking, but if that's the worse thing that can be said of the car, then it's still a winner. As far as the backseat room, I plan on using that very rarely. But either way, it would be for short distances. Fortunately, my commute is almost entirely freeway driving going against rush hour so I'll be able to sail along.
My other choices are the Audi A4 and the Volvo S4, both good looking cars that meet my needs, but questionable reliability.
Thanks everybody for the swift replies. I wasn't aware of the fuel mileage of the is300. It's shocking, but if that's the worse thing that can be said of the car, then it's still a winner. As far as the backseat room, I plan on using that very rarely. But either way, it would be for short distances. Fortunately, my commute is almost entirely freeway driving going against rush hour so I'll be able to sail along.
My other choices are the Audi A4 and the Volvo S4, both good looking cars that meet my needs, but questionable reliability.
08-04-04, 12:27 PM
#9
Originally posted by ISfrmHoldn
If you get an IS with the 5 speed you may see an increase in MPG, I average 24 with a 40 mile commute. As for your other choices, the Audi is a great choice if you need something with all wheel drive and I've driven the new Volvo S40, you'd need to get the bigger engine option in either the Volvo or Audi to get close to the IS level of performance. Audi base engine is the 1.8T = 170HP(3.0 offered with 220 hp), Volvo has an inline 5 cyl - 168 HP ( Turbo offered with 218 hp)
If you get an IS with the 5 speed you may see an increase in MPG, I average 24 with a 40 mile commute. As for your other choices, the Audi is a great choice if you need something with all wheel drive and I've driven the new Volvo S40, you'd need to get the bigger engine option in either the Volvo or Audi to get close to the IS level of performance. Audi base engine is the 1.8T = 170HP(3.0 offered with 220 hp), Volvo has an inline 5 cyl - 168 HP ( Turbo offered with 218 hp)
08-04-04, 07:51 PM
#10
Lexus Connoisseur
Re: What weaknesses?
Originally posted by mmarshall
Perhaps the weakest point on used IS300's will be tire wear....especially on the 17-inch high-performance tires. These tires have a soft tread compound designed for maximum grip on dry pavement. Their average tread life with normal use is not much more than 20,000 miles....and Lexus prints a disclaimer in their brochures not to expect more than 15,000 because they know a lot of IS300's will be driven hard.
If the car you're looking at has the 16" all-seasons or the later 17" all-seasons you will probably be better off...they usually get 40,000 miles or more.
if you don't have any other means available of inspecting the tire, just stick a Lincoln penny in the tread, both in the center tread and on the edge...tires often wear unevenly. If you see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time for a trip to the tire shop. Any reputable Lexus dealer, though, will inspect the tires on a used car and replace them if needed....especially on a Certified Used Lexus.
Perhaps the weakest point on used IS300's will be tire wear....especially on the 17-inch high-performance tires. These tires have a soft tread compound designed for maximum grip on dry pavement. Their average tread life with normal use is not much more than 20,000 miles....and Lexus prints a disclaimer in their brochures not to expect more than 15,000 because they know a lot of IS300's will be driven hard.
If the car you're looking at has the 16" all-seasons or the later 17" all-seasons you will probably be better off...they usually get 40,000 miles or more.
if you don't have any other means available of inspecting the tire, just stick a Lincoln penny in the tread, both in the center tread and on the edge...tires often wear unevenly. If you see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time for a trip to the tire shop. Any reputable Lexus dealer, though, will inspect the tires on a used car and replace them if needed....especially on a Certified Used Lexus.
08-04-04, 07:52 PM
#11
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally posted by RealRide
Fortunately, my commute is almost entirely freeway driving going against rush hour so I'll be able to sail along.
Fortunately, my commute is almost entirely freeway driving going against rush hour so I'll be able to sail along.
I love mine...and my mileage shows it!
08-04-04, 07:54 PM
#12
Lexus Connoisseur
Re: Re: Re: Advice on buying a used is300
Originally posted by rominl
!!!!!!!! flip, you got 29k miles on your car already?!
!!!!!!!! flip, you got 29k miles on your car already?!
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