Purchasing an Is300 Any tips?

[kfzemx3]

I'll be buying an Is300 in January, I've already got 2 dealerships looking for the specific one i want, basically I'm getting a 2003 5speed prefer the blue, but i've left it open for other specific colors cause i understand the 5 speeds are not the easiest to find. especially since i want to purchase it from a Lexus dealership so i can get the 100k mile warranty, as i don't plan on really doing anything to the car for awhile, Just a nice daily for awhile till the company I'm with goes public and i can get some real money coming in.

I'm only purchasing a certified preowned so i can get the 100k mile warranty included, with my mileage being no higher than 65k miles.

This will be my 1st car in awhile i've had to make a payment on so I figure if I'm going to go in debt I'm going to get what i want. Though the sales guy i talked to earlier today kept telling me to get a gs300. Looked at it and wasn't very interested in them, doesn't catch my eye that much.

anyway any tips, help or constructive criticism are always appreciated

[00CelicaGT]

2JZ swap when its paid off or boost it to hell and back twice!

[Sibious]

This is a well designed sporty sedan. i had a 2002 5spd and loved it.. unforntenly was totalled coming home on a rainy day. and no i wasnt speeding or doing anything stupid.. THIS CAR WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE, it saved mine... want another one so bad but saving money and drive somehting nice but not even close to the is300. G/l and enjoy a very fun DD to drive.

[Sibious]

walked out wiht just a lil bursing on my amrs from air bag and knee a lil sore form hitting tha tdash board. oh ya hit a tree slightly head on did a 180 spin, hit the rear quater panel and did another 180 spin.

thats part of the car i found in the grass and through it in the car. but the inside is still together for the most part

[BlkCD5]

Are you getting one with the Navigation option? Btw i heard these don't really get "good" gas mileage. With some nice wheels and a drop, they look pretty damn sharp.

[kfzemx3]

wow that sucks but it looked like the car held together where it counts, this reminds me of my accident i had several years back in my old vw cabrio, i was dumb and tried to swerve to miss a deer, ended up loosing control of the car, flying into a ditch, flipped the car over and rolled down the incline about 4 times before coming to a complete stop. i was pretty shooken up and a few cuts and bruises but i walked right out of it, I always respect manufactures who design a car to really take an accident.

But that really sucks, i feel for your loss.

As for the 2jz swap, that was the idea behind getting the 5 speed, though i'll probably spend the money later on and get the 6speed, but thats a few years down the road

[kfzemx3]

Navigation isnt a big deal If it comes with it YAY if not meh, no big deal. I've never really worried about gas as an issue, my Mx-3 only got about 20-23mpg max, and that was highway it was more realisticly like 17mpg, which sucked but thats the price you pay for a fast lil car

[MR2DR]

dude, i see a box of trojan enz, maybe a bottle of lub and some pills in that glove compartment boy scouts i guess

[Grimm Reeper]

Well to let you know that the insurance for it it ridiculous, my friend had to get rid of his some time back. Insurances Companies classify as a SPORT-LUXUARY vehicle and in those 2 large words is enough money to make you wish you won the lottery just to pay that and the note. for being 25.....

[BlkCD5]

damn, insurance killed my dreams

[OG-Skinny]

Well to let you know that the insurance for it it ridiculous, my friend had to get rid of his some time back. Insurances Companies classify as a SPORT-LUXUARY vehicle and in those 2 large words is enough money to make you wish you won the lottery just to pay that and the note. for being 25.....

What?! I got a gieko guote for one, my insurance only went up $15 month more than what i pay for my fricken civic... Go figure.?

[kfzemx3]

Yea i know about insurance already done the quotes, Its bad but i was expecting it already and dont think its going to be an issue

[is300T]

iv have a boosted manual is300 and it is a amazing car u picked a good car but stock the gas economy sucked its 18 city and 21 highway. but its still a good car. and has alot of potential

[gbruce]

Um, I'm pretty sure that the IS300 has a 2JZ-GE in it, the only thing I can really tell you is when looking at it make sure the oil cap is black or golden, not milky. Try to get a compression check done and make sure that radiator fluid is green. Also, once the car is warmed all the way up make sure it idles solidly at 700 w/o AC and 900 w/ AC on. If it fluctuates a lot it could mean a sensor is out of alignment somewhere. The 2JZ is know for bad head gaskets, not as bad as it's little bro the 7M, but still many are known for losing head gaskets and valve gaskets (which regrettably are really hard to change thanks to the infinite wisdom from Toyota, the coolant is routed through the TB which has to be taken of for such things as valve gaskets or spark plugs). Also I don't think the Navigation would add enough weight to ruin gas mileage.

[snis300]

I have an 2004 MSM 5speed that I am thinking about selling, it has 65k miles on it right now. let me know

[Installer88]

I have an 01 with a r154 5spd and LOVE it. All I can say is hold out for exactly what you want.

[dz N.U.T.Z.]

my roommate had one with 180k and it ran like a champ.....

[justwongit]

wow damn. thats a crazy accident that kinda reminds me of my mr2..

http://www.mr2.com/forums/show-off/T...i-survive.html