Potential IS300 Owner

Wow...Thanks everyone for the posts. I certainly appreciate the imput and advice. Anthony, I don't know if you read minds or just have an INCREDIBLE ability to infer meaning from a post but you are absolutely right as to everything that I am looking for: stylish, pimp, luxurious, functional, reliable, fast and I would like a Sleeper car. Also, the craziest thing is I absolutely did add in the S4 and the 3 series to make my list more comprehensive (hoping to generate more feedback)...not really because I have ever considered them as an option. I was going to also add WRX on the list but I didn't think I would be taken seriously ;) There is nothing about me that would ever go Euro...I have driven Honda/Acura all my life...I need RELIABILITY. What you said about the 350Z cataloged all my concerns about the car. The tranny problems being the worst followed by the insurance costs and the fact that I would have to go with the 2003 (affordability) and that was the first model year. As I said before in all liklihood I will go with the IS300. It is good to know I can make it faster without compromising engine quality. Bartkat, you said that those that are making it faster end up swapping to a stronger manual...are you talking 200+ horsepower faster or are referring to a more mundane 50-75 horsepower faster. I'm interested in the 70-100 horsepower variety (280-300 at the crank would be nice). Anthony's suggestion of a 3-5 k turbo would probably be the way I would go. Any testimonials about switching transmissions for that type of upgrade. I hope not. I have to have a manual and I don't want to switch trannies. Thanks guys. -SH

To Bartkat above^^^ Thanks so much for your response. I figured that I would just use the post as my personal journal to chronicle my IS300 purchase. Since I am partial to that car, I figured that I would open up a free-for-all for people to post their feelings on why they chose the IS300 over other comparable vehicles. I really want to make an informed decision, so I brought my journal here... I wasn't trying to be abrasive or counterproductive...please accept my apology if any of my posts came off like that. It's just hard when you don't have "particularized" questions about a car...you more so want to be comforted by the narratives of others. That is kind of where I am at right now. So what have decided to do is simply share any developments I have and ask questions as they become known to me. And when I finally do buy THE car (in 1 month, 4 weeks and 3 days), I'll share pictures and stuff with the community. That, I figure, is the best way to conduct this "car buying journal." I asked questions in my last post towards the end. So thanks again for your response. It is good to know I'm not conversating with myself. -S. Holmes

Hello Silent Community, So here is what I have so far... 1 month, 4 weeks and 3 days from my new (used) car purchase.... vis-a-vis the 350Z The 350Z is faster...much faster, but the IS300 is so much more reliable. 0-60 in 5.3 versus 0-60 in 7.0. IS300 SCREAMS METROSEXUAL.... you know, Armani shirt with the Armani faded jeans and the Gucci glasses whereas the 350Z just screams cool. The alteeza lights on the IS300 SCREAMS chezzy upgrade whereas the fluid design of the 350Z is so concise. The early IS300's (which I'll probably buy if I get one) were mostly auto...I'm a PURELY manual guy. Why the 4 doors? BUT................ I love Toyotas, and the VVT-I engine is not too dissimilar from the V-Tech that I am so used to from my Prelude. Its a Toyota...need I say more---O.K. I will....QUALITY, QUALITY and more QUALITY. The interior guages are pretty postmodern...definately cool. 2003 sits on 17" rims stock...definately cool. The 2003 350Z manual has some transmission problems...not too into that ya know. Simple upgrades will probably have the IS300 at 250+ I imagine...but since I can't get any feedback I may have to buy one to find out. Despite screaming METROSEXUAL, the look is really jazzy... O.K. so here is the next batch of questions that may go unanswered: :( 1. Can you get TRD to quicken the IS300 a bit? 2. If not...will simple upgrades done semi- professionally (but correctly) disrupt the Toyota engine reliabilty? 3. Anyone have any manual transmission issues with a 2003? This post will remain active...if I am the only one to post to it. ;) -Holmes, S.

Hello all, I imagine the lack of interest in this post derives from one of seven different things: 1. People genuinely aren't interested in providing anecdotal information about their vehicle. 2. People aren't confident enough in their IS300 vis-a-vis another vehicle listed in my previous post. 3. I'm a newbie so why respond, why flame...just ignore. 4. People feel that my decision is my decision so my request for their imput is somewhat silly. 5. I'll renew point #2 6. People have many more important things to devote time and attention to than someone trying to make an informative decision based on the testimonies of actual owners of a vehicle. 7. I'll renew point #2. 8. Or the classic reason..."noone else posted so why should I?" Oh..don't follow the trend. The people at www.my350z.com are so much more personable. S. Holmes

Hello all, I currently own a 1997 Honda Prelude with 75,000 miles. Why am I moving away from Honda brilliance...because I need rear wheel drive and the only vehicle that Honda offers with rear wheel drive doesn't accomodate my 6'2" height. <_< So I'm looking for another vehicle and I'm leaning towards the Lexus IS300. I will be buying my new car at the beginning of June at the latest so I have about 2 months to make my decision. Other (used) cars I'm considering are: 350Z 1991/1992 NSX 3 series S4 I have to buy a used one because I am a student and don't have the ability to pay exorbitant car payments. I may make some alterations to the vehicle but I'm not sure. Aesthetically, they all have their value so that is not factoring into the decision much. Is anyone able to offer pros and cons as to why I should get the IS300 as opposed to these others of similar class? -Sherlock Holmes