So I recently bought a 1998 Honda Prelude with the Sportshift AT to replace my other daily driver as the evo is rarely driven during the week anymore. It's good pretty decent car but after reading most seem to not like the AT in these and they tend to go out...I think it's a terribly slow and unresponsive transmission. Thus I am not too thrilled with the car, that and being 6'4 in a 2dr coupe wasn't the best choice of mine. It is far from a roomy car.

Fast forward to now and for some reason the Lexus IS300 has always had a certain spot for me. Prices are decent on them, they seem to be reliable, are made well, and have all the creature comforts I would like in a DD and roomy. Curious on feedback from members who have owned them or still do? Their gas mileage seems about the same as an evo if not worse...which seems odd being that it's a 3.0 NA 6cyl. I am hoping for something I can atleast get 20+mpg around town is because hell my evo gets that almost with me lead footing it around and it's over twice the HP of the IS. So let me know what you guys think. Average price for a used IS seems to be around 10k which I find pretty reasonable for that caliber of car.

 

Gas mileage sucks and its easier to work on the Honda.

 

I have a 98 Prelude AT too. Did a tranny swap to a 5 speed and it is much better. Put some time in on it and it will respond well.. Nowhere near the Evo, but still a fun little project nonetheless.

 

I think actually driving the car first and deciding if you like it or not before buying it is the best advice.

 

The IS300 is not a big car and is a bit tight on space in the cabin. I think at 6'4", your not going to be comfortable. Perhaps a Subaru Forester XT. It has alot of head room as well as performance potential.

 

Get the IS350 for better performance... or IS 220D if you looking for a good MPG.

 

He is talking about the 1st gen IS300. We only got one engine choice in the US.

 

I wouldnt get an is300. They are slugs and the MPG is not that great.

 

the IS300 is a nice car(look at my garage). I would have kept it if it wasn't losing value by depreciation esp since it has very low miles. nice fit and finish, reliable, nice in black with polished oem rims. so far, the only lexus model that had maintained high reliability scores from 2001 to 2005.

 

You actually still frequent this forum WTF I think your might have needed a tune up with the whole water incident .

Car is strictly a DD no money will be put into either one besides maybe a better stereo.

Not sure I follow. I drove my Prelude a few times before I bought it. You always get a better feel for the car once owning it awhile. I have start to realize the many things I don't like about it. I have also driven an IS many times as I have had friends and relatives who own them. The one now non-evo owner above is one of them

Performance is very little of a concern for me as it's mostly for traveling back and forth to work and occasional sprints around town. IS300 seems to have more than enough performance. I've been in a couple long trips and they seem pretty comfortable to me I guess.

I'd take an IS350 but it's a wee bit too much $$$

Thats what I hear on the MPG...thats the major drawback.

This is one of the things I like as I can pick them up cheap and they are well made...damn 2JZ wannabe likes to suck the gas down though.

 

my friend has one and i LOVE driving it when ever i can...

 

The IS300 is slow stock, a total pig on gas, and has a really cramped cabin.

For less money u can get a 98-00 gs400 which is better looking, more comfortable, and has a V8 which makes 300hp stock.

All u need to do is throw some coilovers on, get some staggered wheels, and a front lip to set it off.

There are many 98-00's that look brand new inside and out that u can get for well under 10k. And there are documented ones pushing 400k miles on original motor, AND trans.

 

the stock suspension is comfortable on long drives. but sometimes it is too soft it hits the bump stops when you go over a bump fast. mileage is at 17-19mpg city and maybe higher on long drives(just used it once). I prefer the sound of the stock exhaust-sounds like a softer Z.

 

Still look in ot, gaming forum and other cars lol. The water incident was my fault but did you see what a ***** it was just to change the spark plugs? I mean after 5 or so times doing it I was pro but on a Honda it woudlve been so much easier.

I suggest a ep3, rsx, tsx, or tl. I'd take any of those over an is300.

But my best suggestion would be a 600 lol awesome gas mileage, cheap insurance, and faster then your evo haha. For 10g's you could get a nice bike nice mods and all the gear u need with money left over.

 

he needs a car that is big/spacious and how does any of these cars help the case lol

is300 are really good cars and i know ppl that have over 200k miles on them but the whole mpg sucks, which you should be use to it by now since you have an evo. if you really want a lexus really bad i say get a GS versions cause they are a little bit bigger, or get the RX300 the suv version and those are also pretty big