I actually hate the Speedo setup of the IS300, with the three little dials in the middle of it. Though I really wouldn't let that be a decision maker.

 

witnessed.a.turbo.is300.SMASH.on.EVO.but.still.rat her.get.an.evo

 

I love the IS300. That gets my vote.

 

same as above

 

get the WRX you will not regret it. AWD plus a turbo. I owned one before my EVO and I have to say it is a fun fun fun car.

 

evo cause it schools them both.

 

LOL i'm in the same shoes as you except I was looking at RSX Type-S vs WRX, you can still see my thread right under yours! I'm buying brand new if i can get a good deal on a WRX, or if used I got the same budget as you. Basically you can get a brand new 2004 WRX for around 21,500 (no options) because they are whats left since 2005's are coming in (so certain colors are harder to find). If you can convince your parents or if you are paying for the vehicle, i would say save up a little bit more and consider getting the new vehicle. One warning you have to consider about getting a used WRX, 02's had a lot of problems with trannys and clutches (just like evos) but they pretty much fixed it up to 03. But if you beat on the car, then you will still have problems regardless. Another thing is, you have to becareful buying a used WRX because it might've been beat on. IS 300 you run a lot less risk of that. Then again, for that price on a IS 300 you are looking at a probably older car with a pretty decent amount of miles, I wouldn't do that... I've done that before and I want to get a car wit low mileage or new =) (but then again i put on 20K miles a year) And I went from an accord v6 coupe, true its no IS but I had the looks and leather interior and autoclimate and everything, personally I couldn't choose between the RSX and WRX either but I've realized that I know I want the WRX because of the performance and driving experience, I can live without the looks and interior, you get a sport-style interior rather than luxury. BTW, an IS 300 interior is nice but it's on par with an accord interior ( my friend's work at a Lexus dealership). And the 2004 WRX's are pretty to say the least but they're a lot better than the bug eyes, so styling is improved as well if you consider an 04. Plus the seats and interior is a bit nicer too. You definetly get more Bang for the buck if you choose a WRX. And like me, I suppose since you're on a tight budget and you're looking at an IS300, you really don't plan on modding your car much right? I have to say I think I'm in the same position as you and personally I decided to go for the car I would have the most fun in. The WRX. (plus AWD during the winter for me rocks! and Rear wheel would be a pain)

 

i'll tell you this much, if you do get the is300, and don't turbo it your leaving youself to be attached by all the hondas and nissans and other four bangers on the street and they will win. the is300 is a slow basterd stock, my four banger nissan pulled real nice on them even when they have cai's. sad car for performance if ur not planning on turbo kit stay away if you want a fast car. wrx is much cheaper and faster.

 

attached? i didnt know hondas attached themselves to other cars

 

nice post, whoever wrote the long one (no joke). I guess it all comes down to whether u want to lounge and roll or have a connected driving experience. decide what you want in your next vehicle and go from there

 

although the wrx performs better than the is300, the lexus gets my vote. it is more luxury, far better looking, and it has a lexus badge on it. i test drove a 5 speed '04 wrx sedan, the steering colum and the placement of all three pedals are just horrible. at 6', my knees keep hitting the steering colum while shifting because of the placement of the pedals and the steering colum. the pedals are tiny and placed too far up. the cabin extremley small, even smaller than an evo. the placement of the cup holder is ridicous, it blocks one of the air condition vent when you place a drink there. that's what i called subaru engineering!!

 

did i mention wrx looks like dog crap????? just my opinion...

 

lol... SOLID.

 

i said wrx, my GF has one i love the sound and if you lower it and put rims on it it looks nice already! try to get an 02-03 though, i prefer the headlights on those than an 04

 

You need to sit in an IS 300, you do know the IS300 is off the corolla platform right? And true you are trading the luxury interior vs sport style interior, but if you've sat in an IS 300, you can definetly tell the quality is on par with any leather loaded Accord. It isn't comparable to the other Lexus which are truely luxury (my friends work at A Lexus dealership) And yup you are buying the lexus badge, but don't expect the IS300 to be bigger than a WRX.

To the person who started this thread, please read my post above (the long *** one), I think it'll help you out.