Style, luxury, performance, and overall fine Japanese engineering.

Center arm rest, slight 1st gear hesitation, bit of a gas guzzler.

Bottom line: Buying the IS300 is the best decision I ever made.

This car handles like a dream. It rips around corners. It punches from a stop like a lion bursting out of a cage. I had no intention of buying another sports car, and every attention of buying a luxurious car in which I can mature with (I'm 24),... and I got both in the IS. I can't ask for anything better.

At first I was concerned that the IS300 was not going to rub off like a traditional Lexus would. But who gives? If you are looking at the IS, it is because you would not be caught dead in a ES... and you're too young for a GS. This car may not be a Lexus in the traditional sense... but it is every bit of a Lexus in my opinion. All the gadgets are there. The clutter chronograph is cool. The ammenities are straight forward and neccesary. No complaints on the interior design.

The IS300 is also an eye catcher. I didn't want a car that would flaunt around like a new Rolex, but this car has caught so many second glances. Today I even got a bunch of blondes on the 405 give me the thumbs up out of their window as I passed them by. (Extra bonus!)

So, perfect score!

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BMW 330.

My hands are up straight away as my car is the IS200 and not the 300. The 300 will not be available in the uk until this summer (2001). If any of you guys are thinhing of buying an IS300 do it !! The IS200 is fantastic - the 300 can only be even better!! UK spec for the IS200 is only 153 bhp - but it still goes like hell!! I look forward to driving an IS300 later this year. Engine aside, my IS200 is identical to the IS300, so the rest of my review is relevant.

No weakness really. I can only think of a few design faults. - The electric windows do not self wipe in the mornings when you have condensation on them. If the drivers widow is open even a small amount (I smoke by the way) water drips onto your shoulder. The central locking/ alarm could do with an audible alert that the doors are actually locked. Its so quiet that you have to look for the flashers to know that the car is locked as you walk away.

If you've got between £20-25000 to spend, get the Lexus

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My last car was a Renault (no contest) I didn't even look at BMW. The 3 series in the UK is a car for the pretentious or 'posers' who can't quite afford a 5 series. The Lexus turns heads in my town as it is still relatively uncommon.

looks - looks like a souped up honda civic on steroids, would probably be band from the olympics.
interior - looks unique, the suede seats keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. the displays are different and looks futuristic yet simple.
headlights - the bright white light comes standard where it is a $500 option on the beamer and audi
stereo system - 6 in dash changer and 6x9's in the back bumps! this has got to be one of the best stock (this is not an upgrade cause they come with all IS300's) stereo systems of all time.
unique - not too many on the road...yet
wheels - 17" comes standard and the polished graphite looks tricked
exhaust tip - racer boy exhaust tip looks out of place on a lexus, but i like it.
fun to drive - makes my old 30 year old asss feels like a teenie bopper again
reliabilty - these things has been out for 2 years in japan already and no sign of trouble, lexus in general do not have trouble and are easily 10 year cars so re-sale on these babies will be good when i plan to buy the next latest and greatest.
price - for this price i got the standard features (which is alot compared to other cars in this class), leather package, moonroof, graphite wheels, wheel lock, cargo mat.
engine sound - though stereo is awesome, i turn it off most of the time so i can hear the engine
brakes - i knew these things were powerful, but did not realize how powerful till i read that they actually beat a 330i during a "car and driver" test.
manualmatic - almost suites my needs for a stick shift, but nothing beats a manual tranny for those twisty, lonely, country roads.

metal shift knob - it looks stupid and gets hot
understeer - you have to muscle it more than an a-4 or a 325i, but that is not really a problem cause the 325 steering feels like a camry.
cramped back seats - back seats are comfortable but cramped if you have front seats all the way back, then again if this car were bigger, it would probably be not as fun to drive and look boring.
no manual option - i would like to see what this car can do if it had a maunual transmission. also lexus needs to make this car available in a "souped up" version such to compete with a m3, s60, and s4.
it's not a beamer - if that can be callled a weakness, chicks like beamers more and it is easier to get laid with a beamer. also, this car does not look classy like beamer, audi, or saab. ok i'm really searching here

a gs300 would suite my needs a lot more than the is300, but the gs300 is just so dam boring looking and drives boring too. i really wanted a s2000 or boxster but i needed a everyday car so it was between the 325, a4 and 9-3. i also needed an automatic cause i live in the bay area and will be stuck in traffic alot. the automatic of the IS is so much smoother than the a4, 325i, or 9-3. this car suites 90% of my needs and is perfect for my immature asss. time will tell if the looks of this car will wear thin. the beamer and audi have proven that their looks have not worn over time cause they basically look like the older versions of their own and those still look good.

and remember, bmw's are just like porcupines, except for the beamer, the pricks are on the inside. ha ha ha

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other cars i was considering were the:

bmw 325i - $5k more for comparably equipped. there is nothing like a bmw and this car is truely awesome. i know it's been "yuppy-fied" but that does not stop it from being a nice car. bottom line is i pay about 5k more but i get weaker driving car, the numbers only confirms what i guessed by a test drive. now the 330i numbers looks better, but it is 10k more, still not as fun to drive, and the steering still feels like a camry.
interior of both beamers are classy but very boring, typical bmw and not unique looking. the is300 is not a beamer and it never will be, nothing beats a bmw for sophistication and class. lexus did good by not "copying" the beamer in creating their own unique sports sedan. also 325's are a dime a dozen and you see them everywhere.

audi a4 quattro - same price as the IS for comparatively equipped. also a nice car, but i did not like the looks of this car either, this one looks even more classy and more "grown up" than the beamer. also the performance numbers are weak, and you can tell this by a test drive. interior of this car beats the bmw but still not as nice as the IS. i would rather have an s4 but that is 10k more than the IS. i did not get to drive an s4 though so i was not able to get sucked in. i would still choose this car over the beamer though cause there is not as many around and the chicks dig this car also, so it will help you get laid.
saab 9-3 - also a very nice car, but only way i would buy this car is if i was 90 or 105 years old.

This car is more fun than a night at a strip club with free lap dances. I tested it against a BMW 325i with sport package, and the Lexus shocked me -- it was much more fun to drive! (And the BMW had a manual tranny!) I have always thought I wanted a BMW, until I drove this car. Its handling is phenomenal. Its braking is RIGHT NOW. The sound system is excellent. And of course, it had all the luxurious features expected of a Lexus. A big plus is the dealer -- I have never been to a dealership where I was treated so well and not patronized. A Mercedes dealer came close to the Lexus people, but Lexus was and is great. The best thing is they were so willing to deal (I approached them over the internet). I would like to point out to people that they shouldn't expect this Lexus to be "luxurious" in the sense of an ES 300 or any other Lexus, because it is a purpose-built sports sedan. It's going to ride a little harder, feel a little tighter and maybe not be as luxurious as what one might expect of the Lexus brand. My 10-year-old son easily fits into the back, and he loved our test drive. He's already laid claim to the car when he turns 16. The exhaust note is great. I like the fact that the car comes with almost everything you need standard. The styling is just a bit overwrought for my tastes (I'm 36), but I like it nonetheless. I love the agressive look of the wheels and the fat-pipe exhaust. And thank God Lexus has the good sense to put xenon lights on the car. BMW and Benz could learn a lot about value from the Lexus boys. I like the size of the car, because I'm the one who'll have to wash and polish it (but I will enjoy doing so). Man, I really fell for this thing, in the same way I fell for my first GTI in 1986. And that motor is just the most silky thing this side of Thailand. It's sneaky fast -- you just don't realize you're doing 90 until you see how quickly you're going by other cars. A solid and very capable car.

Just gas mileage, but it's my own fault because I can't keep my foot out of the accelerator. People notice this car too, because of its aggressive looks, and lots of young punks want to race. I put a hopped-up Eclipse to shame on a curvy road, but my wife won't let me and the Lex bust open our can of whipass when she's in the car.
Oh yeah, she's taken the car as "hers," while I got the Maxima. I like the Max a lot, but it's not the Lex.

As Darth Vader said, "Most impressive." Lexus is turning into a car company with quite a performance image (the new SC 400, the GS 430, now the IS 300). It only needs a manual with these cars to be fully there with the Bavarians, but if you need an automatic, this ain't a bad way to go.

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Bimmer 325 -- not as exciting, but still, I have an eerie fascination with the Bavarian machines. I will have an M3 one day soon.
Mercedes C240 -- basically, a small luxury car. Definitely not as sporty as the IS 300 or the Bimmer.
Nissan Maxima SE -- A family car with big wheels and tires. Very nice, very smooth, but not the Lex.

Smooth and strong VVT-i engine
Precise and quick handling, excellent suspension
Unique interior and exterior design

Interior dash material can be improved
No armrest for the front seats

I have been using it for 5 months, and I know that I won't regret to own this car for my next 4 years. The color is blk/blk, with rear spoiler and side skirts, sunroof deflector and 4 window deflectors from oversea Lexus dealer. I also changed the rims to 18" Mille Miglia Evo with 225/40-18 Yokohama Parada. The results? Like a tiger with wings! I can tell the difference especially when cornering. I was choosing between the three cars above with about the same prices. For the C240, it got a luxury image, but for the engine performance and handling, IS300 is much better. 325i 's road manner is very close to the IS300, but for the engine quiteness and reliability, the IS300 beats the bimmer. That's why Lexus Set New All-Time Sales Record and Became Best-Selling Luxury Brand For 2000! (206,037 unit VS Benz 205,614 VS BMW 189,423)

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BMW 325i loaded with similar options should be about the same price
Mercedes C240 classic loaded with similar options

It's very round and bubbly feeling. It doesn't have wrinkled gear shift. The shape is very cozy yet sporty and fun. Luxurious is also one of it's attributes.

More color selections would be nice.

I recommend that everyone consider the Lexus IS300. I drove it on a few occasions, but when my boyfriend decided on the BMW 330i, I had to just hope that someday we will buy that the Lexus instead.

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I think it beats cars in it's class by far.

Very agile right from the box. Given the choice I pick is300 over 325 and 330.

Weak acceleration for a sports sedan but plenty for everyday and occasion racing use. Power is equivalent to a v6 accord. If you are looking for something of the M or AMG line go for the M3 or CLK55. This car will not satisfy your need.

Worthy bmw 3 serie fighter. Definately a great choice at its price but not a subsititue for the M series.

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None

Sleak side/angle profile. I like the Chronograph gauge. Smooth/quiet engine. Overall, quite peppy. Very affordable

Cramped back seats. No fold-down/split rear seats. No arm rest in center. No auto-dimming rear view and side mirrors. No lumbar support!!! Throttle is slow and laggy. Poor fuel ecomony for six...same as the 300hp V8. No true manual transmission at this time (and will not wait for 2002). Oh what is with the plastic dash? And

Overall it is a cute car...as my female friend state. And many times it is mistaken for those Honda Accords/Civics with the same type of taillight (very boy-racer ish). I do like the car (always admired Toyoto reliability, and come from a Toyota family). I've had this since last July, and tacked on almost 19k miles.
Anyway, since having owned the BMW E46 (which the IS300 is rivaling), I must say I do enjoy the high tech gadgetry in the BMW. I was so used to those, that the IS300 seemed "basic" and optionless. Personally, I think Toyota, rushed the designing of this car to compete with BMW 3 series.
As you can see from the above strengths and weakenesses, there are many things that differentiate the two cars. One luxury and the other sport. But the worse qualm I have is the lumbar support..by back is killing me on long drives. My Ferrari 355 has better seat support than this...and I can sit comfortable for hours...and have fun too :)
Sorry, but later this year, I'll trade in the IS300 and I'm planning on getting a 2002 BMW 330ci - manual trans!! (I miss the high tech toys). But the Lexus is an awesome car if you like the refinement and the luxury nature of a lexus. Get the IS 300.

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1999 BMW 328i (E46) - owned for 1+ years (paid $41k).

EXCELLENT value!! beautiful sexy lines, escain leather- no sticky seats in the summer, no cold seats in the winter (and it holds me in place. With my suede like gym short, it's almost impossible to even slide into my seat!!),runs smoooooth, handling like it's on rails!!, VERY nice rims(graphite polished)/tires(ZR45s),stereo(an IN-DASH 6 disc changer!!! although i replaced mine with a MiniDisc player and a disc changer in the glove box) Nice colors (blue /ivory), nice dash layout, above average power/acceleration...

The CHEASIEST material for a dashboard/center console -PLASTIC!!! UHHHG!! And in a LEXUS??? This reminds me of those tin can cars in Germany with plastic dashboards and steal doors & floors in the inside!! I can NOT believe it- Un REAL!! Even my base model Integra is better!!!

No lumbar support (long rides SUCK w/o it) AT ALL!!! No ARM REST!!!! S H * T! I pay MORE than double my ACURA INTEGRA (got it new at $14,848 in 94) and it has all this standard! I can't even get it as an option on my Lexus!!

The TRAC & vent positions (air flow cricultation & flow from outside) will not keep memory when engine is turned back on. The Trac always goes back to ON, and the airflow always returns to CIRCULATE. I need to reset these all the time.

The Manu-tronic shift does not go all the way down to 2nd till the car warms up for at least a minute or 2(no matter what the temp is outside). I was told 1st by the salesman it needs to warm up in th winter. Spring comes along and their mecahnics tell me the internal temp of the car needs to reach a certain temp...sounds like a bull SH*T excuse to me!! more like a design flaw!!!! Anyone else experiencing (or not experiencing this) PLEEEEEEEEEEEEASE e-mail me at Pedro_4k@yahoo.com THANX in Advance!

Shi**y gas mileage!
Somewhere, sometimes (and when my stereo is turned down), I hear a sqeak in my seat :(
Factory speakers are hard to replace- they're a weird size & are molded into a wierd shaped plastic. This plastic is then mounted against the door's steel wall with steel fastner shot/pressed (sorry for lack of vocabulary)in through them. So removing the speakers requires u to pull these fasteners out, usually breaking at least one of the 3 (from each speaker). This may make it impossible to put them back in when reselling the car. Then u need to custom make speaker adapters to fit your stnadard after marker size speakers fit! And the steel wall isn't flat either (cuasing air leaks)!! I know, the factory speakers are OK, but I'm very critical with sound quality :)

Weak body- I'm prrrrrrrety sure i got the blunt dent in the edge of my trunk by closing it by putting my hand there. I had groceries and couldn't close it by using the inside handle :( Or some idiot kids did it in th parking garage or ...wh knows. The paint is pretty thin to. Got some hair thin scratch within 1 month. I think it happend at Lexus's 1 month check up in their car wash.

Seats don't fold.

Jerky shifting. The one reviewer below stated that this is the case when people do not know how to drive a car - F u dude! If I'm gonna baby my car, it shouldn't HAVE to be jerky! If it put the pedal to the metal, it shouldn't do it. It shouldn't be jerky PERIOD!!! I'm in line to enter a parking garage waiting my turn to get my ticket, car on a steep incline, and I slowly inch up to the car in front of me when the line starts to move up again, I do NOT want my car to suddenly JERK it's way up and get into a fender bender!

OK, so it sound like I hate my car. The cheap dash really pissed me off...the jerky trainy just a bit...and the other things are minor nuisants... I just hope the trainy, squeaky chair and whatever else I mentioned just doesn't worsen to where it become a problem or obvios defect in the future. That said, the strength far out weigh the weaknesses. And I've learned a few things durring my short life - 1) that I am a stubborn perfectionist and 2)you can't rely on ANYONE to do something completely right...their mostly idiot so you got to do it right yourself (case in point- my after market stereo install. So I did it myself , and better, after paying a store $400 for a simple install - front speakers, an amp, cd changer and a deck. but that is an even longer story).

I hope to have this fine looking, great performing machinery for a long time!!!

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BMW- ugly interior, everyone has one (soon the IS 300 will be in the same boat-that is good or bad for us Lexus owners??) Costs more than the Lexus (especially after getting all the same add-ons), slower than IS.

Mercedes C class. More luxurious intererior, roomier, but not sportier looking. Cost more, MUCH sllllllllllloooooooooowwwwwerrrrrr. Doesn't handle nearly as well.

1. Beautiful interior and exterior stylings
2. Great acceleration, handling, and breaking
3. The best stock stereo system I've ever heard
4. Feels light and fast

1. Plastic dash
2. No right arm rest
3. relatively small trunk

I was recently in the market for a new car and after much researching had decided that the BMW 3 series were the ideal choice for me. It never occurred to me to consider Lexus because my parent owns a LS400 and I didn't like the soft steering. The IS300 is a new model for the U.S. and I haven't noticed many on the streets yet.

After test driving the BMW 330Ci, I was impressed by the car but was disappointed by the high price and arrogant salesman. In addition, I wasn't sure about the quality and reliability of the bimmer after hearing so many stories of problems and defects with the car. A friend then recommended that I take a look at the IS300 and it was love at first sight. The exterior styling is absolutely beautiful, though I never thought I would buy a four door sedan. After test driving the car, I was equally impressed by the IS300 as I was with the BMW 330. There were not much difference in terms of acceleration, handling and breaking. The IS300 actually had firmer steering, feels lighter and was more fun to drive. When it was time to decide on which car to buy, the IS300 was definitely the better choice. It was more reasonably priced and Lexus is well known for their superior quality, reliability and services.

I have had the car for over a month now, and absolutely have no regrets. There have been no problems with the car and the service at the Lexus dealership was first rate. Driving have never been so much fun. I recommend the IS300 for younger people (under 35) or for those that wants to feel young at heart.

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1999 Honda Accord: good car, reliable, reasonbly priced
2001 BMW 330Ci: nice design, status symbol, over priced