Styling, handling, power, just plain fun to drive...complete package! ...oh, and it's NOT a BMW like everyone else has. Lexus, as a company, has done a fantastic job both with this car and with the service they provide.

Ride is stiff, so if you are not an enthusiast, it may be too harsh. Average fuel mileage is around 22mpg.

This car is the best value in price/performance in this class without a doubt. After test driving the 2001 325i (wonderful car but much too expensive with similar options and see the comment above), the Audi A4 (just didn't grab me at all...boring) and the 2001 Merecedes 240 (tested with sport package...nice, but not as cutting edge as the IS), it was an easy decision for me. I would definately agree with many of the publications I have read stating that the handling of this car is better then that of the BMW. The claimed power differences are unnoticable to me. So, would I recommend it to someone? If you are a driving enthusiast who is tired of seeing BMW's around your neighborhood and you want something with a fresh new look that will run with the Bimmers on any road (and sometimes run away), this is the car for you.

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1998 BMW 328i

Somewhat aggressive Looks. Metal Pedals for the Gas and Brake. Cool rear lights.

When I first bought this car I liked its interior, but now after a month or so of sitting in it I find it unsettling. The power from this car is less than I expected and it doesn't handle as well as I would like it to. One of the main things I don't like about this car is that I had to take it into the dealer twice within the first month of ownership for replacing shoddy brake calipers.

I wouldn't recommend this car to many people. In fact, the only people who I could see having a strong interest in the car are those who just want it for show. Grant it the styling is aggressive, taillights are cool, and pedals are metal, but if you are looking for a good car to drive I know for a fact there are better cars out there.

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I own a 2000 BMW 328i along with this car and I have found that the IS 300 doesn't come close to the excitement and precision of driving I get from driving the BMW. The BMW is quicker and outhandles the IS 300 on many levels and is just overall a more enjoyable car to drive.

Sport/luxury interior, superb handling without harshness, audiophile quality stereo, interesting guages.

Poor mileage.

I was on the way to the Acura dealer to buy a TL (liked the CL-S performance but not the styling), but kept thinking about the cost of the upgrades I wanted to make right away. Stereo $1,500 (stock sounds like a clock radio and is visually horrific), wheels/tires $1,350 (didn't like the factory wheels and the tires were inadequate for hard driving), sway bars $300, etc. All this in a car that I liked a lot but did not love.

We stopped at the Lexus dealer and it was love at first sit (yes, sit!). For the test drive my wife was in front, two small kids and the salesman in back. The only complaint was from the kids: they were getting squashed when I took hard turns at 70mph!

The car had that glued-to-the-road feel without the harsh ride of the I30t, the sway of the TL and the skittishness of the Maxima. Didn't go near the BMW dealer because of the price difference, and the A4 just didn't do it for me.

All around great performer, and a value to boot. I paid just under 33K including leather, moonroof, heated seats, trunk mat and wheel locks (all the cars on the lot were similarly equipped) and excluding tax.

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Acura TL, CL-S, Infinity I30t

- Great Power
- Superior Luxury/Price
- Best handling in class
- very nice aero lines
- always gets looks
- doesn't have a single problem
- it's a lexus!

I wish the engine had a little more umph but otherwise you just can't beat it!!!

This is an amazing car! Most of my friends have BMW's and you would thing with the background BMW has in racing and the prices they paid (325-330 series) that my is300 would be no match but suprisinly I'm always pulling the lead! Everyone will tell you that not even a bmw handles like the IS300 and thats true! Not to mention it's a bit quiter and luxurious while having a slightly sportier look. To be honest it seems as though everyone has a bmw, it's almost become the civic of the luxury market but the lexus has been perfect. The lexus division has been #1 for 11 years now in terms of luxury and reliability and that goes a long way

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Toyota MR2 Turbo

Smooth strong engine. Very smooth automanual tranny.
Interior and exterior appearance.

Arm rest. A little too much over steer.

I’ve just traded in my Stealth R/T for my IS 300 and I love it. It’s not the monster my stealth was in acceleration but then we are talking a sedan. Its acceleration is impressive and very satisfying. Yeah, everybody with a hopped up Honda wants to race you, but that just goes to show what a hot looking car this really is; and yes, the IS300 beat a lot of those heavily modified cars and in luxury style to boot.

Sound system? It’s got to be the best stock systems out there. It simply sounds great. Also love the idea of not having to hop out of my car in the rain to reload the CD cartridge in the trunk, because all you have to do to load it, is simply insert up to six CD’s right into the player not some stupid remote cartridge.

The interior? It’s a wonderful match of luxury and sportieness (love the drilled aluminum petals). The seats are supportive, comfortable and hold you tight, which is damn good thing, because this car inspires you to take corners fast. Which brings me to what I think about how it handles.

The engine is silky smooth, strong and pushes the IS strongly right up to triple digits. Shifts are amazingly smooth for an automatic, in fact, one of the best I’ve ever experienced. However, if you enter corners too aggressively it will tend to over steer, but that is easily fixed by backing off the throttle a little (I’m hopping some bigger tires will tame this…225’s or 235’s).

So why did I trade-in my Stealth for an IS300? Well I’m married and my wife doesn’t drive a stick, as a result we can never swap cars for whatever reason. So the best solution going was to get an IS300 with auto-manual. I’m pleased she’s pleased everybody’s pleased.

Wish list:
Arm rest, more ponies, and a black upper grill to match the black lower grill. Pretty much in that order.

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Supra, 528i, Q40 and Stealth.

Smooth ride, sporty, stylish interior and exterior

Hmmm... I'll have to get back to you. I'm going cruising :)

Absolutely love this car. I have had the IS for about two weeks and smile everytime I sit in it. The ride is incredibly smooth and I haven't even begun to perform it to its max. (I'm still babying it)
The interior is definitely different from a typical Lexus but has a very sporty feel to it. I also enjoy both the cassette deck and in dash 6 disc changer.
The exterior is awesome similar to that of a BMW with the front wheels set close to the front bumber. I highly recommend the 17 inch low profile wheels that complete the stylish look of the car.
I really enjoy both the look and feel of this car and as the second Lexus in the family would recommend a Lexus to anyone.

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Smooooooth reving I-6, Great transmission for automatic (I never imagined I would buy a car with automatic shift...), SUPER sticky summer tire (optional Bridgestone RE-71), Great profile, Fairly firm suspension, GREAT sound system, supportive seat/ecsain trim, zenon, POWERFUL aircondintioning (you will appreciate this if you were a beemer owner), F1- like tiptronic system, great car for the buck.

narrow and tall(thing i really hate when it comes to cars), 4 door, only automatic for now, loud road noise (you get 17incher.. so..), SUPER sticky summer tire meaning you gotta buy new set of tire for coming winter, BAD fuel economy, too quiet engine note(lexus... i have to turn off the great sound system to hear the engine sings), toy-like interior, too small tach gauge, young guys want to race you with their CR-Vs... ride on harsh side for a 4 door sedan..

best summary - a civic with 3000cc 215 hp engine and some great goodies..

Nice looking car with interior that looks somewhat cheap in the day (It looks awesome in nights with its orange lighting). I am still babying this car, so i still don't know its full potential. But even under 4000rpm, it's very torquey and can beat most of the cars out there. It has amazing roadholding capability with 215/45-17 summer tire (performance tire usually used for drag racing stuff. a bit narrow, though). very tight turning ratio means it can corner quickly.

only if it had more upscale interior and a bit more wider and lower...
Anyway, I still very highly recommend it cause you just CANNOT buy this kind of car for under 35000. period. if you are looking for a performance sedan/coupe at this price range, try to take this one for a test drive. you migh even like what i hate about this car.

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Followings are the cars i considered, and test-drove..
BMW 330ci - I think 330 is simply a better car than is. but not by 6000$ (comparably equiped).
Used BMW M3 - can't get my hand on decent ones... very hard to find good ones with the color i liked (that metalic blue.. ooohhhh)
Honda S2000 - more fun to drive.. more harsher ride.. impossible-to-talk engine sound, lower torque (meaing you gotta keep pushin' it)
Audi TT - I hate turbo
Jeep Grand Cherokee - slippery seat, bad fuel economy
Honda Prelude - good car, zero prestige
New Mercedes c320 - looked nice on paper, but couldn't wait for it. and i bet it costs more than 330ci.

Engine, handling, style, rear-wheel drive.

Lack of interior room (rear)

This car is really nice, it has great engine that is smooth, quiet, but very responsive. The handling is good, but I noticed very little understeer when drive very hard. Overall I like this car.

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Audi A4 2.8, BMW 330i, Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Amazing chasis balance and engine mapping/gearing coupled to world class brakes.

A lack of headroom,the car is a tight fit for tall occupants. Fold down rear seats would have been nice. The Lexus IS 300 is by no means frugal in its consumption of gasoline.

To say that the Lexus is a bargain at its price would certainly be a stretch, however it would not be unreasonable to say that this car offers exceptional value compared to other comparably priced automobiles. The first thing that a driver will notice is the engine mapping/gearing that allows the car to pull away quickly from any situation. Although its not quite as powerful as the Acura CL Type S the Lexus' design allows it to apply all of its power immediately without any wheelspin,a problem that Acura CL Type S owners have to contend with.
Likewise the Lexus IS 300's handling is superb with its small turning radius and seventeen inch Z rated tires. This car inspires confidence in corners at any speeds. Its grip on the roads is viselike, although the soft compound use in the tire may also lead to accelerated wear as well.
The feedback from the steering is also exceptional, it lacks much of the understeer and artificial resistance incorporated into the steering of the BMW 328i. Relatively light and true in nature the Lexus IS 300's steering allows the driver to quickly respond to whatever may be going on around him. This steering can also be both a nuisance and a convinience on long trips because it takes little effort to keep the car guided on the road or highway resulting in the driver "tuning out".
Last but not least the interior is extremely comfortable and well appointed and could be a liability on long trips because the driver could become too comfortable.
In conclusion is an excellent car with immaculate handling and an interior thats far too well designed for the driver's own good.

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BMW 328i, Acura CL Type S

Styling, Stereo, Performance, Driving Feel

Lack of armrest

I've had this car since July 1st, 2000, and loved every minute of it. This thing gets smoother every day I drive it and the exhuast note gets sweeter by the minute. It comes with a 6 disc in dash changer with am/fm and cassette (who still uses cassettes?) the system is the best stock system i have heard to date, its even better than some aftermarket setups, but I find myself turning the stereo off just to hear the engine and exhaust. I paid full MRSP to get one of the very first IS300s, and waiting for the car to come was very painful especially since I've known about it for so long, spent my time looking at pictures of the Japanese version (Altezza) and at the IS300.net forums. Needless to say it was well worth it. A lot of times when things come out they are not what they promise and are a big let down, but this car met every one of my expectations and in most cases better than what I hoped for.
Although I got a Spectra Blue Mica colored IS300, I have to admit that this car looks great in every color it comes in, even green, and green isn't one of my favortie colors to say the least. For those who say this car isn't fast enough, obviously you haven't driven one. I considered the S2000, Y2K Celica, Prowler, Navigator, Audi TT, MR2 SPyder, used Hummer wagon or soft top and soem other models, I admit it was a wide spectrum of choices but I can't see myself with any of those cars. For those worried about first year production cars, I have passed the 3500 mile mark and have yet to experience any major problems, or minor ones at that. If you are in the market for a new car, take the IS for a test drive, but only if you are prepared to buy one because you will not want anything else.

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