2002 Lexus IS 300 Review | Edmunds.com
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2002 Lexus IS 300

 
 
 
Edmunds Review (163) MPG

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Lexus IS 300 Features and Specs

Features & Specs

  • Engine 3.0 L Inline 6-cylinder
  • Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
  • Transmission 5-speed Automatic
  • Horse Power 215 hp @ 5800 rpm
  • Fuel Economy 16/23 mpg
  • Bluetooth No
  • Navigation No
  • Heated Seats Yes
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Review of the 2002 Lexus IS 300

  • Improvements this year make the IS 300 a true sport sedan. We feel sorry for those who couldn't wait and bought '01s.

  • Safety

  • Pros

    Outstanding driving dynamics, slick interior decor, competitive pricing.

  • Cons

    Small rear seat and trunk, not much storage space, styling more suited to baggy-panted masses.

  • What's New for 2002

    Once a goal is set, Lexus is not a company to dillydally. Witness the 2002 IS 300. After just one year on the fiercely contested…

 
What Others Are Saying

Customer Reviews

  Average Consumer Rating (163 total reviews)

Second is300

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Vehicle: 2002 Lexus IS 300 E-Shift 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

This is my second IS300. I have owned 63 cars in my life (I am 33 and get bored easily). I have owned 12 BMW's and thought myself to be a lifelong BMW addict. The IS300 changed all that. The styling, the responsiveness and dependability won me over. I have never had an issue with either IS300 I have owned. They are the only cars I have kept longer than three months. My current one I am tastefully modifying. Owning a GS300 in between the IS300's I am now a Lexus (2JZ) convert. All around service all my have-to-haves. Sportiness, Luxury, Speed and Dependable. The IS300 is truly the complete package.


5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Absolutely red :) 5m

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Vehicle: 2002 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Have to agree on the fun-to-drive factor!! Whew! this car is a blast to drive! Love the orange interior lights at night! Guage package likened to a wrist watch face is an original touch. Shifting is solid quality feel. Love the sound of the engine. Handles like she's' on rails. Just bought a set of 18" rims (all black) with potenza s-04 pole positions, so the ride should be on fire soon. Im' driving a Subaru GT wagon in the winter but my life is changing so I'm selling Suby after 13 yrs of ownership. :( But Looking forward to buying a set of micheling Xi3, dedicated winters, to be mounted on the stock rims. Should handle the snow just fine and be a lot of fun in the drift too!


1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent vehicle

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Vehicle: 2002 Lexus IS 300 E-Shift 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

I was lucky enough to purchase my 2002 Lexus IS300 as my first car with my own money my junior year in high school. Car had 120k miles on it and I'm now in college and I've put almost 23k more on it because I just can't resist driving it. Smooth ride, smooth shifting, comfortable seating, love the alcantara! Drilled aluminum pedals are a nice touch. I actually get about 25 mpg when i drive long highway distances at 75 mph, but average right at about 23 mpg on a normal fill-up. Few complaints about this car. I have only had to take it in to the shop for regular maintenance (oil changes, new tires, etc..) Could not recommend this car enough.


 
 
 
Gas Mileage

EPA-Rated MPG

  • 16
  • cty
/
  • 23
  • highway
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Other IS 300 Years

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Full 2002 Lexus IS 300 Review

What's New for 2002

Once a goal is set, Lexus is not a company to dillydally. Witness the 2002 IS 300. After just one year on the fiercely contested entry-level luxury sport sedan battlefield, Lexus has quickly moved to address the IS 300's short list of faults. A five-speed manual transmission is available, and it comes packaged with a sportier suspension than what is offered on the "regular" IS 300. The luxury side of the equation has also been upped. A navigation system and an all-leather interior are optional this year, and the rearview and driver-side mirrors are auto-dimming. Safety is also enhanced with the addition of head-protecting side curtain airbags (in addition to the regular side airbags), a BrakeAssist function and a stability control system. And for all of those golden retrievers out there tired of riding around in numbing RX 300s, take notice that Lexus has expanded the IS 300's lineup with a wagon version.

Talk About The 2002 IS 300

2002 Lexus IS 300 Discussions See all Started By

ltcjsh
ltcjsh
12-24-2013
2001 Lexus Rx 300
My Lexus has 160K. Original engine, transmission, struts, AC, Power Steering,. It has been a great car but have spent money over the years maintaining. Now I know that big repairs are coming sooner ?...

verygreedy
verygreedy
08-30-2008
2002 Rx300 Bad Oil Burn That's Gotten Much Worse!
Here's the deal, I've got a 2002 RX300 with 83,000 miles on it. It was meticulously maintained and oil changed every 3000 miles. I often used Mobil 1 too....

jear510
jear510
02-09-2010
2001 Lexus Gs 300 Or 2002-2003 Acura Tl
I am looking into buying my next car and my budget is around $10,000. I like both cars, the 2002-2003 Acura TL and the 2001 Lexus GS 300. I am wondering which car is sportier, handles better, and is ?...


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