2003 Lexus IS 300 Review
2003 Lexus IS 300 Review
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Used IS 300 for sale
Appraise This CarLexus IS 300 model years
Lexus IS 300 types
- Wagon
- Sedan
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
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
Other than having some new wheel designs, the IS 300 is unchanged this year.
Edmunds says
It's still not at the level of a BMW 3 Series, but its combination of price, performance and premium features make it a very intriguing sport sedan or wagon.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.93 per gallon for premium unleaded in Arkansas.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Arkansas
$257/mo for IS 300 Base
IS 300 Base
vs
$161/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Lexus IS 300.
5 star(80%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(3%)
127 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
2003 Lexus IS300 Sport Design
Justin, 03/28/2010
2003 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
I bought my 2003 black on black Lexus sport design in 2009 with 86k miles on it. The car drove and performed awesome the whole time i owned it. The interior is classy/sporty and stylish. Every girl I've taken on a drive loved the car. The car's chrome shift ball is F1 inspired i love the look. The door stiles have silver step plates. Car never fail me but the previous owner never changed … the factory battery and it died on me twice. That's the only problem i had but the battery was 6 years old so go figure. Love the car had to sell it because i need money. The sport design is 300 is a great car. Get you one!
4.38 out of 5 stars
Understand what you're buying
03is300, 04/21/2011
2003 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Note: I am a car guy, I'm not even 30 and this is my seventh car (not an idiot, just an enthusiast with a few extra nickels to burn on car payments), this is not a worthless review where I talk about how I don't like the cupholders or the color..... Aside from a few minor issues, this vehicle is a great choice, especially now that the prices have dropped dramatically.
This is not your … grandfather's lexus, it does not ride like its on rails and a lot of the 'luxury' options are simply not included with this model.
Previous vehicle: 2005 Audi A4 with every option imaginable, the two are not comparable on any level beyond purchase price. Overall a fantastic car, just understand what ur buying
4.5 out of 5 stars
Home-Run
03is, 07/12/2011
2003 Lexus IS 300 E-Shift 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Ready?
Love the car, but since I just recently bought it, I've had to do some work getting it up to par as the prior owner didn't take great care. However, it's a Lexus, so a blind monkey could drive it into a lake and it'd be better than anything on the road. A few cosmetic issues inside and out, and 90k service hadn't been done. When something breaks on this car, it's costly. But if … you take care of it, it'll take care of you. I wish they had that mentality! That said, It's a joy to drive. Slightly heavy and a bit sluggish, but with 200+hp, you don't lack for power. Finding low-mileage units is just about impossible, and when you purchase yours, you'll see why.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Sold my IS 300 after Seven good years
Aja1, 07/27/2010
2003 Lexus IS 300 E-Shift 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
I just traded in my '03 IS after seven years and 161,000 miles (purchased new). During my ownership, I never replaced a light bulb, only replaced the brakes once and the tires twice. The car was a joy to drive and I would have kept it for another 100,000 if I didn't need a bigger car for a growing family. I wish I liked the new IS series as much, but I thought the styling dropped off … and the inline-6 was special.
2003 IS 300 Highlights
Wagon
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $30,805 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $263/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 21.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the IS 300 include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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