Used 2003 Lexus IS 300 Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Better relialility and looking than euro
This vehicle is very nicely built. With innovative designs like the chrono dash and the clear tail lights that started an entire trend in the import scene. Although the performance is not head and shoulders above euro competitions, the price isn't either. And with BMW and Audi's bad history of reliability and MB's outrageous pricing, the IS 300 is a clear choice for a smart buyer that's in the market for a luxury sport sedan.
awesome car
Its by far the best mid-price 4 door sports car on the market.
- Base SedanMSRP: $18,864821 mi away
- 300MSRP: $8,991891 mi away
- E-Shift SedanMSRP: $8,9981,597 mi away
Great Car
The drive is fast, smooth and very comfortable on long trips. The sound system is great.
Perfect Sports Sedan
This car is the perfect balance of quality, value, style and performance. If you are looking for a 4-door that will turn heads but not break your wallet paying for options, the IS300 is the one.
good and bad
Sure the car handles pretty well but it needs more HP 260 would have been just fine not 220. The exterior body of the car is just about the best thing about this vechicle, but for over 30k I would invest in something else. To start there is no memory seating,no radio controls on the steering wheel, no leg space and lots of blind spots! Not a good deal for your money.
Buy it!
What a great car! Add to that the low price, and this car can't be beat.
fine car back dealersip service
The car overall is fun to drive, its fast and great when going around corners. The body looks great and interior is cool looking. BUT BOY DOES THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE BAD SERVICE...so BEWARE!! ex. watch for door digs and when they give u an oil change, cause they cracked my under carriage and wont fix it!
I Love my IS 300
I just got this car for my birthday. It is everything and more. Extremely fun to drive. It curves easily and has quick pick-up. E-shift is fun to use.
2nd IS300
Car enthusiast... I just purchased my second IS300. Manual this time, only auto was available in 2001. This is an amazing vehicle. Handling is great and predictable, styling is perfect. For those complaining about bad handling in snow - get snow tires!
best value!
i have had this car for a 1 1/2 years now, and i am completely satisfied. i purchased this vehicle from lexus of serramonte and i would like to say they have the best customer service, from buying the car to maintaining it. i wish i waited and got the navigation!
best car
I got a good car. It's a fun to drive. excellent handling, nice design (rear), and perpect audio system are best of this vehicle. Also you drive fast in freeway, you feel attraction of is 300.
IS 300 is a solid car
I have owned the IS 300 for only a week and have never before owned a Lexus. Already my family has agreed we will never be without another Lexus in our garage. The IS 300 is a SOLID car. It has magnificant handling. If you check out the slalom times this thing is as quick as stock vette. The interior is incredibly beautiful and I feel like Lexus is very focused on the driver.
MY WHEELS
LOVE,LOVE,LOVE EXTERIOR DESIGN. G35 COPIED IT,CADILAC COPIED IT.GREAT PERFORMANCE IN THE HANDLING DEPT AND GREAT PICK UP SPEED FOR EVERY DAY DRIVING.COULD HAVE A LITTLE MORE HORSEPOWER. INTERIOR OK,AGAIN A LITTLE MORE TO COMPETE WITH BMW.LOVE MY WHEELS......P.S WHEN IS THE IS 430 COMING, IM IN LINE.
Love this car
This is the car I have been waiting for forever.
GREAT CAR
I LOVE THIS CAR.. I LOVE THE WAY IT HANDLES.. I LOVE THE PERFORMANCE.. AND I LOVE THE LOOK
No destination needed, just roads
Take this to a twisty mountain road, then you know why you'll stay off the interstate whenever possible. the steering is fast but accurate. limited body rolls let you challenge each corner with confidence. Because of its extremely effective brakes, you get to explore the full potential of the engine's wide and linear power band.
Get something else...
Actually got mine in May 2001; not 2002. It was before the standard was available; so I am stuck with a slipping aoutomatic. Handles great; not quick enough; has its fair share of problems. Being that I live in NY; I have to drive it in the snow - talk a bout a freaking adventure!!! I mean, the car does not really excel at anything other than handling; but everything else is so average at best - it cannot make up for its downfalls. Do yourself a favor; save your pennies and get a real sportscar. If it has to have 4 doors than save up for a 540. Looking forward to getting out of my lease early on this thing - I am a bit disappointed.
My IS
I just got my IS300 5 months ago and love it. I am actually 18 and have 4 friends with one, and I have never heard a complaint. The E-shift almost makes it feel like you are actually shifting, and when your not it is so smooth. NICE!
Nothing but fun!!!
From day one this car has been nothing but fun. It’s so much fun to drive that I think I’m addicted to taking unnecessary trips to the store. I expected a very good car bearing the Lexus name. I got even more than I expected. The IS fusses luxury, performance and value. Plus the great reliability of the proven 3.0L Lexus engine (Used in the GS300 as well) gives me peace of mind.
Way better than a BMW
Its simply awesome. I test drove the BMW 325CI but this car is way more fun to drive. It has a bigger engine, a lower sticker price and the Lexus nametag. The handling is awesome. Its just a joy to ride. If u r in the market for a BMW, test drive an IS and u will know what I am talking about. This car is the real deal.
I love this car!
This car has satisfied every penny that I have spent on it, especially its style. The headlights and the tail lights just amaze me every time I see them. In fact, everyday I can't wait till it gets dark just to have a reason to turn them on. The interior maybe a bit small, but what do you expect from a luxury compact sport sedan? The orange dashboard lights against the black really looks good too. The car rides very smoothly and nimbly through the forest of cars on the highway at rush hour. Overall, I think this is a better buy than a BMW 3 or a Mercedes C.
Well designed car
I test drove several other vehicles (Acura's, Infiniti, etc...) The Lexus is by far the best. Handles like a dream, well made and the instrumentation is intelligently designed. It has a beautifully smooth ride, but feels "tight" when you want to drive aggressively. By far the best car for a young adult with more mature needs (family etc...) but having that sports car drive. Kudos.
NOT FOR THE COLD STATES
Love the style, fun to drive. Not good on gas but not suprised. The biggest suprise was it's performance on a snowy road!!! TERRIBLE! I relocated to a cold state just 2 months ago, bought this car and I'm not sure what to do. I couldn't start accelerating from a stop and slid while driving. Tire dealer recommended slow down and drive a different car! Great car but only in a sunshine state.
IS300 - An Almost Perfect Sport Sedan
Comparing the Lexus(vs BMW): Pros RELIABILITY - an friend's 325is had problems (transmission and driver seat). My Camry: 10+ years, 150k miles, excellent record "Razor-sharpness" - everything is "sharp." Ride, shifter, clutch - all project a sporting nature Price - almost $10k less. It is easier to deal with Lexus Less ubiquitous - Everybody and his cousin drives a BMW 3 or 5 series. Too "me-too," (except M3 or M5) Better NAV - only one better is on the Acura CL Cons Less prestige - especially in the eyes of girls/non-car-enthusiasts/those fixated on the badge Less power - the 10hp difference (as rated) between the two somehow feel more
is 300 5 speed
love it. would like a little more power though, something to compete with the m3.
An affordable Lexus that's a Blast!
Make no mistake about it, this is not your father's Lexus. The look of the IS300 is both sporty and unique, and alot of other car manufacturers are starting to copy its styling. This car is a blast to drive, and will truly benefit those who are looking for a great driving experience in addition to quality craftsmanship.
Tons of fun
For the money this is a great car. Lots of fun. I have the tickets to prove it.
IS 300
Very fun to drive.
excellent car
I was looking at the IS 300, Audi A4 1.8T, Subaru Impreza WRX, and Infiniti G35. The Audi handled horribly and had an ugly interior and the G35 is too new and has no manual transmission. The WRX was a good car, but couldn't match the refinement of the IS. It's the perfect blend of smooth refinement and performance. The WRX has better magazine numbers, but only due to an AWD launch, the IS is just as fast in the real world. The IS is tuned to a more euro feel, whereas the WRX is softer and more rally tuned. I prefer the tightness of the IS.
I love this car
Want a fun car to drive with saftey features? Then this is the car!!!
Best in Class
I compared this with the BMW 325 and Audi A4 and I liked it the best. It handles at least as well as the others and it won't have the quirky electrical problems the BMW has.
Cooler looking and same $$ as Camry
Shopped last minute for a 2002 before the 2003 arrive at the end of September. All dealers were willing to give them away at cost (28,888), so I couldn't resist. Great lease (4.2% over 39 mos). The rare charcoal color is cool and it drives like a dream (easy cruise at 80 from Santa Barbera this weekend)
Great Car
Our family buys only stick shifts because they are fun and so much more responsive. We were attracted to The Lexus for its small size and the Lexus reputation for service. Before the test drive we had no clue that it would be such a hoot to drive. It is responsive, comfortable, quiet and solid. The only drawback was that it made the choice of a second car much more difficult as we were spoiled.
Excellant Review..
I purchased my IS300 this past July. I am very happy w/ the way it handles and accelerates. The ride is nice and smooth for the tight suspension. I find it easy to out handle the Fire Birds, Camaros and CL-Type S on the road. The GPS system is good. I would probably rate it as 2nd best on the market. It is correct about 90% of the time. I think Acura has the best GPS.
Fun Car
Very fun car to drive. I have had it for over a year and I still get excited everytime I get behind the wheel. Sometimes the transmission sticks when trying to accelerate quickly, but I was told the computers on cars nowadays sometimes get confused in those type situations. Car offers a very comfortable ride especially if you are the one lucky enough to drive it.
NOT a bad car
First of all, I would like to make some comments to people who don't like the car: 1) It's a Lexus, but it's not supposed to be luxurious; it's a sports sedan. If you want a luxurious interior, buy an ES300. 2) You can get it with all leather seats, so that's your mistake if you don't like the partial leather seats. I have had no trouble with my IS300. I expect Lexus quality and that's what I get. The car is very fun to drive!
a hot rod with back doors!
very reliable and fun to drive
Good Car good Price
Excellent car i am buying another one for my mother she loves it so do it great ride little loud on roud noise but what can i say it has 17's not small tires good quick great for the money chicks dig it.
Excellent Car
No comparison. Great car, great value, outstanding performance. A++++
The IS300 used to be cool...
I got my car in late 2002, its now 2003 and every 'homie g' who can scam up $35k is driving one. I am truly sick of every honda teenager wanting to be me with the tail lights and oversized exhaust. I am happy with it overall, but it's a bmw or infiniti for my next car, unless lexus grows up.
Fast and Comfortable
LEXUS IS 300 Is a great car. Great pick up and beautiful design. Looks more expensive than what i paid for it. LSD, RWD, 215hp, 5speed,17inch graphite rims, with a lip spoiler. This Car has it all for performance! :LUXURY wheres the wood? hahah.. SAVING THE TREES? Full Leather Interior with attractive Gauges for Speedo! Full Spare with rim included!
Amazing
Great car, i really enjoy it. Not only does it look amazing, it drives amazing and is totally realiable.
Great Car
This should be on anyone's list who is looking for a sport sedan in the low 30k range.
Fun To Drive And Chear to Own
Wow great car for the money. My freind bought a 3-SERIES about the same time I bought my IS 300 his car has been in the shop 4 times for warranty repairs mine has not been in at all.That's a good feeling because I was thinking of buying one before I settled on the Lexus.It really Handles well in any condition I would recomend this car to anyone except maybe somone who likes to visit their dealership on a regular basis.
Only sports enthusiasts apply
I have had the IS for little over a year. I love this bad boy to no end! Its awesome! Everyone is left behind at red lights...anywhere. This car is very powerful for its size. Comfort/size...you wear this car like a glove. Its tight, nimble, powerful, a great car! Styling isnt for everyone, but you MUST give it a test drive. It is truly an enjoyable car. GREAT sound system too!
If Cheetah was a car, this would be it
Best Dealer i have ever known, friendly and handy. Car is very agile and responsive, engine was the quitest on its class. Back draws: addiction for driving the car in every chance possible.
IS300
I knew as soon as I test drove the IS I was going to take it home. It's inline six makes it super quick, and suspension and handling are far better than BMW 3 series and the Infiniti G35. The polished alloy 17's complete the beautiful exterior. As far as the interior, well its just awesome.
IS300
I've owned my IS for a week now and I love it. It handles great still has a good ride considering the low profile rubber on the 17" wheels. Has decent aceleration and never feels bogged down. The seats are comfortable. I wish I had an office chair like it. this is a fun to drive car. Oh yeah and you get Lexus service and reliability of a toyota. Everything about this car screams fun and luxury.
German fun - Japanese reliability
Excellent handling makes fun out of any canyon roads. Engine is like butter, and the 2002 Auto is smooth
Balanced
I think this car is awesome. It's a pleasure to drive everyday. Sure it could use a little more hp but I'll fix that with a few modifications that will still keep in under warranty. It has all the modern creature comforts inside and fits my life style very well. In general I think it's a great value.