2004 Lexus IS 300 Review
Price Estimate: $2,200 - $3,562





+15
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 could be "tragically hip" by some accounts.
What’s new
On the outside, look for a new wheel design and smoked surrounding trim for the headlights and taillights. Inside, Lexus has added a memory function for the driver seat, a maintenance indicator light, a new storage compartment on the dash (for cars without the navigation system) and new trim highlights.
Edmunds says
Can't match the BMW 3 Series in terms of luxury, but its combination of price, performance and premium features make the IS 300 a very intriguing sport sedan or wagon.
For sale near Sacramento, CA
8 listings
- 147,035 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- Lucky Auto Sale (71 mi away)
- Upgraded Headlights
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Audio and cruise con...
Close
Located in Hayward, CA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHBD192440086134
Stock: 086134
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-01-2025- 119,499 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 5 Seats, 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- Zee Motors (378 mi away)
- Upgraded Headlights
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Buena Park, CA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHED192040093210
Stock: B3579
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Lexus IS 300 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Just got it
4.63 out of 5 starsadmanc, 03/06/2009
2004 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
I test drove the 2004 IS300 against a beautiful 2004 BMW 328ci (that I really wanted to love and buy). After driving both cars, I realized the IS300 was the much better car across the boards. Mechanically, the Lexus ran smooth and sound, with a lot more get-up and go. The BMW was sluggish and seemed to hesitate a lot more, with some choppy shifting between gears. I had been told by … many people that the BMW would have more problems than the Lexus and in test-driving both, I had to concede that they were right. I bought the Lexus.
2004 IS300 Automatic -
4.5 out of 5 starszebani, 10/21/2014
2004 Lexus IS 300 E-Shift 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
My wife and I owned over 20 vehicles in the last 5 years, including IS250 & IS350, but I never wanted to get rid of my IS300. We have put 50K miles on this car over the last 3 years and it is THE MOST reliable car that I have ever owned. I always get 22-26 MPG mixed, 70% city and 30% highway, and the requires the absolute minimum maintenance such as brake pads, rotors and oil change. The … timing belt had been just replaced when I bought the car and since then I only needed to replace the rotors, brake pads, spark plugs other than the regular oil change. I always use synthetic oil, premium gas and some fuel additives.
Love this car!
5 out of 5 starsLindsay Lexus, 06/29/2004
2004 Lexus IS 300 E-Shift 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
I am an absolute Lexus convert - there
is nothing more fun than driving this
car. Living in teh city, I didn't was a
mid-size car; I preferred to have
something more compact, but I wanted a
sporty sedan with a luxury feel and
that's exactly what I got. It's stylish
and peppy, but has luxury components.
Done Right
4.75 out of 5 starsmikefas, 01/07/2004
2004 Lexus IS 300 E-Shift 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Loving almost everything about this car. Fit
and finish is superb. Loads of features make
the driving experience terrific. My only gripe is
lack of power. G35 coupe had a lot more uder
the hood.
2004 IS 300 Highlights
Wagon
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $30,805 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $327/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
- RolloverRollover5 / 5Dynamic 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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