2005 Lexus IS 300 Review
Price Estimate: $760 - $1,227





+47
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, aging design struggles to keep up with its more modern competition.
What’s new
The IS 300 continues into 2005 largely unchanged. A limited-slip differential is no longer available with the manual transmission.
Edmunds says
Can't match the BMW 3 Series, but its combination of price, performance and premium features make the IS 300 a very intriguing sport sedan or wagon.
For sale near American Fork, UT
2 listings
- 152,948 miles
- Frame damage reported, 2 owners, personal use only
- 16 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- World Class Motors AZ (474 mi away)
- Upgraded Headlights
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Audio and cruise con...
Close
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Visit World Class Motors to shop our great deals. You can call 602-368-3968 to schedule your test drive today.
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: Yes
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHBD192850095596
Stock: id5596
Certified Pre-Owned: No- 150,166 miles
- No accidents, 4 owners, personal use only
- 16 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- Aneel's Wheels (733 mi away)
- Upgraded Headlights
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Audio and cruise con...
Close
Located in Seattle, WA
2005 Lexus IS 300 Clean California Car | 3.0L Inline-6 RWD $10,999 Aneel s Wheels Seattle, WA Clean Title | No Accidents | CARFAX Available Legendary ...
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/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHBD192250100808
Stock: C560
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-17-2025
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Utah
$247/mo for IS 300 Base
IS 300 Base
vs
$162/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Lexus IS 300 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
On month 7
4.38 out of 5 starsKevin, 01/17/2006
2005 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
I love most everything about this car aside from the craptacular gas mileage. The ride is also a bit harsh, but that might be just me getting older :-) To date I haven't had any warranty work done to the car - a primary reason for buying this car for me was Lexus reputation. If you are considering buying this car I would encourage you to do so.
I didn't know I could love a car so much
5 out of 5 starssouthernguy138, 10/17/2012
2005 Lexus IS 300 E-Shift 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
I just bought this 2005 IS300 with 129k miles and is simply amazing. Drives like new, literally. Very quiet and the straight 6 engine is superb, its quick, and you can't even feel the transmission shift. By far, this car is the most fun I've driven. I know these cars are good for over 300k miles with little maintenance. Everyone should have the opportunity to own one of these. You'll … have a hard time sleeping knowing its in your driveway. I have had no regrets buying this car! GET ONE!
One of the Best RWD Car you can get
4.75 out of 5 starsTesting123, 12/09/2005
2005 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
The styling of the car is very agressive and sporty. For a 3255lbs vehicle the car perform very well. The engine was build for import tune spec and respond very well to performance modification. I wish Lexus would have use a more agressive cam from supra engine to move the stock rear wheel horse power up to 188whp. My IS300 AKA Altezza has gone through couple of performace Mod, like a … stage1 turbo kit from inovative turbo and fujitsubo high flow exhaust, which boost the WHP to 323whp. The stock clucth will take this mod without any problem. This is one of the best vehicle ever build and it will surely out performed a BMW series 3 with a small modification to the intake and exhaust system.
My Most Fun Car in 50 years!
4.63 out of 5 starsGina Hudson, 11/09/2005
2005 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
I've been driving 50 years and have driven a Lexus automobile since 1993. This IS 300 is undoubtably the most enjoyable car I've ever owned to drive, exceeding even the Lexus 400. As a rather "vertically challenged" woman, I've never, until the IS 300, been able to see over a hood of any car I've driven (scary thought). This automobile allows me to sit high enough to have a clear view … of the front of the car. It makes driving fun and much more comfortable for me. In today's market, this automobile is a bargain!
2005 IS 300 Highlights
Sedan
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $29,735 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $247/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.1 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
People who viewed this also viewed
4.0 average Rating out of 10 reviews. |
Starting at $43,160 |
5.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews. |
Starting at $40,535 |
4.9 average Rating out of 7 reviews. |
Starting at $58,270 |
Related Used 2005 Lexus IS 300 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Audi TT 2020 Review
- Toyota Avalon Hybrid 2020 Review
- Acura TLX 2020 Review
- Infiniti Q60 2021 Review
- Hyundai Ioniq Plug In Hybrid 2020 Review
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Lexus IS 300 2012
- Used Lexus IS 300 2013
- Used Lexus IS 300 2014
- Used Lexus IS 300 2015
- Used Lexus IS 300 2016
- Used Lexus IS 300 2018
- Used Lexus IS 300 2019
- Used Lexus IS 300 2020 For Sale
- Used Lexus IS 350 2010
- Used Lexus IS 350 2011
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 MINI Countryman
- 2024 BMW X2
- 2024 MX-5 Miata RF
- Ram 1500 Ramcharger
- 2024 Rolls-Royce Cullinan News
- 2024 BMW X6
- Chevrolet Blazer EV 2024
- 2025 Silverado 3500HD
- 2024 Range Rover Sport
- New Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Research other models of Lexus
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- New Mclaren GTS for Sale in Bethlehem, PA
- Used Mclaren 765LT in Waipahu, HI 2021
- Used Infiniti QX in Brookfield, WI 2013
- Used Porsche Macan in Newark, DE 2025
- New Ram Promaster-Window-Van for Sale in Southington, CT
- Used Toyota Gr-Corolla in Hempstead, NY 2025
- New Lexus Ux for Sale in Boise, ID
- Used Ford Transit-Wagon in Muncie, IN 2018
- Used Scion Xa in Aurora, IL 2006
- Used Chevrolet Prizm in Lorain, OH 2002