[SapphireBlackG01]

Originally Posted by Nikki

The TSX is an incredible car- for a non-enthusiast.
It gives you power, prestige, looks, at a great price.
If you don't care that it handles horribly, has plastic seats it calls "leather trimmed", and can't get out of its own way until you hit 5k RPM then it's the right car for you.

here is what i wrote a while ago in a TSX thread here:

Price-good
Appearance-above average
Interior quality-ok for price, definitely not up to BMW standards (seats aren't even full leather and feel cheaper than the BMW leatherette)
Ergonomics- one of the reasons i'm selling, seats don't hold me, bolster gets in the way of shifting
Acceleration-good, but not thrilling, NO TORQUE!
Manual tranny- clunky shifter, very mechanical feeling and sounding
Handling-fair, it feels unsafe around corners at medium speeds, doesn't stick like the GS-R
Turning radius- bad bad bad! worse than an escalade or a navigator, statistically!
Overall-good, especially for the money, but boring for someone who likes to drive

Also keep in mind that the V6 Accord is cheaper and much faster than the TSX with all the same luxuries, so it's a good alternative.


and problems within the first year with less than 6k miles on the car:

Trunk wire harness recall-fixed
Condensation in passenger side headlight-fixed
Rattle from passenger side speaker-fixed
Rattle from driver side speaker
Gauge brightness jumps from too dim to too dark
Center Console top compartment won't stay up
Driver side seat bolster creasing and cracking (vinyl)
Steering wheel center piece doesn't line up right
Windows occasionally screech when going up

Every major automag out there has published good review in regards to, at the very least, the TSX's handling and nimbleness. I would use "Acura" and "Perfomance" in the same sentence WAY BEFORE I tried to use "Lexus" or "Toyota".

Granted, it's FWD and only a four-cylinder, but it's Acura/Honda's most sporting endeavor behind the S2000, and I wonder if it will get the new turbo motor from the RDX soon enough.

[Nikki]

Well the IS300 would do circles around the TSX and for the same price.

[deburn]

Thanks Nikki - no torque, poor cornering puts it out of the running for me

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by deburn

Thanks Nikki - no torque, poor cornering puts it out of the running for me

You can go ahead and try it for yourself, but I doubt any enthusiast, especially one who has driven a BMW would like it.

[txusa03]

I still think making u turn requires 3 lanes is a user's issue

[canucklion]

Nikki, you're right about the leather, I've sat in that director's car, it was exactly as you've described, 'plasticy'

[TAGHRP2]

on the automatic versus manual? I've always driven a stick but getting older and wondering whether to move to automatic.

Anyone knows how it handles in the snow? are all seasons fine or does it need winter tires?[/QUOTE]

No need for snow tires, but it's nice to have, but im fine with all season tires... A/T vs. M/T???, you have to test drive both, MY 01 no m/t, just on 02 & above, but if you are planning on boosting the is300, the tranny could hold up atleast 400whp, & they have to change the V.B., the M/T is a bit weaker, can only hold up to 300/350hp, people that has a Turbo on M.T. they have to change the tranny, which is Supra Tranny. R160 trans. is one of the best for IS300... check www.is300.net .

[porksoda]

I read all the comments on this thread... and i would recommend a used e46...

I wouldnt touch tsx or is300 with a 10ft poll.. e46 vs those cars different league...

also you would have much more fun driving the e46...

as for the is and ts... i have driven both... i dont recall performance being the first thing that came to my mind either of those cars. With TSX funny thing was it gives you illusion of performance.... hard to explain.. anyway

they are both reliable cars but its no e46.

Originally Posted by deburn

Hi All,

Hi All,

I'm thinking of getting a 2001-03 IS 300 and would appreciate any feedback re driving experience compared to a 3 Series.

I'm NOT asking whether an IS 300 is comparable to a BMW - I love BMWs and never even looked at anything else before I got my e90. In my mind there is no comparison between a BMW and a Lexus (or an Infiniti, Merc, Audi etc)

Things have changed however (some unexpected expenses) and I'm looking to get something that's as close to a 3 series in terms of the driving experience but at a lower cost.

Thanks!
deburn

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by txusa03

I still think making u turn requires 3 lanes is a user's issue

Uhm no because my 330i makes it in less than 2 lanes. Look up the turning radius on the TSX.

[canucklion]

I did, and I was amazed, you weren't kidding, the TSX does have a larger turning radius than an Escalade
oh and the 330i's got the same turning radius as the Ferrari F430 haha

Originally Posted by Nikki

Uhm no because my 330i makes it in less than 2 lanes. Look up the turning radius on the TSX.

[deburn]

I'm all over the place...trying to figure out whether to spend 10-12k, 15-16k or 20-22k. I just transferred the lease on my e90 because I felt it was too expensive so I dont want to make the same mistake and 20-22k is what a CPO 2003 IS 300 costs.

I could get a Mazda3 or RSX or Scion tC for 15-17k or get some thing really cheap ie 10k or less for now. To complicate matters I just busted my knee - ACL - and I will need to have an operation:mad: at some point and it likely means I wont be able to drive a stick for a couple months, I'm guessing

I'm staying away from BMW because of the perception that initial cost and maintenance costs are high.

any suggestions would be very much appreciated! I'm dying here trying to make a decision.

BTW I read good reviews about the TSX too and that link to e46fanatics says it all

Originally Posted by xxpaintmepunkxx

Every major automag out there has published good review in regards to, at the very least, the TSX's handling and nimbleness. I would use "Acura" and "Perfomance" in the same sentence WAY BEFORE I tried to use "Lexus" or "Toyota".

Granted, it's FWD and only a four-cylinder, but it's Acura/Honda's most sporting endeavor behind the S2000, and I wonder if it will get the new turbo motor from the RDX soon enough.

[Nikki]

well my opinion is IS300 > RSX >TSX > Mazda3 > tC
I've never driven the RSX or the tC though, just based on reviews and personal opinion.

[all8up]

I had an 02 5spd IS300 and I thought it was a great car. Make sure you don't get an auto and don't get one prior to 02...they made some adjustments to the interior trim and most importantly...the tail lights...jk

The auto generally posts 20-30whp less than the 5spd and it definitely felt weak in comparison. Lots of mods out for it so you can get additional power down the road.

[deburn]

Thanks all8up.

How would you value a CPO? in other words, let's say an individual seller is selling an IS 300 for 20k. How much extra do you think a CPO car that's virtually identical (similar MY, specs, mileage etc) should be?

ie what premium should a Lexus CPO command in your opinion?

Originally Posted by all8up

I had an 02 5spd IS300 and I thought it was a great car. Make sure you don't get an auto and don't get one prior to 02...they made some adjustments to the interior trim and most importantly...the tail lights...jk

The auto generally posts 20-30whp less than the 5spd and it definitely felt weak in comparison. Lots of mods out for it so you can get additional power down the road.

[all8up]

Originally Posted by deburn

Thanks all8up.

How would you value a CPO? in other words, let's say an individual seller is selling an IS 300 for 20k. How much extra do you think a CPO car that's virtually identical (similar MY, specs, mileage etc) should be?

ie what premium should a Lexus CPO command in your opinion?

Personally I wouldn't pay the extra for a CPO car, particularly for a car that is relatively trouble free as the IS. I'd just get a good mechanic to give the car a good inspection prior to purchase. IS300s are still selling for 20k? What year and miles? I sold my 02 back in 05 for 19500 and w/ 60k miles w/ NAV.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by canucklion

I did, and I was amazed, you weren't kidding, the TSX does have a larger turning radius than an Escalade
oh and the 330i's got the same turning radius as the Ferrari F430 haha

I can make a u-turn in the TSX <3 lanes

[deburn]

That was just an example, but there are 04s and even 03s with 20-40k miles, without NAV that are being quoted at 25,000.00 - this is in the Boston area

There are quite a few 02's but I havent been considering them because they have 80k+ miles and I was concerned about the cost of service which I heard was quite high for Lexus

Originally Posted by all8up

Personally I wouldn't pay the extra for a CPO car, particularly for a car that is relatively trouble free as the IS. I'd just get a good mechanic to give the car a good inspection prior to purchase. IS300s are still selling for 20k? What year and miles? I sold my 02 back in 05 for 19500 and w/ 60k miles w/ NAV.

[all8up]

Originally Posted by deburn

That was just an example, but there are 04s and even 03s with 20-40k miles, without NAV that are being quoted at 25,000.00 - this is in the Boston area

There are quite a few 02's but I havent been considering them because they have 80k+ miles and I was concerned about the cost of service which I heard was quite high for Lexus

Yeah the cost for service for a Lexus @ the Stealership is pretty expensive but all the parts are relatively inexpensive and I would not hesitate to take the Lexus to a Toyota dealer to have the work performed.

[deburn]

Found an 03 IS 300 with Sport Design The car has 35k miles, leather seats, moonroof and is an automatic and has the normal goodies that come with Lexuses (6 CD in dash changer, heated seats etc)

This is a CPO and the Lexus dealer is offering 21,000.00 without the CPO and 22,000.00 with CPO (starting price was 24,000.00). I'm thinking of finalizing the deal and wanted to know what folks felt was a good price.

I was thinking of getting an 02 with many more miles on it for 15-17k but it would be nice to have a newer car at a reasonable price and presumably the Sport Design is more fun to drive. PLus 1,000.00 for a 3 year/100k mile warranty sounds very nice. no deductibles either

Let me know what you think

[all8up]

Seeing that you currently drive an MT, I'd be hard pressed to go with an AT IS300. The AT really deminishes the athletic feel of that car, but if that is the change you are looking for - I'd say why not.

[deburn]

I would have preferred to have an MT - that's what I've driven my entire life, but I have a knee operation coming up and I definitely wont be able to drive a MT for at least 2 weeks

Originally Posted by all8up

Seeing that you currently drive an MT, I'd be hard pressed to go with an AT IS300. The AT really deminishes the athletic feel of that car, but if that is the change you are looking for - I'd say why not.

[all8up]

If you have to go AT...I'd say look elsewhere. It definitely isn't up to par with the modern ATs of today. Having said that, why not a new Jetta or GTI w/ DSG. Pretty certain you can pick up a year old one near the price of this IS.....