2002 Lexus IS300 review from North America
"The perfect car for those that are looking for an all around performer"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
So far nothing has gone wrong with the car. The Toyota 2JZ-GE engine will last you forever if you take care of it.
I know the previous owner had mentioned that there was an issue with the throttle body at about 30K, but it was a freak issue and Lexus replaced it free of charge. It has ran perfectly since then.
General comments?
The car is clearly made for those drivers who like to be part of the driving experience. The manual transmission just amplifies that feeling.
The double wishbone independent suspension is like the rails that the car scoots along on. The handling is the definite highlight of the car. You point out the direction, and the car goes. If your really getting into a corner you can feel just a tiny bit of under steer, but it's nothing that a bit of throttle steering can't fix.
The 3.0L 2JZ-GE is a bit outdated now, but it still produces enough power to be impressive. The manual version is said to do 0-60 in 6.8 seconds. I've gotten 6.9 so I believe it. This is mainly thanks to some outstanding pull in third gear.
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| I'm happy I leased this one (so I can get rid of it), and even happier that I bought a new STS V8 |
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| Best sports sedan for the money |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 2002 |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2007 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 2JZ-GE I6 3.0 Liter Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 7 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 89000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 100200 miles |
| Date of Entry | 23rd November, 2008 |