@@Mr.grubby this… I’ve drove some pretty shitty is300s before I bought the one I have now. You can tell who takes care of theirs… let’s just say it took me 3 years to find the one I have now 😌
yeah I daily mine 132k never had issues, just keep up with the maintenance schedule. also the chief engineer on the Altezza/IS was Nobuaki Katayama he's a pretty well known dude, his other projects include the AE86 and the MK4 Supra. Homeboy makes a hell of a car
Been daily driving my 300 for a year now, super accurate video besides the speed part. For an automatic the is300 is not bad for stock speed. Maybe not the fastest thing I've been in, but you can definitely have fun and reach some nice speeds in it. After having to floor a buick accross the country to reach 70mph no car has been slow to me.
the is300 was designed to be a cruiser but the altezza with the beamz was designed to be quick light and nimble and has been known to be one of the most nimble cars out of Japan, the is300 has a way heavier nose due to the iron 2j but still super nimble even compared to today’s standards, these cars only came in 5 speed manual not 6. The interior on these cars is one of the reasons they are popular the gauge cluster in the is300 was designed by a watch maker and is one of the reasons this car is so popular. The main issues these cars have is a ripped seat, sticky dash, oil leaks up the wazzoo, timing belt being a pain to replace, and lower ball joints. Good video just needs more research prior to filming to get all the facts right, these aren’t fast in a straight line but when it comes to cornering with a good set of tires and coil overs you will be flying
Just bought a manual Is300 factory 5 speed in dark grey color . 170k miles for $6k clean title bone stock . Just needs some fresh which is common with a 20 year old car lol
its amazing how people in my area sleep on these cars thinking its just an ordinary car, yeah its not crazy fast like a hellcat but these cars are a joy to work on and drive regardless of power, id rather have something thats underpowered easy to work on than some overpowered pos thats unreliable that stays in the shop
Dude I drive mine daily, it's the only car I have and had it since 2006 I'm the 2nd owner and let me tell I enjoy driving it daily and if you live in Florida trust me, you will enjoy driving an IS daily and fast asf
The IS300 is one of the best cars I have ever had. It has decent power, smooth, super quiet, looks impeccable, has no rattles being a 20 year old car, the build quality is second to none, and has no problems whatsoever. There is absolutely no competition from the BMW 3-Series. These things are worth the price even if it is overpriced period!
This guy seems that he doesn't know that the Altezza/IS was from the very beginning designed, built and marketed to be a BMW 3-Series fighter. So it was always a sports luxury than a pure luxury car. Yes you can easily turn this into a circuit/track monster car like being race in the touring car races like the BMW 3 Series races.
There are so many mistakes in this video. 2jz is300 never came i 6 speed manual but rather the weak w55 5-speed manual. Also 225hp? Chill…maybe like 215 and that’s pushing it…also the Altezza rs200 has a beams engine, 4 cylinder 6 speed manual and trust me it is definitely sought after. Im gonna stop here so I don’t ruin this man’s video…
The Altezza/IS was from the very beginning designed, built and marketed to be a BMW 3-Series fighter. So it was always a sports luxury than a pure luxury car. Yes you can easily turn this into a circuit/track monster car like being race in the touring car races like the BMW 3 Series races. Why else you think it was always offered a with a 6 cylinder before the mighty 2JZ was dropped in??
Bought mine 12 years ago. Daily driver. Drives like brand new, its the best car for long term, zero headaches. I do agree to get genuine parts with upkeep can be pricy. But the parts last.
Toyota Altezza was a track monster. JDM model that came with a beam only available in Japan. Also a TRD trim model. 6000 and up is the value. Also climbing.
I daily mine no issues. I enjoy it! Had it for over 10 years. Also, this vehicle can be turned in into a straight line missile or roll racing beast. Even with drifting it cost money to mod it to get it right so with enough money yeah you can do whatever you want. I do agree on the pricing though just my opinion
03 manual 120k when first bought. Spent some money to get it up to date. 5 years later 180k very reliable, and i daily it. Take care of it it will take care of you. I’ll take a Lexus over a VW any day 😌
Bought my 03 IS300 for 2100at Copart at 153K miles it was totaled for a stupid silly rear end just simply replaced taillights and bumper and boom runs like a champ.
Prices for the manual is way overrated for this car imo it would absolutely make sense if it was a 1JZ/R154 combo then I could justify paying more. Better off getting the auto then either go W58/AR5/R154 swap with 1jz this car is happy at around 350-400 enough fun for DD and power.
Jus got an 03’ Lexus IS300 sedan, 240k miles, 2JZ-GE Automatic (sad), its a little banged up but everything runs pretty good! Just put in the fluids and am fixing up the fuel injection system. Only thing I am concerned abt is the fuel economy, and especially insurance as I am a senior in highschool. Abt to turn 18, aint ever had an accident and am working. Rly dk how it gon be. I heard what you said abt this aint being the best first car, my job is pretty far from where I live too BUT, got the car for $1,500 as it was my uncles. The rwd doesn’t concern me as much, except during February when it ices over. Not gonna drift it, obviously since its an auto but also not rly that interested in that realm. I find the car nice to drive, its comfy, and it’s a family project car, aint ever gonna sell it.
Pretty accurate! but imo if u think the auto is doesn't matter u don't get the core vision of the car. its a luxury car, so watch me shift, "luxuriously," with the paddle shifters I have installed hehe >_< I got it for 5K in 2022....not buying ur "autos are slow" claim at all....if anything it shifts faster...and lastly sticky dash only happen to 02' is300 and up, 01 stays clean just fyi
BUMP definitely shot this footage myself. Word of advice as somebody who shoots video for professional companies, give credit to people when it's not your creative. This is how you give yourself a bad name.
Ik this is old but the altezza and the is300 is NOT the same car. Totally different engines. Altezza with the beams 2000(4 cyl or 6 cyl variation)and the is300 with the 2jz GE
Bruh..... it was more on Bashing on the car than anything else, I Daily my is 300, all he time and it's not giving me any problems or anything like, I don't know why would say that, and only 5% of the IS300 were manual so good luck finding one at that price, your just Hating on the car cause you don't have one, don't bash on it.
Here’s an odd ball idea, but you should try to do some research on the Ford Thunderbird super coupe. They are a really afford supercharged v6 from the 90s that for some reason not many people know about unless ofc they grew up in that era.
If I'm not wrong, a true GE to GTE swap would involve machining oil squirters right? I have the is300 and everyone says different stuff about it. Shooting for 500whp
@@bodhithespoodergen yeah, my plan is to get forged pistons and rods, gte intake manifold, big turbo, and a gte valve cover. But some people say I need to machine oil squirters to get to 500whp reliably, and that sounds like a ton of work
U dont know about what ur fuckin talkin about, this is an OG car i daily drive mine with my gte single turbo i had a shit load of people say thet it looks better then alot of new cars its reliable and will last forevee if u take care of it...i had people wantin to buy my is300 😅 but hell nah shes my bby...
@@Demonz209 i would say your lucky too lol i personally don't like the avant's besides the rs2& rs6 witch should be a sedan but it just never grew on me for some reason
You can get a gte vvti or non vvti head for about 2 grand or less But on just new injectors and fuel systemand a tune, you could get away with less than 8 psi of boost
I just picked up an 02 108k with 2 sets brand new tires for 1000$ it looks basically new needed a battery I have seen yours driving around I like the blue color mines black
I purchased mine for 2500 she had been well taken care of as I can tell although I have a auto unfortunately that’s all I had funds for at the moment haha
