Trade in for an IS300?
 

Long story, but I've been considering trading my FRS in for an IS300. I've been looking at the IS300 even before the FRS, but lately I've been getting close to the actual trade in.
I know it won't be as fun and it's definitely heavier with worse gas mileage, but other than that, anyone have any insight?
Would love to hear from people who've owned an IS300 before.

And no, not a manual as I don't believe in unicorns in my area.

IS300 was one of my first cars and my first baby :p. Sadly I lost it in an accident when someone ran a red light and t-boned me. However the car was a blast, it gave a similar feel to the frs in that you feel connected with the car. On top of that there was the benefit of having seats on the back that actually can fit people comfortably. I say if you enjoy it, go for it.

If everything checks out, go for it.

If you college student or not making a good chunk of cash, then I say wait on it.

If you can save $10k or so, you can find a good taken care of IS300 around 70k miles-80k

If you looking at new ones.... YES THEY REALLY GOOD! But, you feel the weight. MPG is decent. Can hit 30mpg driving granny-like. I really like the inside! Classy.

I've always wanted a first gen manual IS300 with a Toyomoto turbo kit.

But, I would not want to get rid of my twin for it. Love it too much.

I say only do it if you can find a low mileage MT IS300.

I had a rare 04 BSM is300 5-spd lsd with only 85k miles, sold it because it got rear end. I truly regret selling it, probably would of been 1jz swapped by now. Before buying my frs, I was looking at buying another one but it didnt work out, so I bought the frs instead.

If there's a ranking for the United States areas with the best chance of finding a car like that, you're in spot #2.

BTW there are over a dozen MT IS300's listed in the area right now.

It's basically Toyota one upping the E36 328i and then getting knocked down a peg almost immediately by the E46. But it's got better suspension than most anything BMW has put out and Toyota reliability/maintenance costs. Given how cheap they are great bang for the buck do it all car. Watch out for the timing belt replacement, 90k miles and usually over $1k to have it done at the shop since you have to disassemble everything in front of it, water pump usually replaced at the same time for safety.

I test drove a beat to hell neglected IS300 wagon and the handling knocked my socks off, and the extra 70 ft-lbs of torque are noticeable even in the AT. There's a local MT wagon (none sold in the states, only a few dozen DIY completed) that's pretty quick when it gets hustled.

Never ended up buying, money dried up. It's in the back of my head but odds are unlikely I'll ever own one at this point.

If due to financial reasons go for it. I love is300's actually looking for one as a daily. I was going to get one before the FRS but I was sold and wanted a newer car.

Saw that one too, no mention of timing belt service, if OP can get $2k knocked off for that and the fact that it's in pretty rough shape for only 100k miles, if it passes an inspection (looks like it was run pretty hard over the past 20k miles, 'Altezza' badging on the dash screams this car got instagrammed with #jdmtite #touge more than once) it'd be a solid deal.

There's a couple that look nicer imo, but they're up at 200k+ miles, probably still great cars, but keeping up on nickle and dime maintenance isn't for everyone. And a few that are mawded but might still be sound.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5865667563.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5869320359.html

LOL, this cracked me up.

Do you already have one in your sights? My friend has one that she got brand new however many years ago. Hers is obviously bone stock, pretty good condition too. Not sure if she wants to sell it this moment but I know she's been thinking about getting a Lexus SUV.

I actually eyed on getting one as a secondary car I ended up getting a 03 G35 Sedan for great deal though an auto is close to a 4 door twins in terms of steering communication I can get for a Japanese.


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I have one (manual + LSD) and I will say that it's no FRS. But I still love it.

Before the FRS, I had a Yaris. On the weekends, I would take my IS300 out for a drive and it felt soooooo good. Very taught handling (I thought at the time), adequate power, quiet. Then my Yaris was totaled and I bought the FRS. Now the IS300 feels like a wallowing, overweight slug in comparison. Just means it's time to update springs and shocks oh, and wheels. I plan to go "minus one" to 16inch wheels.

They are so different in character and purpose, I am not sure you will be happy trading your FRS for an IS. And yet, like whatevervu said, there is something about them that makes them feel similar that it's a blast.

As with most cars, if you accept it for what it is, it is fun in its own way. I even enjoyed driving my Yaris, even though it was the bottom of the Toyota line.

Thanks for all the replies guys!
As much as I would love the manual, I'm probably going to stick to an auto as it'll be easier for my family to use it if ever needed.

For now, I'm just trying to find a decent one at the dealer. I still owe on my car so I would be trading in and rolling over some of the payments I guess. Parting out soon, haha.