It's hard to beat FWD in the snow with RWD. . . but on the dry, there is no argument for FWD against RWD.

Secondly, the IS300 OEM tires are horrid for the snow. . . they were never designed for it. . . and add to the fact that there is not as much weight over the drive wheels in snow conditions, and it's like driving on oil. But if snow is rare, the car will handle fine with chains (preferably on a different rim!)

Oh and you think the IS300 is bad on snow, try a GS400! Yikes! Even the BMW X5 (an SUV) can't handle snow all that well.

 

yeah it's funny....she loves driving my tc, I love driving her IS. But neither one of us is willing to trade She was thiking of selling it about a month ago, and I was all set to buy it, but she has since changed her mind

 

No argument with that at all.... I was just pointing out to him that plain and simple, the is is a disaster waiting to happen in the snow. But it sounds like it isn't going to be a factor for him

 

i'd wait for the 06 tC, and get a supercharged version.

add a few minor mods to the suspension and forget about a used IS...

a few slight mods and the tc will do a lot more now and later then any lexus...

we are all toyota's!

 

I think the lexus is300 uses the same tires as the tC?

 

I'm all for getting a tC. . . but not for your reasons. Yeah. . . if you add a turbo and NOS to a Geo Metro, it will be fast. But add turbo and NOS to a Corvette, and you won't win.

And since a used IS is roughly the same price as a new tC, you have to compare apples to apples. There is no way a modded tC will outrun/outhandle a modded IS. Thinking otherwise is just plain stupid. The 2JZ even in GE form is a vastly superior block, capable of extreme punishment. Nothing against the tC tho, and in a similar position, I'd go for the tC. Most people never seriously modify their car, and you'll be better off in the long run with the newer car. . .

 

humm, didn't know about that

learn something new everyday

 

yea, manuals are just tough to find so i've heard...

 

yea the IS uses the same tires as the tc, bridgestone potenzas. The tc just handles better in snow because its fwd. I was also going to get the IS but my parents wouldnt let me becuae of it being RWD and the fact that i live in Maryland and we occasionally get some big snow storms. So then i had to choose between the RSX or the tc. When i thought about it I was like why should I go spend 22000 in a RSX when I can buy a TC for 17000 and add a turbo and be able to dominate RSX's. That is when i realized how much of a deal the TC is and bought it. Still waiting to save enough money to drop a stage II in it. But when it happens, YEEEEE HAAAAAA

 

Having owned 2 Lexus vehicles in the past I can tell you they're solid cars. I totalled one, and sold the other. ES300 and RX300 respectively.

As far as maintenance goes DON'T GO TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP!

Go to a Toyota dealership instead, and save money on the same parts, that say Toyota on them instead of Lexus... They don't void the warranty either.

Also if you live anywhere near Canada I'd go up there to have my work done. I saved over $900 (USD) going up there to have my 60K Mile service, and other minor work done to my ES. I only spent $30 on gas, and had an excuse to take a daytrip.

With that said go for the IS300.

 

I would pick the tC based on your cons and pros!

 

Whenever I see a tC, I'm amazed at how much car you get for your $$$. It sure don't look like a sub-$20K car!!

On the other hand, for some reason the IS is a really solidly built car. It feels much tighter than the GS, ES, RX, Toyota Supra, MR2 or Mazda RX-7.

 

Yeah, I liked that a lot about the IS. Everything was solid and tight. Stiff brakes, tight steering, smooth and linear acceleration, no rattles anywhere.

 

To be honest, the only consideration is money. The IS will cost a bit more than a new tC (with minimal options), will run a higher gas/insurance bill, and will be more expensive to repair (doubt it needs much, but still). Other than that, it's pretty much an all around better car. That's kind of obvious though...

 

If cost is you main consideration, I'd opt for the tC. It can run on regular & gets a lot better mileage than the IS. We sold a NA MR-2 which could run on regular & I miss that.

The EPA mileage rating for the IS is 18/24 (if my memory is intact), which is about the same as the GS, LS, & Honda Odyssey van!! Plus, need to fill in premium (ouch!)

If you need engine work, it'll cost a lot more -- had a '91 Supra that got some oil leaks which cost quite a bit to fix.

 

I will get a new tC or the 2006 IS
not the used IS

 

I'm surprised no one mentioned (or maybe I didn't see) that the IS and the tC have almost identical track times stock! I saw this figure on here before but I don't remember the actual number. Another thing that I didn't see come up is the fact that the IS is a 4 door and the tC is a coupe. Which one would u rather drive? When I was buying the tC I wanted a coupe, or else I would have gotten an Altima or something. I would definately buy a new tC vs. a used IS. Unless you find a granny that's selling one and she used it to buy groceries or something...but I doubt it. Remember that the scheduled maintenence and the Lexus parts will cost you lotsa money. Whatever the Lexus has, you can upgrade on the tC for much cheaper (besides the 2 extra doors and the RWD).

 

That's the thing: you really, within reason, can't. Drive both cars and you will see why. It's not just Lexus is better because X is higher or Y is more powerful, it's the overall feel of the car. Sure I can upgrade the suspension and maybe even outhandle the IS, but it will not feel the same.

If you can tell me how I can make the tC feel like an IS, please do. Like I said, you can make the tC numbers match the IS (handling, track times, etc), but it is made completely differently and you can't match that.

For example, how can I make the steering a lot tighter and more responsive like on the IS? Springs & struts won't cut it. How can I make the brakes as powerful as on an IS? Big brake kit. That, however, will cause warranty problems in that area, and will cost a lot of money.

It's not that easy.

 

You ask a tough question -- especially when you're talking 'bout feel.

I know what you mean; a FWD car like a RSX can be made to handle similar to a MR-2, but will definitely feel different. Can feel the rear wheels digging in while accelerating through turns w/ the fronts relatively unburdened compared to a FWD car.

May turn out if "feel" wins out, you may have to spend the additional bucks for an IS. If cost wins, the tC definitely.

 

It's hard to make up for "feel", I agree. I think there's something else there though... it might be just in your head. Perhaps since you KNOW it's a Lexus you expect the car to behave differently then a cheaper car. It could be more like a placebo effect? I've never driven the IS, but I have driven cars in the category of the tC (Mazda 3, Honda Accord Coupe, etc) and they don't match at all. The question that you should ask yourself now is... how much are you willing to pay and sacrafice for FEEL?