These cars are criminally underrated. The powertrain in particular is impeccable. It was hard enough to find a manual IS300 10 years ago; nowadays it’s almost impossible. I got lucky though and bought my 5-speed in 2019 from the original owner with low mileage and completely stock. Very fine cars indeed. Mine doesn’t really need Blizzaks, though. It sleeps during the winter. :)
@@rightlanehog3151 Those are way, way newer on a completely different powertrain. It is damn near impossible to find a 2JZ-GE IS300 with a 5speed in it in 2021.
Lol there not underrated there overhyped and overpriced for what there going for when you have the manual TSX and G35 offering the same dynamics for less money
@@iheartgs400 - Supply and demand is ultimately what dictates price. The TSX isn’t RWD and the G35 can’t hold a candle to the IS’s longevity. If you think M/T IS’s are overpriced, I would invite you to try finding one - anywhere - that’s in good shape, rust-free, unmolested, low-mileage and has a clean title. Good luck. (you’ll need it)
Have a manual + lsd myself. Probably one of the most balanced and fun daily’s ever (if it doesn’t snow where you live lol). Going strong with 100k miles 👏
This car is a complete gem. I would never trade my P80 for it, but it makes one strong statement with it's RWD manual transmission that looks so balanced and nice to daily.
I had Blizzak tires when I lived in Michigan on my 2007 WRX STi, the combination of that car with those tires made it insanely fun to drive in the winter, I miss that car 🙂 The IS 300 did very well with the new versions! Always enjoy your videos and seeing Michigan again 👍🏻
This comment is such a meme. If anything, cars in general have become less floaty and more sporty over the years. There's tons of "luxurious" cars that are still fun to drive.
This was my dream car as a teenager and I owned one for several years while meticulously taking care of it. I traded mine in for a 17' Cooper S a year ago and it hurts knowing I could have just passed it to my Mom who now needs a car. Hopefully, the new owner treats it with the same care I did. If you're buying one of these look for the models with the LSD and watch out for the melting dash issue! It's a shame we will likely never get a premium compact sports sedan of similiar size ever again.
I own a IS300 Sportcross Wagon, bought it from Ohio and it snowed a LOT there when I got it, bought Blizzak WS-80 tires and it was 100% worth it, it also came with a Torsen LSD, also fun to drive in the snow
This was the first car I purchased. Drove it since new, 0 miles to 264k miles. I sold it for $2800 two years ago. It was obviously my daily and I enjoyed it more so than my fun day car, S2000. Now I am looking to get the IS500 but I am sad that there will be no manau option. The S2000 and my current daily, Camry, will need to be sacrificed for the IS500.
I love the consistency of the videos and I really appreciate it man. Even though theres a virus going around you're still going at it. Thanks man. And thanks for cleaning your shoes everytime you enter the vehicles. Unlike some people I know. Haha.
I tell people all the time that as long as you I have a winter tire on you can drive a rear wheel drive car in the winter any time, now I have a fwd vehicle with continental extreme contact on & they're really good, but I've never had a winter tire installed
I got stuck in my Civic the other day, no one was around for almost an hour and the first person that passed me didn't even care. I got out after rocking the crap out of it and using my floor mats. My phone died too 🤦♂️If i had the money I def would get Blizzaks
yeah bro same shit happen to me in my e36 m3 but some guy gave me a push I got stuck at a busy stop sign shit was kinda embarrassing no cap but hey I made it out first thing I did was look up some winter tires lmaoo im driving on summer and bald af trm. im getting the w90s on.
Great review as always! I'd love to see your impressions and review video of the Vredestein Wintrac Pros! My BRZ and I are moving to Lake Tahoe, CA (Mountains/Heavy snow winters), and your videos have me excited for winter sports car driving. Trying to decide between these or the Vredesteins in 205/55/17. Thanks!
I had one of these, factory 5 speed, completely stock, only a little over 100k miles, very clean. I got it for only $4000 not even 3 years ago. Unfortunately I got t boned by an Outback after only 6 months of ownership, totaling the car. I have looked ever since but have yet to find another clean completely stock low mileage factory 5 speed for a good price. It was a unicorn for sure...
Good to hear the WS90s last a tad longer. That's the biggest downside to Blizzaks. When time came to replace my winters I went with cheap Minerva Eco Stud winter tires and it's now entering it's 4th winter without any significant wear. Grippy as well.
"No more boring cars!" declared Akio Toyoda. Where are the Lexus manuals today? Blizzaks are not bad but I'll take the longevity and quietness of Michelin X-Ice any day. Get that IS to Krown ASAP!
@@ChrisWalksFast The Krown website indicates a location at 237 Hanover Street, Lebanon , New Hampshire tel. 603 443 1994. Make a day trip out of it! Where I live in Canada I have at least 3 within a 20 minute drive of my house.
Depending on the price and condition, they’re not really a ripoff. They’re becoming more and more rare, and are now going into classic territory and appreciating in value. Sure they might be a little pricey now, but give em a few years and watch gradually continuously go up in value
i heard the gas milage was really bad on these and they have really long gearing? And the wheels dont look stock, they look really good though , what are they from?
They are a teenagers car but still kinda nice. I've had mine for a solid 15 years and its still trucking....its a gas guzzler though, there's no denying the fact.
I don't get why Lexus was so afraid to put a more aggressive overdrive in these cars, they so much torque, yet they are all (manual and auto) pushing 3000 rpm at 70 mph like a Honda Civic.
Gotta add that with bmw abandoning manuals on all but their top line 3 series, is there no interest in performance lux cars so equipped? Look at the demand for the newly announced black wings?
these basically don't exist in germany, sadly only very few is200 are available I once saw a Touring is300 automaticfor sale but it was in horrible condition and didn't sell for months
Yes it does have the 2JZ-GE (naturally aspirated) The Toyota Supra had both 2JZ-GTE (turbocharged) The non turbocharged Supra was equipped with the same motor as the IS you see in this video.
Altezza is actually JDM spec lexus is200s/300s. Outside of the US we only got the IS200 1GFE engine where they got the IS300 2JZGE engine in the north american region.
i love how he keeps his boots clean.
I do the same thing
Watching him clap his boots together before bringing his legs into the car warms my heart.
Bro this is so weird I was just searching for this car for the past 5 hours and the only youtuber I needed a vid from DROPPED A VID!!!
Amen
There's nothing more satisfying in the car industry than an old well kept Lexus.
These cars are criminally underrated. The powertrain in particular is impeccable. It was hard enough to find a manual IS300 10 years ago; nowadays it’s almost impossible. I got lucky though and bought my 5-speed in 2019 from the original owner with low mileage and completely stock. Very fine cars indeed. Mine doesn’t really need Blizzaks, though. It sleeps during the winter. :)
At least a decent selection of low mileage IS 250 manuals are still available in the used market.
@@rightlanehog3151 Those are way, way newer on a completely different powertrain. It is damn near impossible to find a 2JZ-GE IS300 with a 5speed in it in 2021.
@@henlolneh The IS 250 is a backup plan.
Lol there not underrated there overhyped and overpriced for what there going for when you have the manual TSX and G35 offering the same dynamics for less money
@@iheartgs400 - Supply and demand is ultimately what dictates price. The TSX isn’t RWD and the G35 can’t hold a candle to the IS’s longevity. If you think M/T IS’s are overpriced, I would invite you to try finding one - anywhere - that’s in good shape, rust-free, unmolested, low-mileage and has a clean title. Good luck. (you’ll need it)
Have a manual + lsd myself. Probably one of the most balanced and fun daily’s ever (if it doesn’t snow where you live lol). Going strong with 100k miles 👏
100k? Rookie numbers.
Those dials look super cool at night
This car is a complete gem. I would never trade my P80 for it, but it makes one strong statement with it's RWD manual transmission that looks so balanced and nice to daily.
Always loved these. That gauge cluster is just..mmm /chef's kiss
I remember ordering the Brochure on the IS when it first came out when I was in Highschool back in '99. It was a cool looking car.
0:11 The Topher has a social media manager ? What ? The world is not ready for binaural TikToks.
I think for WR Magazine
Wow look at how thin the doors and a-pillars look! Definitely a blast from the past.
Man I learned to drive in my Dad's IS300. I love and miss that car so much.
Love to see one of those untouched by infantiles, same goes for any good young-timer or classic
The IS300 and especially the IS300 SportCross are such incredible cars I think
The old IS and Altezzas are just as charming as the old GS and Aristos were before being even more disconnected.
I had Blizzak tires when I lived in Michigan on my 2007 WRX STi, the combination of that car with those tires made it insanely fun to drive in the winter, I miss that car 🙂
The IS 300 did very well with the new versions! Always enjoy your videos and seeing Michigan again 👍🏻
Love topher snow driving
Love this. I have an ‘01 IS300 still running. I’m hoping to get her to 30 years.
Thanks Topher!! After watching your videos a couple years ago with this is300, I got myself a manual IS in grey. It’s so nice in the winter
I love the sound these cars make. Such a sweet little car and looks like a ton of fun in the snow with those Blizzaks on!
I just noticed the redesigned IS air vents are a throw back to this one
Back when luxury cars could also be fun cars...
Huh? They still are.
Back when luxury cars came with a stick
Luxury cars now are a lot more fun. Lol
This comment is such a meme. If anything, cars in general have become less floaty and more sporty over the years. There's tons of "luxurious" cars that are still fun to drive.
@@RandomlnternetGuy The Genesis G70 actually comes with a 6 speed manual. It’s a really great car to drive!
I don’t even have a car but these videos are addicting
I loved my old 91 Miata with snowtires. Top down and everything. Miss it
This was my dream car as a teenager and I owned one for several years while meticulously taking care of it. I traded mine in for a 17' Cooper S a year ago and it hurts knowing I could have just passed it to my Mom who now needs a car. Hopefully, the new owner treats it with the same care I did. If you're buying one of these look for the models with the LSD and watch out for the melting dash issue! It's a shame we will likely never get a premium compact sports sedan of similiar size ever again.
I own a IS300 Sportcross Wagon, bought it from Ohio and it snowed a LOT there when I got it, bought Blizzak WS-80 tires and it was 100% worth it, it also came with a Torsen LSD, also fun to drive in the snow
This was the first car I purchased.
Drove it since new, 0 miles to 264k miles.
I sold it for $2800 two years ago. It was obviously my daily and I enjoyed it more so than my fun day car, S2000.
Now I am looking to get the IS500 but I am sad that there will be no manau option.
The S2000 and my current daily, Camry, will need to be sacrificed for the IS500.
I love the consistency of the videos and I really appreciate it man. Even though theres a virus going around you're still going at it. Thanks man.
And thanks for cleaning your shoes everytime you enter the vehicles. Unlike some people I know. Haha.
saw one in wagon form and with a manual once, that is really a dream car right there.
I use to drive a 6at is300 with ws80’s! this is a nice throwback 😃 great video
Almost 20 years later and still relevant 😂 such a nice sedan.
My dream car! I love there are other people out there who appreciate it as much as I do, great to see it on your channel 👍
Love these, sad I couldn't find one manual and in good condition but ended up with a 6MT IS250
Nice
I love this first gen IS.
My father used to own 2001 auburn sky pearl Lexus before and I’m planning to get a Lexus is300 manual transmission after high school
I tell people all the time that as long as you I have a winter tire on you can drive a rear wheel drive car in the winter any time, now I have a fwd vehicle with continental extreme contact on & they're really good, but I've never had a winter tire installed
my neighbor owns one of these, and I can't help but look at it every time I go outside
Oh yeah yeah
@@addanashraf that's it I'm changing my profile picture
I got stuck in my Civic the other day, no one was around for almost an hour and the first person that passed me didn't even care. I got out after rocking the crap out of it and using my floor mats. My phone died too 🤦♂️If i had the money I def would get Blizzaks
yeah bro same shit happen to me in my e36 m3 but some guy gave me a push I got stuck at a busy stop sign shit was kinda embarrassing no cap but hey I made it out first thing I did was look up some winter tires lmaoo im driving on summer and bald af trm. im getting the w90s on.
😢
I have the WS90 on my Outback. Absolute champ in the snow, especially with the AWD!
(They are noisier than you alluded to in this video, however).
Great review as always! I'd love to see your impressions and review video of the Vredestein Wintrac Pros! My BRZ and I are moving to Lake Tahoe, CA (Mountains/Heavy snow winters), and your videos have me excited for winter sports car driving. Trying to decide between these or the Vredesteins in 205/55/17. Thanks!
Best looking dashboard gauges ever made
Mam I've had an 91 ls400 98 ls400 02 is 300 and 05 gx 470. By far the is300 was one of the best
Time to take it out this morning with the crazy snow 😂
That is one notchy shift. Loved it
I had one of these, factory 5 speed, completely stock, only a little over 100k miles, very clean. I got it for only $4000 not even 3 years ago. Unfortunately I got t boned by an Outback after only 6 months of ownership, totaling the car. I have looked ever since but have yet to find another clean completely stock low mileage factory 5 speed for a good price. It was a unicorn for sure...
You got lucky that car easily in California is solid 8K to 10K dollars. I hope when they totaled it insurance paid you decent money.
@@iheartgs400 I got about 10k for it
I love these throwback vehicles
Good to hear the WS90s last a tad longer. That's the biggest downside to Blizzaks. When time came to replace my winters I went with cheap Minerva Eco Stud winter tires and it's now entering it's 4th winter without any significant wear. Grippy as well.
I have always liked this car
"No more boring cars!" declared Akio Toyoda. Where are the Lexus manuals today? Blizzaks are not bad but I'll take the longevity and quietness of Michelin X-Ice any day. Get that IS to Krown ASAP!
Are there any alternatives to Krown in the Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts areas that you’re aware of?
@@ChrisWalksFast The Krown website indicates a location at 237 Hanover Street, Lebanon , New Hampshire tel. 603 443 1994. Make a day trip out of it! Where I live in Canada
I have at least 3 within a 20 minute drive of my house.
This is a dream car
oh thats nice! quite rare too
i wonder how does it compare to a 330i E46 for example since they very similar and they are from a similar era aswell
That Lexus is so cool, I wish they sold more in Europe so I could get one used
I’ve started getting into my car like that too haha
I live in Florida, why am I watching this? Oh well let’s continue!
am i the only one who just wants a plain ol stock is300 with an lsd? i wouldnt even mod it lol
Oh man I was looking into getting an IS300 5MT as a first car
But they're being so ripped off now
Depending on the price and condition, they’re not really a ripoff. They’re becoming more and more rare, and are now going into classic territory and appreciating in value. Sure they might be a little pricey now, but give em a few years and watch gradually continuously go up in value
Still a dream car of mine.
Need for speed most wanted vibes!
love your content. keep it up!
Have you done a video on a 1st Gen is300 before? I'd love to see it if you haven't
He did one on this car a few years ago. It's a great car!
I saw you were downshifting but didn't rev match. Did the IS rev match for you?
don't get me wrong i love my 3is but man do i miss my first gen is. wish i could have kept it as a project car
my local Porsche dealer has an auto is300 for sale. i think the price was around $12k.
i heard the gas milage was really bad on these and they have really long gearing? And the wheels dont look stock, they look really good though , what are they from?
They are a teenagers car but still kinda nice. I've had mine for a solid 15 years and its still trucking....its a gas guzzler though, there's no denying the fact.
Love the car. A classic.
Been on the hunt for one of these in Australia but they 300 doesn't come up often. Lot's of 200's....
That car could really use a car wash after that drive lol
I keep wondering if I should buy one of these as a project
Most people in that area cant even get out of their driveway to go to work and he's driving around for FUN😂
I don't get why Lexus was so afraid to put a more aggressive overdrive in these cars, they so much torque, yet they are all (manual and auto) pushing 3000 rpm at 70 mph like a Honda Civic.
I have the same tires on my 2013 Honda CR-V but mine are loud compared to the Michelin all seasons I have
I need that this morning!
theTopher, please do review on Hyundai sonata n line? Thanks
I know it’s old but holy rattling plastic!
It’s a fancy Toyota. 171k miles basically is 71k miles
Man i want this so bad. Being rhd, Toyota Altezza is imported instead . 3S GE Beams 6 spd manual
Gotta add that with bmw abandoning manuals on all but their top line 3 series, is there no interest in performance lux cars so equipped? Look at the demand for the newly announced black wings?
Those door sills are shockingly low, so refreshing. God I hate modern car interiors...
What short shifter is that? Been looking around at different options
talking about your wife'se Mazda CX-30, can you make a review of the new Mazda CX-30 2.5T???
Man... I want one of those is300s so bad but the deals are either way over priced or the cars are completely neglected/riced.
Where can I find me a manual IS300? That's nice.
these basically don't exist in germany, sadly only very few is200 are available
I once saw a Touring is300 automaticfor sale but it was in horrible condition and didn't sell for months
Who cares about the tires! That is300 is a unicorn 🦄.
Plz make more of a jdm car's
Doesn’t this have the 2jz? People been telling me no when on google they say it’s the same?.??
Yes it does have the 2JZ-GE (naturally aspirated)
The Toyota Supra had both 2JZ-GTE (turbocharged)
The non turbocharged Supra was equipped with the same motor as the IS you see in this video.
It’s impossible to find any Lexus after 2004 with a manual please prove me wrong I’m lookin for em
2008 is250 I believe. But apparently that manual was taken from a Toyota truck and is not that fun to drive? Do your research to confirm this.
just a few years ago you could find these cars for as low as 2-3k... not anymore lol
You live near ypsi/Augusta twp?
Clean is
👶👶🧔👩🤠❤❤❤❤❤
Is it supercharged?? I hear like a whirring noise 🤔
Didn't think there were superchargers available for the 2jz?
What happened to the highway clips?😳
Rare asf
Engine has a faint whine to it. Is it modded?
ive been looking at one of these for a while. this video is bad for my mental health and wallets health
Toyota Altezza outside the USA...
Altezza is actually JDM spec lexus is200s/300s. Outside of the US we only got the IS200 1GFE engine where they got the IS300 2JZGE engine in the north american region.
Please get a 2001 Lexus is400 or 2001 Lexus gs430. Rwd with a big v8. Please
What wheels are those and what size were they?