I don't know what the title would be

[Supra725]

Lately, I been thinking.

I love the 4runner and all but is just doesn't fit my driving style anymore.

Back when I just got the runner, I loved it. I can go off roading, mounatin bikng and surfing with it but as time changed, I wanted something with a bit more powerful. Something I can take corners without flipping it over. Something I can speed in and the runner doesn't fit into the category. I can't take corners quick nor Can I speed with it. Is tall and drags.

I don't know guys,

I been looking at craigs for an used Is300.

Any of you guys have a second vehicle to drive? I use my runner as a DD.

Should I keep it or get the second car?

 

[Elton H]

4runner is all i have besides my street bike ive never drove anything fast or with alot of power so the 4runner is just fine for me

 

[4daRUNNER]

i know what you mean. i too like to speed and hit corners with my handbrake every once in awhile. ive been collecting and flipping Hondas (cars) for 4 yrs now. i bought my 98 4runner last year and feel in love with it the day i test drove it. i still tune my accords and preludes but like you said the 4runner can do alot more when it comes to hauling and offroading. plus theres more leg room for the family, lol.

 

[Supra725]

However though, I don't have a family yet.
I do however have a on and off girlfriend, does that count as family? :

I'm 6'1 and I need more leg room. I have the seat all the way back and I still need more.

I had the 4runner since sophomore year of high school. It did bring good memories back and such but time as change.

Don't get me wrong, is a great car and such but I want something with more power and more leg room.

The Is300 is reliable, has the power I wanted(but I probably do some more upgrades) and more leg room.

If not, I though about an Acura Tl or tsx but the front engine, front wheel drive me turns me off.

I don't know, the runner is all cool and all but I don't know,

I wouldn't mind an new Is350 but with the options I wanted is close to $45k... and with the economy the way it is...

What should i do?

 

[LINY4Runner]

i know what you mean, man...i've been getting the itch for a sports car too...especially my 4runner, it's SLOWWW

i'm gonna finish paying it off, then with my newfound perfect credit, i'm gonna take out a used car loan and start searching for a Skyline GT-R here in the states
(and for those of you who shun this idea, it's not nealry as impossible as you think...modifiedcartrader.com)

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Obataining a JDM car is one thing but getting an insurance company to insure one is another. JDM cars are not crash certified by the DOT.

States also vary allowing a car that is not US spec to be driven on public roads. A friend of mine had a '94 Skyline in Colorado but it was on a 1 year VISA type of thing and could only be driven for a very limited time on US roads and could only be applied for every few years so it could only be used on the track or nice garage candy.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

ha ya im in the same boat as yall. this darn DD sucking gas down like no other. id say keep it, if its paid off. Have something for those rainy/snowey days. i mean an IS is pretty nice car, but 1 they're terrible in the snow and another thing is youd want to keep in nice looking when bad weather hits. another thing is you can probably get a multi car discount with your insurance??

 

[SF97SR5]

i went from driving 2 sports cars, 2 integras to the 4runner.

i like the 4runner the comfort side, more room, less wanting to speed, fits me better as most of my friends say.

after owning the 2 integras, i have gathered a few tickets and points on my record.

i try to keep my speeding/racing on the track.

1 was set up for drag racing. 12.6
was setup for a mid 11 second run but sold prior to my ability to get to a track before last race season. car is also still streetable.

1 was set up for touge/mountain racing which was done on a weekly basis.

i originally bought the 4runner to help me out on towing my car out to the race tracks but since then I have sold both integras and picking up another car for speed, better handling and power has crossed my mind.

i'd have the 4runner as a daily and the car you want for a weekend fun car.

good luck on your search. hopefully you can financially keep both cars.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Once upon a time, we had a '90 MK3 turbo... I wasn't old enough to drive yet but it was the first car I ever drove. I just mentioned that because I noticed your username.

I have an '05 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan.

It's not the quickest car or the flashiest car, but it serves my needs. It's very low, wide tires, supercharged, and takes corners on a dime without any body roll. I leave it in my garage and the 4Runner outside, but it's great having two cars. I frequently dislike the slowness of my 4Runner and the lack of agility so I do my best to have something of both worlds.

BTW, early IS300's are tight. Too bad they only came with 2JZ-GE's and not GTE's. Oh well, it's still quick and modible. Not to mention it's actually rear wheel drive unlike it's Corolla counterpart, because we all know FWD=FAIL. I'd say go for it if you've got the 12-17g's lying about. It's a Toyota, it will never disappoint you.

here's a pic I took of the c230 a while back in a Target parking lot... lol

 

[410toy]

I have a 2007 Mazda speed 6 !!!! f**kn awesome. 6 speed manual, all wheel drive, turbo, inter cooled, direct injection all from the factory. you can also get lots of aftermarket goodies for it which I have started to do! between the two vehicles I am broke. But the Mazda is so so sweet, it feeds the need for speed .it takes corners like its on rails and it blows Lexus Is, BMW 3,and many others out of the water!!!!!!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

mmmmmmmm fast cars.... ive got 94 supra twin turbo, wide body kit full greddy turbo and exhaust mmmmmm then i love my veil side mazda RX7 r1.... but than.... i woke up... damn only a dream. haha you guys are lucky id so love to have a little weekend warrior. i once upon a time had a pretty sick civic. but traded her in for the runner. good times good times

 

[LINY4Runner]

Obataining a JDM car is one thing but getting an insurance company to insure one is another. JDM cars are not crash certified by the DOT.

States also vary allowing a car that is not US spec to be driven on public roads. A friend of mine had a '94 Skyline in Colorado but it was on a 1 year VISA type of thing and could only be driven for a very limited time on US roads and could only be applied for every few years so it could only be used on the track or nice garage candy.

yeah some states suckk...I know 2 or 3 people with registered and insured totally street legal skylines right now, so NY must be a little nicer on that front

 

[psraff]

Supra725... Maybe I missed the post, but why not go with a MK-IV Supra? With your name having "Supra" in it, you must have thought of it. I know they are getting a little older, but it's still a Toyota and if taken care of you can get them in great condition.

In a past life I had a GT4 Celica, and my brother had the MK-III and MK-IV. We worked on them all them time and it was a blast. Takes very little money to bolt on some nice HP. He reached 170mph one day and still had gas pedal left. Scares me to just think about that...... LOL

His was a '95 I believe and got it for $25K. It was an auto which at first he thought he settled just so he could get the Supra that he's always wanted. But after having it, he actually perfered the auto over the stick. Shifted faster and had better times on the strip then the sticks.

I still think the MK-IV is one of the most eye-catching sports car out there, I don't care how old they are.

 

[CSL]

However though, I don't have a family yet.
I do however have a on and off girlfriend, does that count as family? :

I'm 6'1 and I need more leg room. I have the seat all the way back and I still need more.

I am 6'3", add my big a$$ boots and I am over 6'4", I don't have any leg room issues in my 3rd gen.

I would have headroom issues but the recessed area for my sunroof makes just enough space for me to not rub the roof liner.

 

[Supra725]

Well, my runner didn't have a moon roof . Wish I had choose the moon roof option.

The 4runner is paid off.


Liny, you said it 'It's Slowwwww!!!'

I would do a Supra, but is rare to find a good condition one here in Norcal. But also the price is a bit high for me.

I did drove the c230 and I have to admit 'Is a fun little car' but is just a slight heaver than the Is300. Power to weight ratio is a bit lower than the is300.

I did drove the Is250 but power wise is still slower than the Is300. 204 hp to 215 hp. Wish Lexus would have squeezed some more hp out of the 2.5l .

The Is300 price range is within my limit.

Other suggestions are welcome.

 

[Stick Figure]

I have both! also got a MKIII Supra (dead right now) and a SC MR2 (also dead right now) .....

all i can say is the IS300 is a nice car, but the best way to describe it is ... "it does everything well, but nothing great."

Stock it handles well, but not a sports car, this can be changed, but the car needs some additional bracing to help keep it from falling apart. I have tanabe and JIC braces, as well as doing some seam welding, and i am still chasing down squeaks when i drive over curbs going up and down driveways. Still w/ the TEIN HA's on it, it will run circles around a lot of sports cars.

Now the HP is the real problem.... this car isn't that quick stock, peppy, but not a race car by any means, i've got a few NA things done to mine ... mild set of custom cams, emanage ultimate, and full exhaust. Its quicker now, but i'm still not happy, and its gotten louder than i would prefer, so i'm looking at going turbo w/ it. The down side to this is that although it is a 2JZ engine, it is by no means as robust as the GTE engine found in the MKIV Supra. So you can't get too much power out of it before a build. The bigger problem is the transmission, the stock manual trans is rather weak, and very limited clutch options, so a conversion to the R154 (MKIII JZA70 Supra, or MA70 w/ the 1JZ bellhousing) or the more expensive Getrag V160/1 is needed, but this isn't cheap, or a direct swap. If you go automatic, you can beef these up as well, but i never really looked into so you will have to do your own research if you get this far.

The only other thing i will warn you about is the interior is fragile, the dash area scratches VERY easy. I do LOVE the interior design, but its a battle to keep it looking good for sure.

For the most part i am pretty happy w/ my pair, although i have been playing w/ the idea of getting a new 370Z, or just replacing the IS w/ a GS430, but i think i am doing to try and concentrate on getting the other two up and running so i have have some true sports cars to race around in again!

If you have any questions, or need anyone to check out any cars in the southern part of the state just let me know!

oh and as far as the IS250 vs IS300 HP ratings, remember the way the power is rated changed between the models.

 

[LINY4Runner]

Liny, you said it 'It's Slowwwww!!!'

dude....it is...start with 195HP, add 140k miles, 33" tires and a safari basket and you have a huge slow truck

i'll take off alongside a schoolbus from a light and the bus will gain on me like i'm standing still

 

[Supra725]

I'm seriously going to break that car. Is slower than a turtle and heavier than a whale.

I had it with the damn truck, slow and no style. err, I tried breaking the runner and it just keeps going wtf?

 

[Gumballf355]

You always want what you don't have. I have quite a few cars... sports cars are the most useless. SUVs offer the most "utility", but maybe aren't the most fun. Get another car if you can afford it...but if you can only keep one. Keep the 4runner. Sports cars are fun, but you use them the least.

 

[4daRUNNER]

gumballf355: thats a sweet corolla. any full body pix?