Lexus IS300 VS GS300

[hearno]

So I'm thinking about picking up a second car for general purposes. A lifted truck on mud tires isn't always practical. I've narrowed my search down to the Lexus line, specifically a GS or IS 300. I've always liked the looks of these two cars and rwd is a plus. I'm seeing prices in the $4-$6k range for both in the 1998-2004 area and that's all I want to spend. I'm looking for subjective reasons for one over the other if anyone here has any first hand experience. Or, if anyone has a recommendation for a good looking, sporty, reliable, 4 door that can be had for the same price range, that would be cool too. Normally, my second car is an older Volvo, but I've been working hard so I want to get something a little nicer. :thanks:

 

[Net4n6]

I have a 98 SC400 and it runs like a champ. It used lots less gas than my V6 4runner (lifted+33" tires). It is hard to find a clean, stock SC400.
Edited: Sorry. I just read your post again and you need a 4 doors.

 

[hearno]

yea, 4 doors is what I'm after. The SCs are nice but they've fallen into the favor of our local dope boys so they're all beat up, poorly maintained, and have big ugly rims.

 

[yotantexas]

I like the IS a lot. I just wish the back seat was a little bigger but its fine for people on short drives. I have always wanted one in a wagon. Actually a buddy of mine had a hand in building a yellow wagon with a v8 swap that turned out to be 5.2L after a stroke kit. Pretty sure the motor started off as a Lexus 4.6L.
Either way the IS gets my vote. The straight 6 is great and has good power.

 

[mxer]

I don't know about the GS but I test drove an IS back in the day and thought it was slower than dirt. It was a manual too which is even more rare.

 

[Unner]

They both have the same motor. The IS is the only one available in a manual though I think. The IS is going to be harder to find in an unmodified state than the GS as well. If you are looking at the GS300 I would also look at the GS400. They are actually decently quick and have a 4.0 V8. Not that the 3.0 I6 in the other is bad at all, they're great motors and are the same basic motor that was put in the mk4 Supra. I do like the sound of the V8 though in a big Japanese sedan, that's just cool to me.

 

[UnderFire]

You may also consider the LS400, same drivetrain as the SC400, but a luxury 4 door feel. Can't go wrong with the 2JZ-GE or 1UZ-FE.

 

[hearno]

I had considered the 400 but would prefer the 6 cyl as I just don't need a V8 for a daily driver type car. I'm not looking for anything fast and I don't plan on modding it. Maybe suspension/rims/tires but that would be it. After doing some checking on other sites, I think the IS is going to be it. There's one locally on CL, it's from an independent dealer but I might get lucky.

 

[oljedi11950]

Only one I can give info on is the Is300 01 , bought mine used with 150k on it some probs like the 03-09 v8 water pump , head gasket , minor stuff but there none the less . 02-05 came with 5 -manual & lsd . Inline 6 runs forever , got rid of mine to get 2011 4r & 05 went to kid . If you feel the need then is300 is the one you want , if for family then go with gs imo. Go over to My.Is forum tons of info .

 

[BrianSD_42]

I would suggest checking out Acura TLs.

My coworker has one with 175,000 miles and he tells me he has never had any transmission or engine issues at all.

These can be found in great shape with say 120K miles on it for $5k - $7k depending on where you live.

 

[hearno]

I would suggest checking out Acura TLs.

My coworker has one with 175,000 miles and he tells me he has never had any transmission or engine issues at all.

These can be found in great shape with say 120K miles on it for $5k - $7k depending on where you live.

I like the TLs and the TSXs but I really want RWD. I've narrowed it down to an 02 and up 5 spd with the LSD in black so I'll see how close to that I can get.

 

[Do-boy]

I absolutely love Lexus' of that vintage.

I have a '01 IS300 myself. It was a dream car and i still remember seeing it at the auto show in 2000 on the turntable. The 2jz-ge feels at home, I can't say I agree with someone calling it slow. It won't rip your face off or impress your v8 friends, but it passes with ease in the Rockies. 200kph comes as fast as you "need" it to. Before we bought the 4runner, we took the IS300 camping all over. Having said that, interior space isn't that great. No folding rear seats and 5 people is very crampy. It's more than enough for us around town though. Fuel economy isn't spectacular, but no cars are really, in this sector.

The IS300 is a luxurious sports sedan, whereas the GS300/400 is a sporty luxo boat. Interior space is great and the trunk feels alot bigger, still no folding seats though. The 2jg will feel slower in this car as about 500 pounds heavier, and definitely not as nimble around corners. It's still a fun drive though.

I can't tell you which one is better, especially for your needs. But sounds like the IS is more attractive to you!

 

[oljedi11950]

They ain't exactly a prius though ! Pretty bad mpg but if you don't care ?

 

[hearno]

I absolutely love Lexus' of that vintage.

I have a '01 IS300 myself. It was a dream car and i still remember seeing it at the auto show in 2000 on the turntable. The 2jz-ge feels at home, I can't say I agree with someone calling it slow. It won't rip your face off or impress your v8 friends, but it passes with ease in the Rockies. 200kph comes as fast as you "need" it to. Before we bought the 4runner, we took the IS300 camping all over. Having said that, interior space isn't that great. No folding rear seats and 5 people is very crampy. It's more than enough for us around town though. Fuel economy isn't spectacular, but no cars are really, in this sector.

The IS300 is a luxurious sports sedan, whereas the GS300/400 is a sporty luxo boat. Interior space is great and the trunk feels alot bigger, still no folding seats though. The 2jg will feel slower in this car as about 500 pounds heavier, and definitely not as nimble around corners. It's still a fun drive though.

I can't tell you which one is better, especially for your needs. But sounds like the IS is more attractive to you!

Yeah I'm thinking the IS is more my speed but then again the GS is a nice luxury ride. If I could find a black GS with a manual transmission, I'd be all over it but it's a unicorn apparently. The GSs are ALL over the place and since it's auto only, it's auto only.