What would u get and why...

Quatre Coureur

Quatre Coureur

New member
So my son got into an accident in our '98 Honda Accord last week. The woman's insurance co. totaled our car and gave us $5400. Now the fun part; what to replace it with. The choices are: 1st Gen MR2, Celica GT,(both my sons choices)or '03-'05 Lexus IS300(my choice). I can add some extra $$$ for the right car. I don't have any experience with the MR2. I've driven a few Celicas, a little tight for a guy my size but I won't be driving it much. I drove my friends IS300 to Vegas and back. I loved that car! That's my choice. Anything else I should be considering? No SUVs or trucks. :-(
 
Register to hide this ad
Finding a low mileage, non modded to death IS300 is rare these days, and those that are out there don't come cheap.

If you son wasn't overtly worried how he looked driving an Accord, check into finding an ES 300. Other than having the TB replacement be a royal PITA as well as having the IAC get too dirty and kill the car, it is a rock solid car as long as the oil was changed regularly so pull the valve cover if need be.

Never been a Celica fan and MR2s these days are needing HG replacements, or at least my brother's MR2 is.
 
Im with wally. Get another accord! Brother in law just bought a cheap '99 to daily. Its got 187K on it and runs like a top.

Buuuuttt. an is300 would be fun!
 
Last edited:
Quatre Coureur said:
So my son got into an accident in our '98 Honda Accord last week. The woman's insurance co. totaled our car and gave us $5400. Now the fun part; what to replace it with. The choices are: 1st Gen MR2, Celica GT,(both my sons choices)or '03-'05 Lexus IS300(my choice). I can add some extra $$$ for the right car. I don't have any experience with the MR2. I've driven a few Celicas, a little tight for a guy my size but I won't be driving it much. I drove my friends IS300 to Vegas and back. I loved that car! That's my choice. Anything else I should be considering? No SUVs or trucks. :-(
Click to expand...

I'd probably go with an is300.... I have a clean, two owner convertible celica gt that's just taking up space in my driveway right now If you're interested. I've just been too sentimental about it to throw it on Craigslist. :/

Oh, and it has a killer sound system :D
 
Really depends on the celica, if its pre front wheel drive with the 22RE its great, the 2000s fwd ones are good except for being fwd, the 1zz and 2zz are great motors.

The MR2 is a good choice as well but finding a good 1st gen is quite the task, the 4AGE is one of the best motors Toyota ever built, so no worries there, but the 2nd gen MR2 is way easier to find in good shape.

The Lexus has a great drivetrain as well, but will by far be more expensive to repair if needed, other than that its a great platform.

Really boils down to what you like best, I wouldn't be able to choose either.
 
I used to be an mr2 nut before getting into off roading.

Had a mki mr2, my brother had a few. I've had a few mkii mr2 turbos... definitely a fun car, but the weight distribution on the mkii is horrible and often leads to an oversteering accident... trust me.. i know

The mr-s is a great handling car although ugly in stock form.

is300 are nice. Id take that over an everyday accord

you can find a nice clean supercharged mki mr2 with that chunk of change.
 
Thanks for all the replies gentlemen! I've given thought to getting another Accord. That would be easy. There's a ton of nice ones for sale around here. It is just so mundane that driving it puts me to sleep. I really want the IS300 but anything in my price range has high miles. I like the MR2 a lot and I've found some really clean, low mile examples. I've heard about the throttle-lift oversteer. I knew it occurred in RR cars like 911s but didn't know it existed in a mid-rear car like the MR2. That has me a bit concerned. So that leaves the FF Celicas. Again I found some clean, low mile ones. The search continues... :thanks:

My son is 20. But my 22 yr old son was the one driving the Honda since it was raining and the tires on his Tacoma were worn out. They've both been driving since they were 12.
 
Last edited:
I know what you mean about driving something that is mundane. That's why as soon as I got my 4Runner I had to start doing stuff to make it mine and stand out. I like my cars to be different. For that reason I wouldn't suggest another Accord unless they are just an appliance to your son, then it would be OK I guess. The IS300 should be a very reliable car. The 2JZ is a very good reliable motor, especially when it doesn't have a huge turbo on it and being constantly abused.
 
Get him a 90s rav4. Chicks will think its cute.
tumblr_meiq3yWhVG1rig7xwo1_r1_500.jpg


Borrow one and drive it home as a joke. See how he reacts
 
Unner said:
I know what you mean about driving something that is mundane. That's why as soon as I got my 4Runner I had to start doing stuff to make it mine and stand out. I like my cars to be different. For that reason I wouldn't suggest another Accord unless they are just an appliance to your son, then it would be OK I guess. The IS300 should be a very reliable car. The 2JZ is a very good reliable motor, especially when it doesn't have a huge turbo on it and being constantly abused.
Click to expand...

it is an appliance. getting attached to it is what gets people in trouble, and spending too much on it when instead they should "cut bait". not that there's anything wrong with really liking one's ride; but it tends to make people more emotional and less objective with regard to decisionmaking (money).


for Q, who is paying for the new ride? you? or your sons? can they afford the lexus/celica, especially the upkeep?

wally
 
wow, 20 and 22? cut the strings dad and make them get their own car!

I was under the impression he was 16 or 17.
 
My older son has his own vehicle, bought and paid for with money he saved up working a part-time job, while attending college fulltime. He graduates this year. My younger son volunteers at a farm and interns at a nursery while working on his horticulture major. The car will be mine. He'll be using it till he gets his own. Thanks. :focus:

Why do u even care a$$wipe...
 
Last edited:
My 2 cents and a nickel

I would definitely get the IS300. They are fun to drive and throw around corners and are super reliable. I'm a big guy yet I feel very comfortable in these cars, but I wished they had a better armrest. If you find a rare one in a manual you're golden. My cousin has had his is300 for over 10 years now with ZERO major issues. It's been abused and beaten but still marches on like any Toyota product should even with the murals on the headliner from 3 kids lol. Decent gas mileage too, but it's not the best.

They are getting harder to find. It just sucks to see them with ugly body work and excessive camber with this whole stupid stance scene ruining cars :mad2:

IMHO, the IS300 makes for an excellent daily driver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 388 (members: 5, guests: 383)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,308
Messages
3,554,060
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top