Faults:

I am the 3rd owner of this IS300. The 2nd owner bought it as CPO and had a great service record. He sold it right before it needed a timing belt change. I paid $9,200 for the car and replaced the timing belt and water pump 10,000 miles later. Very few items have worn out.

The transmission was shifting poorly in 2nd & 3rd gears and it turned out to be the MAF sensor.

I have had to replace the battery twice.

Had inner tire wear, which came from from a lower control arm #2, which I replaced with a FIGs poly bushing.

The shocks failed before 150,000 miles and were replaced with Bilstein shocks (best mod so far).

Changed brake calipers and rotors twice.

Swapped out the open differential for a used limited slip differential, which made a huge difference in performance and safety.

Replace all fuel injectors as 1 or 2 were leaky and causing hydrolock if shut down quickly after cold start up. Beyond that, only usual maintenance items. The car is bulletproof.

General Comments:

I have owned over 25 cars in my adult life, and albeit a 17 year old car, it still drives like new, handles great, very nimble, super easy to work on and do maintenance on. I just can't see selling it for something more current but potentially less reliable.

The body still looks great. No rust on any body panel. Even stone chips on the hood have no rust.

I wish this car was still in production and I would buy it again. Hands down the most reliable car I have owned. It's not a super car, but a stylish and very fun car to drive every day.

If you can wrench yourself, you will find this a cheap car to own. If you need to visit the dealership, you will find it expensive. Lexus charges more for the same part that can be bought at Toyota with the same part number. Great service, but pricey.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This may be the perfect car.

The is300 is a Kanto (very important) engineered Toyota Lexus. All Kanto engineered Toyotas in the past have been the best Toyotas built.

This car is really the new version of the Toyota Cressida, another fast sleeper that does not look it, now sought out by the "drifting/performance" crowd.

Same basic specs as the Cressida; straight 6 engine, limited slip rear end etc in a 4 door.

It's a rocket that handles, does not break and has cheap insurance because it has 4 doors!

Faults:

The alignment has gone out three times.

I went through a set of tires in 10,000 miles. The set was brand new at the time of the purchase.

General Comments:

This vehicle has been one of the best purchases I have ever made. Apart from the alignment issues, I have had absolutely no problems. I bought the car used, and for a good price. Nearly one year later I already owe less than its worth. Superb value.

The car is fast, stylish, and has one of the best stock sound systems I have ever heard.

The original brakes where replaced at 62,000 miles, and I only replaced them because my family owns a brake shop.

Lexus stamped its quality all over this car.

My only complaint is that the center console is too low for most male drivers to rest their elbow on.