Here's an IS300 5 speed Torsen

NMNA, just know they are talked about from time to time

http://www.sccaforums.com/forums/forumid/63/threadid/441761/scope/posts

I drove one a couple years after they were introduced and just couldn't see the appeal. It wasn't really fast, sporty or luxurious. It just seemed like a slightly more performance-oriented RWD Camry. I haven't been shopping this segment, but it seems like for $8500 there would be better 4-door performance options?

petegossett wrote: I drove one a couple years after they were introduced and just couldn't see the appeal. It wasn't really fast, sporty or luxurious. It just seemed like a slightly more performance-oriented RWD Camry. I haven't been shopping this segment, but it seems like for $8500 there would be better 4-door performance options?

Realize that it is pretty much a N/A MKIV Supra under the sedan body. Stock, they're about on par with an E46 325i, but the aftermarket is MASSIVE, far bigger than most of its competitors. I loved mine while I had it.

Yep. You can slap a couple hundred tarbos on there and make ALL the horsey powers. True story.

When I looked at these, TSX and G35, I chose E46. I just know that people seem interested in these, and this is the right combo.

Speaking of these, I just came across a SportCross version: http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ctd/3610940286.html

Those are rarer than Veyrons.

While the IS300 is a rather uinimpressive car-appliance (as to be expected of Toyota), what strikes me about them is what I'll identify as genuineness. It's hard to put a finger on it, but the way the seats fit, the way the steering is weighted, they feel more like cars than video games (any Nissan) or bloated-out, overupholstered, under-communicating luxury (E46).

I kinda like 'em. Fortunately the Sportback is a rare beast, else I'd have to suck it up and admit that there's a Toyota in my future.

Alan Cesar wrote: Speaking of these, I just came across a SportCross version: http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ctd/3610940286.html Those are rarer than Veyrons.

That's the one.

I note that nowhere do they list automatic transmission, but they do list an anti-braking system.

Hmm, $17k. Nope, that could buy me TWO Audi Allroads, with some left over to keep them both on the road for at least four years.

Unfortunately Lexus never had the bright idea of making a manual SportCross. A 6-speed twin turbo SportCross remains in my dream garage, though...

The Altezza (IS300) had heavy input from the same guy that did the AE86 and FR-S, for what it's worth. Overseas they got an "RS200" version with less luxury crap, a Beams 3S-GE and 6-speed. I bet the driving experience is totally different.

some poly, decent shoes, a slight diet, and a dab of boost will go a looong way towards waking an IS300 up. Ive been stockpiling want ever since I first saw them. A warmed over IS is on my car bucket list...

petegossett wrote: I drove one a couple years after they were introduced and just couldn't see the appeal. It wasn't really fast, sporty or luxurious. It just seemed like a slightly more performance-oriented RWD Camry. I haven't been shopping this segment, but it seems like for $8500 there would be better 4-door performance options?

For instance an E46 330 5sp .

And all this time I thought the Subie Legacy was a much better can than the IS.

Had 'em both and even the wife hated the IS. Now the one we had and the one a friend had were autotragics, but that wasn't the only complaint.

Plus there's not 5¢ worth of styling difference.

I think there's lots better places to put you money.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

petegossett wrote: I haven't been shopping this segment, but it seems like for $8500 there would be better 4-door performance options?

For instance an E46 330 5sp .

Ding ding ding......WINNARRRRRRRR

I personally haven't looked over the older IS's that closely to put a concrete judgement out, but if their build quality was anything like the 2yo IS-F I looked at, it would be a reasonable assumption to steer clear on just that ground alone.

I'd so much rather have one of those over a BMW E46.

93EXCivic wrote: I'd so much rather have one of those over a BMW E46.

I drove several IS300s when I was shopping. Dollar for dollar I could get 325is with half the mileage of the IS300s, all day long. The engine in the IS wasn't that entertaining.

The main appeal of the IS300 is the ability to drive one for 300k miles with minor maintenance apart from a timing belt or two. They don't suffer from the expensive failures common to many BMWs. They also look nice. It is not very quick stock and the fuel economy is awful.

I had a Legacy and still have the IS. I can't imagine how the Subaru is better other than traction and fuel economy; certainly not comfort, handling, looks, paint, sound, stereo, seats or reliability.

That Sportcross is way over priced. Also Canadian spec sportcrosses came better equipped with LSD and headlight washers, gotta have those for winter usage.

In reply to yamaha: The older IS300 are extremely sturdy, that is their core appeal. I tested an IS250 and it was not as good in many ways except for modern looks and gas mileage.

Duke wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: I'd so much rather have one of those over a BMW E46.

I drove several IS300s when I was shopping. Dollar for dollar I could get 325is with half the mileage of the IS300s, all day long. The engine in the IS wasn't *that* entertaining.

I think it is a regional thing. Around here it is the opposite with IS's selling for less than 3ers with more mileage and vinyl seats.

SlickDizzy wrote:

petegossett wrote: I drove one a couple years after they were introduced and just couldn't see the appeal. It wasn't really fast, sporty or luxurious. It just seemed like a slightly more performance-oriented RWD Camry. I haven't been shopping this segment, but it seems like for $8500 there would be better 4-door performance options?

Realize that it is pretty much a N/A MKIV Supra under the sedan body. Stock, they're about on par with an E46 325i, but the aftermarket is MASSIVE, far bigger than most of its competitors. I loved mine while I had it.

My NA MKIV Supra was a very boring car (to me) performance wise. From day one I wish I had saved more money and bought the TT. Great looking car though.

The IS300 can really be anything you want it to be, from boring grocery getter to an all out race car. As said above, most of the MKIV Supra stuff bolts on, including all the turbo goodness.

One of the drivers from our old Speedvision Cup car started the Lexus World Challenge program with these, and even used some of our old setup. They came through a friend's shop when he sold them on, and they were seriously cool and fast.

As for the Sport Cross not being a stick, simply swap it out. Everyone here wants to do a motor swap, this is even easier! We had to do this swap when converting the '98 Supra to a T2 cars a few years back.