Hey guys, I currently own an 01 Integra and Im thinking about buying a Lexus IS300 or an S2K to replace it with. I know their the two extreems but I wanted some of your input as to what the strong points of the 2K are. Keep in mind when posting your comments that A. I live in Colorado and B. this will be my daily driver to and from work (50 miles each way), at least till I buy a commuter.


Jai

 

50 miles is pretty long drive if you have to do that every day. My passion for s2k tells me to tell you to get s2k but i think IS might be better for you. New IS is coming out soon maybe you should wait and see.

 

Daily driving would be awful - better make permanent residence with a chiropractor.

 

In your situation, i think the IS300 would be your better choice.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hypnosisracing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In your situation, i think the IS300 would be your better choice.</TD></TR></TABLE>

With the distance you travel daily, you'll need a kidney transplant in less than three months with a S2000. The IS300 would be more comfortable as a daily driver and the snow issue (Colorado) wouldn't be as bad. Just my opinion though.

 

I hate to say it but I agree with the rest of em here. The IS300 will end up better for you as much as I would like to see you buy and S2k.

 

Truthfully after thinking about it, im gonna have to be a little biased and say that over even the IS300, i think the best bet for you would be an E46 3series...the IS300 is a great car, dont get me wrong, but i prefer my 325Ci all day to that car, and their about the same price for the same year, and you'll get the same features with the BMW, along with what i consider a sportier suspension setup...to me the bimmer handles leaps and bounds better than the lexus...and if you look hard enough, and dont mind something with 60k+ on the odometer, you could probobly even find yourself a nice 330Ci or 330i, which has better brakes, same suspension, but more horsepower than either the IS300 or 325Ci...
My 325Ci Sport has been an awesome car, handles great, smooth ride, quality build, strong 2.5litre, just as quick as the IS300 in acceleration times, projector HID's on most of them you'll find, and i prefer the styling to the Lexus myself.

Just a suggestion...i think you'd be happier in the BMW over the Lexus, especially if your looking for something compared to an S2000, since i own both an S2000 and BMW, i can safely say that not many cars but the BMW handle quite as well and feel as sold as the S2000 does off the showroom floor...again though, im a little biased, i absolutely love my bmw, that and from what i understand, unless you spend a grip on a later model IS300, you're probobly gonna be stuck with a tiptronic, which outside the BMW SMG, i just dont care for much at all.

 

At least keep it in the family and get a TL over the outdated IS...

My solution is S2000+Integra(with aftermarket suspension). I drive 37Mi each way and plan to stick to the FWD in the rain. I don't know what these guys are talking about with the kidneys at all. Like I said, the Integra is lowered, and has a stiffer suspension than the S2000 and I'm fine with it.

I would feel kind of bad racking up more than 15K miles a year on a nice car though. Seems like kind of a waste.

How is the traffic? I average ~30 MPH with mostly freeway driving on the way home :&lt;

 

2 other things:

a.) Make sure and get ClearBra before commuting.
b.) Driving a sportscar in traffic can be problematic because of the way everyone around you acts. They will not want to let you pass, merge, etc. In my beater, no one looks twice. You may get similar results in any nice looking car...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't know what these guys are talking about with the kidneys at all. Like I said, the Integra is lowered, and has a stiffer suspension than the S2000 and I'm fine with it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It was not a reference to the suspension setup, it was a reference to the seating position and room in the interior for taller people, you have, in many threads stated that you were quite comfortable in your car, you are also not very tall...so it is kind of hard for you to speak on what it is like for a taller person in the car, and probobly makes it difficult for you to understand the comment about your kidneys.

Anyways...why keep it in the family when there are better cars available for the same price or cheaper than that of the Acuras, not to mention that Acura hasnt had the best of luck with their transmission until you get to the late 2004/2005 model years, which are going to be out of his price range from what i see (since his initial thoughts were a used S2000 and used IS300)...so yeah, just because its a honda (acura) doesnt mean its a great car, i wouldnt ever go back to anything prior to 2005 from Acura over what i have now...

 

I didn't see anything about height, year, or price restrictions... Maybe that was listed somewhere else. But seriously, for a new car, w/4 yr warranty, TL vs IS, TL wins for me hands down.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I didn't see anything about height, year, or price restrictions... Maybe that was listed somewhere else. But seriously, for a new car, w/4 yr warranty, TL vs IS, TL wins for me hands down.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ok, i was confusing 2 threads as far as the "height" thing goes, but regardless of that, that is what the kidney reference was made for...price restrictions would be an assumption based on his initial choices of a used S2000 or used IS300, given their general price range, you could guesstimate the price range he was looking in (and i never said restriction or year, it was just based off what he was asking about)...new car wise, sure, the TL is a great car, some may prefer the IS300's FR drivetrain and layout, but the TL is a better car NEW...but i wouldnt agree with that comparing a 2003 (TL-S) or early 2004 TL to the IS300, because of reliability issues.

 

u can stay in the acura family and get a TL if that if over ur budget, look at a TSX.

 

I don't know if he's talking about used or not though...

 

^^^ True.

 

Thank you all for your great feedback! Heres a little more info about my situation.
Im 5'10" 195, I currently commute in a 01 Integra lowered almost a full two inches so Im not certain, but I would assume the ride of an S2k couldnt be much worse. Im looking to stay in the 20-25k range for a used car, (IS or S2K) I have found a few of both for the price. Im not too concerned about the mileage because come winter time I will HAVE to get a commuter, there is no way im doing that commute in a RWD in the COlorado snow. But when it comes down to it, I too think the IS would be a better choice, but I wanted some educated opinions first.


Jai

 

Well if you are going to get a commuter anyways, then might as well get a non-commuter that is the most fun to drive...