Last night I put a deposit on a 2001 IS300. I got a lease deal of 439 a month and 1400 due at signing. I know didn't wait for stick but I couldn't pass up the deal. The theft of my type R and me not being able to find a garage made me not get another one. It was hard but I just figured in a few years I will probably move so then I could pick up another one. I also decided not to get an RSX type S because one already got stolen around my block.
So I will still be floating around the board because the type R is the ****. But I will migrate over to IS300.net also. Good luck guys and boy do I miss my R, nothing compares. Also if anyone is familiar with the IS and have any ideas for what I can do to mod it, that would be greatly appreciated.
Peace I'm Outta Here!

 

Good choice of car for that market segment. The BMW is a very nice car but very pricey. The only other choices in the market may be a Acura TL, but the IS300 seems to be more of a "younger person" car. Good luck with your car and when you have a chance you should join me in an autocross. The IS300 does pretty well in autocross.

 

"Good choice of car for that market segment. The BMW is a very nice car but very pricey."

It's a Lexus


[Modified by MPH, 10:27 AM 8/9/2001]


[Modified by MPH, 10:27 AM 8/9/2001]

 

[Modified by MPH, 10:34 AM 8/9/2001]

 

Actually, it's a Toyota Altezza....

 

All I have to say is, Toyota motors can hold tons of BOOST and/or SPRAY!

 

I have a fully loaded 330i 5-speed; lease 36 months; $1150 down, $498/month, sticker value of the car was $40,125.

That's not a big diffrance; for some reason everyone thinks the bimmers are expansive to own (especially people who dont have one), personally i think I got a very good deal. I'm thinking of up-greading soon however to some car w/ a single letter and a digit in its name.

Good luck w/the Lexus dude; wanna race? I've raced two of them in a traffic light type of race and haven't lost yet.

 

I am pretty sure he knew that the IS was not a Bimmer, he was using it as a comparo for that price segment (3 series), and age group that are buying the IS300.

And it ain't an Altezza, because we don't get the 200hp 4cyl manual tranny model ..... in fact our "version" of it is not available in Japan as far as I know.

 

Congrats on the lexus! i think earlier comments about BMWs being expensive were to comment him on getting what is basically a BWM for a lot less money.

As for BMW, once they're out of warranty, BMWs kill people with maintenance....my stepmom had a 540i for a couple of years, didn't beat it up at all, and it was costing a fortune in random chit. Finally, the tranny was dying, and it was so insanely expensive she dumped the car and bought a mercedes...which she likes to drive just as much (E320 4Matic sport), and has AWD for winters.

 

Thanks for the love guys. No I dont wanna race b/c my car is a slomatic. I've been doing some research and will be getting an intake with piggyback ecu upgrade. Adds like 15hp and least I get a nice noise from under the hood like my aem had.
David I will definately swing buy an auto-x but the problem is I have to get used to the rwd capabilities which I guess would be the safest to learn at a local auto x.

 

Exactly my point, the IS300 is not a BMW, but it is still a nice car for a person under 30 who wants a near luxury car that performs decently.

Also, I was very surprised at the "affordability" of the BMW 330. A friend of mine gave back his leased Prelude and is now leasing a BMW 330. But, it is definitely true that when maintenance issues do happen, the BMW's are more expensive. But, if you are leasing, who cares about maintenance !! The car is returned basically new and before anything starts to happen. Whether BMW, Lexus, Acura TL, or whatever, they are nice cars and the choice is ultimately up to the person who is going to be making the payments.

 

3 year lease
3 year warranty
3 year free maintnance

Dave, I think I've meet you once at Englishtown, I was drag racing and than came up to El Pollo to sat "Hi".
I'll be autoXing one of these days too... I got that RWD thing figured out.

Did you get the 17's and LSD on the IS300?

I was kiddin about the race.


[Modified by Kamil, 11:04 AM 8/9/2001]

 

Did get the 17s, I got the graphite ones. Didn't have any yellow ones with lsd left. Kinda pissed but what can you do.

 

you need to MOVE.

 

Kamil,
If it was at Englishtown, you definitely met me. Definitely come out an play! Autocross is fun. Unfortunately, the next one in Englishtown isn't until September. Hope to see you there.

 

NewYorkTypeR:

did you get insurance for the IS yet? I remember insurance for it in the NY area is really high as well as Lexus are stolen a lot too... of course not as much as a Type R, but still pretty high... that is one of the main reasons I didn't buy an IS.

That said, I hope you're getting the manual (is it available now?)

Also, you may want to consider getting a set of winter wheels and tires... those 17" tires are only good in the summer... I think even Car & Driver pointed out those 17" tires are very useless and dangerous in the winter... Plus, I can't imagine your gonna stick with the 17" wheels on NY roads! My friend has a Celica GTS and has gone through three bent/damaged stock 16" wheels already... it's not a question of IF, but HOW MANY times!

Otherwise, the IS handles great! good choice!

 

Well in terms of insurance my car is registered in westchester so the rates cant be as high as the R. Stick is coming to dealers as early as this week but the deal was for a 2001 b/c there trying to get rid of them. In terms of winter, how often do we really get stuck in the snow in thge bronx. On those days I'll take the train.

 

"Another one bites the dust..."

 

Kamil, those numbers don't seem to make sense to me. How many miles are you allowed each year? I've been looking into one for my wife and the 36 month 330i leases I've seen range from about (with $1000 down) $640 to $720. Even the people at http://www.bimmer.org are paying in that range and I've been researching this for while. How did you get it for that price? Thanks.




[Modified by MugenDC2R, 10:05 AM 8/9/2001]

 

Nice choice on a replacement.

I'm thinking I should sell the ITR once repairs are done and get me a nice used RX-7.

 

'01 330i (sedan)
black, Sports package, HID, cold weather package, sunroof, Harmon-kardon, CD, leather.

I went to Prestige BMW in Mahwah N.J. on last Saturday of March; end of the month, end of the quorter.
I said I wanted the 330i w/sports and nothing else in black or silver.
They had only two 330i's, both black, both sports packagel; one luxury, one cold weather; I took what they had on the lot; no special orders.
I asked for 10k miles/year... after MUCH huggling, I got the deal done and than said "ok, but give me 12k/year."

Funny thing; if I were to oreder it, I would have the exact same car. I got all the optiions I wanted and non that I didn't want.

Do research on "how to lease" etc and you''ll find something.
They originally wanted $2200 down + $525/month.

 

I will be back in a type r but I dont know when. That car was my one true love and I will own another. Til that day the Lexus it is.

 

Compare the Lexus, the BMW 3-series, and the Acura (TL/CL, depending on whether you're looking at sedans or coupes). Compare performance and power. Compare prices after you add on items like HID and leather and sunroof etc that are standard on one model but optional on another.

Assuming you choose comparable models in each brand (so that the performance and power is similar), you're going to find that the Acura is around $8-10K less expensive for a very similar car.

 

Mugen,
Dealers make a killing off of leasing, if you are not prepared or know what to look for. You need to establish a bottom line price for the car BEFORE you tell them what you want to do; finance or lease. Then, have them plug THAT figure in to compute your payments. Back in 98, I leased an M3 Sedan that stickered for about $46xxx for 36 months, 12k per year, for $594 with only sec dep, 1st payment, and TTL down. Bimmers are good to lease, same as Hondas, due to high resale values. Also, dont settle for the payments that the dealer quotes you. Firstar bank leases cars all over the country. I have had 2 leases through them and they have beaten the dealers EVERY time. Good luck!