TexasAggie

Did anybody test drive the A4 and the IS300 and can give an un-biased opinion (no car bashing, I am more interrested in a objective comparison).
Did you make a buying decision up on this test drive. What alternatives were you (or still are) considering (BMW, MB, Acura)

bsewall

I LOVE the is300! I'm 6'4" and I have more than enough leg room. I like the looks of the car inside and out. I LOVE the handling and power. I still have to give it up to Audi for quality and all wheel drive - I can't live without those two. It's definately a toss up. For me it came down to, do I want a German car or a Japanese car. I went to German for quality, style, class, and because I'm 1/4 German! But the IS is a GREAT car! You should go test drive both!

plug1

Also the IS is only available in automatic i believe...so that sucks. Unless you like automatics

bsewall

I agree. I wanted a stick. Maybe the IS has a 5 speed Japanese Alteza conversion?

2.4 V6

Iv driven the IS200. Overall it's a great car to drive but lacking the power which the IS300 should correct. The down side to the new engine is the weight. A few car magazines reported that because it is now heavier in the front the handleing had decreased.

After 1 year there were only a few problems. 1 the passenger seat made a creaking sound which was anoying. 2 the seat cover came loose around the side airbag. 3 the CD changer would not eject disks(apprantly this is a common problem from what iv read from is300.net). All the problems were fixed by the dealer though.

The other car I would like to consider is the new MB C-class. I saw it once in a showroom but wasent able to test.

nick n

The Alteeza is a 6sp/japan only - for now.
The 5sp should be here nxt year.

Forget about waranty for a minute..

A4 is more value for the dollar, it has it quirks but overall it's a tough all season machine.

2.4 V6

the IS200 is avaliable as a 6 speed, really sweet. but i dont know if it will be avaliable for is300

zpski2

i have been waiting for that car to come to the U.S. for a long time. I loved the looks when i saw it in some car mag. Now i think the IS is ok, more of your typcal boring nice body lexus but thats it,if you ask me. I have seem a toyota verson that was completelly raced out tear up the track. that was sweet but the toyota stick is a japan only.
when i was looking for a new a car i went to lexus. this hot chick that i know workted there at the dealership although i wish i could of taken her for a test drive.i test drove the IS, i knew after about 2 milies that i wanted an a4. i did finsh the test drive, its was quick butnot exciting as an a4 theres somthing about a german car in curves. the salesman tryed to make deal on one i said no sick no sale. i ended taking the girl out and thats when she told me that the stick was a coming in 2002. i still didn't care they dont have quadttro. besides i hate Lexus
i will have my plates changed to -I8A IS- in due time

Wesley Walls

at least it's more avante garde in its styling...like it or not.

Wesley Walls
'98 A4 1.8TMS APR

elektrobank

I didn't bother test driving the IS300, it's SO butt-ugly I don't really care how it drives!