The IS300 and 330.... Again

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Frederick, MD
#1
Long story short,

A while back when I was searching for what kind of car to buy, I researched G35's, 330's, and IS300's. All three cars peaked my interest. I like all three but decided on my 330 PP. Which I love to death.

My wife wanted a new car since she drives a '98 Honda Civic. I was like ok, maybe in about a year I'll get her a car. She's been wanting the Infiniti G35 since I made that statement. I really like the G35's alot and I was thinking, man it'd be great if we had a G35 and a 330 PP.

Anyhow, Saturday we drove by a Lexus dealer. I told my wife to just LOOK at the IS300's. We weren't planning on buying anything. We just wanted to rule out any intention on buying one. My wife test drove two IS300's. A black automatic and a red standard. (she has been complaining about her current car which is a standard. With all the traffic we have around here she swore never to get another standard again)
She loved the black car but we found out that it was sold already. (my wife hates bright red with a passion)
I liked the standard alot more than the automatic. Felt like it had tons more power.

Well, since the black car was sold and all they had was a red, standard car left (all of which she hates) I was ready to go home. Lo and behold my wife tells the dealer, for 27,000 we'll buy the car today. My jaw hit the floor. This was totally unexpected and I was speechless. Knowing she wanted a G35, hates red, hates standard transmissions.
The salesperson was like that's 6k off! I doubt it. She came back and said, 27,900. Which is still a good price. My wifes final offer was 27,500 which the dealer agreed upon. So we took the car home...

After driving her car over the weekend, I must admit that the IS300 is a very nice vehicle. It has many upgrades that BMW doesn't even offer in the 3 series. While I'll never admit that it's better than my 330 pp, I have to say that i'm somewhat impressed. The Is300 feels quicker than my car. Perhaps because of the weight?? The seats feel more comfortable to me. Shifting is actually a little easier in the Lexus. The rear view mirror and outside mirrors turn bright headlights green at night so you don't get blinded. I have never seen that before. The paper stats of the Lexus radio and the BMW radio shows that the HK system is superior. However, the Lexus radio seems to blow away my BMW radio. [???1]

Well, here are a couple pics. I just got done washing both of our cars but since we live in a neighborhood with tons of contruction, the tires still look filthy.

At least I get the best of both worlds.

To Elussive: I really really wanted to get that G35. Maybe my next car. [:(]
 

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flashinthepan

Active Member
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#6
Dekion,

I have a relative with the IS300, he loves it & purchased it instead of a BMW. Now even after a year, he swears by it.

What is the 0-60 on the IS300 manual ??

Curiously, it must be close to the 330 & better than the 325 ???

I still like the Bimmer's - personally.
 
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Frederick, MD
#7
coo

Thanks for the link Tom. I appreciate it.

Flashinthepan - I'm not quite sure on the 0-60 speed. However, I do not believe it's faster than the 330. Much less than the 330 pp. It is faster than the 325's though.

I do like my car. I just like alot of the features the Lexus has. The Lexus has actually impressed me more than I thought it would. We'll see as time goes on. For now I can enjoy both worlds. [:)]
 
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Wayzata, MN
#9
CAR -------- 0-60 ------------ 1/4 mile ----------- power

IS300 --------- 7.0 --------------- 15.4 ------------- 215bhp

330 ------------- 6.1 -------------- 14.7 ---------------- 225bhp

G35C ----------- 6.1 ---------------- 14.6 --------------- 280bhp

Murcielago ----- 3.6 --------------- 12.0 --------------- 580bhp
 

jimdan

New Member
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Sacramento
#10
bahnstormer said:
but its just that a toyota with lots of extra features...what are the safety ratings on both
cars?
Acutally, Lexus has 2500 patents seperate from Toyota. And the Lexus dealer experience is far from Toyota. No pressure, complementary loaner cars, car washed and detailed while serviced. Follow-up. The dealership here is Sacramento is a class act compared to BMW.

I was very impreressed with the ride, the dealer and the price.

I ended up getting a 330i zhp, but I have respect for the is300.
 
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Location
New Jersey
#12
Dekion, tell your wife congrats on the car. That is really great, now you have two red sport sedans. The IS300 is such a great sport sedan for the price. Was your wife looking at the G35C or the G35 Sedan? Because if she was looking at the G35 Sedan, the IS300 is a better choice. The G35 Sedan has an ugly rear end, and does not have such a sporty-looking atittude (seems more about looking "nice"). I wish you and your wife lots of luck with the new 330i PP and IS300. [thumb]
frolf, where did you get those 0-60 times? G35C 6MT is supposed to do 0-60 in 5.5 seconds (5A in 6.1 seconds).
Lexus' official 0-60 time for the IS300 5-Speed is 6.8 seconds. The IS300 E-Shift (Auto) does it in 7.3 seconds.
P.S. Ignore bahnstormer's comment, I think he's just jealous. [:p]
 
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Messages
141
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Location
Frederick, MD
#13
Elussive

Elussive - My wife was originally looking at the G35 Sedan. However, after talking to you I changed her mind to go with the coupe. Asking her to get a manual was different. She wanted an automatic badly. Which makes it funny because she ended up getting a manual IS300.

I agree with you. The G35 sedan doesn't compare to the coupe.

So far she loves her car. I may finally get some this week. [rofl]
 
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#14
Hahaha, good job !! [thumb]
The IS300 is a great car, she'll have a great time with it. It's cool that your wife likes sporty cars (especially manual transmission). [headbang]
It's just too bad you have to drive those nice brand-new cars over that dirt-covered road, as we can see. [V]
 
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Location
Henderson, NV
#15
"Now that's not fair, you guys..."

Dekion & Mr. 'E'

I just 'sealed-the-deal' on an '04 'Imola Red' 330i, Perf. Package, Euro. Delivery

and you wanna "F L A U N T" another red import in front of my face... [?|]

"Hey, do they do 'Euro. Deliveries' w/Lexus?" [confused]
(only kiddin', folks...)

My delivery date is scheduled 9 Dec 03.

Beautiful Lexus, but I'll stick with the Bimmer. [pray]
 
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Messages
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Location
Frederick, MD
#16
Congrats Paddy

A much deserve Congrats Paddy!!!!

2004 eh?? Awesome. I'm already jealous.[fake]

Don't forget to check the status of your vehicle and keep us posted on the progress. May I ask what options you got in yours? I'm just curious. And if I may ask, what was the final price on yours? Before taxes and tags I got mine down to about 42k.

Options I added:
Performance Package
Xenon
Sun Roof
Nav system

Good luck with the wait for an awesome car!
 
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Henderson, NV
#17
[wave]

My options are...

Perf. Pack
Metallic paint
Bi-xenon Headlights

My dealer stated with the Euro. Delivery... $39,370

I'm not going to see the actual paperwork until Saturday when I can tell you more then.

You'd be proud of me... I'm on a remote island in the Pacific & I (color) printed the pictures
of your 330i that I put-up on my wall as a reminder of the X-mas present I'm waiting on.

I'm getting off duty now and I'll be back tomorrow.

I'd be happy to answer any/all questions concerning the car/ED.[thumb] [cheers]
 
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New Jersey
#18
Congrats, Paddy. I don't know if I can handle Euro Delivery...go and drive your car, then wait a month until it comes to you on your home territory.
Dekion, do you have any higher-resolution pictures of the new IS300?
 
J

JamieD22

Guest
#19
Man, what a garage you two have! [thumb] I gotta' say though, the 3 series interior is about 700 times nicer than the IS300's. Nonetheless, both cars are fantastic...
 
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Woodland Park, CO
#20
Congrats again. I trust you have a 2-car garage. Stats can be quoted and analyzed and debated, but in the end it becomes a matter of personal preference (and budget). In your case, you and your wife have two fine rides.
 


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