ColinBarber

Guys in the US are talking about the 05 model as the all new model. Their next year models normally appear around October time the year before so maybe we will see something in 15 months time. Minor changes for 04. Different paint colours etc.

If you are getting the car from a Lexus dealer then the wheels should be in excellent condition. If they start to corrode then get them replaced under warranty. If you get ERR3 from the CD player it will be covered under warranty. As for the calipers the best thing to do is paint them.

Have you lost any of the brightness control?

I'm not that impressed with the Eibachs on my '98 GS. Looks better and corners without as much body roll but lost some of the comfort and doesn't sort out the crashing over bumps that the original car suffers from. I test drove a GS430 yesterday on the Lexus Open Road event and that was much better. I guess the suspension has been stiffened on the 430 and that with a combination of better shocks and the 17" wheels made the car feel much more solid and stable. If you want to change your springs I would recommend upgrading the shocks as well. I have read a few comments from people in the US who suggest the same thing.

Not quite a Boxster but the IS is a good car. I think you have made the right choice although it depends on what you want out of a car. As for increasing the power, all the mods. are very expensive for the 300. An intake and exhaust are the only things that do not cost the earth but only offer marginal gains in performance. Maybe you should consider strut braces and anti-roll bar upgrade to increase the cornering performance so you don't miss your Porsche too much.

What's the problem with the 18" wheels? I don't think they harden up the ride too much. They look better than the 17" wheels but take alot more effort to clean in between the spokes! By putting on 17" you will have wiped £1500 of the value of your car as that is what it will cost to change it back into a proper sport model. If you don't like the sport then why not just get a SE? That will save you some money and there are more to choose from.

Is there a list of dealer that do offer discount with GOLD?

Lexus have a slightly more sporty image in the US than the UK which is why they may have a manual IS300. Also as it is only a 5-speed box it wouldn't look very good when the £5-6K cheaper IS200 has a 6-speed.

There are a few IS300 on the Lexus web site that have your requirements. If you want to modify the car then there are more options available for an Altezza. Parts and servicing shouldn't be a problem however check with your nearest dealers. The IS300 is an auto only option in the UK. A manual doesn't fit with the Lexus UK brand (nor does the IS200 really). Your other option is an IS200 sport and get the TTE supercharger for £3K.

For the price it sounds like the dealer is just selling on a traded in car. It will not be a Lexus Approved Used car. They should give some warranty (maybe only 3 months) and do a service but I don't think they will give it any paint or new tyres etc.

If you have HID headlights then they must be self leveling and they must have washers. The RX300 has both so there is no problem.

That was my thought to

3. The little red button may be the shift lock override. Try holding it down and moving the gear level out of park with the ignition off. It's used so that if your battery is flat you can put it in N to push the car. 6. I would recommend using Toyota ForLife. Get it at any Toyota/Lexus dealer. I do not see the need to increase the performance of the cooling system by using a wetter unless you are planning on thrashing your car all the time or maybe towing.

This now has to be done for IS300s to make them legal!

I know on some Jags you can get the de-chrome option. They just paint over the pieces of trim and then a few months later it starts to come off!

Just received this from Lexus I would recommend that anybody who has an IS300 + styling kit contact their dealer to arrange the fitting of some new washers.

I don't think they thought about mpg at all! It's not as if they went for power or flexibility either. How can a 2 litre engine with an auto box in a much smaller and lighter car have a worse urban mpg figure than a 4 litre unit in a LS400?

Probably dirty to conceal the corrosion or scuff marks

Dealers will always put on new wheels unless completly unmarked. Tyres need to be 4mm + for Lexus approved and they will put on OEM ones. 40k service is not that expensive, not when the dealer is getting parts at trade prices and their own people are doing the work. Lexus dealers have a large difference between trade-in and retail due to cost of service/wheels/tyres/respray etc. but they still make a good profit so try and knock them down. However be aware that there are alot of people who will pay the asking price so the dealer may just hold out. Leased/company cars. This is a difficult call, I know many people who abuse their company cars but then others treat them like their own. The IS is reliable so if it's got full history, which it will have from a dealer, and it comes with a one year warranty then you shouldn't have many problems.

Haven't tried this but I do know that Toyota/Lexus try and make it difficult for people to upgrade parts to make their cars look like newer models. You may find the wiring connector is slightly different or something. I think the newer instrument cluster surround requires some modifications before it will fit a pre 2000 model, as does the chrome gearshift trim. Normally people manage to get items to fit it just takes a little longer than a direct replacement. May be worth asking people at www.clublexus.com.

The IS is bad

Check the starter connections. Possibly the solenoid sticking slightly - worth cleaning that if you can get to it.

Was the £125 for the whole light? Is the lens available separatly on the IS? On the GS you can just get the lens for about £50.

A nice box is the Toyota one which links to the Sat Nav so it downshifts as you get to the bottom of a hill or you round a corner so there is no waiting for kick down. Only available in Japan at the moment. Hopefully will be available on the next GS or LS in the UK.

The IS300/GS300/GS430/LS430 have one of the best auto boxes available. Certainly one of the smoothest. The gearchange isn't as quick as some but then Lexus do not make their cars that way