These cars are criminally underrated. The powertrain in particular is impeccable. It was hard enough to find a manual IS300 10 years ago; nowadays it’s almost impossible. I got lucky though and bought my 5-speed in 2019 from the original owner with low mileage and completely stock. Very fine cars indeed. Mine doesn’t really need Blizzaks, though. It sleeps during the winter. :)
@@rightlanehog3151 Those are way, way newer on a completely different powertrain. It is damn near impossible to find a 2JZ-GE IS300 with a 5speed in it in 2021.
Lol there not underrated there overhyped and overpriced for what there going for when you have the manual TSX and G35 offering the same dynamics for less money
@@iheartgs400 - Supply and demand is ultimately what dictates price. The TSX isn’t RWD and the G35 can’t hold a candle to the IS’s longevity. If you think M/T IS’s are overpriced, I would invite you to try finding one - anywhere - that’s in good shape, rust-free, unmolested, low-mileage and has a clean title. Good luck. (you’ll need it)
This car is a complete gem. I would never trade my P80 for it, but it makes one strong statement with it's RWD manual transmission that looks so balanced and nice to daily.
This comment is such a meme. If anything, cars in general have become less floaty and more sporty over the years. There's tons of "luxurious" cars that are still fun to drive.
Have a manual + lsd myself. Probably one of the most balanced and fun daily’s ever (if it doesn’t snow where you live lol). Going strong with 100k miles 👏
This was the first car I purchased. Drove it since new, 0 miles to 264k miles. I sold it for $2800 two years ago. It was obviously my daily and I enjoyed it more so than my fun day car, S2000. Now I am looking to get the IS500 but I am sad that there will be no manau option. The S2000 and my current daily, Camry, will need to be sacrificed for the IS500.
I had Blizzak tires when I lived in Michigan on my 2007 WRX STi, the combination of that car with those tires made it insanely fun to drive in the winter, I miss that car 🙂 The IS 300 did very well with the new versions! Always enjoy your videos and seeing Michigan again 👍🏻
This was my dream car as a teenager and I owned one for several years while meticulously taking care of it. I traded mine in for a 17' Cooper S a year ago and it hurts knowing I could have just passed it to my Mom who now needs a car. Hopefully, the new owner treats it with the same care I did. If you're buying one of these look for the models with the LSD and watch out for the melting dash issue! It's a shame we will likely never get a premium compact sports sedan of similiar size ever again.
I tell people all the time that as long as you I have a winter tire on you can drive a rear wheel drive car in the winter any time, now I have a fwd vehicle with continental extreme contact on & they're really good, but I've never had a winter tire installed
I own a IS300 Sportcross Wagon, bought it from Ohio and it snowed a LOT there when I got it, bought Blizzak WS-80 tires and it was 100% worth it, it also came with a Torsen LSD, also fun to drive in the snow
I love the consistency of the videos and I really appreciate it man. Even though theres a virus going around you're still going at it. Thanks man. And thanks for cleaning your shoes everytime you enter the vehicles. Unlike some people I know. Haha.
I got stuck in my Civic the other day, no one was around for almost an hour and the first person that passed me didn't even care. I got out after rocking the crap out of it and using my floor mats. My phone died too 🤦♂️If i had the money I def would get Blizzaks
yeah bro same shit happen to me in my e36 m3 but some guy gave me a push I got stuck at a busy stop sign shit was kinda embarrassing no cap but hey I made it out first thing I did was look up some winter tires lmaoo im driving on summer and bald af trm. im getting the w90s on.
I had one of these, factory 5 speed, completely stock, only a little over 100k miles, very clean. I got it for only $4000 not even 3 years ago. Unfortunately I got t boned by an Outback after only 6 months of ownership, totaling the car. I have looked ever since but have yet to find another clean completely stock low mileage factory 5 speed for a good price. It was a unicorn for sure...
"No more boring cars!" declared Akio Toyoda. Where are the Lexus manuals today? Blizzaks are not bad but I'll take the longevity and quietness of Michelin X-Ice any day. Get that IS to Krown ASAP!
@@ChrisWalksFast The Krown website indicates a location at 237 Hanover Street, Lebanon , New Hampshire tel. 603 443 1994. Make a day trip out of it! Where I live in Canada I have at least 3 within a 20 minute drive of my house.
I don't get why Lexus was so afraid to put a more aggressive overdrive in these cars, they so much torque, yet they are all (manual and auto) pushing 3000 rpm at 70 mph like a Honda Civic.
these basically don't exist in germany, sadly only very few is200 are available I once saw a Touring is300 automaticfor sale but it was in horrible condition and didn't sell for months
Great review as always! I'd love to see your impressions and review video of the Vredestein Wintrac Pros! My BRZ and I are moving to Lake Tahoe, CA (Mountains/Heavy snow winters), and your videos have me excited for winter sports car driving. Trying to decide between these or the Vredesteins in 205/55/17. Thanks!
Depending on the price and condition, they’re not really a ripoff. They’re becoming more and more rare, and are now going into classic territory and appreciating in value. Sure they might be a little pricey now, but give em a few years and watch gradually continuously go up in value
Good to hear the WS90s last a tad longer. That's the biggest downside to Blizzaks. When time came to replace my winters I went with cheap Minerva Eco Stud winter tires and it's now entering it's 4th winter without any significant wear. Grippy as well.
Gotta add that with bmw abandoning manuals on all but their top line 3 series, is there no interest in performance lux cars so equipped? Look at the demand for the newly announced black wings?
They are a teenagers car but still kinda nice. I've had mine for a solid 15 years and its still trucking....its a gas guzzler though, there's no denying the fact.
i heard the gas milage was really bad on these and they have really long gearing? And the wheels dont look stock, they look really good though , what are they from?
Altezza is actually JDM spec lexus is200s/300s. Outside of the US we only got the IS200 1GFE engine where they got the IS300 2JZGE engine in the north american region.
Yes it does have the 2JZ-GE (naturally aspirated) The Toyota Supra had both 2JZ-GTE (turbocharged) The non turbocharged Supra was equipped with the same motor as the IS you see in this video.
Watching him clap his boots together before bringing his legs into the car warms my heart.
i love how he keeps his boots clean.
I do the same thing
Those dials look super cool at night
These cars are criminally underrated. The powertrain in particular is impeccable. It was hard enough to find a manual IS300 10 years ago; nowadays it’s almost impossible. I got lucky though and bought my 5-speed in 2019 from the original owner with low mileage and completely stock. Very fine cars indeed. Mine doesn’t really need Blizzaks, though. It sleeps during the winter. :)
At least a decent selection of low mileage IS 250 manuals are still available in the used market.
@@rightlanehog3151 Those are way, way newer on a completely different powertrain. It is damn near impossible to find a 2JZ-GE IS300 with a 5speed in it in 2021.
@@henlolneh The IS 250 is a backup plan.
Lol there not underrated there overhyped and overpriced for what there going for when you have the manual TSX and G35 offering the same dynamics for less money
@@iheartgs400 - Supply and demand is ultimately what dictates price. The TSX isn’t RWD and the G35 can’t hold a candle to the IS’s longevity. If you think M/T IS’s are overpriced, I would invite you to try finding one - anywhere - that’s in good shape, rust-free, unmolested, low-mileage and has a clean title. Good luck. (you’ll need it)
Bro this is so weird I was just searching for this car for the past 5 hours and the only youtuber I needed a vid from DROPPED A VID!!!
Amen
There's nothing more satisfying in the car industry than an old well kept Lexus.
This car is a complete gem. I would never trade my P80 for it, but it makes one strong statement with it's RWD manual transmission that looks so balanced and nice to daily.
Back when luxury cars could also be fun cars...
Huh? They still are.
Back when luxury cars came with a stick
Luxury cars now are a lot more fun. Lol
This comment is such a meme. If anything, cars in general have become less floaty and more sporty over the years. There's tons of "luxurious" cars that are still fun to drive.
@@RandomlnternetGuy The Genesis G70 actually comes with a 6 speed manual. It’s a really great car to drive!
Have a manual + lsd myself. Probably one of the most balanced and fun daily’s ever (if it doesn’t snow where you live lol). Going strong with 100k miles 👏
100k? Rookie numbers.
0:11 The Topher has a social media manager ? What ? The world is not ready for binaural TikToks.
I think for WR Magazine
I remember ordering the Brochure on the IS when it first came out when I was in Highschool back in '99. It was a cool looking car.
The old IS and Altezzas are just as charming as the old GS and Aristos were before being even more disconnected.
I don’t even have a car but these videos are addicting
Wow look at how thin the doors and a-pillars look! Definitely a blast from the past.
Love to see one of those untouched by infantiles, same goes for any good young-timer or classic
My father used to own 2001 auburn sky pearl Lexus before and I’m planning to get a Lexus is300 manual transmission after high school
Man I learned to drive in my Dad's IS300. I love and miss that car so much.
The IS300 and especially the IS300 SportCross are such incredible cars I think
Love topher snow driving
Always loved these. That gauge cluster is just..mmm /chef's kiss
I just noticed the redesigned IS air vents are a throw back to this one
am i the only one who just wants a plain ol stock is300 with an lsd? i wouldnt even mod it lol
This was the first car I purchased.
Drove it since new, 0 miles to 264k miles.
I sold it for $2800 two years ago. It was obviously my daily and I enjoyed it more so than my fun day car, S2000.
Now I am looking to get the IS500 but I am sad that there will be no manau option.
The S2000 and my current daily, Camry, will need to be sacrificed for the IS500.
Love this. I have an ‘01 IS300 still running. I’m hoping to get her to 30 years.
I had Blizzak tires when I lived in Michigan on my 2007 WRX STi, the combination of that car with those tires made it insanely fun to drive in the winter, I miss that car 🙂
The IS 300 did very well with the new versions! Always enjoy your videos and seeing Michigan again 👍🏻
This was my dream car as a teenager and I owned one for several years while meticulously taking care of it. I traded mine in for a 17' Cooper S a year ago and it hurts knowing I could have just passed it to my Mom who now needs a car. Hopefully, the new owner treats it with the same care I did. If you're buying one of these look for the models with the LSD and watch out for the melting dash issue! It's a shame we will likely never get a premium compact sports sedan of similiar size ever again.
I love this first gen IS.
Best looking dashboard gauges ever made
I tell people all the time that as long as you I have a winter tire on you can drive a rear wheel drive car in the winter any time, now I have a fwd vehicle with continental extreme contact on & they're really good, but I've never had a winter tire installed
Almost 20 years later and still relevant 😂 such a nice sedan.
I own a IS300 Sportcross Wagon, bought it from Ohio and it snowed a LOT there when I got it, bought Blizzak WS-80 tires and it was 100% worth it, it also came with a Torsen LSD, also fun to drive in the snow
I love the sound these cars make. Such a sweet little car and looks like a ton of fun in the snow with those Blizzaks on!
I love the consistency of the videos and I really appreciate it man. Even though theres a virus going around you're still going at it. Thanks man.
And thanks for cleaning your shoes everytime you enter the vehicles. Unlike some people I know. Haha.
I have always liked this car
Thanks Topher!! After watching your videos a couple years ago with this is300, I got myself a manual IS in grey. It’s so nice in the winter
Love these, sad I couldn't find one manual and in good condition but ended up with a 6MT IS250
Nice
I got stuck in my Civic the other day, no one was around for almost an hour and the first person that passed me didn't even care. I got out after rocking the crap out of it and using my floor mats. My phone died too 🤦♂️If i had the money I def would get Blizzaks
yeah bro same shit happen to me in my e36 m3 but some guy gave me a push I got stuck at a busy stop sign shit was kinda embarrassing no cap but hey I made it out first thing I did was look up some winter tires lmaoo im driving on summer and bald af trm. im getting the w90s on.
😢
my neighbor owns one of these, and I can't help but look at it every time I go outside
Oh yeah yeah
@@addanashraf that's it I'm changing my profile picture
I loved my old 91 Miata with snowtires. Top down and everything. Miss it
Mam I've had an 91 ls400 98 ls400 02 is 300 and 05 gx 470. By far the is300 was one of the best
I had one of these, factory 5 speed, completely stock, only a little over 100k miles, very clean. I got it for only $4000 not even 3 years ago. Unfortunately I got t boned by an Outback after only 6 months of ownership, totaling the car. I have looked ever since but have yet to find another clean completely stock low mileage factory 5 speed for a good price. It was a unicorn for sure...
You got lucky that car easily in California is solid 8K to 10K dollars. I hope when they totaled it insurance paid you decent money.
@@iheartgs400 I got about 10k for it
saw one in wagon form and with a manual once, that is really a dream car right there.
This is a dream car
My dream car! I love there are other people out there who appreciate it as much as I do, great to see it on your channel 👍
I use to drive a 6at is300 with ws80’s! this is a nice throwback 😃 great video
Time to take it out this morning with the crazy snow 😂
I love these throwback vehicles
"No more boring cars!" declared Akio Toyoda. Where are the Lexus manuals today? Blizzaks are not bad but I'll take the longevity and quietness of Michelin X-Ice any day. Get that IS to Krown ASAP!
Are there any alternatives to Krown in the Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts areas that you’re aware of?
@@ChrisWalksFast The Krown website indicates a location at 237 Hanover Street, Lebanon , New Hampshire tel. 603 443 1994. Make a day trip out of it! Where I live in Canada
I have at least 3 within a 20 minute drive of my house.
I don't get why Lexus was so afraid to put a more aggressive overdrive in these cars, they so much torque, yet they are all (manual and auto) pushing 3000 rpm at 70 mph like a Honda Civic.
That is one notchy shift. Loved it
don't get me wrong i love my 3is but man do i miss my first gen is. wish i could have kept it as a project car
I’ve started getting into my car like that too haha
I have the WS90 on my Outback. Absolute champ in the snow, especially with the AWD!
(They are noisier than you alluded to in this video, however).
That Lexus is so cool, I wish they sold more in Europe so I could get one used
oh thats nice! quite rare too
i wonder how does it compare to a 330i E46 for example since they very similar and they are from a similar era aswell
I live in Florida, why am I watching this? Oh well let’s continue!
these basically don't exist in germany, sadly only very few is200 are available
I once saw a Touring is300 automaticfor sale but it was in horrible condition and didn't sell for months
Great review as always! I'd love to see your impressions and review video of the Vredestein Wintrac Pros! My BRZ and I are moving to Lake Tahoe, CA (Mountains/Heavy snow winters), and your videos have me excited for winter sports car driving. Trying to decide between these or the Vredesteins in 205/55/17. Thanks!
Oh man I was looking into getting an IS300 5MT as a first car
But they're being so ripped off now
Depending on the price and condition, they’re not really a ripoff. They’re becoming more and more rare, and are now going into classic territory and appreciating in value. Sure they might be a little pricey now, but give em a few years and watch gradually continuously go up in value
I know it’s old but holy rattling plastic!
Good to hear the WS90s last a tad longer. That's the biggest downside to Blizzaks. When time came to replace my winters I went with cheap Minerva Eco Stud winter tires and it's now entering it's 4th winter without any significant wear. Grippy as well.
Need for speed most wanted vibes!
Those door sills are shockingly low, so refreshing. God I hate modern car interiors...
Been on the hunt for one of these in Australia but they 300 doesn't come up often. Lot's of 200's....
Have you done a video on a 1st Gen is300 before? I'd love to see it if you haven't
He did one on this car a few years ago. It's a great car!
Still a dream car of mine.
my local Porsche dealer has an auto is300 for sale. i think the price was around $12k.
Man... I want one of those is300s so bad but the deals are either way over priced or the cars are completely neglected/riced.
Gotta add that with bmw abandoning manuals on all but their top line 3 series, is there no interest in performance lux cars so equipped? Look at the demand for the newly announced black wings?
That car could really use a car wash after that drive lol
just a few years ago you could find these cars for as low as 2-3k... not anymore lol
I saw you were downshifting but didn't rev match. Did the IS rev match for you?
I have the same tires on my 2013 Honda CR-V but mine are loud compared to the Michelin all seasons I have
It’s a fancy Toyota. 171k miles basically is 71k miles
Love the car. A classic.
talking about your wife'se Mazda CX-30, can you make a review of the new Mazda CX-30 2.5T???
They are a teenagers car but still kinda nice. I've had mine for a solid 15 years and its still trucking....its a gas guzzler though, there's no denying the fact.
Man i want this so bad. Being rhd, Toyota Altezza is imported instead . 3S GE Beams 6 spd manual
I need that this morning!
love your content. keep it up!
I keep wondering if I should buy one of these as a project
Most people in that area cant even get out of their driveway to go to work and he's driving around for FUN😂
I got one but it’s automatic 🙃
theTopher, please do review on Hyundai sonata n line? Thanks
i heard the gas milage was really bad on these and they have really long gearing? And the wheels dont look stock, they look really good though , what are they from?
Toyota Altezza outside the USA...
Altezza is actually JDM spec lexus is200s/300s. Outside of the US we only got the IS200 1GFE engine where they got the IS300 2JZGE engine in the north american region.
Doesn’t this have the 2jz? People been telling me no when on google they say it’s the same?.??
Yes it does have the 2JZ-GE (naturally aspirated)
The Toyota Supra had both 2JZ-GTE (turbocharged)
The non turbocharged Supra was equipped with the same motor as the IS you see in this video.
Plz make more of a jdm car's
It’s impossible to find any Lexus after 2004 with a manual please prove me wrong I’m lookin for em
2008 is250 I believe. But apparently that manual was taken from a Toyota truck and is not that fun to drive? Do your research to confirm this.
Clean is
👶👶🧔👩🤠❤❤❤❤❤
Who cares about the tires! That is300 is a unicorn 🦄.
Where can I find me a manual IS300? That's nice.
Is it supercharged?? I hear like a whirring noise 🤔
Didn't think there were superchargers available for the 2jz?
What short shifter is that? Been looking around at different options
Bridgestone makes Blizzaks, they are not a company in and of themselves.
Engine has a faint whine to it. Is it modded?
Sounds like a race car compared to modern turbo 4s
ive been looking at one of these for a while. this video is bad for my mental health and wallets health
I'm so jelous, I've been looking for a MT is300...
When you do its usually all beat up
Rare asf