oem_is300
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Been meaning to make this thread for a while now. Since I've recently started dailying the IS, I figured this would be a great place to keep track of my ownership experience.
Little back story on me/the car. This is a 2004 IS300 Sportdesign in Thundercloud Metallic with the Smoke Grey interior. It has the 5-speed manual and LSD as well. I believe the only option not on it is the OEM navigation. My dad bought the IS new in 2004, I was 13 at the time. In 2006 I drove it for the first time when learning how to drive stick. Got my license in 2007, and my first car was a ’95 civic. I moved on from that to my ’03 Jetta, which I still own, in 2009. The Jetta doesn’t have nearly the fit and finish of Lexus, but it has been a fun car to own, and it was the perfect car for college.
Just graduated from college this past May and now I’m finally in a position to own the IS. Most of my driving is just to and from work (currently ~15mi/day), but this will likely be the car I take on longer road trips as it’s far more comfortable than the Jetta. The IS has been my dad’s daily up until this past fall and currently sits at just under 90k miles. Knowing the complete history of the car is great, and with continued care I expect this car to keep going for a long time.
As the thread title and my user name probably hinted, I don't really have any plans for this car right now. I'm really enjoying the comfort and reliability this will provide and its been a fun daily so far. I plan to keep track of maintenance and other general ownership events throughout this thread. So far, the only “upgrades” done to it are a VAIS-Tech ipod adapter for the stock head unit and window tint.
Some initial impressions and thoughts
And here’s the IS. First a slightly embarrassing picture of me at 13 with the car. Please excuse the poor quality, it’s a picture of a picture haha.
This was a random picture taken after I washed it (I believe this is 2006), and before it was tinted:
And these are from a photoshoot I did with a friend back in 2009:
Little back story on me/the car. This is a 2004 IS300 Sportdesign in Thundercloud Metallic with the Smoke Grey interior. It has the 5-speed manual and LSD as well. I believe the only option not on it is the OEM navigation. My dad bought the IS new in 2004, I was 13 at the time. In 2006 I drove it for the first time when learning how to drive stick. Got my license in 2007, and my first car was a ’95 civic. I moved on from that to my ’03 Jetta, which I still own, in 2009. The Jetta doesn’t have nearly the fit and finish of Lexus, but it has been a fun car to own, and it was the perfect car for college.
Just graduated from college this past May and now I’m finally in a position to own the IS. Most of my driving is just to and from work (currently ~15mi/day), but this will likely be the car I take on longer road trips as it’s far more comfortable than the Jetta. The IS has been my dad’s daily up until this past fall and currently sits at just under 90k miles. Knowing the complete history of the car is great, and with continued care I expect this car to keep going for a long time.
As the thread title and my user name probably hinted, I don't really have any plans for this car right now. I'm really enjoying the comfort and reliability this will provide and its been a fun daily so far. I plan to keep track of maintenance and other general ownership events throughout this thread. So far, the only “upgrades” done to it are a VAIS-Tech ipod adapter for the stock head unit and window tint.
Some initial impressions and thoughts
- The inline-6 is very smooth
- Gearing is short which is nice for acceleration, but it spins pretty high at highway speeds
- A lot quieter and much more refined than I'm used to
- Stock sound system is very nice
- Seating position is a bit high
- The manual transmission is a little tough going into 2nd and 3rd when cold, but smooths out once it gets up to operating temperature. I've heard using MT-90 helps and I'll be looking at that for the 90k service due soon
And here’s the IS. First a slightly embarrassing picture of me at 13 with the car. Please excuse the poor quality, it’s a picture of a picture haha.
This was a random picture taken after I washed it (I believe this is 2006), and before it was tinted:
And these are from a photoshoot I did with a friend back in 2009:
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