STi or IS300?...
06-27-2003, 11:26 AM
#16
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Just in case this is serious..
It's pretty hard to compare the IS300 and an STi because.. Except for being cars, they are not really comparable. They are however comparable as far as a personal choice for yourself. I went through this before I got my WRX - the other car I was looking at was a charcoal grey IS300. Probably the biggest turn-off for me is the dash - I hate the IS300's instrument panel.
Anyway.. The interesting comparative comments about the IS300 being a mommy sponsorship car, what everyone's gay bosses bosses drive and stuff and the STi being new and exciting is interesting, albeit completely content free. The "good" things mentioned about the STi will wear off in about 2 months and then you're left with having to determine whether or not you like the car yourself, or if you can deal with the floppy friggin salad bar attached to the trunk. As far as the IS300 comments - nothing had to do with the car at all, rather the impression of the car. Me? I choose a car because.. It's what I want. Crazy, I know - but it works for me.
The IS300 is a great car. The engine was used 10 years ago, but it's a great engine. Funny, the EJ25T is already having knock/ping issues and the 2JZGE is running strong with NO known issues - but yea, it's old..
The chassis, engine, everything is top-notch. Great daily driver, nice looking car, very presentable in many arenas, your granparents would be impressed and so would high school girls. You could take it to the track, etc. Really - a very nice, competent handling car that you could keep for a long time, and never feel out of place. MKIV turbo and 6spd swap? Yes please. Yeah, it has interior plastic - but I bet a 30k mile IS300 doesn't squeak, rattle, creak, clunk or hiccup like my WRX with 8900 miles. Hard to imagine the STi being any different.
The STi is boyracer flashy and personally I cannot stand the restyle. Maybe it will grow on me, but right now - I am lovin the bugeyes. I saw two in person so far. One in Sunnyvale near my work - followed it for a while. Blue/Gold. Watched the rear spoiler flap up and down like a diving board.. Got to finally check one out last night and I have to say - if it were between the STi and an IS300 for me - I would choose the IS300 in a heartbeat. I would love to drive an STi sometime especially on a racetrack, but I wouldn't want to own one. I really am not into attracting that much attention and the style of the car is just not for me. I would much rather have my WRX and some extra cash to mod it conservatively (please, no warranty arguments - I know what that means and this is just my opinion). I have also heard about knock/pinging problems with STi already and that.. Doesn't sound good. I have my own similar issues with my WRX, and it's not fun. I have never heard of anything every going wrong with an IS300. I have never driven an IS300, just an IS200 (turbo, 6spd) in the UK and it was really sweet. Very composed chassis.
Personally, right now - if I were faced with the option of getting out of my WRX and getting an IS300, I would. As much as I LOVE Subarus and LOVE this car, it has been a royal pain in the *** for the 8900 miles I have owned it. If my WRX were problem free and behaved like a new car should (IMHO, or at least as good as my previous '93 Maxima or my '80 Celica), my views would be very different.
Anyway, this is all my opinion and it's worth what you paid for it..
-Jacob
Anyway.. The interesting comparative comments about the IS300 being a mommy sponsorship car, what everyone's gay bosses bosses drive and stuff and the STi being new and exciting is interesting, albeit completely content free. The "good" things mentioned about the STi will wear off in about 2 months and then you're left with having to determine whether or not you like the car yourself, or if you can deal with the floppy friggin salad bar attached to the trunk. As far as the IS300 comments - nothing had to do with the car at all, rather the impression of the car. Me? I choose a car because.. It's what I want. Crazy, I know - but it works for me.
The IS300 is a great car. The engine was used 10 years ago, but it's a great engine. Funny, the EJ25T is already having knock/ping issues and the 2JZGE is running strong with NO known issues - but yea, it's old..
The chassis, engine, everything is top-notch. Great daily driver, nice looking car, very presentable in many arenas, your granparents would be impressed and so would high school girls. You could take it to the track, etc. Really - a very nice, competent handling car that you could keep for a long time, and never feel out of place. MKIV turbo and 6spd swap? Yes please. Yeah, it has interior plastic - but I bet a 30k mile IS300 doesn't squeak, rattle, creak, clunk or hiccup like my WRX with 8900 miles. Hard to imagine the STi being any different.The STi is boyracer flashy and personally I cannot stand the restyle. Maybe it will grow on me, but right now - I am lovin the bugeyes. I saw two in person so far. One in Sunnyvale near my work - followed it for a while. Blue/Gold. Watched the rear spoiler flap up and down like a diving board.. Got to finally check one out last night and I have to say - if it were between the STi and an IS300 for me - I would choose the IS300 in a heartbeat. I would love to drive an STi sometime especially on a racetrack, but I wouldn't want to own one. I really am not into attracting that much attention and the style of the car is just not for me. I would much rather have my WRX and some extra cash to mod it conservatively (please, no warranty arguments - I know what that means and this is just my opinion). I have also heard about knock/pinging problems with STi already and that.. Doesn't sound good. I have my own similar issues with my WRX, and it's not fun. I have never heard of anything every going wrong with an IS300. I have never driven an IS300, just an IS200 (turbo, 6spd) in the UK and it was really sweet. Very composed chassis.
Personally, right now - if I were faced with the option of getting out of my WRX and getting an IS300, I would. As much as I LOVE Subarus and LOVE this car, it has been a royal pain in the *** for the 8900 miles I have owned it. If my WRX were problem free and behaved like a new car should (IMHO, or at least as good as my previous '93 Maxima or my '80 Celica), my views would be very different.
Anyway, this is all my opinion and it's worth what you paid for it..
-Jacob
06-27-2003, 12:01 PM
#17
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Okay here's the deal. First off the engine in the IS300 is fantastic, it's the same engine my SC300 had. It's nice and smooth and IMO makes a MUCH more exciting sound than the WRX does. The Lexus will be far more enjoyable (comfortable) for road trips and if you have a girlfriend she'll prefer the Lexus (I know from experience). Don't know what the stock stereo is like in the IS300 but the SC's stereo was phenomenal and I had no urge to screw with it, it was just right. If you want to AutoX the IS300 is very competitive in D-Stock although it does have this annoying little brake assist feature.
Now, here's why I got rid of my SC. It's a rear wheel drive car and it handles like crap in the snow (much worse than my mom's old 4500 pound RWD Chevy Caprice station wagon which I didn't think was possible). Almost completely useless for trips to Tahoe. Of course when you roll up on the chain check you have to put 'em on, you can't just roll through. Putting chains on a RWD car with very little clearance in the wheel wells is a royal pain in the ***.
Performance wise (if that is your #1 criteria) the STi will be a lot more car. It will also be less comfortable on long road trips and if sound quality is of any importance to you there's not a lot of potential there due to the road noise in the cabin (even if you go crazy with the dampening the Lex will still have more potential since it was designed with a quiet ride in mind).
If the choice was mine to make... I'd have to go with the STi simply because of the AWD capabilities, RWD is too much of a headache when it's snowing. Of course if I had that much money to spend I'd probably take a really hard look at the EVO as I think it really offers more car for the money.
Cheers, Joe
Now, here's why I got rid of my SC. It's a rear wheel drive car and it handles like crap in the snow (much worse than my mom's old 4500 pound RWD Chevy Caprice station wagon which I didn't think was possible). Almost completely useless for trips to Tahoe. Of course when you roll up on the chain check you have to put 'em on, you can't just roll through. Putting chains on a RWD car with very little clearance in the wheel wells is a royal pain in the ***.
Performance wise (if that is your #1 criteria) the STi will be a lot more car. It will also be less comfortable on long road trips and if sound quality is of any importance to you there's not a lot of potential there due to the road noise in the cabin (even if you go crazy with the dampening the Lex will still have more potential since it was designed with a quiet ride in mind).
If the choice was mine to make... I'd have to go with the STi simply because of the AWD capabilities, RWD is too much of a headache when it's snowing. Of course if I had that much money to spend I'd probably take a really hard look at the EVO as I think it really offers more car for the money.
Cheers, Joe
06-27-2003, 01:48 PM
#18
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If the is300 had the engine it was supposed to have i.e. the 3stge, then the choice would be a little harder. I'm not much of a fan of the sloped nose of the is300 and while it is a very good car, I would pickup the sti in a heartbeat. Of course I can afford neither.
06-27-2003, 10:25 PM
#19
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go bact to the link...see what those POO C's did???? 
I started another thread...check it out before they change oit agian!!!http://www.is300.net/forum/viewtopic...3160#133503160
I started another thread...check it out before they change oit agian!!!http://www.is300.net/forum/viewtopic...3160#133503160
06-27-2003, 11:24 PM
#22
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Careful dr3d1zzl3... He really could be gay... an he might uh... beat your @$$ if you know what i mean...
Originally posted by WRX-pilot
my gay boss and his gay bosses all have one (this is true and im not a homophobe)
my gay boss and his gay bosses all have one (this is true and im not a homophobe)
06-28-2003, 12:40 AM
#24
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dont worry about it....we have them jacked on another thread......dont post!!! It wil ruin it. So far it is done....lets keep it that way.... Wheew never agai!!! LOL hahahahaha
-freddie
-freddie
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