Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests IS300 Replacement

I have my IS300 replacement. With the miles I drive and the roads I drive on, I don't want to pay as much as I am for insurance (because of $2800 pothole damages), and the depreciation of such a car. I was hoping that my wife would get a promotion soon and then would be eligible for management leases which would be unlimited mileage, insurance and maintenance included, and a new car every year. Well, the economy isn't too good right now so the promotion hasn't happened yet. (People, start buying new cars!) Anyway, Chrysler offered up this special 1-year lease program, mainly for UAW member who just got a $3000 pre-tax check, but also for certain salaried employees. $2000 for 1 year, 12k miles. When I stopped by a dealer to get more information, they were offerring it at $1335 out the door including a plate transfer. I paid more in sales tax on each of the last 4 vehicles I have bought. It was too cheap to pass up. It gives me the opportunity to sell the Lexus while I drive something else. My 3rd car is not reliable enough.

So, I picked up a Stratus SXT. It is quite a humbling car, but not as bad as I expected. It comes with PW,PL,PM, keyless entry, A/C, CD player, 16" aluminum rims, and cruise control. The 2.4L has some decent torque and throttle tip-in is strong, but runs out of steam at higher speeds. Handling is better than I expected too. I had very low expectations for this car, but was willing to accept that for such little money. I am surprised how decent it is as a daily car. Heck, even feels like a solid car with no squeaks or rattles either. More than I could say for my SVT when it was new. I may end up buying it ad lease end as the buyout price is rediculous. Can't even get a 2003 model for the price I would pay.

At least the color is cool. Sorry for the dark pictures as it was evening.

Anyone want a 2002 IS300 for $22k?

, that must be some serious cash you're saving to go from an IS 300 to a Stratus! Not to hinder your sales chances here, but what are your thoughts on the IS? It is baffling to me how few people talk about them anymore when looking for a sedan. When they came out they were the shiz but now people are not only looking elsewhere they don't even consider the IS! The new chassis debuts in '06 IIRC and supposedly the current run is getting a V-8 before ceasing. Will this help the car? Does it really suffer from lack of umpf? I am so on the decline in IS fan-dom.

Aaron,

A sound financial move. Not always the best for your soul, but in the big picture, it's what is important. There will be other cars in your future I'm sure.

Glad you're still around.

Mark

Looks good. I wouldn't be able to pass up that deal.

BMR,

I think there are two things against the IS300. One, people don't think of Lexus when they think of sport sedan. Also, its marketible numbers are well below some of the competition, notibly anything with a Nissan VQ engine. BMW can get away with lower numbers, but no one else can. The sum of problems means people are not in the show room, or test driving them.


Many people that walk into a Lexus dealership are impressed. Their service before and after the sale is the best I have delt with, although I cannot say I have a wide variety of it. Far from perfect, but the best by far. And the key to the IS300 model is the test drive. That is what sold me. That is when you throw all the numbers out the window and get the feel for the car. The Lexus IS300 is just a damn fun car to drive. So are its competition, but it was by far the most fun 2 years ago for the money. I haven't driven a G35 so cannot comment.

So, why are people not in the showroom? Marketing. Drop a bigger engine in it and it still won't sell itself. IIRC, Lexus tried to sell the IS300 the way it sold its other vehicles, by reputation. They show the car, and its numbers, all the saftey features, and state the Lexus traditions/refinement/service/quality. But they never emplhsized how much pure fun it is. Like Mazda's Zoom Zoom - one thinks fun.

Is it slow? I don't think so. It isn't a Corvette or even a WRX, but it is enoough to be dangerous in the wrong hands. A friend of mine kept his SVT Contour shortly after I bought my IS300. We raced, umm, at a track - yeh, from 65mph to double that. Dead even, although the smooth power delivery of the IS feels a little slower at times. Handling is better IMHO, but I prefer RWD. Useable dailiy driven powerband is also better. A heck of a commuter car for me, except for the miles and bad roads.

There have been a lot of rumors about the IS300 future. From using the new 3.3L V6 to the 4.3L V8, 2-door sedan and convertible. No one knows anything for certain. I have seen creditable information about a convertible model like the Audi A4, but I don't know why they would bother. 3.3L V6 would be a quick fix to get 20 more hp/lb-ft, but still well under some competition now, let alone 5 years from now. And some(how many?) people would balk about replacing the I6 with a V6. V8 would be marketed about $15k upscale. So, what it Toyota going to do? I don't know. I have heard 05 model, but I think 06 is more likely for a new chassis.

Regardless, the IS300 was the most fun car I have purchased. It was my opportunity to buy the car/market I had dreamt about for 8 years. I wish I could keep it for 10 years and rack 200k miles on it. I guess I am just getting old, finding out I cannot have it all. Changing priorities in my life. For example my neices/nephews think Uncle Aaron & Aunt Angie (my wife) are the coolest in the world. A tough act to keep up. My own kids will come before long, and a very improtant goal of mine is to purchase my parents property which is going to be a challenge. The sooner I can make that happen, the better off my parents are to not live there as they age.

I have been blessed in so many ways, and I take many of them for granted. I need to get my vehicle spending accounts in check for now. They consume the most money out of our budget.

Anyway, I love my IS300. I would have shot anyone who would have told me 2 years ago that I would be giving it up, especially for a Stratus. If things go well, I would not mind a Chrysler 300C as an mgt lease, but we'll see how things go.

Thanks, Mark. Even at the incentive levels in the last year or so, Nothing came close to this deal. BTW, nice garage. I don't know if I commented, but it is really nice inside and out.

Sorry for the ramblings. First, buy my car. Then, buy lots of new FoMoCo and DCX vehicles.

Aaron

Well, I can understand the thinking the IS300 became underwhelming in a hurry. I loved it when it came out, though could not deal with its fatal flaws (no folding seat in the sedan, no MTX in the hatch). I will also agree the interior quickly became declasse for the money.

However, I find it a little hard to justify the Stratus as a replacement. I understand the changing of priorities, and not being able to have it all, but even with the V6, I disliked the car intensely. You couldn't have paid me to take it. However, if you like it... that's what matters.

I think a Mazda6 i would have been a better choice. With the premium package and MTX, the car lists right at $20K, and has all the normal comfort and convenience equipment. I also know there are some attractive lease/finance deals on non-sport package models.

Well, I could never take that kind of lease deal (or almost any lease deal)... the mileage penalties would kill me.

However, choosing a car is only in small part a financial decision. One must live with the decision for a considerable amount of time. I personally could barely live with the Stratus for a weekend rental car, much less for a 12 month lease period.

Personal opinion: No matter what the price, driving a car I don't like is no bargain. It's costing me far too much in countless other ways.

So when do we get to see pics of the new Stratus with a good coat of that good old Zaino shine?

Its sounds like you are doing the right thing, albeit a tough one. But hey think to the future!