I currently can not make up my mind! As of right now I own a 2002 Lexus IS 300, Auto, color- Absolutely Red with 108,000 miles. I love the car it is solid as a rock and reliable as hell. I have cared for the car for the past 3 years. I have a wife who is the main driver of the car and I have a daughter who is 4. My other vehicle is a 1993 Mazda B2200 with 91,000 miles, a true GEM! Perfect paint, perfect everything! Given to me by my father who bought it new, the reason he gave it to me? He got a new vehicle, an 8.......

He purchased it about a year ago, a 2007 Galaxy Grey, Touring, with Full Appearance package and only 7,000 miles, now with about 15,000. We have changed the diff fluid, tranny fluid, spark plugs, etc. I get to drive it every once in awhile and it kicks ***! I want one badly, so what do I do? Sell my car to get one or keep my current car? It would have to be a 2004-2005 with around 70-90k miles. Help me, please!

 

I'd keep the IS300 personally, since it seems to be the main family transportation and driven primarily by your wife.

The IS300 is a nice rear drive sedan. I am pretty sure there are forums devoted to the IS300 and many mods you can do to the IS300.

 

Its hard to say which car you should go for...I would love to say spring for an 8 but you have to think about how much space you need and stuff like that. also consult the wife and see what she wants because you said shes the main one who drives it

 

Also keep in mind, if you're getting a 2004-2005 AT it'll be the 4-speed automatic with the 4-port engine and a "stated" 197HP. 2006+ got 6AT and 6-port engine with 212HP.

Your IS300 AT is probably faster b/c when it was new it was 0-60 in around 7.4. I've read on here that high 7's with the 04/05 ATs is about the best they can do.

IMHO, I'd think there are many more engine mods you could do to the IS300 than the 8 to get more oomph out of the engine.

Plus I think the IS300 is still a sharp compact rear drive sedan. Direct from Japan with love.

 

well guys the thing is i wont get an auto, I will get a 6spd, the wife is in the process of learning a manual, shes a quick learner.

 

Try to get a Low Mileage rx8.
How much are you willing to pay for one?

 

Does she want a manual?

If you didn't already have the IS, I'd say hands down get an 8, but it's a little difficult recommending switching to a car that requires more maintenance, probably has worse fuel economy, and gets more police attention than a drug cartel. Anyway, since your wife is the one who drives the car the most you should be checking in on her opinion...

 

Personally, I'd stick with the IS300. Save the money, especially in this economy.

 

fug dat, buy an 8, you know you want to..

 

Stick with the IS300. My wife has one (actually an IS250 AWD) and I always enjoy driving it, of course in a very different 'luxury sports coupe' way.

 

My brother has an IS300. There are actually 2 parked in our driveway right now. Things to consider:
1. Neither will be a toy car so the ceilings for the cars are largely irrelevant. I do know several people pulling more than 400 whp from IS300s - again, irrelevant.
2. Space - I can fit 4 people in an IS300. Not 4 midgets or 4 children. 4 actual people complete with legs. In the 8, I can fit 3 people if 2 of them are 5'8" or under (which excludes me). My seat is all the way back so fitting anyone behind me for more than a couple blocks will have adverse effects.
3. Space part 2 - the IS's trunk space romps on the 8s.
4. Overall economics - switching cars is going to cost money and you are going to lose some MPG.

I love my car and stock for stock, I wouldn't trade it for my brother's. However, that's because I only need to ever put 2 people in the car and grocery shopping for me consists of a 6 pack of beer and toilet paper.

Now, what if you sell the B2200 for an 8. Then you would have a "family" car and the 8. Do you need the pickup for work? Could you swing owning 3 cars?

 

yeah - keep the is. 8 is awesome, but if your dad has one, let that be your treat to drive it every so often. with a car that solid, and that you have been that happy with, i'd drive it into the ground. w/o a wife and a daughter i'd say 8 hands down, and not that they won't like it, but it just seems to unreasonable to make that switch when your current car is perfectly fine. if that thing starts to act up, make the switch. imho

^ agree - can you get rid of the truck?

 

rx8...but i'm biased!

 

Well guys I have came to a conclusion, keep my IS 300 and ONE day get me an 8! Or just steal my dads when i can!, thanks guys!

 

We own both cars currently. I would say stick with the IS as well, especially if it's your wife's primary car.

 

yup since its ur wifes id say wtick with it if it was for you id say go for the 8 you probably wouldnt regret it

 

sell the truck, get the 8... unless you NEED to have a truck for something.

in which case, save, and wait.

 

They are two completely different vehicle types, and can't really be compared fairly. You might as well have asked "Mustang or SRT-8?"

 

aside from renesis' peaky nature, i actually consider the original is300/altezza and the 8 similar in many ways. the 8 is obviously more of a sports car and more compromised in terms of practical stuff, but the hot altezza in japan, the rs200, is similarly powered and sized as the 8. if i were you, i'd keep the is300. it's a very solid and awesome car, and has just that much more practicality to be perfect at everything. why not wait 'till your dad wants to sell his 8?