I could make a great desicion tomorrow or a HUGE mistake. I need your opinions ASAP. I currently have a 2004 Mazda RX8 6-spd with 53K. I have always loved the IS300's and there is a 2002 with 37K for sale that is automatic. I remember when these cars first came out I had a set of RICH friends in high school who both had IS300s and with 3 different drivers the auto was faster than the stick. However I was just wondering how are auto's with turbo?
What im trying to get to is, I know the is300 has a lot more potential than the RX8 b/c of the limited amount of power that can be put on the 1.3L rotary BUT the rx8 is really quick and the 6spd is so much fun.
I just wanted some opinions on wether its worth going to an auto IS or staying with what i have? I know this could be bias so I am posting it on my IS300 forum too, I just want HONEST opinions on what you would do?

BTW for a lot of IS300 haters, its black onyx with black leather interior and the DARK carbon fiber tailights NOT the ricer lookin white and red ones.

 

I would keep the rx8, I mean you have a warranty until 100k on the core and the auto is300 isn't near as fun to drive.

 

 

keep the 8.

 

friends don't let friends drive automatic slushboxes.

 

do you know is the e shift auto is closer to the manual than the horrible auto rx8 power difference.... im wanting to say its not that much of a diff in the is300?

 

the IS300 looks boring. keep the 8.

 

IS300 is trash keep the 8

 

Any way you can afford both? Both of them great looking but different cars. I personally think it would be fun to have both.

 

Even if an auto IS300 is faster than a stick IS300 as you mentioned doesn't make it any more fun to drive. If I had to get a Lexus it would be an IS but it damn sure wouldn't be an auto. BTW, I used to love those original IS's but the exterior is really starting to look dated.

 

IMO I say keep the 8, that IS just looks abit too old fashioned for me.

 

So how much power exactly do you think the RX-8 is capped at?

And how much do you think the IS300 is capped at?

 

the highest rx-8 i've seen a dyno for is a mazsport. 380whp.

the highest is300 i've seen a dyno for is 640whp.

slight difference.

 

^ yeah but who cares about horsepower these days anyway?

 

kee ur 8

the IS300 is t3h fail compared to it

 

link to the is300 thread!

 

hey, you could always buy the IS and start a local IS club.

you know, invite all the trophy wives out in their automatic IS's.

discuss the best car seat brands and such.

 

^^^

 

joking aside, if it were a 6 speed i'd be on the fence about it myself.

the IS is a fine automobile.

but never... NEVER for an automatic.

 

My brother has an IS300 5spd. He works with a guy who has a IS300 turbo 5spd. Then he has 2 other friends who had IS300 turbo autos. I met a few of the other IS300 guys. Things to know:
1. It's a better power platform than the Rx-8.
2. It's got excellent trunk space and cabin space if you like driving people around (I don't).
3. It's got that supra-like reliability down (lol).
4. Stock for stock, my rx-8 was as fast as my brother's IS300. They have similar power levels and the IS is heavier. I never flat out raced him from a dig (I don't race anybody) but I never felt him pulling on me if we went out driving.
5. On a track, I'd expect my car now (post ignition) to keep or beat the turbo ISs. They're all well north of 400 hp (a couple over 500) and much faster in a line, but it's not a true sports car platform. I do not like driving my brother's car. It feels too easy. You can release the clutch at idle and just roll down the road. The seats feel shallow.
6. I like numbers.

If I had to buy a car to drive to work and take people to meetings and lunch, I would love an IS300. It's an awesome car. If I wanted something for a solo cruise or track day, I would want my Rx8. The Rx8 has more driving feel to it whereas the IS platform is designed to separate the driving from the road more.

 

this model is old. it sales for 3000K to 5000K in Japan. Why go for old model? i don't understand. Why go one step down?

 

On a stock motor for the Lexus? Most people end up swapping in the ever popular 2JZ-GTE, which isn't cheap to get or buy parts for.

I've seen higher numbers than that (not too a large amount) on an RX-8 with an unopened Renesis.

I bet you it's cheaper to mod an RX-8, considering you can get 400-rwhp without cracking the motor open and no need to buy cams, internals, valvetrain components, etc.

And, of course, the 8 handles much better.

But to each their own, I still like IS300s. The new IS-F's are hot ****.

 

buy a jetta. then ugly it up..

beers