IS300 or WRX

[nightkid]

Did a search on these 2 and haven't found much on them together here...what do people think? I know, IS300 is more luxury, WRX is more racy...anything else? I wanted to test drive them but neither was available (Lexus 2003's are out next month, WRXs are out but no test driver yet). In Canada here they are less than 3G's apart, so I'm considering both of them as possibly my next car.
Thanx for any feedback

[TatII]

you'll pick up more chicks in a IS and you feel a class higher driving the car. both of my friends got those cars. the wrx is fast. the IS is slower then its suppose to be. but in a car that looks that like do you really care? the feel better on the REX. the IS's dash looks nice with its chronograph dash. the WRX's interior's fit and finish is very fine for a sports car. sooo its totally up to you on what your lookin for. do you want to look fast or do you want to go fast?

[NISSANSPDR]

I would say go for a decked out WRX...w/the aeropackage, the BBS wheels, the STi exhaust, and the STi suspension.

That will look good and get you chicks...any chicks on the FIA World Rally circuit.

[Ssom]

WRX, cause there is more in the aftermarket :finger:

[Chris]

Hey, FIA rally chicks are hot

Anyway, I would take the WRX. I am in love with rally Subbies since I got hooked on rally a few years ago. Those BBS wheels are pricey, so I would go for the aftermarket for all my mods. If you are mechanically inclined/have the tools, you can add them yourself, and get that 'special' feeling inside.
Also, if you get the Lex, get the manual. Now that I am finally able to drive alone, I have a special hatred for automatics. I just want to speed up, not downshift! Twice!. And they take a while to shift, too. Maddening!


Also, with the WRX, it is VERY easy to up the power, anyone can do it. Get 300 hp with bolt-ons.

[Jay!]

I love the WRX, but I gotta say 6 cyl > 4 cyl. Get the IS300 5spd. :coolguy:

[NISSANSPDR]

Jay...

But you do know that the WRX is still faster despite the fact that it is only a 4 cylinder...due to two things...AWD Launches and TURBO!

[Jay!]

I know. But IS300 motor + turbo ~> Supra motor.

[nightkid]

Thanx for all the feedback, it's appreciated as I continue to try and choose!

Anyway, my friends have suggested that there's too many issues with the WRX in terms of reliability and long-term care - in particular, that it's a turbo, and maybe even more importantly, the problems that many are reporting with the transmissions in the WRX, especially the manual.
As far as I know, Lexus has a pretty good name when it comes to reliability and customer satisfaction...

Think the WRX's issues are enough of a concern to swing it to the IS300? I still can't decide

Again, any feedback is great!!

[Chris]

I have also heard reports that the transmission in the WRX is the weakest link. Perhaps coincidently, the STi uses a completely different 6 speed tranny.
And the fact that its a turbo doesn't mean it won't be reliable.
Basically, you will save some money by buying the WRX, so if it does need fixing, you still have that left over.

[brock cummings]

I say the WRX is your best bet because
1) all auto makers with terbos keep factory psi. way lower than the engine can handle.
2) about 90% of trany problems are from heat , just get a trany oil cooler(I got one for my girls mazda 626lx that are know to have trany problems and have not had a problem since)
3) if I read wright you live in canada , so you definitly want the 4 wheel drive WRX and not the rear wheel drive IS300.

I hope I was usfull.:sun: :licker:

[THE4TH]

just cause the wrx is faster doesn't make it a better choice..
the is300 can sit 4 people a lot better than the wrx, a hell of a lot more luxurious.. they both are diff.. but if it's speed he's going for i'd get the is300 and drop the turbo in that.. ..as jay said..

[brock cummings]

the interior is plush but IS300+terbo=big snow blower add all wheel drive and you mite go some place. even if your not just trying to get out of your drive way, in the dry 4 wheels grip better than 2. also the WRX already has a terbo, what could he do with that IS300 terbo money on the WRX.

[nightkid]

El Diablo,

Yup you're right, I'm from Canada, but it's not really that cold or icy here on the west coast
Though it can be slippery with all that rain

So yup, 4WD is a definite advantage of the WRX.
Anyway just keep the responses coming...would like the car soon but not in such a rush that I don't have time to think it all through..

[fatninja19]

I vote the IS300. More luxurious, looks better(my opinion), and has reliability from a Toyota. And on top of that I just really dislike the WRX. heheheh

Originally posted by Chris

Also, with the WRX, it is VERY easy to up the power, anyone can do it. Get 300 hp with bolt-ons.

Which bolt ons are required for that? Because from my friends with WRX's(Well.. 2 people) tell me that free flow intake and a cat back exhaust equates to about nothing.. Well perhaps 4 or 5 hp... But the gains should be A LOT higher with a turbo'ed car... So what does this tell me? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Subaru's 227hp motor is not so restricted. I mean.. practically every other car in the world will experience some gains with a free flow intake and a cat back exhsaust.. and not to mention the WRX is turbo'ed and gains almost nothign with the basic i/e.

Yes, I know the WRX has a few cats... 3 of them right? Which is somewhat restrictive.. But its impractical to run without cat's.. at least here in CA where Smog laws are pretty tight.

All in all, the hp gains don't even start becoming noticeable untill you modify the ecu. Not that I've done that much research, but the last ecu mod I came upon costs about 600 US bones.

And when you do get 300 hp, your transmission will fall out(most likely not literally). A fix for the trans problem is to get something those subi guys call a dogbox.... With that you can launch at redline all day long and not have a worry in the world about your transmission... butt then of course, the cost on that dog box is about 11 large...

so IS300, it is.