Lexus IS300 vs. 330i?

[klogins]

I know, I know, the BMW was doing “330s” first. That aside, I’m trying to make a good buying decision here and could use some advice. BMW is … well, BMWs are BMWs and that’s saying a lot. But the 2003 IS300 is very tempting – lower cost, sportier look, great reputation. So I guess I’m leaning toward Lexus but always saw myself driving a BMW when I could finally afford one. Any thoughts?

[msylver]

My last car was IS300 and sold it for 330i. I went with the IS since looked just as good on paper and saved some money, but owning the car is a different story. Since I sold my IS and got my 330, I havent missed the 330 one day. Well worth the extra money to get the "real deal".

[318ti]

Isn't the IS300 a souped up, luxury version of a Toyota Camry?

Have you test drove both cars?

Nothing against Lexus', - there's a real market for luxury type cars, but BMW's are funner to drive in my opinion.

[msylver]

The IS300 is not a Camry LOL. Its the Toyota Altezza from Japan, sold in the US as a Lexus. It is a very sporty car meant to be driven, and is funner to drive than my 330 in some ways. Its hard to be dissapointed with the IS. Just depends on your expectations. Stereotype - it seems like the IS is targeted for the 20 to 25 "boy racer" market and the 330 is the 30+ "yuppie".

[method]

"Funner"

I thinks it is aimed at the 20-25 english class flunkie.

[crayzayjay]

The IS was modelled on the E36 BMW, which is the current 3-series' predecessor. That should tell you something about the underpinnings of each car. The BMW's engine and thus performance is far superior, the handling is more composed, and as you said, it's a BMW. It will be more expensive, but you might just find its worth it. I dont know about resale values in the US but here in the UK the BM would hold up a lot better too, so you'd make up some of the extra purchasing cost when you resell.. or should i say, if you resell. ive driven a 330 and was blown back. fantastic car

[digimay]

If you want a more solid feel, a no non-sense style and a more reputable name-badge go for the BMW 330i. Performance wise the BMW is a hair on top of the IS300. Test driving the 330i, it accelerates, stops and corners a bit better then the IS300. It felt like a more solid car.

However, the Lexus IS300 is a better value. About $5k cheaper you get a car that is of near equal performance. Not to mention how reliable Lexus is. My 330i is only a year old and already been in the shop twice, costing me a fortune. Sometimes I regret I should of gottin the Lexus. I've also seen a lot of Beemers stranded on freeways. The only turn-off about the IS-300 in my opinion is the cheesy rear styling and the cheap plastic interior. Besides its looks the Lexus is a great buy. I'm just a bit on the conservative side, of course everyones taste is different.

[crayzayjay]

Please... performance isnt "a bit better" in the 330i

More power, more torque, 2 full seconds quicker to 60, and higher top speed! And you know what, BMW threw in better fuel consumption too!
The IS300 is a good car but is justifiably at a discount to the 330, in fact the 330 is probably better value overall considering the above points, the fact its a BMW and its higher quality interior, not to mention residuals. In terms of reliability my family's experience with Beamers in the last decade is blemish-free, apart from an overheating 7 in the 80's

[kaoru-tochiro]

If you preffer a transvestite over a real woman, take the IS 300.:smoka:

[tomlong]

I also looked at the IS300 before buying my BMW. I found that the IS300 has a very cheap looking interior and did not handle like a gocart as did the 330 I considered purchasing. The Lexus however does become very fun to drive after adding 2500 dollars worth of suspension. My buddy has an IS300 with several mods and tweeks. The car is a blast to drive, but the money Lexus invests in making the car luxuriuos leaves a lot to be desired. You may not be looking for luxury, but instead for a well thought of name plate. The BMW is the whole package and you will probably never want to get rid of the car. I opted for a two year old 540I 6spd my dealer had over the three series because I found out my wife was pregnant and I thought it made since to have the extra room, but I fall in love with my car every time I sit in it.

[crayzayjay]

It's like comparing Hugo Boss to Tommy Hilfiger. No comparison really

[rearviewmirror]

Originally posted by digimay
Not to mention how reliable Lexus is. My 330i is only a year old and already been in the shop twice, costing me a fortune. Sometimes I regret I should of gottin the Lexus. I've also seen a lot of Beemers stranded on freeways.

What kind of things could put a BMW 330Ci in the shop costing you a fortune? Everything on the car is under warranty. I have had a broken power window unit and what not but everything down to topping off the oil is covered for up to 3 years on the free maint and 4 years on the actual warranty. So I am curious to know what kind of out of pocket repairs you have had done to your car. Living down here in little Silicon valley there are BMW's everywhere, but I don't see them stranded. And they all have roadside assistance so if it is, it won't be there long.

[crayzayjay]

I'll also vouch for BMW's reliability. In 6 years of ownership, our last 5-series caused us one problem, it wouldnt start one morning. That was it, all the trouble we ever had with it.

[gti1689]

I would have to go with the 330i because it is similarly priced and it excels in most performance categories. Some may argue that the IS has better handling, but if one ever gets the chance to drive a manual 330i throgh some twisty roads they will agree that it is more composed and rewarding at the limit. In addition, the IS cannot compare to the 330i in straight-line performance. I know the stepping on the gas until you can't go any faster is no way to measure the overall performance of a car, but it is important if one has ever had to merge onto a highway and the other cars were going close to 30mph faster than you.

Lexus
0-60 7.4 (automatic) 6.8 (claimed)

Bimmer
0-60 6.7 (automatic) 6.2 (clamied)

These firgures are only really important to the true street racers and the 13 year olds looking at this site from the family computer, but they are part of the overall package. Maybe, if the IS had some more power it would be able to compete, but currently the Infiniti G35 sedan is the car that is giving the 330i a run for its money.

In the end, I would buy any one of these cars, but if I could afford the BMW I would splurge.

[gti1689]

Sorry, when I said claimed nest to the acceleration numbers i meant clamied for the manual version of the IS. The times for the BMW are were taken from a comparison tests done by Motortrend, roadandtrack, and car and driver.