2002 Lexus IS Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The interior is great and the exterior is good. The paint starts to fade around the handle for my car. Not sure if that's a model specific problem. Also to be fair the car is over 10Yrs old and to my knowledge the paint job hasn't been reconditioned so some fading is to be expected possibly. My main and only gripe is the mpg. It's terrible. I'm barely getting 15mpg. Granted I'm prone to driving a tad agressively. However anything less than 20 combined avg is unacceptable. I don't help myself in that department by living in NY but otherwise this is a really solid car.Feb 19, 2013

Engine: Power on this one comes from a naturally aspirated 3 liter in line six cylinder known in the Toyota circle as the 2JZ-GE. With double overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, Variable Valve Timing w/Intelligence (VVT-i), and Toyota's Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS) it provides enough power to move the IS300 with some authority while still being civilized and easy to drive. Horsepower is rated at 220 @ 5,800 RPM and torque comes to the same number, although it peaks lower in the revs. The engine is smooth as glass and loves to run all the way to the 6,500RPM redline and with the close-ratio 5 speed manual transmission you can easily exceed most in town speed limits without going any further than 2nd gear. The main thing I disapprove of is the lack of responsiveness and feel in the throttle. With the electronic throttle control it always feels like the engine is a little bit behind the curve when rev. matching gears, or heel-toe downshifting. Manual Transmission: Dubbed the "W55" by Toyota this transmission is a close ratio 5 speed and bears all the typical toyota manual transmission quirks. While being somewhat notchy feeling, it shifts smoothly with little efffort and there is never a problem finding your next gear. Gear engagements don't exactly feel solid, but they aren't too soft either. Shifter throw is a hair longer than necessary, but not to the point that you'll feel like you've been hired on at the local trucking company. Clutch feel is mushy and unresponsive with the factory "Clutch Dampening Device" (CDD) in place although it's a problem easily solved if you have a friend to help you and a bit of mechanical knowledge. Overall it's a good match with the car and you'll find that the combination of close ratios and rear end gearing allow you to leave stoplights with some authority. Drive Axle/Suspension: Power goes to the rear wheels via a fully independent rear suspension setup. This allows for surprising handling characteristics especially when taken into account that this car is not only a 4 door sedan but still has reasonable ride quality as well. Front suspension is also fully independent with rack and pinion steering. Steering is geared to be sharp and responsive but not so much that you'll be cutting through three lanes of traffic whenever lean over to adjust the radio. The rear differential is geared at 3.73 for Manual transmission cars and may be equipped with the optional torsen Limited Slip Differential (LSD). Brakes: Brakes lack a bit of initial grab although there is more than enough stopping power on tap. Pedal feel is good and they are smooth and controllable all the way to a stop. Smash on the brakes and the "brake assist" feature kicks in applying maximum braking pressure coupled with the ABS system bringing the car to a stop quickly enough to put any unsuspecting passenger into the dashboard. Although for true performance driving it could probably use a little bit more, the factory brakes are more than ample for street use. Sound System: The factory sound system includes stock component style speakers up front with standard coaxial speakers in the rear. The head unit is a six- disc CD changer with cassette tape deck. The sound is extremely balanced with a surprising amount of clarity and is not overcome with too much low, mid, or top end. Options for sound equalization and distribution include Bass, Mid, Treble, Fader (Front/Rear), and Balance (Left/Right). My only complaint here is that the CD changer is more than temperamental and likes to jam and/or eat CDs from time to time. Overall Build Quality: Overall build quality of the car is very good as should be expected of a luxury car company such as Lexus. The interior, while somewhat sparse compared to most of the Lexus lineup, is well put together and doesn't rattle or make noise when driving down bumpy roads. Everything in the interior is lined with felt and and foam so as to prevent rattling or unnecessary noises. Wind noise is low although the 17" wheels and low profile tires make themselves known more so when hitting bumpy or rough patches on the freeway. Exterior panel gaps are uniform and doors shut smoothly and easily. Safety: This car was rated 5 stars by the NHTSA in 2001 and is equipped with side curtain airbags, front air bags - both driver and passenger. Features such as ABS, Traction Control, and Brake Assist also help prevent potential accidents. Adverse Weather Conditions: While driving this car over the course of a year it has never failed to start and has always gotten me where I needed to go. With good winter tires and the factory Limited Slip Differential you'll have no problem driving in winter weather. The "Snow" mode and Traction Control System sense wheel slip and cut engine power accordingly to aid traction but can easily be turned off for a little bit of parking lot fun if you so desire. No it isn't an AWD or 4 wheel drive vehicle but in my opinion you'd be hard pressed to find a front wheel drive car that can out run it in the snow when equipped properly. Reliability: So far I've had no problems with the car. Although some maintenance items and replacement parts may be expensive, overall cost of ownership is low. Fuel Mileage: Usually around 25mpg @ 75mph highway. In town all depends on your driving style, but it shouldn't be too hard to see 20-22mpg. Nov 30, 2011

I like it, It's got lots of potential... turbo, the stance, wheels, needs manual tran, light tint, needs women to get in it more often haha. It's really fun to drive, 3000 lbs. 222 horse at the crank, not bad. Not sure if it would bang out against the old teggy but it does well. I need snow tires for it in the winter. gas mileage depends how you drive it but it takes premium so that's a pain. Repairs? needs it's 30,000 mile maintenance. Interior is impeccable.Oct 21, 2011

The IS is a great overall sport sedan. It could of course handle a little better, or go a little faster, but then I would have more speeding tickets. it is pretty comfortable all the way around. I have had to change the brakes, and plugs, and currently it has a check engine light on, but it is just the way things go right now. i have gotten allot of good use out of it, and still expect more. Mar 21, 2011

The car is beautiful to look at and a great car to drive. The performance could be better but for a naturally aspirated 5 speed inline 6 engine, it moves pretty nicely. the only thing i have needed to replace on it is the clutch after 90,000 miles because i could tell it was going soon. The gas mileage is decent, could be better but its not terrible and it rarely ever needs any maintenance. Overall the car has a great ride quality and gets a lot of attention on a daily basis by other people.Jan 22, 2011

The performance of the car is pretty impressive. I feel that the car lacks a little in overall power but seems to make up for it in handling and driveability. The build quality seems to be pretty good but it is a toyota at heart. I think that the car has great overall looks and is simple and classy at the same time and in very easy to figure out all features and operations of the car in a short period of time. It get pretty good mileage and it needs basic care like any car. The car is a blast to drive and handles better than expected but if it was not a 5 speed I really would have no interest in the car at all.Nov 30, 2010

Appearance: Even for a 7yr. old car, its still turns heads! Add some halos, lower it, rims, and your good! Performance: 215 stock HP and 3200lbs=slooow! IF you have the $$$, boost it, upgrade suspension,braking,and drive train, and you'll smoke 90% of the cars on the streets. Overall, the car is so much fun to drive. The boost set up is so fun. It feels so raw it always puts a smile on my face! You can't beet RWD w/ LSD! Its not without its problems but thats the price u pay for built performance! Aug 29, 2009

absolutly amazing... never squeaked, minimal wind noise up to about 120, great amount of torque and hp available through out the rpm range... built by lexus with a toyota supra engine.... limited slip diff and f1 style tiptronic... you couldnt go wrong... cost of ownership was high.. but it was a lexus this was to be expected.... for those looking for an aggressive looking car, with enough under the hood stock and plenty of aftermarket available... i would recommend this... (does have great leg room in the back seats as well)Sep 07, 2008

Performance - great acceleration, 2jz what more can you ask for on a saloon. Build Quality - its great build like a toyota which it is. Appearance - leather nice, but just wish they didn't use matted plastic on the dash. Cost of Ownership - not bad just gas is a killer 18mpg city, and 36mpg highway. Fun Factor - what can i say HKS chose it to be their driftcar.Jul 24, 2008

The V6 is great. I got to drive the rare 5 speed...So they said that only 5-10% were made manual. I had four people in the car with a baby and myself. that makes 5 people in the car but the car still drove like hell. Build quality is a 5 BC it a Toyota under the hood. Appearance is special there is nothing like it and a lot girls love it. The owner tried to sale at 24k, which was cheap. But I was too poor :(. Nevertheless, the fun factor is there. R W D is the way to have fun.(and manual)Jul 10, 2008

Great sports sedan, nice styling, impressive fit and finish. Good torquie rear wheel drive, felt quicker than it is. Fun to drive. Very reliable, and reasonable repair costs. Rear tires would chatter a little when lit up (with traction control off). The traction control itself was absolutely horrid, a hazard and a danger. When it senses the least bit of lost traction it cuts engine right back to 1500 rpm for a full 5 second count (picture turning out in front of a car and needing power to get out of the way).Jul 08, 2008

My car isn't exactly stcok, but it the mods are mild. I have a Tanabe Sport coil set on Tokiko Illumina 5-way adjustable struts. I have an aftermarket Air Intake System by SRT (Swift Racing Technologies), an ACT (Advanced Clutch Technologies) clutch, and a FIDANZA lightweight flywheel. With all ove the above stated, my car runs like a dream! The shifts are quick! the handling is stiff and extremely sporty! It can really make the wheels spin!Jun 11, 2008

this car is a ball just drive when you get to a curvy road you turn on sport mode and you hit the gas the suspension hugs the corners like nothing and when you get to the straight away you can fly away at 143 mph the brakes on the car have personaly saved me many a time the interior is of lower end for luxury car standards but is still in par for an entery level lexus the backseats are rather small and cant fit the average adult with comfort the dash is of an interesting design but is hard to read but the speakers in the IS300 preduce a good note of base with the lexus sound system but the CD player was of a very bad build and has been known to jam and break that is the one major downside the seats are comfortable but lack suport for sharp turns and if your seat belt is not on you will get pushed a little the steering is precise and you know you will make the corner when you turn the wheel when you turn off the traction control the small but powerful inline 6 with VVTi opens up and you will easily get the car sideways. the body of the IS300 is almost the same as it japanese counterpart the Toyota Altizza but the engine is a bit bigger with the 2JZ-GE pushing 3.0L and 215 stock hp compared to the Altizza's 195hp the body is a smoothly curved body with an agressive front end. the car is a fun car all in all to drive and own its also a tunable car with many companies out there just for this vehicle it is a fun drive but there are better vehicles out there this is just one of the choicesApr 02, 2008

Not much to say other than the car drove much better after I swapped out the OEM suspension. The OEM suspension sucked like crazy, the car feels like it's going to flip over every time I take a corner. The car looks great, and even better with some body modifications, but is a little lacking on power. The car felt better after some weight reduction, but definitely need some boost on the 2JZ.Feb 18, 2008