2002 Maxima or Lexus 2002 IS300?
03-13-2003, 08:54 PM
#2
Daymn, tough choice........ let me think.....
Sorry guys, The Lexus looks sporty as heck. I know I'll get my butt handed to me as far as performance is concerned, but they look good.
My choice..... Lexus.
Sorry guys, The Lexus looks sporty as heck. I know I'll get my butt handed to me as far as performance is concerned, but they look good.
My choice..... Lexus.
03-13-2003, 09:24 PM
#9
03-13-2003, 09:28 PM
#11
Not DAVEB the parts guy
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,555
I'd go with the Lexus. You end up loosing some acceleration, but you end up having a wicked handling and sexy looking car. The 5 speed IS300 is good for 15.0@93mph so it isn't exactly a slug. I know a header is available along with exhausts, intakes, and even cams. Then there's always the turbos. I don't think it would be too hard to get an NA 5 speed IS300 into the mid 14s with minimal work. RWD is the key with this car. You won't have the topend, but you'll launch hard.
Dave
Dave
03-13-2003, 09:45 PM
#12
Tough
Max is faster from factory
but Lexus is pretty sexy, has far more room for upgrades and is RWD.
I'd take a stripped G35 6 speed if it will fit the price range
but if i was planning on doing a lot of modding
i'd go with the Lex
if i was looking for a nice car to keep stock
i'd take the max.
Max is faster from factory
but Lexus is pretty sexy, has far more room for upgrades and is RWD.
I'd take a stripped G35 6 speed if it will fit the price range
but if i was planning on doing a lot of modding
i'd go with the Lex
if i was looking for a nice car to keep stock
i'd take the max.
03-13-2003, 10:33 PM
#16
IS300 hands down. Reason being that you can take the supra block, put a nice turbo on it, push 20+lbs of boost, and be putting oveer 600-700whp. SRT (www.swiftracing.com) is the PREMIER maker of turbo kits for Lexus's. They own the market on it, check out the clublexus forums and you will see.
Dixit
Dixit
03-14-2003, 04:29 AM
#24
I would go with the IS and actually was lookin at gettin one when I got the max. I just got the price that I wanted on the max and it ended up being 7k less than the IS. I was trying to get the IS to around 29k with a 33k sticker but they wouldn't budge under 31k so I said fawk em and went back and pick up my max
03-14-2003, 04:51 AM
#25
Dyno plot says I have the most area under the Administrator curve
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,060
For stock performance: Maxima
For modded potential: IS300
They're both great cars in their respective markets, so I guess it's just a question of what's more important to you.
Luxury, snob-appeal, handling, mod potential = IS300
Stock performance, room, comfort, luxury w/o luxury badge = Maxima
For modded potential: IS300
They're both great cars in their respective markets, so I guess it's just a question of what's more important to you.
Luxury, snob-appeal, handling, mod potential = IS300
Stock performance, room, comfort, luxury w/o luxury badge = Maxima
03-14-2003, 05:17 AM
#27
I just don't like the IS. So I would say get the Max. When I went to look at one before I got the Max, I took it for a test drive and it just didn't feel right to me. Plus it seemed like it had less space for me (I am 6'6", 215). I test drove the Max and I absolutely loved it...(except for that silly body roll)
03-14-2003, 06:10 AM
#28
Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hfx, N.S.
Posts: 231
Even though I never drove either I would be more interested in the lexus. The maxima would be more raw performance but the lexus would have an all round better package. (looks performance, maintenance, service) But if you through in the G35 that is another ball game. Evertime I see one it makes my head turn unlike the max and the lexus. G35 6 speed - all the way.
IS300 
03-14-2003, 07:01 AM
#31
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 500
Re: 2002 Maxima or Lexus 2002 IS300?
Originally posted by turbo97SE
Given the choice, which would you get? A 2002 5 sp Lexus IS 300 or a 2002 6 sp Maxima?
Given the choice, which would you get? A 2002 5 sp Lexus IS 300 or a 2002 6 sp Maxima?
Hmmmmmm. Well I'd have to say IS 300 because the 2k2 maxima had some teething problems when Nissan dropped the 3.5 L in it. Plus you know that Lexus is top notch when it comes to service.
However if these cars are used I would have to look at how much mileage/time is left on the manufacturers warranty and overall condition of each vehicle in regards to price. Does it snow enough in your area where RWD would be a constant PITA? Do you need a bigger rear seat or trunk?
03-14-2003, 07:15 AM
#33
Not DAVEB the parts guy
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,555
I looked around a few IS300 forums and was amazed to see how few of these cars drag raced especially by people who know anything about racing. A manual IS300 tends to put down ~195fwhp and 185rwtq in stock form. With a header, intake, and exhaust along with heavy 17/18s, these cars are making 210-215rwhp and 200rwtq. They weigh 3250lbs which is pretty close to the 5th gen. It looks like they're only real problem is torque. With intake and exhaust work, lighter wheels, few gallons of gas, and no spare/jack, I think it would be pretty easy to get mid 14s@95mph with this car. From what I can tell, only one experienced driver took his bonestock IS300 manual to the track. He was able to pull off a 14.9@91 with a 1.99 60' 
Most of the guys are clueless about drag racing plus many of them race with 18s and 19s 
Dave
Most of the guys are clueless about drag racing plus many of them race with 18s and 19s Dave
03-14-2003, 08:02 AM
#35
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Thread Starter
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Re: Re: 2002 Maxima or Lexus 2002 IS300?
Originally posted by Canuck
Can I have your car then
Can I have your car then
03-14-2003, 08:30 AM
#36
Dyno plot says I have the most area under the Administrator curve
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,060
Originally posted by SprintMax
IS300's like GS400's are not 1/4 mile cars.. they are highway monsters
IS300's like GS400's are not 1/4 mile cars.. they are highway monsters
I think of it as more of a twisties beast.
03-14-2003, 08:53 AM
#37
i was in the market for the IS300, but that car, on the outside looks fantastic, but its engine and handling is really too weak for my tastes for the money.. the BMW 328 had more torque and better handling than the IS!!
i also test drove the Audi A4, 330ci, RSX, S2000, and WRX before making my final decision on the 350z.... and you all know what i ended up with.
i also test drove the Audi A4, 330ci, RSX, S2000, and WRX before making my final decision on the 350z.... and you all know what i ended up with.
03-14-2003, 08:58 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 481
Originally posted by T-bone
I agree that the IS300 is a nice car, but I am not as big a fan of it as I was when I used to be. Am I the only person that thinks that it looks like a Civic!?
I agree that the IS300 is a nice car, but I am not as big a fan of it as I was when I used to be. Am I the only person that thinks that it looks like a Civic!?
03-14-2003, 10:40 AM
#40
Originally posted by SteVTEC
How does an IS300 qualify as a highway beast?
I think of it as more of a twisties beast.
How does an IS300 qualify as a highway beast?
I think of it as more of a twisties beast.
1 GS300
2 GS400
2 Maxima's
1 GTI vr6
At 130 mph .. the IS300 were holding there own with the GS's and the 2 maxima's.. the GTI was way behind