should i trade in my is300 for an SI?

[banky]

hey guys, first of all, i know posting in a honda forum is gonna get some biased feedback, but im asking that you guys be as objective as you can. im also doing the same in the lexus boards. i really dont know what i should do. basically, im in a 01 lexus is300 with currently 93k miles on it. i bought it a year ago and still have about 4-5 years left. i currently have the option of getting into a new 07-08 si coupe, but wasnt sure if it would be a good move. first of all, im upside down on the lexus, and im not sure if this would be considered a real upgrade. i know the lexus would last me the rest of my term with no real major problems, but i like the idea of a new car. the reason its narrowed just to the SI is because of the price range and i might possibly be able to get it at a great deal (numbers have not been worked out yet) .. i dont neccessarily need to trade in my car for a new one, i just think long term wise it would be a good idea. i also need to drive to texas in about a month or 2 because im moving, and i think it would be a lot better to make the drive in a new car compared to a 100k mile is300.. although there *shouldnt* be any problems making the drive.

im assuming i got fucked on the deal when i bought the lex a year ago because im heavily upside down, but what would you guys consider a good monthly payment for an SI be? i really cant justify a $500 monthly payment for the car alone (without counting insurance) because i dont *think* the SI is worth $500 ...

any suggestions?

specs of teh lexus::

2001 is300 black
stock motor
18" wheels
93k miles
already replaced radiator, water pump, afm and timing belt

i know this car if maintained could last *very* long, but i bought it used and this whole moving to texas thing just popped up so im not sure if i should really keep it anymore..

what do you guys think?

[CONRAD29]

have u test drove the si

[WVU97GS-R]

fuck no you don't trade it in. let me see? 2jz-ge or k20? rwd or fwd? hmmm hell no the si is garbage in potential to what you can do with the is300/altezza. umm you can do a full 2jz-gte swap for almost nothing and have a nice ass 4 door rwd v8 killer. why waste your time with 4cyl fwd n/a if you don't have too?

[kommon_sense]

I think this is really more of a budget issue than a performance issue. At nearly 100k, you are probably going to have to start doing the expensive normal maintenance/repairs that pops up.

I would consider a trade in, but I would make the decision with my wallet as opposed to dyno charts.

[WVU97GS-R]

Originally Posted by kommon_sense

I think this is really more of a budget issue than a performance issue. At nearly 100k, you are probably going to have to start doing the expensive normal maintenance/repairs that pops up.

I would consider a trade in, but I would make the decision with my wallet as opposed to dyno charts.

ehhh toyota is more reliable than honda. routine maintance and the car will run pretty long enough. come on a civic vs an is300. now if he had a bmw and was thinking about an si then i would say go for it.

[banky]

thanks for the input guys, and yes, it is more of a budget issue more than anything else.

also i dont think a swap is as cheap as you think, since my is automatic id probably wanna do the manual conversion also and from what i understands its about 5-7k for everything.

the whole point with the civic is that id get a 0miles car that i put my own miles on it as opposed to this car in which i bought it used and its automatic.

but i mean obviously like you said theres pros and cons.. fwd vs rwd , is300 vs civic... blah !!

[WVU97GS-R]

Originally Posted by banky

thanks for the input guys, and yes, it is more of a budget issue more than anything else.

also i dont think a swap is as cheap as you think, since my is automatic id probably wanna do the manual conversion also and from what i understands its about 5-7k for everything.

the whole point with the civic is that id get a 0miles car that i put my own miles on it as opposed to this car in which i bought it used and its automatic.

but i mean obviously like you said theres pros and cons.. fwd vs rwd , is300 vs civic... blah !!

you don't have to do a manual swap and i just like toyota better than honda. the is300 is an awesome car. you'll get more use out of the is300. the new civic hasn't proven itself yet. the platform has only been around since 2002.

[DarkSi]

Originally Posted by WVU97GS-R

you don't have to do a manual swap and i just like toyota better than honda. the is300 is an awesome car. you'll get more use out of the is300. the new civic hasn't proven itself yet. the platform has only been around since 2002.

Not doing a manual swap isn't the best idea. In stock form, the autos are only good for about 350hp. Not to mention, a 2jz-gte swap isn't nearly as easy or inexpensive as you're trying to make it out to be. If you can do the labor yourself, sure, just a few grand or so. If you can't, plan on spending several thousand on wiring, etc. Definitely not a 'drop-in'.

Now, op, to answer your question - I traded my 02 IS300 in yesterday for an '08 Si.

My IS was at 104k, an needed a bunch of stuff. I just dropped about $1500 on it a few months ago, doing the timing belt, tires, etc, etc... Now I'm getting check engine codes for the spark plugs, my radio finally stopped ejecting CDs, (a VERY common IS issue), etc. Rather than spend a bunch of money, I dumped it for a brand new car. I shouldn't have to worry about anything but oil changes for a while, which makes me happy.

The Si is clearly faster, stock-for-stock. Going back to a manual was quite a joy, and one of the major reasons I ended up doing it. Not to mention, I missed my CRX, and the Si has just a little bit of that same feel to it.

I love it, and I won't look back.

Quite frankly, I think that I'm just not mature enough to appeciate the creature comforts that the Lexus had to offer. I'll only be in my 20's for another 2 years, so I want to enjoy something like the Si while I can still manage it!

[gurusan]

trade the IS300 in for a manual

However it's true that the Si is a faster car stock for stock. But if you start modding then the IS will quickly outpace the Si.

[triple si]

Originally Posted by gurusan

trade the IS300 in for a manual

well said. 6 gears will be quite a change of pace compared to the automatic.
I vote SI. I imagine it would be more enjoyable to drive.

[DarkSi]

Originally Posted by gurusan

trade the IS300 in for a manual

However it's true that the Si is a faster car stock for stock. But if you start modding then the IS will quickly outpace the Si.

The IS's manual transmission is remarkably weak. The auto trans can hold about 350hp without mods, and 450+ with just a valvebody. The manual trans starts to literally break gears at the 300ft-lb threshold, which isn't much at all.

The only remedy is to swap in the manual trans from a Supra Turbo, be it a pre-93, with the 5-speed, or an uber-expensive 6-speed from a 93+.

The point is, the IS still isn't balanced well. If we got the 3S-GE Altezza like Japan did, the IS would eat an Si for breakfast, in every category. The problem is, we didn't. Making up for the deficiencies engineered into the car when it came to the US just costs too much money, in my opinion.

As for the IS quickly out-pacing the Si with mods, I beg to differ. (to a degree) Once again, this comes down to money. Care to throw down 350rwhp in an IS? It'll cost you about $6k for a turbo kit, and WAY more, once you do the rest of the supporting mods, such as an LSD, if your IS didn't come so equipped. Or, if you go the NA path, good luck EVER seeing more than 250rwhp. From what I've read, only 1 car has been successful at surpassing that goal so far. Hell, there aren't even proper CAMS available for the IS.

Hell, with the Si, if I cared to, I could make a trip to Toda's website, and come back with a near-300rwhp NA K20.

In my opinion, which should count for something, since I've owned both , the Si is a better platform, a better car, and has a better motor, with better aftermarket support. I've loved the Toyota 2JZ motors since their inception... But, let's face it, they're pretty dated now, and motors like the K20 are where it's at.

[gurusan]

Well I was thinking more along the lines of a track car (sorry I always think like this)...the Civic is FWD so is at a disadvantage unless it's a low speed twisty course.

High speed circuits + RWD/boost/lots of downforce is what I'm after next.

If I can ever afford it I want a rotrex charged k20a Exige with VERY sticky tires, gigantic brakes, and at least 40% of its weight worth of downforce (400+kg)

[DarkSi]

Originally Posted by gurusan

Well I was thinking more along the lines of a track car (sorry I always think like this)...the Civic is FWD so is at a disadvantage unless it's a low speed twisty course.

High speed circuits + RWD/boost/lots of downforce is what I'm after next.

If I can ever afford it I want a rotrex charged k20a Exige with VERY sticky tires, gigantic brakes, and at least 40% of its weight worth of downforce (400+kg)

Ya - good call. You're in the UK, import yourself a proper Altezza!

[MQTGSR]

I'm gonna say stick with the yoda' for now. Unless the monthly payments on the IS300 are higher than the ones for the new Si. I know your car has 100k on it, but it is a Toyota, remember that. As long as you have kept up with regular maitnence you are not going to have problems. And it sounds like you have maintained it well and you have a new water pump and t-belt you said? Thoes are some 2 major potential spots of trouble and there already out of the way. You have a perfectly fine running car, no real need to trade it yet, perhaps in a few years or so.

As far as the drive to Texas, you should have absolutely no trouble. My Integra has double the miles of that lexus, and I have 100% confidence in taking that car anywhere. I'd drive it to California right now, shit I don't care.(If it were out of storage)

Si is no doubt a nice car, and if the deal is one you can't pass up, or ends up being better than the deal you have now, take it, but It's looking like no. In terms of dollars and cents, your IS300 seems like the way to go. Just make sure you keep up fairly well on the maitnence, and you'll be mobbin that car to well over 200k with no problems. 2jz's are a proven power plant, and from what I hear very reliable. Best of luck with whatever you do.