IS300 vs. 350Z
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From: Lexington, KY
IS300 vs. 350Z
Hello everyone! I am new to this forum, so a big hello to everyone! 
Right now I own a 2001 Lexus IS300. I am heavily considering buy a 2003 350Z Enthusiast. Funny enough, it seems like my car payments will go down if I were to buy this Z.
What do you guys know about the IS vs. Z? Not just in speed or performance, but in EVERY aspect?
--Miles
Right now I own a 2001 Lexus IS300. I am heavily considering buy a 2003 350Z Enthusiast. Funny enough, it seems like my car payments will go down if I were to buy this Z.
What do you guys know about the IS vs. Z? Not just in speed or performance, but in EVERY aspect?
--Miles
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From: IL
Lexus is a nice car but however i look at them, they still have the image of toyota to me. Its not bad that they are toyota, i pretty much call them more of another Toyota carrying a Lexus badge. Lexus is good with a nice soft ride and nice radio but when u look at performance side, theres absolutely no way that Lexus will even come close to the z. If i were you, i would try to narrow down what i really like on a car ranging from ride quality to performance then go from there. I was never big fan of Toyota other than Supra coz theyre just not that responsive to me at all...i like cars that when u need the speed, its there! so good luck on whatever u pick
Welcome 2 the forum,
A good friend of mine owns an 03 IS that is chiped, has full coil-overs, and fat tires in the rear. MY Z is stock, and from a handling standpoint, his car handles just as well and turns just as sharp. In straight-line acceleration from a stop, 1st and 2nd gear is close - the Z has a slight edge - but after the Z hits 3rd gear, no comparison. Infact, when compared to most performance cars that competes with the Z, 3rd gear and after is where the Z shines.
From a 2nd-gear rolling start, the Z is noticeably faster than the IS.
The IS's engine is smoother and more quiet, while the 3.5VQ is louder with a nice and loud exaust note - you could make grandma fall in the bushes by flying by in 1st and 2nd gear...it's loud.
Interior-wise, if you compare with a Touring Z, then both are pretty nice. The IS is relatively compact though, so if you're 5'11'' and up, you'd feel more comfortable in the Z, as you sit much lower with more head room. However, if you're 5'5'' and lower with a short back, you would look like grandma driving a sports car
Of course, the IS has 4 entire doors, with seating for FIVE, so that, a lone, would make the IS superior to the Z; thus, you will keep your IS (so that there would be less Z's on the road
)
A good friend of mine owns an 03 IS that is chiped, has full coil-overs, and fat tires in the rear. MY Z is stock, and from a handling standpoint, his car handles just as well and turns just as sharp. In straight-line acceleration from a stop, 1st and 2nd gear is close - the Z has a slight edge - but after the Z hits 3rd gear, no comparison. Infact, when compared to most performance cars that competes with the Z, 3rd gear and after is where the Z shines.
From a 2nd-gear rolling start, the Z is noticeably faster than the IS.
The IS's engine is smoother and more quiet, while the 3.5VQ is louder with a nice and loud exaust note - you could make grandma fall in the bushes by flying by in 1st and 2nd gear...it's loud.
Interior-wise, if you compare with a Touring Z, then both are pretty nice. The IS is relatively compact though, so if you're 5'11'' and up, you'd feel more comfortable in the Z, as you sit much lower with more head room. However, if you're 5'5'' and lower with a short back, you would look like grandma driving a sports car
Of course, the IS has 4 entire doors, with seating for FIVE, so that, a lone, would make the IS superior to the Z; thus, you will keep your IS (so that there would be less Z's on the road)
since your used to comfort in the IS i suggest get a G35 instead of a Z unless if your looking to upgrade into a sports car! BTW how much are the dealers offering for your IS??? my sister is trying to sell hers right now and what the dealers are offering it's just stupid crazy, specialy since the new IS body just came out...
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From: PDX
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....=is300+vs+350z
A post awhile back. Please try searching next time. Welcome to My350Z.
A post awhile back. Please try searching next time. Welcome to My350Z.
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From: Lexington, KY
Kelley Blue Book says $11,300 for mine which is over mileage and in "good" condition. I couldn't believe $6,500. I want 12-13 out of it, and really don't want less than 11...that's if I decide to sell it.
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From: Texas
i looked at the IS before getting the Z, both cars are nice, personally i like the IS interior better but had no need for a backseat and 4 doors.
as for the few babbling about the search feature.......the search feature sucks ballz on this site, and if they would have used the search feature they probably would have found or not found several posts stating the ball suckiness of it
as for the few babbling about the search feature.......the search feature sucks ballz on this site, and if they would have used the search feature they probably would have found or not found several posts stating the ball suckiness of it
A friend of mine also owns a 03 5-speed IS 300 and it is a great car, but from a performance standpoint, the Z is in a different class. The IS is basically a sporty luxury cruiser, while the Z is a straight up sports car. Z has much better handling, braking and acceleration in all gears. IS is much smoother in the city/highway, quieter and obviously has the lexus luxuries. IS interior is definitely nicer than the Z. Completely different cars for different purposes, but either way they are good automobiles.
IS vs Z stock for stock
Originally Posted by xMileZx
Hello everyone! I am new to this forum, so a big hello to everyone!
Right now I own a 2001 Lexus IS300. I am heavily considering buy a 2003 350Z Enthusiast. Funny enough, it seems like my car payments will go down if I were to buy this Z.
What do you guys know about the IS vs. Z? Not just in speed or performance, but in EVERY aspect?
--Miles
Right now I own a 2001 Lexus IS300. I am heavily considering buy a 2003 350Z Enthusiast. Funny enough, it seems like my car payments will go down if I were to buy this Z.
What do you guys know about the IS vs. Z? Not just in speed or performance, but in EVERY aspect?
--Miles
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From: TX
Originally Posted by kayfuNk
first of all, Z, faster preforms better and lets be honest, it looks a helf of a lot better. driven correctly you can grab up to 35 mpg on STREET with a Z.. i doit all the time when i want to conserve gas, the handling and the suspension are phenominal and it's just an all around great car.. the Z is short on space as wehre the IS is a 4 door big heavy beast.. they're both nice cars,they both have great engines and transmissions and everything, if you're looking for a real difference, it's in the drive..
I drive my car, but I don't beat on it. With 60/40 highway to city driving i get 21.5mpg in the Z. I usually travel around 70 on the freeway.
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From: Atlanta
I have always owned Lexus vehicles until 3 weeks ago. I fell in love with the IS when it came out in '01, and finally got one in '03. I thought I would always stay with Lexus. I am 6'1" and started to feel very confined in the IS, my girlfriend has an IS also, so I was always stuck in one. I added an intake and wanted more, but the car just got old to me. I thought it handled fairly well, but acceleration sucked. My gf thought it was crazy to fell confined in a four door, yet I wanted a two door. The Z has much more room for me. Have you driven a Z? I thought I would never own a Nissan, I always said I would get a G35 instead of a Z, I figured the Z wasn't luxurious for me. I saw two Z's fly by me one day on the interstate and I was in love, I found out that they didn't have a back-seat, and I became more in love. I then drove a friend of a friend's, and I bought one TWO weeks later, that is how much this car rocks. I just can't explain how much more I love my Z. I have been taking care of that car like it is a baby. You have to drive one. Let me know if you have any other questions.
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From: California
my best friends are twins one has a 350z one has an is300. both put nitrous in their cars. both cars are awesome id choose the z because the is just seems like another sports sedan. dont get me wrong ive driven the car and love it(taken it up to 120 in fact car felt great), but theres something about the z, something so compelling and sexy. thats why im getting an 07 haha. goodluck bro both are awesome.
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From: R3d L3tt3r Vill3
Originally Posted by kayfuNk
first of all, Z, faster preforms better and lets be honest, it looks a helf of a lot better. driven correctly you can grab up to 35 mpg on STREET with a Z.. i doit all the time when i want to conserve gas, the handling and the suspension are phenominal and it's just an all around great car.. the Z is short on space as wehre the IS is a 4 door big heavy beast.. they're both nice cars,they both have great engines and transmissions and everything, if you're looking for a real difference, it's in the drive..
