WTB: Another IS300

**Goodspeed** · 11-22-2016, 04:10 PM

Sup fam,

I love my IS300 very, very much. So much so, in fact, that I'm looking to buy another one. I'm specifically* looking for a '03/'04 IS300 Sportdesign in Thundercloud Metallic (1D2) with black interior (leather, or leather/suede), in tip top shape with lower miles (ideally <75k). They look like this:

[Image: 28994d1292250123-chasep-his-04-tcm-5sp-i...yis300.jpg]

[Image: 28994d1292250123-chasep-his-04-tcm-5sp-i...yis300.jpg]

It's a fairly rare color exclusive to the Sportdesign trim (smoked lenses, unique grille, wheels, etc.). Auto or manual, doesn't matter (cue Maeng - though manual w/LSD would be easier in the long run, but whoa nelly that's rare).

I've got a hankering to slowly (s-l-o-w-l-y) piece together the parts to eventually build a LS-powered IS to be my ultimate, well, car. Stealthy, practical, and fun - and a TCM Sd would be a wonderful base to start with. My Millenium Silver is great and all, but TCM is where the heart lies. It does some pretty amazing things in the sun that don't photograph well, it seems.

*Not specifically looking for just this color anymore. See below.

Post script:

- There's exactly the one on Autotrader I'm looking for in Indiana that's already sold but heyyyy we'll keep our ad(s) up! In case you find their listing. I have Autotrader alerts set and try to check CL (including using autotempest search engine) now and then.

- Before anyone suggests I try driving an E39 M5, I did. Fantastic car, but just too big for me. The IS just fits me so, so well. Still, I'm glad I got that out of my system - and it heavily emboldened my idea that a torque-rich sedan coming in below the radar is the way to go.

So that's it - I figured the more eyes aware, the better. Maybe someone knows someone's grandma has one, or you might stumble across one in a used lot somewhere. I think we have a few members that have auto auction privileges, though I know not how that works, exactly. Anyways, you know where to find me. Thanks!

***ViPER1313*** · 11-22-2016, 04:15 PM

Have you considered painting your car Wink

**Goodspeed** · 11-22-2016, 04:17 PM

ViPER1313 Wrote:Have you considered painting your car

I did, and don't really want to go down that path.

ScottyB · 11-22-2016, 05:05 PM

is Platinum Edition basically the same as Sportdesign? There's a PE in Atlanta (high miles, like everything there) and it has the same wheels/grille but i don't know what else...but its black.

ScottyB · 11-22-2016, 05:09 PM

found a cheap, high mileage auto SD in ATL but its worn out. not sure if its worth trying to salvage and make nice again for the savings over a minty one.

<a class="postlink" href="https://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/5867276071.html">https://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/5867276071.html</a>
[Image: 00v0v_52MelEQuJEo_600x450.jpg]

**Goodspeed** · 11-22-2016, 05:10 PM

ScottyB Wrote:is Platinum Edition basically the same as Sportdesign? There's a PE in Atlanta (high miles, like everything there) and it has the same wheels/grille but i don't know what else...but its black.

Platinum Edition is Sportsdesign in Australia-speak. They got a limited run of PE cars with the same changes, and some US dealers get confused and list theirs as PE's, somehow.

ScottyB Wrote:found a cheap, high mileage auto SD in ATL but its worn out. not sure if its worth trying to salvage and make nice again for the savings over a minty one.

Yeah, not really. Minty low-mile ones shouldn't be more than $10 or $12k at this point, which I'm OK with spending. I've priced some parts like interior panels and whatnot and it's not really worth it to "restore" these - better to wait for the right one.

Maengelito · 11-23-2016, 10:12 AM

Goodspeed Wrote:It's a fairly rare color exclusive to the Sportdesign trim (smoked lenses, unique grille, wheels, etc.). Auto or manual, doesn't matter (cue Maeng - though manual w/LSD would be easier in the long run, but whoa nelly that's rare).

I'm glad that my obnoxiousness has paid off. But seriously. If I can find a turbo 5 speed Lesbaru Forester and a 6 speed 2007 X3, you can find your car in manual.

WRXtranceformed · 11-23-2016, 10:48 AM

Subscribed! And wish my old my.is login worked for you :/

One of the coolest cars I ever knew was that green turbo IS that came down with me to the MM show years ago and put up like 790hp on the dyno. Widened stock wheels and all!

**Goodspeed** · 11-25-2016, 09:46 PM

WRXtranceformed Wrote:One of the coolest cars I ever knew was that green turbo IS that came down with me to the MM show years ago and put up like 790hp on the dyno. Widened stock wheels and all!

That car was awesome. For the uninitiated: 8 UR 2DR IS300

Update: opening up the search to Graphite Gray Pearl or Black Onyx, which were available across all trim levels (not just Sportdesign). Looking for lowest mileage & cleanest, auto or 5-speed. These examples won me over.

[Image: 6085252478_83afa95c33_b.jpg]

[Image: 616749_10101256248245273_490484870_o.jpg]

The idea of brapbrap noises coming out of one of these has me all [Image: ggywy42e0f.jpg]

[youtube]QkDH8skPhxo[/youtube]

***Jake*** · 12-08-2016, 10:33 PM

I followed this up 395 North on the way to work today. Attempted to pass along your contact info while driving but the couple inside the car must've figured I was yelling about their driving so they ignored me.

[Image: QfRSkDi.jpg]

***SlimKlim*** · 12-09-2016, 10:06 AM

I also put my friend with a Graphite Gray 5spd Sportdesign through a hard close routine but I don't think he's looking to sell, he keeps talking about doing his own build with it.

**Goodspeed** · 12-09-2016, 10:13 AM

:thumbup: I appreciate the foot soldiering! GGP has definitely grown on me. The last two I found with under 75k on them (GGP, Black...still no Thundercloud) sold within 2-3 days - apparently there are other weirdos out there.

***SlimKlim*** · 12-09-2016, 10:18 AM

Goodspeed Wrote::thumbup: I appreciate the foot soldiering! GGP has definitely grown on me. The last two I found with under 75k on them (GGP, Black...still no Thundercloud) sold within 2-3 days - apparently there are other weirdos out there.

His has 165k but he's only the second owner. I drove it around the block and they definitely don't age like BMWs,it drives incredibly tight for 165k.

*insertusernamehere* · 12-12-2016, 11:52 AM

Jake Wrote:I followed this up 395 North on the way to work today. Attempted to pass along your contact info while driving but the couple inside the car must've figured I was yelling about their driving so they ignored me.

Jake you drive to work on that mess? Metro son..metrooo

***SlimKlim*** · 12-12-2016, 11:55 AM

*insertusernamehere* Wrote:Jake you drive to work on that mess? Metro son..metrooo

INB4 Jake makes a long post explaining how it's "not that bad" if you use "back roads" because "traffic is always moving." :lol:

***Jake*** · 12-12-2016, 02:05 PM

Matt, that's not a mess... we were moving at 40+ mph, that's a good day Smile

Metro and driving take roughly the same time (if you factor in the time of walking to/from the stations, waiting for a train, etc) and Metro is usually the worse of the two experiences. At least when I'm driving I don't have to fight to even get on a train, and I don't spend 30 minutes with my face shoved up in some stranger's armpit.

JPolen01 · 12-12-2016, 09:16 PM

Jake Wrote:Metro is usually the worse of the two experiences. .

Came here to say this. Every time I take the metro it's a) delayed b) some asshole is playing trap music on their phone without headphones c) either extreme of the thermometer d) packed to brim with people who haven't showered for days.

I would much rather drive myself even in traffic where I can control the music and climate.

D_Eclipse9916 · 12-13-2016, 10:31 AM

*insertusernamehere* Wrote:Jake you drive to work on that mess? Metro son..metrooo

Top 10 sayings of all time to prove you didn't grow up in NOVA. :lol:

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