TSX vs. IS300

[ButtDyno]

I've driven the IS.. if I was spending $20K on a daily driver I would probably go that route. Your odds of finding a 5-speed are pretty freakin low though, I think 95% of them are "sportshift". My friend was digging for 2-3 months before he settled on a red one.

john

[Dave]

guess I'll put in my .02
I like both cars. The two manufacturers are my favorites, although at the moment Honda has my pick in terms of current lineups.
In terms of specs, the IS owns the TSX in almost every category but price. I also think the IS looks better. RWD will always be better than FWD and both have ample seating for people/cargo and thus would make excellent daily drivers. The gas mileage is comparable between both, although the 4-banger will obviously always get the nod in that category unless heavliy modified (and even then sometimes).
However, you guys seem to be forgetting one very important thing. The motor in the IS is the same motor as in my car. The motor in my car is a pair of manifolds, an intercooler, and a snail away from making disgusting power while still retaining its driveability (OK, might need stickier tires) and its usefulness. Not to mention that the 2J is known for taking massive amounts of abuse and not complaining at all.

IS wins.
edit: Congrats Lorena, I still think you made the right decision 8)

[Feersty]

I am still not sure what I would choose. I want to test drive both of them on the highway and then I would make my decision. I do like the fact that the TSX comes with a 6speed manual and the IS300 only has a 5speed. Is also seems like the IS300 has a better reputation for being straight pimp.

[ButtDyno]

I am still not sure what I would choose. I want to test drive both of them on the highway and then I would make my decision. I do like the fact that the TSX comes with a 6speed manual and the IS300 only has a 5speed.

The IS has torque everywhere. It doesn't need a 6 speed unless you're just saying you wish it had the Getrag from the MKIV.

john

[CaptainHenreh]

IS. Because nobody calls the 2.4 in the TSX a "truck motor". Ok, seriously.

I think it's going to mostly depend on your taste and character. The 2J, while getting old, is still a stupidly bulletproof square motor with excellent characteristics.

The TSX's S4, on the other hand, is oversquare. 87mm bore, and a massive 99mm stroke! Seems like honda is trying too hard to squeeze torque out of this motor, and relying on the head design (which is excellent) to keep it breathing. The 2J doesn't need valve timing tricks and gadgetry to keep breathing. The 2J, with proper mods, will rev higher than the S4 will, while still having excellent low-end torque characteristics. It's just a better engine. The S4 tries to be too much. Streetable, with the torque that americans love, while high-revving and enough horsepower so the damned thing gets out of it's own way. If toyota would give the 2J a facelift, with some hot-hot VVT-i action, it would blow the S4 away in every aspect. As it stands, the 2J holds it's own against the S4, without all of the technology.

And for me, I'm not saying technology is the devil, or that VTEC sucks. It doesn't, it's very cool. But at the end of the day, I could probably tear a 2J apart and put it back together. It's a simple, square, I-6, belt-driven-cam, naturally balanced engine. Engines don't get better than that. IF they were the same price, the measly difference in fuel economy isn't enough to convince me not to buy the IS. As it stands, assuming I could find a mannytranny, the IS would get my vote on engine alone. Nevermind the ease of working on Rear-drive platforms, or the better (imho) handling, or the better (except for the ass) looks of the IS.

And that's my ramble. I think they should bring the IS200 here. I could deal with a 2.0 I-6. It'd have plenty of HP, and ought to bring the price down substantially. Would whoop the RSX's ass.

[Mike]

Is also seems like the IS300 has a better reputation for being straight pimp.

:?:

Where do you get this kind of information?

[ButtDyno]

re henreh:

The engine in the IS300 actually uses variable valve timing (VVTi)

john

[CaptainHenreh]

re henreh:

The engine in the IS300 actually uses variable valve timing (VVTi)

john

It does?

Well shit, then. Didn't know that. Both cams?

[Feersty]

Where do you get this kind of information?

After many rigorous tests, we have determined that the IS300 is indeed straight pimp. No further discussion necessary.

[ButtDyno]

It does?

Well shit, then. Didn't know that. Both cams?

*no idea* even after googling for it.

john

[.RJ]

S4 > IS300

[Dave]

RJ can always be trusted to rely on his VtaK crew for support.

Yeah, forgot about the VVT-i thing. Any 2J motor you get your hands on that was made in 97 or later has VVT-i. It didn't really do much for the motor other than give it a wee bit more torque than it had before. For this reason, I think if Toyota would get off thier asses and play with the VVT-i stuff some more they could make that car a good bit faster/fun to drive than it is in current form.

The IS still makes you feel like you're going fast, not just moving down the road.

[CaptainHenreh]

VVT-i needs to be tweaked. I mean, look at the GT-S motor. You can feel the cam switchover on that bitch. I very seriously doubt you can feel the same on the 2J. Wouldn't want a rough ride for our luxo-farts, would we?

Toyota needs to grow a pair. I don't know where they lost 'em, but toyota's offerings SUCK and shouldn't.

The Celica? Yawn. Scion TC? Bigger yawn. C'mon! Where is the MR2? Where is the Supra? Where is the GT4? Toyota is spending too much time making goddamn pushrod engines to focus on anything worthwhile.

(also: Current MR2 = Giant hunk of shit. I refuse to acknowledge its parentage as that of the Glorious previous gen MR2)

[ButtDyno]

VVTi is just timing; VVTL-i is timing and lift.. that's why you feel the switchover on the Celica and not the IS. The IS is constantly V'ing VT

Toyota's offerings do, in fact, suck. The Celica and MR2 are both done after 2005.

john

[ScottyB]

The Celica? Yawn. Scion TC? Bigger yawn. C'mon! Where is the MR2? Where is the Supra? Where is the GT4? Toyota is spending too much time making goddamn pushrod engines to focus on anything worthwhile.

what are the pushrod engines in? their pickups?

[.RJ]

No, they are making pushrod engines for their Craftsman Truck series

[Kaan]

i guess i got pimples and shit... cause i dont want comfort and space.... i want a loud hatch type car .... with two seats. driving is supposed to be fun not comfortable.

[bassmangrammy]

My mom's ES300 is like driving an appliance, its too quiet, disconnected from the road.

ES300 is a Camry right? What Toyota is a GS400/430? Avalon? I never thought of the GS and ES in the same league.

[Ryan T]

The ES300 is the camry. There is no toyota equivalent to the GS400/430. They are both RWD sedans, and Toyota does not have a RWD sedan in their lineup.

[BLINGMW]

....They are both RWD sedans, and Toyota does not have a RWD sedan in their lineup.

well then. 'ol Toyota isn't a real company then is it?! :wink: