For years people connected Lexus with processed, silent and luxury autos backed by a competitive pricing strategy. With each input and every change of the controls, this compact, rearwheel - drive sedan sought to communicate with its driver. With its tacky highperformance tires and firmly tuned suspension, it had the working gear to backup these aspirations.

One look at clearlens tail-lights, its wedge form and sensational colour palette, and it was apparent this sedan was meant for a younger, more trendconscious customer than other Lexus models.

Inside, the Lexus IS 300 felt and appeared different, also, because of its racy watchdial - style instrumentation, chrome shifter ball and drilled aluminum pedals. In no way was this a classy cottage, however. Hard-plastic coated the dashboard and console, and attribute content never really measured up-to the criteria of the category. This approach to luxury was the important criticism leveled against the 300 during its fiveyear run.

Newest Lexus IS 300

Based in the Japanesemarket Toyota Altezza, the Lexus IS 300 wasn't initially made to become a luxury car. If the automaker chose to market a version of the compact, back-drive sedan within the America, it had been retrofitted with added luxurious content plus a bigger motor -- the 3.0liter inline sixcylinder currently employed within the mid-size Lexus GS 300 sedan.

This 3.0liter six was able to 215 hp and 218 poundfeet of torque, and paired using a fivespeed automatic transmission. The business rectified this omission in 2002, including a fivespeed manual gearbox choice for your sedan. The IS 300 SportCross wagon, which likewise debuted for '02, was automated only.

"But the IS 300 is a vehicle that really needs to be exercised consistently," we wrote in the time. "Well balanced because of its rearwheel-drive layout, it is really a simple car to pilot harshly, thanks for the responsive steering and braking, nimble size, exceptional driving position and 3,280-pound curb weight. The direction is not quite as accurate as a BMW's, however it is close. Very close."

Narrow footwells and restricted legroom made it hard for adults to become comfortable in back, and storage area was minimal. Of both body styles, the SportCross wagon was the more useful alternative, because of its 21.8-cubic-foot freight bay.

Previous Lexus IS 300 Models

As the IS 300 makes lots of sense, a used-car option.

Offered from 2001-'05, it has not held its value along with rivals such as the Audi A4, BMW 3-series, Infiniti G35 and MercedesBenz C-Class, but it provides equivalent or better functionality in many places. Construction was consistently above average to the IS, and dependability is in line with Toyota's commonly powerful status.

Side-curtain airbags, stability-control, autodimming mirrors plus a center armrest were all put into the conventional equipment list for '02, while complete leather chairs plus a navigation system became optional. Notably, stability-control was only on versions using the automatic transmission. Changes were minimal within time following.

Despite all of the bustle the enthusiast group created concerning the alternative, manualshift IS 300 sedans are rare commodities to the used-car industry, because the extensive majority were sold with automatics.