2004 Lexus IS 300 New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Lexus IS 300?
A 2004 Lexus IS 300 SportDesign edition debuts with a tightened suspension, special wheels and tires, unique interior and exterior trim, a moonroof and a leather package. Otherwise, minor changes are in store for the Lexus IS 300. A new wheel design debuts on standard models, and the surrounds for the headlights, fog lights and taillights are now a smoke-gray color. The driver’s seat gets a memory feature and you’ll find bright silver interior trim accents in the cabin.

Advantages of the 2004 Lexus IS 300:

• Razor-sharp steering
• Impressive handling
• Potent inline-six engine
• Available in sedan or wagon format

Objections to the 2004 Lexus IS 300:

• Some interior materials appear to be downmarket
• Tight rear seat accommodations

Editor's Advice:
The 2004 Lexus IS 300 is one of the most entertaining driver’s cars on the market today. Its perfectly calibrated steering, handling and brakes complement the almost-perfectly balanced chassis, and the 215-horsepower inline-six begs to be revved hard and often. It feels and looks faster than it is; with the manual, the Lexus IS 300 musters a 6.8-second zero-to-60 time. The five-speed automatic adds half a second to that figure, and the SportCross wagon is slower still. Don’t expect the 2004 Lexus IS 300 to serve as a luxury sedan, because it isn’t one. The rear seats are tight for adults and the interior materials don’t exude the opulence that other Lexus vehicles do. Rather, this is a modern interpretation of the classic German sport sedan and sport wagon. It’s nimble, tight, responsive, and a blast to drive. Want real luxury? Try the softly-tuned cruiser called the Lexus ES 330.