The New IS 300 (goodbye 350z project...)

[Alex_1]

I went to my dealership today and my rep showed me some information about the 2nd generation IS 300 which is set to be released in November of 2005. Let me tell you...

woah. mama.

They're having a coupe and convertible model come out. He didn't tell me much about the sedan, but after I saw the coupe and convertible, I didn't really care so much. Funny that.

So those Infiniti G35 coupe owners with smug smiles are gonna freak out when they see this Double Overhead Cam V8 pull up beside them...

http://www.autospies.com/images/uploads/medium/LexusLF-C2.jpg

http://www.autospies.com/images/uploads/medium/LexusLF-C3.jpg

http://www.autospies.com/images/uploads/medium/LexusLF-C1.jpg

Freakin' weird in the back, but I dig the alternative designing of the cockpit. I'ts very different - four separate sections. Of course I doubt it'll be this radical when it's in production. But some variation of this platform is imminent. I think Lexus is debating releasing this as a "SC" model, but we'll see. I'm wondering what the price would be - sales told me it'll be the same as the IS 300 of today. Anyone that's looked at the invoices can see that the IS is still, with a smaller engine, more expensive than even the G35 which wasn't a good thing. But... it's Lexus, and one of their "best made cars".

Anyway, in light of this I am postponing the Z project for this winter until I'm dead sure where I want to spend my money.

[srd....]

sweet lookin motor but once they start makeing them,they'd wanna add seatbelts and mirrors and keep the no door handles/key less entry look.like you said though it'll probably look totally differant and not so radical once it's made,gotta love that twin exhaust though......

did you get any spec's for it?

[Mad_Bishop]

not a huge fan of the rear facade, but I do dig the lines up front and on the sides (although they kinda remind me of a Hyundi Tiburon). Not so sure about the 1+1 seating though. Eh...

[Alex_1]

sweet lookin motor but once they start makeing them,they'd wanna add seatbelts and mirrors and keep the no door handles/key less entry look.like you said though it'll probably look totally differant and not so radical once it's made,gotta love that twin exhaust though......

did you get any spec's for it?

I did... but forgot the site. Here's some write-up information on it:

http://cars.ign.com/articles/505/505124p1.html

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/concept_cars/2004/4/04_ny_auto_show_live_5/

http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=2811

I guess one of the issues is if its going to be a replacement of the SC, rather than a new model IS 300. The Dealership told me one thing, but all the articles are saying all sorts of different things... every story being different. I'll go with the dealership and Popular Mechanics write-ups.

Yeah, they'll tweak it of course - there's not even a real dash and control panel in there and they'll probably modify the rear seats. But the outer body I think will be relatively unchanged, outside of the mirrors like you said, or any sort of aerodynamical improvements.

I'm pumped! I'm a huge fan of the coupe designs, and loved the new Nissan Z's. I still like it more than the RX-8 and projected Toyota Supra. But this one I like even more. Then again, who knows? Nissan often changes their designs like every 3 years, so 2006 will probably see a different Z... and maybe I'll wait yet again. I'll use this logic and more years will pass until 2029 when I'm into the new Subaru or whatever... :rolleyes:

I don't mind the rear, but the rear does make me think about the SC 430... but I remember a while ago, Lexus put out feelers to see if an SC 300 convertible would be marketable. I thought they scratched that altogether and just did the Solara convertible. Guess I was wrong.

[Mad_Bishop]

Kinda off topic, kinda on...

I saw a car on TV the other night and at first I thought it was a 350 convertable, but then I realized that it had the wrong taillights. It had lights like a g35. But they haven't released a g35 convertable have they? I'm pretty sure that they showed the rear and it either had a lexus badge or a benz one. What car is this? It was gorgeous,

[srd....]

I did... but forgot the site. Here's some write-up information on it:

http://cars.ign.com/articles/505/505124p1.html

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/concept_cars/2004/4/04_ny_auto_show_live_5/

http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=2811

I guess one of the issues is if its going to be a replacement of the SC, rather than a new model IS 300. The Dealership told me one thing, but all the articles are saying all sorts of different things... every story being different. I'll go with the dealership and Popular Mechanics write-ups.

Yeah, they'll tweak it of course - there's not even a real dash and control panel in there and they'll probably modify the rear seats. But the outer body I think will be relatively unchanged, outside of the mirrors like you said, or any sort of aerodynamical improvements.

I'm pumped! I'm a huge fan of the coupe designs, and loved the new Nissan Z's. I still like it more than the RX-8 and projected Toyota Supra. But this one I like even more. Then again, who knows? Nissan often changes their designs like every 3 years, so 2006 will probably see a different Z... and maybe I'll wait yet again. I'll use this logic and more years will pass until 2029 when I'm into the new Subaru or whatever... :rolleyes:

I don't mind the rear, but the rear does make me think about the SC 430... but I remember a while ago, Lexus put out feelers to see if an SC 300 convertible would be marketable. I thought they scratched that altogether and just did the Solara convertible. Guess I was wrong.

nice one for links i'll check them out in awhile,on the subject of the new supra though,i'd go for the supra direct j.a.p. import over the lexus anyday to be honest,but the rx-8 is a serious weapon with it's 1.3 twin rotary(wankel)engine,amazeing handeling and it's very much an every day car,you should check it out if you already have'nt.

[Alex_1]

Kinda off topic, kinda on...

I saw a car on TV the other night and at first I thought it was a 350 convertable, but then I realized that it had the wrong taillights. It had lights like a g35. But they haven't released a g35 convertable have they? I'm pretty sure that they showed the rear and it either had a lexus badge or a benz one. What car is this? It was gorgeous,

I bet it was the BMW 6 series. IMO all three (new Lexus, Z, Infinit, 6 series) are very similar from the back. The 6 series and convertible just recently came out. Beautiful cars.

http://www.autoweek.com/specials/2003_frankfurt/bmw6/IMG_1235.jpg

http://www.cardesignnews.com/news/2003/030716whats-new/images/bmw-6series626.jpg

http://www.germancarfans.com/photos/3030710.002/1110.jpg

Y'know, that's a good point about the G35 convertible. They didn't release one, but I bet it would've done very well. Instead, Nissan just went with the convertible for the Z.

nice one for links i'll check them out in awhile,on the subject of the new supra though,i'd go for the supra direct j.a.p. import over the lexus anyday to be honest,but the rx-8 is a serious weapon with it's 1.3 twin rotary(wankel)engine,amazeing handeling and it's very much an every day car,you should check it out if you already have'nt.

About the Supra - I am curious about them. But I don't know - I didn't really like one of the designs of the vehicle. I guess it depends on what actually comes out for it. If it's a direct import from Japan, then I'm pretty sure the cost'll be through the roof and make them uncompetitive. I think that was a reason why the Supra's release has already been delayed. I liked the RX-8 and the engines are supposed to be pretty durable. But I don't like the ridiculous mark-ups on them and what the charge for features that are standard on the Z's or Infiniti's. A loaded automatic is going for over 32k here... and I want a standard, which has more HP, so I can imagine what that would run.

If I had to chose today, it would be the Z. But... I guess there's no harm in waiting another year, saving some more dough and checking out what else is new.

[Mad_Bishop]

That is really gorgeous. But I'm not sure it's what I'm talking about. I'll google around and see what I come up with...

[MatadorCE]

So why is a dealer showing you pics of a concept car? Odds are that the car will not look like that at all (maybe just the front end), and there are no specs besides "it'll have a v8". Please don't believe everything a dealer tells you.

The Z is a good sports car. Good power, good weight distribution, and good looks. If I had to choose a good 2-seater sports car, I would be hard pressed to pick between the Z and a S2000.

Anyway, definitely do extensive research before you pick whatever car you want but the dealership is the last place to look for reliable info on new models.

[Mad_Bishop]

think I was thinking of the Lexus SC430. Has the Z style taillights so perhaps I was just confusing the Z and the g35

[Alex_1]

So why is a dealer showing you pics of a concept car? Odds are that the car will not look like that at all (maybe just the front end), and there are no specs besides "it'll have a v8". Please don't believe everything a dealer tells you.

The Z is a good sports car. Good power, good weight distribution, and good looks. If I had to choose a good 2-seater sports car, I would be hard pressed to pick between the Z and a S2000.

Anyway, definitely do extensive research before you pick whatever car you want but the dealership is the last place to look for reliable info on new models.

... I am insulted.

Not to sound too snooty but I wouldn't have been in the position to even consider dropping 35-45k bones on the vehicles if I was the type who "believed everything a dealer told me". I work hand-in-hand with the major dealerships in my state and have access to all of the insurance ratings and values of all the vehicles. Hence why I had originally gone for the Z, RX-8 or Infiniti over another IS 300 - because ins. ratings on the IS is 5-6 pts. higher than the Z and RX-8 and at the time, plans for the IS 430 were scrapped. But obviously they weren't, they were just altered.

IMO it would have been silly for him not to have shown me the pictures. He knows the cars I own and my intentions, I work with them every week, etc. A real sleazeball would've just said: "hey, get rid of the IS now and get into a 2004" while knowing I'd be more interested in the next model. I don't mind a sales guy doing his job. If he didn't show me the pictures, he could've altogether blown a potential sale sine I wouldn't have even cared about the next generation IS, because I was almost set on the Z.

I still dig the Z and maybe I will go back to the project (where I upgrade the sound system, integrate the ipod, install Nismo parts, etc) but I'm really curious about what Toyota is doing with their new models and see no harm in waiting to see what comes out by them. Of course the real vehicle will probably be a bit different from the prototype, I already said that. But I'm in no rush whatsoever. The Z still has a very good redeeming value - a good friend and client of mine works high in Nissan, and I can pick one up for invoice since I can cash in on an I-O-U. So don't worry... I'm anything but an "easy sale". :cool:

[Alex_1]

think I was thinking of the Lexus SC430. Has the Z style taillights so perhaps I was just confusing the Z and the g35

The Z and G35 are on the same platform. There are cosmetic differences and the G35 is more luxurious, has a smoother ride, and a back seat (for what it's worth).

Here's the SC 430...

http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/ag/lexus_sc430_convertible_2004_exterior_25_346x270.jpg

http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/ag/lexus_sc430_convertible_2004_exterior_5_346x270.jpg

[Mad_Bishop]

yeah I'm aware of the Z/q35 platform, I think I was just confusing which had the verticle slit style tails and which had teh horizontal tails. I like the body of the q35 coupe better I think mainly because of the door handles and the taillights.

[Metros Striker10]

Very nice looking car. I really hope the cockpit remains the same because it gives you that "space age" look. Very interesting!

[Own Goal Hat-Trick]

lol ive said this to you everytime, but if youre gonna spend the money, and you love performance, get an STi, put the money you saved (5-10k) into mods for it, and own a car thatll beat a lot of ferraris.

or you could get a Z or something, mod that, and have a WRX take ya.

whatever works, man. :)


(and yeah i realise that there is more to cars than that. the Z is "nicer" on the inside, and whatnot. those "nicer" cars could probably pull chicks better, too)

[Alex_1]

lol ive said this to you everytime, but if youre gonna spend the money, and you love performance, get an STi, put the money you saved (5-10k) into mods for it, and own a car thatll beat a lot of ferraris.

or you could get a Z or something, mod that, and have a WRX take ya.

whatever works, man. :)


(and yeah i realise that there is more to cars than that. the Z is "nicer" on the inside, and whatnot. those "nicer" cars could probably pull chicks better, too)

Yeah, the Sti's got better performance and would take me everytime, it even has more horses. The all wheel drive is what I like most about it, and where I live, everyone I know that owns a WRX says it's awesome in bad weather whereas I'd be pretty much tooling in the old jeep in the winter if I got something else. I looked at the STi and Lancer Evos. The practical side of me always says those are the better options, easily, and the Sti I like a bit better than the Lancer. But the "hey baby, what's up" side of me says the Z is cooler. (until my seat is stained from when the girl splashes her wine at me.)

I don't know. I was looking at it a bit more and they have a GT model in Japan that's pretty much built by Nismo. It's a nice little upgrade, but the cost doesn't really warrant the change from a stock model to that one (it's about 60K! And the hp jumps to about 300, when the stock model's at about 287). Something tells me this time next yera, I will start yet another thread saying: "the IS is on hold, _______ is the new car!" and repeat the cycle until finally, my car will not run anymore but by then I'll be married with kids, and what with the wife's Pacifica or whatever monstrosity she has, I'll be relegated to a Honda Accord...

[srd....]

the new evo 8 is a sweet motor,if we were to get into buying a cheapish car 4wd for modding purposes,i'd throw my hat on a limited edition mitubishi g.t.o m.r.(3000 gt).theres guy's in japan pushing over 800 ponies on some of them with serious turbo upgrades,weight reductions,e.c.u. upgrades,ported polished engines with uprated crank shafts,raceing clutches,e.t.c....
serious modding like but pouring twenty to thirty grand into a six year old car isnt everyones cuppa tea though,lol :D

any idea how much the supra 350z is supposed to go on sale for?