Hi guys. I haven't visited in a while, but I trolled for a few years in the past.

Anyway, I'm currently borrowing a car and need to get my own soon. I live in Santa Cruz and work in Campbell, so a sporty car would be perfect for the famous highway 17, and the FD has long been my favorite vehicle.

So I'm in a debate. RX-7 vs. IS300. I know it's generally said that relying on a 7 as a daily driver is a bad idea, but common, a man can dream! For the record, I'd be looking to get one with real low milage (like 30-40k). I'm also mechanically inclined and could do most maintenance and repairs myself.

The way I see it: I genuinely like the Lexus, and it's a great car: reliable, comfortable, nice looking, and sporty enough. It's definitely the more responsible option of the two. BUT, it's not a car I'm likely to fall in love with. I don't want to lose my youth and excitement just because I'm a working man now (I'm sure the 7 would be full of surprises! ) Sure, the 7 isn't the best choice, but it still might be the right choice for me.

I know you guys are bound to have some good opinions, so let's hear them!

 

2 totally different cars. if you wanna drive a sedan compare the is300 to s 3 series, a4, or c class.

if you wanna drive a 2 door compare the fd to a s2000, 350z, or supra

 

is300 is fwd iirc

 

is300 has 2jz-ge, FR layout

 

I have a preference in either category. My dilemma is which category is right for me.

 

Is300 is slower, cheaper, and doesn't feel like a sports car. For a daily driver I would get the is300.

 

how 'bout you compromise and buy a supra?
(i just realize im on a rx7 fourm and my last 2 post have both said y not buy a toyota.....i feel sick)

 

Bah! I once read a quote, "The Supra is the fastest car that's not that much fun to drive." Too heavy! :p

 

you kno your on a rx7 forum right? Its like asking whether I should buy a mac or pc on a mac forum. lol

7- if you dont care about mpg, if you know how to take care of the rotary, dont care about having only 2 seats, dont care that your going to be turning head and people coming up to you asking what CAR is that.
is300- if you dont care about it being slow in stock form, dont care that its kinda plain looking.

if you get tired of either one you can always swap engines to make it more interesting.
20b, lsx, 2jz, etc

 

it should be lighter than the is300 though....

 

what will end up happening is you will get a fd and dd it for 6 months. you will get fed up with the maintenance and sell it for the is300. once you drive the is300 for a year or so you will end up wanting another fd. i say get the fd and buy a cheap beater.

 

Share what you are smokin....

 

Get the FD and do the reliability mods and add some water/meth injection. It will be as reliable as any almost 20 year old sports car out there and be fun to drive. Warning mpg will suck but if your worried about that buy a prius.

 

You wouldn't think so by looking, but the Supra is deceptively heavy.

Rough curb weights for the two are the IS300 at 3200lbs, and the Supra at 3400lbs for a MKIV turbo. Definitely a significant amount of weight.

Personally for 17 or 9 (which is my preferred route from SC) I like a lighter car than either of those. Even my z4 feels just a bit too heavy IMO (3000lbs). If you are in love with the rx7 and are looking for someone to help you convince yourself, you'll find a lot of fantastic experiences to read about by lurking here. I've not found a group that's more passionate about their cars than rx7 owners.

I daily drive the z4 and have had no problems with "practicality" having a fairly small 2 seater as my main workhorse. (Even when I was lugging a medium sized tool box to work and back). Others may feel differently, but in the end only you can judge what you find to be practical.

Between the two the IS300 will be cheaper and easier to maintain and mod at "conservative" levels since the FD has a much smaller margin for error. (Search for Howard Coleman's posts for more on that). Obviously if you're going ***** to the wall either choice will end up being equally hard to maintain, but from your post I gather that's not your goal.

Another concern specifically for CA: The IS300 will attract a lot less police attention. Even with a stock body the rx7 tends to get a lot of looks... not all of them welcome. If the IS300 is truly "sporty enough" for you I'd say go for it, but (and I mean no offense by this statement) if I were to guess I'd say that's not actually how you feel about it. If you can afford (not only with money but with time and patience) to make buying a sports car into an emotional decision, do it and don't look back. If it has to be a rational decision, you already have your answer.

 

How much money can you spend over the next 1-2 years? Give us a realistic number.

 

No one should EVER buy an FD for a daily driver...... EVER!!!!

 

Only if you are in reverse

To the OP, get an FD and a beater, or at least a spare car so if the FD take a dump on you you can still get to work. TakIng that you can't take public transportation to work then you'll need some kind of insurance/backup plan.

 

I agree with adam and ze power. Get the FD and a beater. Or if your pocket is slightly deeper, get both. Is300's can be had for 6-10k easily depending on year/miles. An FD will require a lot of attention so have money to spare. At all times.

 

Lexus makes a very nice car. My buddy just got a brand new IS350 "F Sport"; beautiful car, fun to drive... but.. it's not comparable to an FD.

 

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

Obviously, I'm going to have to give this some serious thought.

@mazdaspeed, I think that could very likely happen.

@Drunken, you pretty much hit the nail on the head. This would be a very much emotional decision, and, in all likelihood, it's what I'll end up doing.

One thing is for sure -- I'll need a backup vehicle be it an old Honda 250 or some other car.

Please continue to post opinions if you've got 'em! I'll do my best to come back and post what I end up doing (a no-brainer if I go with the RX-7!)

Best!!!

 

To me, its a question of feelings.
I have an FD, ive driven a IS300 a few times.
The IS is a comfortable drive indeed. Tons of extra stuff, nice pull, a cruiser with all the luxuries you need. Give it a test drive, you will like it!
Then, get in an RX7 with twin turbo seq setup, reliability mods + abit extras and go for some pulls and then for some twisties and tight turns. I promise you, it will make you giggle like a little girl over and over and over. The pull is AWESOME, and the grip,chassis and turning capabilities is just.... entoxicating and not to mention, VERY....VERY...addictive.
Choose the 7, man! And have a daily beater on the side. The FD is like a high maintanance mistress. Treat her nice, and have your b@lls tickle every time you take her for a ride!

The IS300, _IS_ a good car, all hands down.... but it has no soul! It lacks that.... part that makes you smile every time you fire it up, laugh every time you push it, scare you abit when you overdo it and the car punishes you for it, and makes you walk 10 feet after you`ve parked the car, and turn around to just look at it one more time.

 

i have a very nice PEP Sterling Silver low miles 49k. All original paint interior is the cleanest I have ever come across. All reliability mods done, Power FC, PLX IMFD<wideband>, HID, Carbon Kevlar clutch, silicone hose upgrade, Greddy cold air, Racing Beat cat back, high flow down pipe, dark tint. cold *** a/c. i have five of these and this one could be DD call if interested 985-856-0916

 

fd and a beater is my vote. but if you can only have one car then choose the lexus

 

If you can find a near stock FD with up-to-date maintenance, it can be a viable daily driver. Mine had 80k miles when I bought it, and I put over 20k miles in the first two years without any issue. I do have to say it's getting harder and harder to find one in excellent condition, though. BTW, if you want something a little more practical, I'd look at E46 M3 instead of IS300.

 

An E46 M3 would not be cheap to own, not to mention that the build quality is horrible, and that awful SMG transmission. A E36 would be better.