It's interesting... the questions was about IS300, but an RX7 ends up in the conversation. Remember the RX7 was built as a sports car, not the altezza. heck, if you want to start using cars that weren't orignially part of the conversation, 1st gen crx's often take nationals.
IS 300 = factory rice.

-Shing

 

It shouldn't even be a question.

 

I actually like the IS300 -- I think it is a viable alternative to the 3 series and the A4. It will be even more so when the manaul arrives in Aug/Sept -- and the quality "should be" better than the others. I can attest to how poor quality the Audi is -- I just dumped my 7 month old 00 1.8T for the S2000.

I just don't think the cars should be compared -- not apples to apples.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pouya
[B]This is very true. When it comes to attributes of a sports car, the S2000 has many advantages over the IS300. However, what I was merely pointing out is if a 11 year old RX-7 can fair well against the S2000, don't be THAT confident against the IS300. I mean, it's not a Civic, the car performs well. In Japan, the Altezza is one of the cars of choice when it comes to drifting, and does well at the track. Of course, with equal drivers the S2000 will win, but don't discredit a great car (the IS300).

 

Actually i dont no why you guys r getting all in a fuss, he said the s2000 would kick the is300s butt head to head, what he said was how the handling compared? and none of you guys have answered that question really, he wasnt comparing the to.

 

Obvious no one seems to have read my post, oh well ... WTF? Nevermind, too much bullshit. Obviously no one is doing any proper research before proper posting.

If Best Motoring Japan tested both cars with professional race drivers and still commented that it's a bad car to drift because the suspension setup is WEAK and damn bloody WEAK I tell you and there is not enough TORQUE on acceleration and drifting while VVTi-L or whatever that shit is cannot be felt any different on the track then they've convinced me enough.

Who said Altezzas are made to drift? Sorry to burst your bubble, it's not. Not even the top of the line JDM Toyota Altezza T280 Tom's Limited 280ps is good enough just okay for driving, nothing more impressive commented.

 

Haha, you obviousy haven't seen some of those Option 2 videos have you Three words for you, Blitz turbocharged Altezza. If you haven't seen it, I'll be glad to upload it for you. It's a great video.

 

The topic seems to be a stock s2000 vs a stock IS300.
Not something that had been modified so much like a Blitz Altezza.
The stock IS300 or IS200 is a good car against a bmw 3XX.
no against a S2000 in cornering and handling.

 

The IS200 / 300 would be a good alternative against its German counterparts such as the 3-series, A4 and C-class. As with every other Lexus, value for your money is what you get. True, they may not have the prestige of a German brand but these Japanese know how to build one damn reliable car.

The S2000, on the other hand, would be a good alternative to your Boxster, M Roadster and SLK. Once again, it doesn't have the prestige of German brand but it will run with the Boxster and M Roadster and kick the SLK's heiny. In terms of reliability, ugh, I kinda think Honda rushed this car a bit but it's still built rather well.

The only comparison I see between the S2000 and the IS200/300 is the way these 2 cars redefine the car segments they belong to. Comparing the 2 would be foolish simply because one is a 2 door sports car and the other is a sporty 4 door sedan.

The S2000 will never pass my ass' noise, vibration and harshness test. The IS200/300 will do that with flying colors. However, the IS200/300 will never make me feel like Michael Schumacher. The S2000 is no F1 machine but it does give you the impression that you are in one.

 

Interesting post, IS200 -- especially because of all of the nagging problems (e.g. belly pans flying off, traction control engaging too early, etc.) that many US owners of 2001 IS's have had. I am not saying the S2000 was perfect the first year -- in fact there were a few minor TSBs.

You make it sound like the IS quality exceeds that of the S2000 -- yet the attributes you choose to mention when discussing the overall "quality" of the car are actually attributes of the car -- which is the exact reason these two cars should NOT be compared.

The only thing they have in common -- similar pricing -- which seems to be the reason that this debate continues...

Put it to rest -- there is nothing to debate -- other than S2000s tend to go for MSRP and ISs are deeply discounted right now...