Mazda3 vs. 2001 IS300

[thanu31]

After being soo interested in the Mazda3, my mind started pulling me toward the IS300.....I dont know what to doooooooo...so tempting to get a IS300 but i heard the gas isnt that great....

I think my friends influenced me...I just noticed, a lot of "brown" people dont like the Mazda 3. :whoa....and most my friends are brown..lol..and they pushed me toward thinking about a IS300...:bang
so confused... and they dont have IS300 clubs or nothing like this...lol....yes this forum is such a factor too!...

Can ppl help me out...even though it might be biased..lol..
Is the gas REALLY a big difference from the Mazda3? Would i really suffer...btw..i go to school in Oshawa, from Scarborough..at least 3 times a week.

Advice will be appreaciated....

[chinsterr]

I would get the IS .. but that's just me

[bunchi]

if you're concerned about fuel then you're better off with an eco car like mazda3. if you go towards a mazda3 direction, are you buying it new or used? depends on the age of the mazda too. but IS300 is nice :)

[BLKOUT]

thanu31, when I bought my 3, I was debating a 2001 is300 as well!! LMAO

the main reason I got the 3 was due to warranty and warranty alone. i love the is300! beautiful car!

[thanu31]

yeeee i luv it too...and just the name Lexus...and first year student..:chuckle...lol

But yea...if its mazda 3..its 2004..looking in the $11K, and IS300..i found some in the $12-14K ... mileage is around 140K..but its okay...its a lexus..:)

I just want to know if there will be a BIG difference in gas costs, or is it just like..$10-15 difference.

[SilentJay]

I'd say Lexus.

[ZeroChalk]

^+1

[Cardinal Fang]

Simple math will tell you that you will pay approx 10% more in fuel costs when you fill each time because of the premium fuel required. You also have greater fuel consumption because of the size of the engine on the IS300 which will cause you to fill up more frequently. Your insurance per month will cost more. What about maintenance costs on the vehicle? You're comparing an entry level car of a 2nd tier car company with a luxury brand of a first tier car company.

I think you know the answer.

[bhrm]

yeeee i luv it too...and just the name Lexus...and first year student..:chuckle...lol

But yea...if its mazda 3..its 2004..looking in the $11K, and IS300..i found some in the $12-14K ... mileage is around 140K..but its okay...its a lexus..:)

I just want to know if there will be a BIG difference in gas costs, or is it just like..$10-15 difference.


Do you drive highway or city?

Gas costs will bite you hard if you drive city and a lexus. True it does have pimp factor and baller status, but are you prepared to pay $80 per fill up?

[sp122]

IS300 has pretty bad gas millage... + need premium gas, it means cost you more. Mazda 3 didn't have any good millage either. If you travel a lot, civic maybe suit your need. Also, you may need to spend some coins on repair/maintenance since 2001 IS is 8 years old.

[FLIPDADY]

May be cheaper but think about the operating costs. Lexus service and parts more expensive than Mazda.

[ZeroChalk]

if he can afford a lexus .. then gas and maintenance shouldn't be a problem.. since he's pimp'n! ;) haha..

[Cardinal Fang]

There's a difference. He's looking at a used Lexus not new. Therefore he's stretching to afford it. The fact that he's a student reinforces this. His want of the Lexus has more to do with what his friends are telling him rather than what is practical for his lifestyle at the moment. We all want things in life. That doesn't mean we can afford to have them. If he wants the Lexus now then he needs to make certain sacrifices for it.

It's up to him to determine what suits his lifestyle at this point in time, not his friends.

[thanu31]

LOL..pimpin..

anyways..i heard that regular gas is okay..ITS not mandatory for premium.

Also, the maintainance, wouldnt be that bad, as it is a Lexus, but insurance...i think went up by $10 in the quote..compared to Mazda3...

Yeah i drive lots of highway...here to oshawa..and ..here to Woodbine/hwy. for work....

hmm..i dont know...gas is the only issue im worried about...but if its only a little more..than im willing to sacrifice that little cost for a Lexus...but if its gonna cost me more than $20 difference....not worth it..or i cant afford it..:(

thanks for the suggestions so far...

[thanu31]

There's a difference. He's looking at a used Lexus not new. Therefore he's stretching to afford it. The fact that he's a student reinforces this. His want of the Lexus has more to do with what his friends are telling him rather than what is practical for his lifestyle at the moment. We all want things in life. That doesn't mean we can afford to have them. If he wants the Lexus now then he needs to make certain sacrifices for it.

It's up to him to determine what suits his lifestyle at this point in time, not his friends.

Yeah..you are right...i noe:blush...they just got me thinking about it more.and i would love to have the IS300 too.

Thats why im trying to find out is it really gonna bite me, or if i could slide by...

but by the looks of it...seems like Mazda3 would be the "smart" way.

[plontoc]

Here's a forum for you...

http://my.is/

[3GFX]

Cheaper to run the 3. I've been a fan of the IS model range but with my current income 3 suits me better. Plus if I were going for an IS I'd rather consider a bimmer. Does the IS take premium? Thats about 10 cents more per liter!

[Cardinal Fang]

Yeah..you are right...i noe:blush...they just got me thinking about it more.and i would love to have the IS300 too.

Thats why im trying to find out is it really gonna bite me, or if i could slide by...

but by the looks of it...seems like Mazda3 would be the "smart" way.

I hope I didn't rain on your parade. But I see so many people make their choice based on impulse that when they get their car they have to be careful how they drive because they can't afford this and that repair. That's no way to enjoy what should be a great purchase.

Make the sacrifices now so when you're ready while your friends are "ballin" in their IS you can show them up in a Bimmer.

[mleblond]

easy to get mods for mazda 3 04...I would go with the IS but I went for the speed 3 instead :chuckle. I like mazda looks more young but lexus is more executive. And with the mileage your gonna put on it, repairs will come and you have to expect them. New car your usually good for a while ;)

But in your shoes I would get the 3 and upgrade when school is done and paid for. Plus you get to be in this cool Club! ;)

[PBH]

3 is cheaper. Nicer in my opinion too :)

[ZeroChalk]

There's a difference. He's looking at a used Lexus not new. Therefore he's stretching to afford it. The fact that he's a student reinforces this. His want of the Lexus has more to do with what his friends are telling him rather than what is practical for his lifestyle at the moment. We all want things in life. That doesn't mean we can afford to have them. If he wants the Lexus now then he needs to make certain sacrifices for it.

It's up to him to determine what suits his lifestyle at this point in time, not his friends.

Actually I was kidding. I would never get in to a luxury car at that age. If I did, I would take it to my own mechanic rather then service through the dealership. Plus he is a student.. no one cares what you drive. Priorities should be elsewhere.

Never quite understood the appeal of the IS300. The new IS is awesome.

[x_o_k_x]

Lexus not a bad car, but older then mazda, 2nd no warranty, 3rd its a luxury car, insurance may affect as well, 4th gas, 5th maintanace and services more expensive perhaps.. Keep that in mind, otherwise choose whichever you are happy with. Test drive both of them..

Still cant decide buy lexus AND mazda3:chuckle

[alhope34]

Never quite understood the appeal of the IS300. The new IS is awesome.


For me, the appeal is in the engine and transmission. The new IS series does not come in manual, the IS300 does. Also, it uses the same 3L inline 6 cylinder as the Supra, and takes turbo charging really well. I heard from somewhere that the twin turbo set up from a 94-96 Supra will pretty much bolt onto a stock IS300 with a few minor modifications. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[thanu31]

hmm..I just printed an ad for a 2001 IS300, he looked at it...noticed it was V6..threw the paper back at me..lol...he said..whos gonna pay for ur gas.

Lol..I guess.im sticking to the mazda3....Just waiting for my marks (fingerscrossed)
thanks for your suggestions people!

[thanu31]

he = my dad


*** EDIT FEATURE *** :)

[RX9]

hmm..I just printed an ad for a 2001 IS300, he looked at it...noticed it was V6..threw the paper back at me..lol...he said..whos gonna pay for ur gas.

Lol..I guess.im sticking to the mazda3....Just waiting for my marks (fingerscrossed)
thanks for your suggestions people!

thats not V6, its L6. if i am not wrong.

[thanu31]

well doesnt matter...6 cylinder more than 4.lol..more gas