Lexus IS300 2004 Review

Then you open the boot of the Lexus IS300, still cursing that wretched screw that lodged itself in the tyre, and a ray of sunshine shines through: the Lexus valet pack.

Gloves, a mat, a towel and even soap may seem a little extravagant but in these conditions are a godsend.

With the tyre changed it was time to put the new (only 230km on the clock), up-specced IS300 sports luxury through its paces.

The IS300 Sports and Sports Luxury come with a three-litre VVT-i engine that delivers 157kW@5800rpm of power and 288Nm@3800 rpm of torque.

The two models are part of an overall specification upgrade of both the IS300 and IS200 ranges.

The IS300 Sports, with a $65,000 tag is designed to appeal to younger buyers: the four IS models provide customers increased choice within the Lexus line-up.

The three-litre engine is coupled with an electronically controlled five-speed auto box and gear changes are silky smooth.

While the automatic is smooth there is no option to hold revs or utilise the large tacho.

The E-shift option allows the fun factor to be increased and held a little longer.

The IS300 suffers from an unusually high amount of tyre slipping in the dry (on take-off) which makes the car feel it does the 0-100km sprint a lot quicker than close to nine seconds.

The traction control light also seemed unusually active, enough to make a precautionary stop to check another screw had not sought refuge in the rubber.

The orange light also made its presence known over a few bumps.

While you can turn the anti-fun button off, it never really goes away and will add its input even when not wanted.

The IS300 has all the engineering, and more, you would expect in a $75,000 car but even with its advanced electronic stability control, 17-inch alloys and limited slip differential it falls a little short of the "sports car" feel.

The steering feels solid at first but is a little on the vague side, has a bit of play and requires more turn than one would be expecting.

While the IS300 handles quite well it's handling capabilities are compromised by the softer suspension that gives it such a luxurious ride

The IS300 is just like its LS430 stablemate. When you get out you don't even feel like you have driven anywhere.

Anyone who leaves the city and heads north after 5pm knows peak period traffic.

Nestled in the IS300's beautiful Alcantra leather seats as the double wishbone suspensions soaks up the bumps, and comfortably cocooned by the cabin's superior noise dampening, you feel more like you are sitting in your lounge room.

Combine this with the crystal clear sound of the eight-speaker, six-disc, in-dash CD player that pumps out the base of the Black-Eyed Peas without distortion and you have an extremely pleasurable driving experience.

The IS300 Sports features numerous air bags, snow mode, climate control airconditioning, power windows and mirrors and an alarm with immobiliser.

Driver and passenger have electrically-operated and heated seats (no, they did not forget the passenger) with leather seat trim. Also provided are drilled sports pedals and scuff plates, an anti-glare electrochromatic interior mirror and a smooth, leather-bound gear-shift.

The self-levelling headlights work a treat, making night feel more like day.

The Sports Luxury adds satellite navigation, polished alloys, full leather interior and a moon roof.

The IS300 Sports Luxury is not a "sports" car in the true sense of the term, but it is a luxury sedan that has plenty of go, handles good and offers a lot for the price tag.