Turbo Lexus owner... researching 370Z's for next car

[mixtnutz532]

Hey everybody. I am a possible future Z owner. My name is Eric, and I currently live in Maryland. I currently own a 2001 Solar Yellow Lexus IS300 with a stage 2.75 turbo kit. I am just doing the research right now to see if I want to move on to the 370. I have pretty much reached all of my goals with my current car. I got all of the mods I've always wanted to do out of my system, the height of which was the turbo kit. Now, I'm in the state where I'm tired of maintaining all of the after market items and all of the issues they bring with them. I'm ready for a new car and a clean slate. I want a car that has everything in it already as opposed to getting a base model and modifying it to reach my goals. I want it to have the agressive styling, the power, and all the interior bells and whistles already in it so everything works together and works properly. At least that's the idea. I originally wanted the newer E92 model BMW M3 but then I got realistic on my price range. The E46 M3 and 370Z were my next choices. I have always been a fan of Z's. My father owned a 280Z when I was a kid. The Z's have the looks, respectable power, and plenty of bells and whistles. Now I'm just trying to figure out what color I would want, pricing on used cars, and what might go wrong. I need to find out what kind of frequent problems owners are having so I'll have realistic expectations. Reliability is obviously important to me, because I'm tired of dealing with the issues on my current vehicle. The most common issue I've heard of so far is the oil temp problems, however, this seems easily remedied with an oil cooler. I've narrowed down my color choices to white and black, or possibly the graphite grey. Now I just need to decide if the price is right for me right now. That about sums up why I'm here.

Here is a little info on my current car. Like I said, its an '01 SY IS300. The major mods include a Swift Racing Tech stage 2.75 turbo kit, Tein Flex coilover w/ EDFC, JP Vizage front lip, C-West side skirts, Kaminari rear lip, TRD spoiler, VIS carbon fiber hood, ADR M-sport wheels, blah blah blah, etc., etc. Here's a few pics:

[LuckyJinx]

Never heard of a turboed lexus before, cool. Z would be a great buy because my bro owns an es350 and the difference is noticeable.

[mixtnutz532]

Really? They are actually becoming a lot more common. As the IS becomes more affordable a lot more people are modifying them. There are quite a few up here in the mid-atlantic.

[John@Z1]

Hey man, I actually own a Turbo SC300 and a Solar 2002 IS300. If I had the money and not a company 370Z to drive I would buy one. I would almost sell my SC to buy one. But those cars are paid off and I'm a carligamist.

The 370Z is nothing but win! Except the fuel gauge. PM me if you need any help.

[mixtnutz532]

What is wrong with the fuel gauge?

[4r3s]

hey mixtnutz, head over to the mid-atlantic section of the forum.
NOVA: Zs & Coffee - Starbucks every Saturday @ 10AM

We do a z meet every weekend and it switches between MD and NOVA. I think this weekend is down in NOVA, but it would give you an oppertunity to talk face to face with real z owners and figure out the answers to your questions in more detail than a forum is capable of.

[CBRich]

Oh those were the days. When Lexi had steering feel and decent handling.

[wilsonp]

Fuel gauge is a silly digital bar graph that sometimes fails to light up the last LED when full.

[LuckyJinx]

Originally Posted by CBRich

Oh those were the days. When Lexi had steering feel and decent handling.

And when their exhaust made real noise.

[mixtnutz532]

Originally Posted by 4r3s

hey mixtnutz, head over to the mid-atlantic section of the forum.
NOVA: Zs & Coffee - Starbucks every Saturday @ 10AM

We do a z meet every weekend and it switches between MD and NOVA. I think this weekend is down in NOVA, but it would give you an oppertunity to talk face to face with real z owners and figure out the answers to your questions in more detail than a forum is capable of.

Thanks. Just posted in there. I'll make it out to the first one I can.

[mixtnutz532]

Originally Posted by wilsonp

Fuel gauge is a silly digital bar graph that sometimes fails to light up the last LED when full.

Haha. Nice. If that is the biggest issue so far you guys are doing pretty good.

Originally Posted by CBRich

Oh those were the days. When Lexi had steering feel and decent handling.

Originally Posted by LuckyJinx

And when their exhaust made real noise.

The IS line has totally changed, I agree. It looks, feels, and handles like the rest of the Lexus line. Its to much luxury and not enough sport. They are still cool cars, but they don't get my blood boiling like the 1st gen. They are just too... ...nice, lol.

[LuckyJinx]

Originally Posted by mixtnutz532

Haha. Nice. If that is the biggest issue so far you guys are doing pretty good.





The IS line has totally changed, I agree. It looks, feels, and handles like the rest of the Lexus line. Its to much luxury and not enough sport. They are still cool cars, but they don't get my blood boiling like the 1st gen. They are just too... ...nice, lol.

Isf and the lfa are nice, but not affordable as the is300, I still think the new 250 could use some work.

[CBRich]

My wife has the latest gen IS250 and it's just too numb. It's perfect for her type but doesn't really have the feel that an enthusiast wants.

[ThoriumHotdog]

Welcome. Nice ride.

[LuckyJinx]

Originally Posted by CBRich

My wife has the latest gen IS250 and it's just too numb. It's perfect for her type but doesn't really have the feel that an enthusiast wants.

Those look hot! Ughhh I saw a white and black and I just melted. Then I kept driving my Z haha. Lexus sure knows how to "make" a good looking car, but performance isn't too much.