Lows: Ride, rear seat, lacks sportiness
The individual Vehicle Profile for the 2nd-generation Lexus IS says that it is one of Consumer Reports Recommended vehicles, with Better than Average Reliability and Satisfaction (the latter essentially the answer to the "would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?" question) and Predicted Depreciation that is Much Better (Much Lower) than Average. Here's how they summarizes the 2nd-generation Lexus IS:
Lexus' small rear-wheel-drive sedan has a plush, quiet interior with simple controls, but it lacks the sporty feel of some competitors. Standard stability control makes handling secure but not very sporty, partly because the steering lacks feedbackand the ride is jittery. The base 2.5-liter V6 is refined and delivers quick acceleration, and fuel economy is good. The optional 3.5-liter V6 is very strong. All-wheel-drive is optional on the IS250. The front cabin is tight and the rear seat is extremely cramped. IIHS crash-test results have been impressive.
Among their Reliable Used Cars, Consumer Reports recommends the 2001 Lexus IS300 in the $16,000-$18,000 price range, the 2002 Lexus IS300 in the $18,000-$20,000 price range, the 2003-4 Lexus IS300 in the $20,000-$24,000 price range, and the 2006 Lexus IS250/350 in the $30,000 and up price range. The curious omission of the 2005 IS300 is probably due only to its extremely low sales numbers, which also makes it the only Lexus IS model year that doesn't appear in CR's vaunted Reliability Ratings.
And speaking of those Reliability Ratings, here's what Consumer Reports tells us about every model year the Lexus IS has been sold in the U.S. (except 2005):
Engine, major (Engine rebuild, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger, and supercharger)
Much Better than Average for 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006
Better than Average for 2004
Engine, minor (Distributor, coil, spark plugs, sensors or modules, electronic ignition, accessory and timing belts; oil leaks, engine knock or ping)
Much Better than Average for 2001, 2003 and 2006
Better than Average for 2002 and 2004
Engine Cooling (Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, coolant leaks, overheating)
Much Better than Average
Transmission (and clutch) (Transmission rebuild or replacement, gear selector and linkage, coolers and lines, transmission computer, clutch adjustment or replacement)
Much Better than Average for 2001, 2003 and 2006
Better than Average for 2002 and 2004
Drive System (Driveshaft, joints, axle[s], differential, wheel bearings, four-wheel-drive components, traction control, stability-control system, driveline vibration, electrical failure)
Much Better than Average
Fuel System (Fuel injection system, engine computer, sensors, fuel pump, fuel tank, emission control devices, check-engine light)
Much Better than Average for 2003, 2004 and 2006
Better than Average for 2001 and 2002
Electrical (Starter, alternator, battery, horn, gauges, tire pressure monitor, wiper motor, wiring, lights)
Much Better than Average for 2002 and 2003
Better than Average for 2001 and 2004
Average for 2006
Climate system (A/C compressor, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage; no heating, cooling, or defrost)
Much Better than Average
Suspension (Steering linkage, power-steering gear, pump, coolers and lines, wheel alignment and balance, springs or torsion bars, shocks or struts, ball joints, bushings, electronic or air suspension)
Much Better than Average for 2001 and 2006
Better than Average for 2002, 2003 and 2004
Average for 2004
Brakes (Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, premature wear, failure)
Much Better than Average for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006
Better than Average for 2001
Exhaust (Exhaust manifold, muffler, catalytic converter, pipes)
Much Better than Average for 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006
Better than Average for 2004
Paint/Trim/Rust (Fading, discoloration, chalking, peeling, cracking, loose trim, moldings & outside mirrors, corrosion, pitting, perforation)
Much Better than Average for 2003, 2004 and 2006
Better than Average for 2002
Average for 2001
Body Integrity (Seals, weatherstripping, loose interior trim, air & water leaks, wind noise, rattles & squeaks)
Much Better than Average for 2003 & 2004
Better than Average for 2001 & 2002
Average for 2006
Body Hardware (Manual mirrors, door locks and latches, sliding door, tailgate or hatch, seat mechanisms and convertible top, safety belts, glass defect)
Much Better than Average for 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004
Better than Average for 2006
Power Equipment and Accessories (Power windows, locks, mirrors, seat adjustments, sunroof, convertible top, sliding doors or lift gates, keyless entry, cruise control, heated and cooled seats, backup sensors and camera)
Much Better than Average
Audio system (Radio, CD player or changer, cassette player, satellite radio, navigation or entertainment system)
Much Better than Average for 2003
Better than Average for 2004 and 2006
Much Worse than Average for 2001 and 2002
OVERALL USED CAR VERDICT
Much Better than Average for 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004
Better than Average for 2006
NEW CAR PREDICTION
Better than Average
The only "black marks" for the Lexus IS are for the Audio System of 2001 and 2002 IS300s, which is hardly a surprise for the many owners that have struggled with CD players that "swallowed" discs and refused to eject them. (Miraculously, this author was not one of them, in spite of having owned a 2002 IS300). The other interesting conclusion is that 2003s appear to be the best year of all, with only a "Better than Average" Suspension rating preventing it from achieving a perfect sweep of "Much Better than Average" in everything.
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