Another well-kept secret
Intrigue, and not the Oldsmobile type, is what has always attracted to the IS. Here was a car, from Lexus no less, which dared to pretend to be in the same league as the all-mighty, all-powerful BMW 3-Series. I clearly remember looking at pictures of this car and getting excited at the prospect of testing this car. Unfortunately, fate had a different plan for me; I was to test this car as a used automobile and not a new one. Excellent!
Subtle and hot!
The Lexus IS 300, almost better known as the Toyota Altezza, is a stealthy little car that flies right at radar level. I mean to say that the ultra-gorgeous IS still gets the looks without garnering any admiration; in most cases anyways but I will get back to that later. The car, especially when draped in Pearl White and sporting the handsome 17" wheels, looks special without flashing, much like a present-day Volvo S40.
The IS' flat, wide and muscular nose has the charm of a raging bull all the while maintaining a very sophisticated air about it. The car's simple and elegant lines convey a great amount of confidence that could the reason why many enthusiasts still consider this car as a hot item even today.
Altezza
The name Altezza is probably familiar to some because of the term "Altezza lights" which refers to the funky clear-lensed taillights with projector-style main light. The IS began a trend in 2000 which has yet to die down although the end is nearing... hopefully.
The office
The compact straight-forward interior is as Toyota/Lexus as any save for one specific highly publicized item: the speedometer. The speed indicator is inspired by a sport watch that would be complete with a chronometer and heart-rate monitor. In actuality, the center dial houses the speedo, the engine temperature, the voltmeter and a fuel consumption gauge. At first, all the information is a little daunting but the driver quickly gets used to it. The remainder of the dashboard is a typically simple Toyota affair which also means that the ergonomics are spot-on.
Intrigue, and not the Oldsmobile type, is what has always attracted to the IS. Here was a car, from Lexus no less, which dared to pretend to be in the same league as the all-mighty, all-powerful BMW 3-Series. I clearly remember looking at pictures of this car and getting excited at the prospect of testing this car. Unfortunately, fate had a different plan for me; I was to test this car as a used automobile and not a new one. Excellent!
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| The Lexus IS still looks great 6 years after its introduction. |
Subtle and hot!
The Lexus IS 300, almost better known as the Toyota Altezza, is a stealthy little car that flies right at radar level. I mean to say that the ultra-gorgeous IS still gets the looks without garnering any admiration; in most cases anyways but I will get back to that later. The car, especially when draped in Pearl White and sporting the handsome 17" wheels, looks special without flashing, much like a present-day Volvo S40.
The IS' flat, wide and muscular nose has the charm of a raging bull all the while maintaining a very sophisticated air about it. The car's simple and elegant lines convey a great amount of confidence that could the reason why many enthusiasts still consider this car as a hot item even today.
Altezza
The name Altezza is probably familiar to some because of the term "Altezza lights" which refers to the funky clear-lensed taillights with projector-style main light. The IS began a trend in 2000 which has yet to die down although the end is nearing... hopefully.
The office
The compact straight-forward interior is as Toyota/Lexus as any save for one specific highly publicized item: the speedometer. The speed indicator is inspired by a sport watch that would be complete with a chronometer and heart-rate monitor. In actuality, the center dial houses the speedo, the engine temperature, the voltmeter and a fuel consumption gauge. At first, all the information is a little daunting but the driver quickly gets used to it. The remainder of the dashboard is a typically simple Toyota affair which also means that the ergonomics are spot-on.
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| Chrono-style gauges are perfectly matched to the IS' character. |