Vehicle Details
- Year: 2003
- Make: Lexus
- Model: IS300
- VIN: JTHBD192630078132
- Mileage Shown: 77,547
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Thunder Cloud
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Minnetonka, MN 55345
- Lot #: V-0036255
The first-generation Lexus IS (XE10) was introduced in 1998 and was designed with an emphasis on performance to compete with the leading European luxury cars of the time. This 2003 example is finished in Thunder Cloud over an Ash Gray leather interior and features an optional rear spoiler and heated front seats as well as the SportDesign Edition package. It is powered by a 3.0-liter SJZ-GE inline-six engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and optional limited-slip differential. This IS300 was sold new from Lexus of Wayzata in Minnesota where it was routinely serviced for the next 10 years. The car was acquired by the seller from its original owner in 2013 and has been driven approximately 7,500 miles since. This 5-speed Lexus IS300 is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Minnesota while showing under 78k miles on the odometer.
This IS300 is finished in Thunder Cloud and features an optional rear spoiler as well as the SportDesign Edition package which includes SportDesign badges, black pearl emblems, pearl-finish headlights and taillights, a rear diffuser, a SportDesign front grille, and 17” SportDesign 11-spoke wheels. The seller notes the front bumper was recently refinished to address a scratch and clear 3M paint protection film was applied to the forward parts of the hood and fenders when new. A few minor dings are present, and the Bridgestone tires show production date codes from 2003 and 2008. The seller adds that the car has always been garage-kept and was never driven during the winter months. Detailed images are provided in the gallery along with a clean CARFAX report.
Inside, this IS300 features an Ash Gray interior with the SportDesign Edition package adding full leather 8-way power-adjustable front seats with piping. Other equipment includes a one-touch open/close moonroof, optional heated front seats, brushed aluminum trim, a chrome shift knob, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, chronograph-style instrumentation, automatic climate control, cruise control, power windows, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated compass, heated outside mirrors, an illuminated entry system, and a 240-watt AM/FM cassette stereo with 8 speakers. The seller notes some minor wear is present on the driver’s seat bolster and confirms all gauges and accessories are fully functional.
This IS300 is equipped with a 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve SJZ-GE inline-six engine featuring the Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS) and Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i). Up to 215 HP and 218 lb.-ft of torque is sent to the rear wheels by way of a 5-speed manual transmission and an optional limited-slip differential. Standard performance features include front and rear double-wishbone suspension, Traction Control System (TRAC), and disc brakes with an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). The seller indicates all routine maintenance was completed at the original selling dealership up until 2014 at 60k miles as corroborated by stamps in the original service booklet.
This sale will include the original purchase invoice, window sticker, owner’s manuals, a toolkit, a spare tire, sales literature, extensive service records, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: " ‘Is The Original Lexus IS300 The Perfect Car?’ This is what William Bird, a professional car writer and editor asked in 2017. His answer: he bought one. If you are looking at my car you probably know what early IS300s are: comfortable, powerful, agile, fun to drive. This one is totally original and unmodified, with a manual transmission, the SportDesign package, and low miles (about 3,500 per year on average). That makes it a very unique model. I had the chance to acquire it from the original owner who took extreme care of the car and kept all documentation and records from new. So, if you are looking not just for an early IS300 but a special one to keep, this is it!”
Auction Results
- Highest Bid: $13,500
- Auction End: Nov 08, 2023 08:18:42PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 14
Comments (23)
Bid in the amount of $13,500
Bid in the amount of $13,250
Bid in the amount of $13,000
Bid in the amount of $12,750
Bid in the amount of $12,500
Bid in the amount of $12,250
Bid in the amount of $12,000
Bid in the amount of $11,750
Bid in the amount of $11,500
Bid in the amount of $11,000
Bid in the amount of $10,750
Just noticed Pic 45,47. ‘03 Date Codes on the tires. Wow those are the original tires! Crazy haha definitely gently driven’
If there’s no indication of it being done (sticker in engine bay or paperwork) it’s probably not done. Will be needing water pump, vvt solenoid, engine seals, fluids.
Good luck with the beautiful car seller!
The car was 10 years old when I bought it from the original owner who had all service performed at Lexus dealership since new. I cannot find evidence of timing belt replacement in the documents which I have.
Bottom line: I cannot tell for sure whether timing belt was replaced before it turned 10 years old or not.
A visual inspection of drive belts was done at a Toyota dealership in 2014 and found all belts to be in great condition (green rating on Toyota's three tier - green, yellow, red - rating). Other visual inspections have been done since without being documented.
The car has been driven very little in the past 10 years (700 miles per year on average).
Timing belt is required based on age as well not just miles. I’d budget having a full service done. Toyota/Lexus always puts a service sticker on the timing belt cover which I don’t see here.
As stated in the description of the car, it has not been driven in the winter under my ownership, that is since 2013.
Also, from a friend who worked at Lexus of Wayzata, where the car was purchased new in 2003, the Lexus dealer did not offer rust proofing or undercoating because Lexus, the manufacturer, did not recommend it.
Just looked underneath as best as I could without a lift. I confirm that there are no noticeable holes. The rust you pointed out on picture 99 seems to all be surface rust.
Timing belt change recommendation is at 90k miles. The car has only 77k so, no, it has not been changed yet.
I believe shocks are original.
The rust you see on photos 99 or 100 is surface rust on driveshafts. Driveshafts generally come unpainted/untreated and rapidly develop surface rust (some people have reported rust on driveshafts of new cars weeks after the purchase).
The underneath of the car is actually very clean as can be seen from the photos. All the rust is surface rust, mostly on unpainted parts. There are no holes.
Was timing belt done? On original shocks? Rust looks pretty bad underneath, are there any holes or damage from rust underneath? I can see on pic 99
Hello bidders,
Let me know if you have any question about the car or want additional photos of specific areas. I'll do my best to respond rapidly so that you have all the information you need.
Bid in the amount of $10,499
Bid in the amount of $10,249
Bid in the amount of $9,999