IS? What you guys think?

[ej25ti]

So as I was driving home from work today I spotted a 2005 red IS300 5spd for sale at a dealership, and if you don't know the 5spds are mad rare!
So I'm seriously debating trading in my 2005 black Subaru STi for it... but it's a really tough decision! So I wanted to know what ya guys all thought...

the IS has 104k miles on it, but I wanna do a GTE swap anyway
my STi has 85k on it, and is in excellent condition

so far he said $2k on top, but i gotta talk him way more
but will be so hard to get rid of my scooby if i go through with this

so what u guys think??

btw, before my STi i owned a 2003 IS300 so i know all about them lol

[Cal]

IMO seems like a down grade. Why buy a car you have to do a swap too when you already have one that is plenty fast and easily upgradeable?

[West]

I'm among the same fan-dom. My tops cars go like this.

1. 240SX (s14)
2. IS300 2JZ-GTE (JCE10L)
3. Impreza (GC8)

The FT-86 will top that, but that's besides the point. The IS300, even still is outside that range Id like to spend on a car I intend to modify. IS300's are probably now within my range but I'm waiting for the FT86.

Simply, a 2JZ IS300 would be the most awesome car in my list. You cannot go wrong and the car would be solid to boot.

The Subie is awesome, don't get me wrong. But the IS300 would be fucking fun as hell to own.

[ej25ti]

yea
and the thing is, is that when i bought my first IS in florida, noone had one... then when everyone had one i bought an STi, because NOONE has STi's in FL, but now that im up north EVERYONE has STi's, so i want an IS again, lol

[vingox21]

I would keep the car i know is in excellent condition over trading it in for a car that could of beat to hell been. I would save my $2000 wait till the STI needs a rebuild on the motor and build it for some extra hp. Swaps are soooo expensive especially if your not a mechanic and the time it takes is even crazier,and I did a simple swap on an old civic. 105k on an '05 damn i had 65k on an '89 sorry but if you were my close friend I would definitely talk you out of it.
P.S. I would rather have an older 2jz is300 and have supra everything in it.

[HyperFX]

On a cost analysis, I would just buy the IS, save up the money from the engine swap and place it towards a Ft86. Have the IS as a daily driver and the FT as a "fun mobile". Best of both worlds.

[smokeynyc]

How much does he want for the IS? I want a black STI, if its reasonable maybe I could buy yours off of you. Im in MA too btw.

[Cal]

Newb me didn't realize 2jz ends in GTE. An IS300 with 2JZ. Sexy.

[ej25ti]

How much does he want for the IS? I want a black STI, if its reasonable maybe I could buy yours off of you. Im in MA too btw.

He wants $12,900, but i wont go over $12k
I wont give up my STi for under $15k so

[ej25ti]

I would keep the car i know is in excellent condition over trading it in for a car that could of beat to hell been. I would save my $2000 wait till the STI needs a rebuild on the motor and build it for some extra hp. Swaps are soooo expensive especially if your not a mechanic and the time it takes is even crazier,and I did a simple swap on an old civic. 105k on an '05 damn i had 65k on an '89 sorry but if you were my close friend I would definitely talk you out of it.
P.S. I would rather have an older 2jz is300 and have supra everything in it.

Well when you buy a car like an STi, you kinda expect it to be beat on, and I’m pretty sure mine has lol considering im not the original owner, not to mention the beating on by me haha
I’m not a mechanic, but my friends and I are doing the swap ourselves, the only labor I’d be paying for would be the tuning. I got my 05 STi with 70k miles on it in 07 when it was 2 years old lol

[vingox21]

That was a newb thing to say. In my defense I am a Honda guy so I only know 2jz. I always thought the is300 had the same motor as the supra with weaker internals, drivetrain, and no turbo/turbos. If you have free labor then I would rebuild my STI, I bet a built STI would blow the doors off that IS300(which is a ridiculously sick whip).

[ej25ti]

That was a newb thing to say. In my defense I am a Honda guy so I only know 2jz. I always thought the is300 had the same motor as the supra with weaker internals, drivetrain, and no turbo/turbos. If you have free labor then I would rebuild my STI, I bet a built STI would blow the doors off that IS300(which is a ridiculously sick whip).

well i have mostly free labor... just not free parts lol

[G4BROKE]

Engine swap or build...whatever is the best for ya...

Here is a built 2JZGE...into a beast...just pump gas too...



614 whp 483 wtq @ 19psi (Mustang dyno)

[ej25ti]

oh i know, ive had many debates about whether to go GTE or NA-T, but i decided since the GE has so many miles on it, id go with a newer GTE, theyre both a lot of work

[SUPRAtruc2JZGE]

Go with VTTi 2JZGTE, newer and it ok on gas saver. Dont go NA-T anymore, do the real 2JZGTE and then from there start alot of stuff to it if you want pass over 700hp easy external work. I rather do the whole GTE > NA-T. From internal to external would give you over 1000hp, just becareful using on the street, thou. lmao!

[Nellen]

I think STI vs IS300 is like comparing a Porsche and a Maserati. I mean one is primarily made for sportivity and the other for comfort.

So you have to know what you want from your car...

[ej25ti]

I think STI vs IS300 is like comparing a Porsche and a Maserati. I mean one is primarily made for sportivity and the other for comfort.

So you have to know what you want from your car...

more sportivity, hence why i traded in the first place

but the IS is just a hella sexy car, and the 2jz... mmmmm

:P

[HakosukaBunta]

btw, before my STi i owned a 2003 IS300 so i know all about them lol

The Supra 2JZ is a PITA to place in the IS, EVEN THOUGH it already has a 2J stock... I hope your friends have done this before and could hook you up with a killer deal. The early 5spd IS had issues with the tranny as well but, I bet you already know that.

I do agree that they are sexy owning one of the first IS in America myself. The second gens have nothing on them!

[ej25ti]

The Supra 2JZ is a PITA to place in the IS, EVEN THOUGH it already has a 2J stock... I hope your friends have done this before and could hook you up with a killer deal. The early 5spd IS had issues with the tranny as well but, I bet you already know that.

I do agree that they are sexy owning one of the first IS in America myself. The second gens have nothing on them!

Agreed!
and yes I know it is definitely NOT an easy swap, custom mounts and all!

I ended up sticking with the STi though so
though I still think about IS's everyday haha

[HakosukaBunta]

Agreed!
and yes I know it is definitely NOT an easy swap, custom mounts and all!

I ended up sticking with the STi though so
though I still think about IS's everyday haha

Great choice although not as practical and comfortable compared to an IS. I bet you would miss the sti once you got back in the IS, hahaha!

Yea it is a good car. I pulled mine out and starting using it as a baby hauler, hahaha. In my opinion it will be sought after in the future like the classic Cresida, Celica, and Corolla's. Holding on to mine.

[Run]

that's the same reason why i dont drive an STI, everyone has it... especially those Honda cars, so damn common its annoying! nothing wrong with the cars itself of course

[ej25ti]

that's the same reason why i dont drive an STI, everyone has it

really depends where u live

[HakosukaBunta]

that's the same reason why i dont drive an STI, everyone has it...

Everyone has it but, can they do it right?

[Thesteveo]

Everyone has i but, can they do it right?

Case and Point.