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2004 Lexus IS 300 Road Test

If It Aint Broke...

Dont be too surprised to find a mountaineer or two on the Lexus engineering payroll. For in pursuit of the "light-is-right" ethos embraced by high-altitude climbers, designers of the uptown Japanese marque have gone to great lengths to keep the pounds off.

Consider this item taken from the IS 300 press kit: "A tiny sliver of steel has been scooped from the head of every bolt on every Lexus to reduce overall weight by twenty pounds."

Such high levels of attention to detail have come to define Lexus vehicles over the years, and judging from the 2004 IS 300 sport sedan, the brands well-earned

Lexus has gone to great and suprising lengths to reduce the IS 300s overall weight. (Photo: Lexus)

reputation for well-built, well thought out cars will continue long into the future.

Simply put, the 2004 IS 300 is all any self respecting enthusiast could ever want in a sports sedan. Its nimble, yet roomy. Its quick, yet silky smooth. And its loaded with features and style, yet at a very competitive price.

To say not much has changed on the 04 model over last

All thats changed are new 11-spoke 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, optional, plus smoked gray surrounds for the headlights, fog lights, and tail lights are added, along with drivers seat memory and bright silver interior trim. (Photo: Lexus)

years is no understatement. All thats changed are new 11-spoke 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, optional, plus smoked gray surrounds for the headlights, fog lights, and tail lights are added, along with drivers seat memory and bright silver interior trim. Meaning, Lexus engineers approached the new model with either a "How can we improve on perfection" attitude, or a "Were far too busy with the new RX 330 and mid-cycle LS 430 upgrade to even think about the IS 300" mindset. Either way,

The performance of the IS 300 rivals that of a Porsche Boxster, but with the headroom and rear seat room of a Ford Taurus. (Photo: Lexus)

few can quibble with the final line on list: "The base IS300 with manual transmission retails for an MSRP of $29,435."

Of course, load up the already well stocked base model and itll be pushing the $38,000 mark. Still, given the price of the German, Japanese and, to some extent, Swedish competition, the Lexus sport sedan offers much of the bang for fewer bucks.

Unlike the illogical evolution of so-called sport-utility vehicles (the looks like a truck, drives like a sports car idiocy that compels even dedicated sports car companies -- hello, Porsche -- to enter the market), a sports sedan is a natural fit. Essentially a four-door, four-seat

With its 215-hp 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, the IS 300 accelerates and handles like a dream. (Photo: Lexus)

sports car, the sport sedan species is ideal for the driver who wants that sports car experience -- but also needs to strap a childs car seat in the back.

The IS 300 is just such a vehicle. The performance of the rear-wheel-drive sedan rivals that of a Porsche Boxster (zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds), but with the headroom and rear seat room of a Ford Taurus (though the rear seats are a little snug if traveling with four adults).

Featuring a 3.0-liter in-line six cylinder engine pumping out 215 horses, the sedan accelerates and handles like a dream, with a solid and safe feeling in most driving conditions. I especially liked the steering-wheel mounted gear shift buttons on the standard five-speed automatic tranny (a 5-speed manual is also available) and the standard power assisted ABS system. A host

Lexus engineers took the why improve on perfection route with the luxury IS 300. (Photo: Lexus)

of standard suspension and mechanical systems give the IS 300 such solid footing, from electronic traction control to a double-wishbone suspension to gas shock absorbers to something called anti-dive and anti-squat geometry.

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