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2001-2005 Lexus IS300
(photo of my 2002 is300 at Codfish Creek Falls Discovery Trail (Head) - Auburn, CA )
Ahh, this is the legend – we started Coollex.com with this body style. We've parted out countless examples, selling parts locally at first, then expanding to eBay and Facebook groups. What can I say? The 2JZ-GE engine is a beast. You’d have to be really hard on it to kill it. We’ve had examples with over 300k miles and not a single leak. Sure, the interior fell apart over time, with dashboards turning sticky, but the drivetrain? Bulletproof.
The 5-speed manual IS300s are especially sought after. Only around 14k were produced for the U.S., making clean, low-mileage examples rare and highly desirable. And let’s not forget the wagon, introduced in 2002 – not for everyone, but if you have the right taste, it’s a very good-looking and practical car.
We don’t see as many IS300s coming through these days since demand has slowed, but trust me, when nostalgia hits, these legends will pop up on our website.
2006-2013 Lexus IS250/IS350/IS F
From Left to Right - Is350, Is250 F-sport, IS-F (these are owned by my literal brothers)
In my opinion, these years are crucial for the Lexus IS model's identity. The second-generation Lexus IS had three models with different engines: the IS250 with a 2.5L V6, the IS350 with a 3.5L V6, and the high-performance IS F with a 5.0L V8. While these three models share a lot in terms of body parts (except for the IS F), interior design, and electrical components (be cautious with these), the driving experience between them is drastically different.
The IS250 is the slowest of the bunch, built more for fuel economy. The IS350 offers a faster, more torque-heavy ride, and, of course, the IS F is the pinnacle—fast, stiff suspension, delivering an almost sporty experience.
One issue with the IS250 was engine carbon buildup, especially in poorly maintained models or those that didn’t use premium gasoline. There were also common interior problems, like sticky dashboards and door panels, which were eventually recalled and replaced by Lexus.
This generation was redesigned three times: 2006-2008, 2009-2010, and 2011-2013. Changes included slight updates to bumpers, interior electronics, and other details. BTW there was an overlap for 2014 Lexus Is-c (convertible) - but generally the public refers to these models as 06-13.
At this point, the second-gen IS models (known as the "2IS" generation) are the majority of the used IS250 parts we sell. It’s over a decade old now (depending on when you’re reading this), but it still has a strong following. People value these cars, and there’s a passionate community built around them. Plus, there are tons of mods and styling options. In my view, this generation still looks modern on the road and held up well over time.
2014-2019 Lexus IS
The third-generation IS (3IS) had mixed reactions—it felt like Lexus went a bit budget on this one. While they redesigned the exterior and interior and introduced different models with various letter designations (IS200t, IS200, IS300, IS350), underneath it all, it was close to the same powertrain wrapped in a new, somewhat questionable costume.
Personally, I’m not a fan. It just screams “built on a budget”—the leather on the seats is noticeably thinner, and while the sharp exterior lines look fine, something feels off. There’s more engineering going on for sure, but the overall impression doesn’t sit right with me.
We've only had a few of these to part out, and while it still holds up to Lexus' safety standards, our feelings on this generation are mixed.
2020-2024 Lexus IS
Some call it a facelift of the third generation, but I beg to differ. This is more of an unofficial fourth generation in our book. We haven’t had much experience parting out these models yet, but visually, it's a real standout—very appealing. As for the internals, we haven’t had the chance to get under the hood of this one, but from the outside, it’s definitely different in a good way.
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Well, this was the a little blog rant. Comment and share!