2002 Lexus IS 300 L-Tuned Limited Edition

The IS 300 L-Tuned Series I gets several visual enhancements, including four L-Tuned badges, and a bump in pony count to 223-hp at 5,800 rpm.

Series II ($7,698) picks up where the initial upgrade stops. Stiffer, progressive-rate coil springs work with larger-diameter anti-roll bars to further attenuate body roll and lower ride height by one inch while maintaining stock suspension geometry. Wheel/tire fitment also gets a boost as 18x7.5-inch 7-spoke alloys wheels replace the 17x7.0-inch standard aluminum rims and bespoke 245/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport tires replace the 215/45ZR17 Goodyear Eagle GS-D rubber that comes on baseline sedans.


Our test car was a Series II-spec package, with its undercarriage upgrades and more aggressive wheel/tire setup being further augmented by a limited-slip differential. As expected, these changes take the IS 300 to a new handling plateau, making it even more tossable, predictable, controllable and just plain more fun. Overall responsiveness is improved, the quicker initial turn-in and even-better transient behavior characteristics coming without any negative impact on the car's reasonably forgiving nature. Obviously, the formula encourages and supports more aggressive attacks on corners wherever one may find them. Switch off the traction control, and it's possible to elicit some wheelspin while exiting tighter twisties, but the limited-slip diff does a commendable job of maximizing confidence while minimizing blue haze.


Given that its passenger compartment was already designed with enthusiast drivers in mind, "L" tuning of the IS 300 nets no changes save for appropriately logo'd floor mats. On the business side of the equation, well-formed buckets that offer good comfort and support are complemented by a tilt steering column, signature "chronograph-style" instrumentation and a brushed-aluminum pedal set.

Well-formed buckets offer good comfort and support and are complemented by a tilt steering column, signature "chronograph-style" instrumentation and a brushed-aluminum pedal set.

But even in this most sporting of Lexus sport sedans, creature features abound. The IS 300's standards list includes climate-control air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, cruise control, keyless remote entry, AM/FM/cassette stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and front/front-side/side-curtain airbags. Rounding out the package are other welcome touches like HID headlamps, an anti-theft system with immobilizer—even a first-aid kit. About the only functional caveat is that the car's somewhat compact rear quarters favor kids over full-size adults.


Our L-Tuned tester also happened to be a rolling poster child for IS 300 options, gaining a voice-activated navigation system, the Power and Leather package (leather/escaine upholstery, dual power seats, moonroof, and HomeLink), heated seats, decklid spoiler, trunk mat and the aforementioned limited-slip differential in addition to its Stage II L-tuned livery. Collectively, those items pushed its $29,435 base price to an as-delivered $43,612. While the navi is nice and those other extras make this little hustler an even more endearing cruiser, harder-core performance types who can live with a bit less pampering—and a bit less critical mass—can roll that figure back to $38,068 and gain even more incremental quickness by passing on everything but the top-grade L-tuned goodies and the grip-maxxing rear end.